50 Activities for Baby by Chicago’s Postpartum Doulas

July 8, 2020

updated June 2, 2024 – As a Postpartum doula and night nanny my biggest piece of advice to new parents is to get out and enjoy the Chicago summers. I know this may be easier said than done, but much can be accomplished with the guidance of your night nurse. Check out our list of 50 Activities for Baby by Chicago’s Postpartum Doulas, from the overnight infant care providers of Let Mommy Sleep.

Fabienne gave us some tips and allowed us to get some well needed rest. Our little girl was very comfortable with her as well. Thank you Let Mommy Sleep Chicago!

SZ, Grayslake

50 Activities to do with Baby in Chicago: 1-10

1. Create a pottery keepsake with baby’s hand or footprint at a “paint your own” cafe. This a great sensory activity for infants and toddlers, not to mention a one of a kind grandparent gift.
2. Blow up balloons and let your infant hit them in the air! Or let the air out to hear that sound that’s sure to make them laugh!
3. Stroll a garden, zoo or nature center. When they’re big enough, put newborns in a carrier face out so they can take it all in.
4. Make a video to share with family/friends.
5. Head to the library…for storytime or open play. This is a favorite among parents and nannies.
6. Get on your newborn’s eye level for tummy time  
7. Visit a park; babies love to watch older kids, it’s how they learn to play.
8. Multitasking parents can join a stroller fitness class. You get to socialize, exercise and have your baby nap all at the same time.
9. Pack a simple picnic. Lay on your backs and marvel at the sky and the leaves. There are so many options in Lincoln Park!
10. Set up an email address for baby and email photos, memories and messages of love to open when they’re a teenager.

50 Activities to do with Baby in Chicago: 11-20

• Kitchen dance party! The classic go to for nighttime babysitters and nannies!
• Grow a baby-sized garden out of kitchen scraps…it’s very easy and you can do it indoors.
• Compose and record a personalized song 
• Give baby a daytime bath just for fun
• Let your solid-eating baby “paint” with baby food, yogurt or squishy fruit…add food coloring for more fun!
• Strap baby into a carrier and take a hike.
• Put some food coloring into water and let baby mix the colors, or watch you make color changes. 
• Immerse yourself in baby in the visual beauty of an outdoor sculpture garde
• Manipulate some nesting cups or soft blocks

50 Activities to do with Baby in Chicago: 21-30

• Turn out the lights and play with a flashlight or neon glow sticks. Bonus points for doing it in a small room where your baby can throw them around!
• Put Cheerios, beads or rice in an empty water bottle to create your own shaker
• Shop at a farmers’ market, try the free samples if your baby has started solids. South Loop Farmers Market is a great option!
• Let your infant’s inner artist come to life during tummy time
• Give baby a wooden spoon to “help” with cooking meals
• Lay under a tree and watch the leaves sparkle
• Enjoy learning a new skill by learning baby sign language for free 
• Stimulate senses with soft textures and squishy toys
• Make a puppet show starring baby! 
• Look at and talk about photos of friends and family members. This is a baby bedtime routine our postpartum doulas like.

50 Activities: 31- 40

• Join your neighborhood MOMS club – it’s only $25-$30 per year and they design paydates with social distance in mind.
• Gaze at walls of colorful fish and small animals at a pet store.
• Check out a drive in movie...bonus: baby falls asleep on the way so parents get to watch a grown-up movie!
• Play ball! Roll a ball back and forth with baby
• Watch the sky for airplanes, birds, and helicopters
• Take a ride on a kid-sized train…did you know there were so many choices?
• Make a reservation to explore the Morton Arboretum. Nature is endlessly fascinating to baby..and adults!
• If it’s hard to talk to your baby, just narrate the newborn care you’re doing when changing diapers, swaddling etc.
• Let baby shake or bang some musical instruments at home, pots and pans are a classic!
• Go camping indoors <– one of our favorite 50 Activities to do with Baby in Chicago when it’s HOT!

50 Activities to do with Baby in Chicago: 41-50

• Shake a parachute/blanket in different rhythms
• Take a historic walking tour with baby in the carrier.
• When baby is able to sit up on her own well, give her a ride in a laundry basket!Visit a sprayground
• Blow bubbles and let baby pop them! Bonus points for those super-big bubbles
• Play dress up with different hats to make baby laugh
• If you can’t get out to classes, bring gymnastics to baby
• Step up your nightlight game with an LED projector
  Collect flowers or leaves and dry them in the pages of a book
• Let baby kick in sand or dirt.
• Try the beaches near Edgewater! Your baby can fall asleep on you while you’re holding her. Parents, night nannies, nurses and doulas all unanimously promise you’re not creating any bad habits!

How About You?

Are you in the Chicago area and have family friendly and toddler activities to add to this list? What can you add to our list of 50 Activities to do with Baby in Chicago ? Let Erin know on Instagram…she’s a mom of 3 and the owner of LMS Chicago and a resident of Elmhurst, IL! In addition to all this, Erin is an expert in newborn care, postpartum doula support and hiring excellent Night Nurses.

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