How it Plays
Gather a selection of toys that make noise, such as squeaky ducks, toys with bells, rattles, and musical instruments. Start by showing your baby or toddler a simple squeaky toy. Give it a good noisy squeeze, then cover it with a dish towel or small blanket and let her uncover it. Next, cover it again and make it squeak while it's still invisible. This is always good for a laugh. It also motivates your child to wiggle, crawl, or walk over to uncover it. Trade the toy for a rattle or a musical shaker and shake it, again while it's covered by the towel. Try the same thing with a toy that makes a crinkly or crunchy noise (you can make your own with a ball of tinfoil or waxed paper).

If your child is walking or crawling, turn the game into musical hide-and-seek. Hide with a toy behind a sofa or chair, then make the noise and let her find you. If the toy is loud enough, you can hide in a closet or behind a door. Just remember that the noise of the toy may be overcome by her peals of laughter.

What You'll Need

Learning and Growing
Developmental experts advocate the use of rattles and squeaky toys because they teach hand-eye coordination and cause-and-effect relationships. The hide-and-seek aspect stimulates your child's cognitive development as she listens for the sound, then tries to locate you.