Little Explorers: Activities for Babies on the Go

I can’t believe my baby boy is already 14 months old! Time flies during the first year of memories and milestones. Through raising three kids and experiencing many sweet days at home, I’ve learned a few things as a stay-at-home mom. These fun baby activities and interactive toys helped make our afternoons a little less wild and a lot more fun!

Activities for Baby’s First Year

The first year of a baby’s life is a mix of curiosity and frustration. Babies want to go, explore, and do everything, but they’re still figuring out how. My 14-month-old son is always on the move, constantly trying to climb things, taste new foods, and feel new textures. He’s had his share of bumps, but thankfully nothing too serious. One thing’s for sure, he’s an adventurer at heart!

One of my son’s favorite activities is playing with a baby sensory bin I put together. I chose oversized, baby-safe items in a variety of textures to include in the bin. Everything is larger than 3 inches, so there’s nothing he can put in his mouth and accidentally swallow. He loves digging through the baby sensory bin, touching items, and tossing things out.

Baby Sensory Bin

You can easily make your own baby sensory bin for your little explorer! First, you’ll need a box, preferably with a lid so you can easily close it to put away. Next, gather an assortment of items larger than 3 inches in different shapes, textures, and colors. Here are some item suggestions to put in your sensory bin baby activity!

Hard textures: Blocks, spoons, light-up balls, and small toys all make fun additions to a baby sensory bin.

Soft items: Large pom poms, bean bags, and big feathers with a blunt quill are all interesting things for babies to discover.

Bumpy objects: Cut up egg cartons, small rubber toys, and suction cup balls have unique textures which are fun for babies to squeeze.

Stackers: Rinsed out coffee pods, small plastic containers, and foam blocks are fun for baby to try to stack.

Scoopers: Small cups and tongs are fun to put in a sensory bin to teach your baby new motor skills!

Try making a baby sensory bin yourself! Take a quick look around your home and gather baby-safe items with a variety of textures. The goal is to offer different materials your baby can safely explore with their hands.

Educational Board Books

Additionally, reading with your child can be a sweet time of bonding and discovery. My baby boy recently discovered board books and started flipping through the pages and pointing to pictures with curiosity. One of our current favorites is My First Word Book About Me from Usborne Books. It’s the kind of book we can open again and again, and always notice something new!

This sweet baby book is filled with colorful illustrations and organized by fun themes like “my face,” “my body,” and “my home.” Each page features everyday objects, actions, expressions, and foods, helping little ones make connections to their world. The thick cardboard pages are sturdy for small hands, and the engaging drawings keep babies interested while introducing them to hundreds of new words.

This baby activity is a wonderful way to build vocabulary, encourage curiosity, and spend quality time snuggled up with a book.

Organic Baby Clothing

When it comes to everyday baby essentials, I love choosing clothing in soft tones and timeless styles. This one-piece romper has been perfect for my little guy to play outside in this summer. Once babies size up, I’ve found that basic onesies aren’t always the most practical. I love the roomy design of this romper, because it’s easy to put on and gives him plenty of space to wiggle. The farm-inspired print and white trim add a sweet touch.

For shoes, I paired the romper with a soft leather pair from pediped. We’ve been long-time fans of pediped’s quality and thoughtful design. pediped baby and toddler shoes are made with premium materials and support healthy foot development, something I really appreciate as my son starts moving more. In fact, pediped was awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for promoting healthy feet, which makes them a favorite in our home.

Lightweight Backpacks for Little Explorers

For babies on the go, we’ve loved using this adorable mini backpack from Animal Packers. These lightweight bags are perfectly sized for little explorers who want to carry their own things. The padded, adjustable straps help the backpack fit comfortably, and the thoughtful design makes it easy for kids to stay organized. Features include a roomy front pouch for snacks, two side pockets, a fully-lined interior, and reinforced zippers and seams for extra durability.

Learning Journey Cube Toy

Last but not least, this interactive cube toy from The Learning Journey is a great way to teach babies about cause and effect, textures, and simple logic. Little ones can push shaped sliders along a track or fit chunky shapes and letters through matching holes. On another side, babies can swirl beads around a colorful spiral dial using gentle motion. All the pieces store neatly inside the cube for easy clean up. My son loves hands-on toys like this, which keep his mind active and his hands busy.

These simple activities and baby-friendly finds help make everyday moments fun. Whether we’re reading books, exploring with sensory play, or heading out on an adventure, I love finding ways to help my son learn and grow.

I’m really enjoying mom life with my little ones. Despite the busy days and changing stages, I know my kids will grow up sooner than I think, and I want to soak up every moment.

Katie Wallace

Hi, I’m Katie! I live with my husband and 4 kids in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, photography, and traveling. I’ve previously worked as a web designer, journalist, and barista. I hope you enjoy our creative projects and family adventures!