Swings, bouncers, your arms -- your baby loves them all, thanks to those many months of prenatal rocking. But motion isn't entirely about calming down. For infants who are at least 2 months old, it also engages the senses and provides a few thrills. Try these go-go-go games the next time your baby needs a few kicks:

Put your 2-month-old on his back and gently roll him from side to side.
Offer a change of perspective by swooping your baby toward a mirror and out again, saying "near" and "far" as you do.
Push your baby's stroller on different surfaces -- a gravel road, the grass -- and see if he notices a difference in the movement.
Give your little one a horsey ride on your knee, alternating between a slow trot and a quick gallop.
With your 8-month-old on your hip, whirl quickly in a clockwise circle, then spin the other way. The motion will pull him closer to you and make him giggle. (Just don't try this on a baby who's younger than 8 months.)

CLOSE PRINT

Motion Games for Babies Try these games to give your baby a few kicks By Melody Warnick, Parenting Swings, bouncers, your arms -- your baby loves them all, thanks to those many months of prenatal rocking. But motion isn't entirely about calming down. For infants who are at least 2 months old, it also engages the senses and provides a few thrills. Try these go-go-go games the next time your baby needs a few kicks: Put your 2-month-old on his back and gently roll him from side to side. Offer a change of perspective by swooping your baby toward a mirror and out again, saying "near" and "far" as you do. Push your baby's stroller on different surfaces -- a gravel road, the grass -- and see if he notices a difference in the movement. Give your little one a horsey ride on your knee, alternating between a slow trot and a quick gallop. With your 8-month-old on your hip, whirl quickly in a clockwise circle, then spin the other way. The motion will pull him closer to you and make him giggle. (Just don't try this on a baby who's younger than 8 months.)