Now that you’ve got the lay of the parenting land, you’ve probably noticed you’re incredibly busy yet also somehow bored. You might be feeling isolated -especially during this time of lockdowns and quarantine- but at the same time inundated with advice and pictures of perfect families. We hope this blog 50 Activities to do with Baby in Chicago can give a inspiration to get out of Groundhog Day or just get out of the house safely. Here are 50 activities you can do with a newborn and infant that are also fun for parents. 

50 Activities to do with Baby in Chicago: 1-25

1. Create a pottery keepsake with baby’s hand or footprint at a “paint your own” cafe. They are now taking reservations to ensure social distancing.
2. Blow up balloons and let baby hit them in the air…or see the cause and effect with helium balloons!
3. Stroll a garden, zoo or nature center
4. Make a video to share with family/friends
5. Head to the library…for outdoor storytime! 
6. Get on baby’s eye level for tummy time  
7. Visit a park; babies love to watch older kids!
8. Join a stroller fitness class
9. Pack a picnic to let baby enjoy the sights and sounds
10. Set up an email address for baby and email photos, memories and messages of love to open when he’s a teenager.
11. Kitchen dance party! 
12. Grow a baby-sized garden out of kitchen scraps…it’s very easy and you can do it indoors!
13. Compose and record a personalized song 
14. Give baby a daytime bath just for fun
15. Let your solid-eating baby “paint” with baby food, yogurt or squishy fruit…add food coloring for more fun!
16. Strap baby into a carrier and take a hike
17. Put some food coloring into water and let baby mix the colors, or watch you make color changes. 
18. Immerse yourself in baby in the visual beauty of an outdoor sculpture garden or park
19. Manipulate some nesting cups or soft blocks
20. Turn out the lights and play with a flashlight or neon glow sticks
21. Put Cheerios, beads or rice in an empty water bottle to create your own shaker
22. Mask up and shop at a farmers’ market
23. Let baby’s inner artist come to life during tummy time
24. Give baby a wooden spoon to “help” with cooking meals
25. Lay on your backs under a tree and watch the leaves sparkle
26. Enjoy learning a new skill by learning baby sign language for free 
27. Stimulate senses with soft textures and squishy toys
28. Make a puppet show starring baby! 
29. Look at and talk about photos of friends and family members
30. Join your neighborhood MOMS club – it’s only $25-$30 per year and they design paydates with social distance in mind.
31. Gaze at walls of colorful fish and small animals at a pet store.
32. Check out a drive in movie...bonus: baby falls asleep on the way so parents get to watch a grown-up movie!
33. Play ball! Roll a ball back and forth with baby
34. Watch the sky for airplanes, birds, and helicopters
35. Take a ride on a kid-sized train…did you know there were so many choices?
36. Make a reservation to explore the Morton Arboretum. Nature is endlessly fascinating to baby..and adults!
37. Give baby a pony ride on your knees
38. Let baby shake or bang some musical instruments at home, pots and pans are a classic!
39. Go camping indoors
40. Shake a parachute/blanket in different rhythms
41. Take a historic walking tour with baby in the carrier.
42. When baby is able to sit up on her own well, give her a ride in a laundry basket!
43. Visit a sprayground, they are open and deemed safe right now
44. Blow bubbles and let baby pop them
45. Play dress up with different hats to make baby laugh
46. Since you can’t get out to classes, bring Gymboree and gymnastics to baby
47. Step up your nightlight game with an LED projector
48. Collect flowers or leaves and dry them in the pages of a book
49. Let baby kick in sand or dirt
50. Let baby fall asleep while you’re holding her. We promise you’re not making any bad habits.

Are you in the Chicago area and have family friendly and toddler activities to add to this list? Let Erin know on Facebook or Instagram…she’s a mom of 3 and the owner of LMS Chicago!