Tummy Time and a Cookie Tray

(For babies 3-4 months +)

Tummy time is an important part of your baby’s daily routine. It helps baby develop head control and strengthen their upper body muscles. All babies can benefit from tummy time, and after all those push-ups, sitting and crawling will be next!

If you have an infant that dislikes tummy time or you are looking for a creative way to spruce up baby’s tummy time, here is a great invitation that will help encourage baby to spend more time on their tummy - just add water!

A close up of a yellow rubber duckie in water with lots of rubber duckies in the background.

This rubber ducky cookie tray activity is sure to keep baby happy during tummy time.

**PLEASE NOTE: BABY SHOULD HAVE GOOD HEAD CONTROL AND UPPER BODY CONTROL FOR THIS ACTIVITY. ALWAYS SUPERVISE BABY DURING TUMMY TIME PLAY AND AROUND WATER.

Materials needed:

  • water

  • cookie tray

  • rubber duckies (or other bath toys)

Four rubber duckies are sitting in water on a cookie tray.

How to set up a tummy time cookie tray invitation:

  1. Pick a time of day when your infant is not tired or hungry.

  2. Have spare clothes and/or an extra towel near you.

  3. Put a towel on the floor.

  4. Add some water to the cookie tray with appropriate temperature water and set it on the towel.

  5. Babies enjoy having something to look so add some rubber duckies.

  6. Put baby on the towel in tummy time position and let baby play! You never want to leave a baby unattended with water play so get down on the floor and play with your baby face-to-face!

What is my baby learning?

  • cause and effect when the water moves and ripples

  • baby is developing their fine motor skills as they try to grab the duckies

  • baby is developing their gross motor skills as they maneuver their body during tummy time

  • sensory development is constantly happening. Your baby is:

  • listening to the sound of water

  • tracking the ducks as they move in the pan

  • feeling the wet and cold of the water as they splash

  • your baby is taking in information about the world through their senses

a baby's fingers playing in water

Looking down into a tub of water, there are two baby hands dipping their fingers into the water.

This activity is one you and your baby will want to do again and again! Have fun!

Written by Lorena Arauz, RECE, Parent Support Coach

Childreach