Balls and muffin tin activity

Babies love containment play — taking objects out of containers and putting them back in (but mostly taking them out) 🙃 They typically start taking objects out of containers at around 9 to 11 months old. Closer to 11 months, some babies start to put balls back in one at a time.
Introduce this container activity now, and plan to repeat it well into toddlerhood. You can incorporate math by counting the balls out loud one by one, or use multi-colored balls to identify colors. It’s a simple and fun learning activity that also strengthens important hand muscles, improves fine motor skills, and practices hand-eye coordination.
Here’s how to do it:
- Fill a muffin tin with balls (any kind that you have in the house that fit).
- Place the balls and tin on the floor in front of your baby and let them take the balls out.
- Encourage them to put the balls back in but know they might not be able to do this successfully until they are closer to 11 months old.
Keep reading

0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
0 - 12 Months
The complete guide to baby development milestones
We compiled this expert guide to help you know what to expect for your baby's growth and month-by-month development.

11 - 12 Months
Month 12: Meet our Organic Cotton Baby Doll, a timeless doll for everyone
The Organic Cotton Baby Doll comes in three skin tones and is gender-neutral. Read more about our Baby Doll for everyone.

9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
Introducing updates to ‘The Thinker’ and ‘The Explorer’ Play Kits for babies
We are constantly working to improve our products, which may result in periodic Play Kit updates. See how we continue to provide stage-appropriate play essentials that your child will love.

0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
The benefits of bringing your baby outside
Spending time outside is not only enjoyable for babies, it also supports their cognitive and motor development—and may even help them sleep better.

11 - 12 Months
Our favorite gifts for baby’s first birthday
First birthdays are a big deal and worth celebrating. Gifts are one way to mark the occasion. Here are our 15 favorites for your one-year-old.

0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
13 - 15 Months
16 - 18 Months
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
25 - 27 Months
28 - 30 Months
31 - 33 Months
34 - 36 Months
Why wooden toys make the best playthings
Wooden toys are a staple of Montessori learning. They're durable, beautiful, and inspire wonder for a child's budding imagination.

3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
13 - 15 Months
16 - 18 Months
18 - 48 Months+
Why children are so attached to their loveys (and what to do if your child loses theirs)
Loveys, also known as "transitional objects," help babies and toddlers through transitions. Learn why these blankies, stuffies, and more are important and what to do if one goes missing.

0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
Our simplest activities to do at home with your baby
Running out of new activities for your baby during quarantine? Don't worry! Here are 14 of our favorite simple play ideas for spending time at home.

9 - 10 Months
Week 43: Your baby’s amazing encyclopedic brain
The most meaningful learning happens when your baby is exposed to everyday objects and events. Here are some ways to help your baby build their intelligence.

9 - 10 Months
Week 42: Why you can actually have too many blocks
Blocks unlock powerful learning for babies, but child development experts recommend limiting the number of blocks you give yours. Learn why in our post.

9 - 10 Months
Week 44: Why tubes and containers are so essential to your baby
Your baby is starting to understand that objects fall through a tube, but stay put in a container. Learn how the Lovevery Clear Tube reinforces this real-world concept.

9 - 10 Months
Your Baby’s Physical Development: 9 Months
Watch Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph discuss developmental milestones for your 9-month old with licensed occupational therapist and founder of CanDo Kiddo, Rachel Coley.

11 - 12 Months
Sticky Note Wall
Sticky notes are all you need for this fun activity. It encourages fine motor and gross motor skills, builds core strength, strengthens hand-eye coordination, and improves grasping skills.

7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
Pillow Crawling
If you have a crawler (on average around 8-10 months) that needs more of a challenge, try creating a mountain of pillows. This activity is also great for babies who have skipped crawling or are quickly trying to move past the crawling stage.

11 - 12 Months
Contact Paper Art
Starting around 11 months, your baby will love this indoor play activity that uses clear Contact paper, painter’s tape, and construction paper.

9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
Laundry basket spider web
Problem solving and fine motor work are key to releasing the trapped toys in this fun DIY play for your baby.

9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
Balls and muffin tin activity
Balls and muffin tin activity | Lovevery

7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
Animal Rescue Activity
Animals and tape are all you need for this DIY activity for your baby or toddler.

7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
7 easy sensory bottle ideas
Sensory bottles excite your baby’s senses and help make connections in their brain and we’ve collected 7 here that are easy to make and mess-free.

7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
Nature walk and outdoor treasure box
The world right outside your home is full of opportunities for your baby to learn. Take a stroll around the neighborhood with your baby, enjoy the fresh air, and collect some natural souvenirs for an outdoor treasure box.

7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
Easter Egg Play
If you were able to get some Easter eggs this year, or you have some from previous years, you can offer them to your baby to explore. They will like the bright colors, figuring out how they open and close, and watching the different ways the eggs move.

9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
13 - 15 Months
Sing along with Lovevery on Spotify
From developing neural pathways to encouraging language development, music is almost magical in its impact on your baby's brain development. Listen to Lovevery's playlists for everything from bedtime to dance parties.

11 - 12 Months
Welcome to The Thinker Play Kit for months 11-12
Watch Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph introduce the Thinker Play Kit for months 11 and 12 of your baby's life.

9 - 10 Months
Welcome to The Explorer Play Kit for months 9-10
Watch Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph introduce the Explorer Play Kit for months 9 and 10 of your baby's life.

5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
Lyrics to the best lullabies are here
Here are the lyrics to classic lullabies to sing to your newborn, including Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, You are My Sunshine, and others.

9 - 10 Months
Week 37: Sometimes the best toys are not toys at all
Sometimes an everyday object can delight and engage your baby just as much as a toy. Learn how to introduce your baby to the playthings already in your home.

9 - 10 Months
Week 41: The fascinating powers of a simple Montessori egg
The Lovevery Wood Cup and Egg teach your baby how to use both sides of the body at the same time, essential for learning future tasks like getting dressed.

9 - 10 Months
Week 40: How to get all the playtime that your toys have to give
Babies' interests evolve, but you don't always need to buy new toys in order to keep up. Lovevery shares new ways to play with familiar favorites.

11 - 12 Months
Month 12: Air—your invisible playmate
You can help your toddler understand natural sequences related to airflow by fanning them, blowing across the top of a bottle, blowing bubbles, and more.

11 - 12 Months
Month 12: Walking by their first birthday? Not on average 🤔
On average, toddlers start walking between 9 and 17 months. Here are some tips to support your child's walking development.

11 - 12 Months
Week 52: Happy Birthday, Baby!
Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph recaptures the strides both you and your baby have made in the first year. Celebrate how far you've come as a parent.

11 - 12 Months
Week 51: Sensory play (and why letting your baby get messy is important)
Keeping your baby clean matters to most parents, but getting messy can teach important skills. Here are some fun ideas for messy sensory play.

11 - 12 Months
Week 50: The brain-building benefits of letting your baby struggle
Letting your baby struggle may go against your instincts, but it can help build independence and resilience. Watch Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph demonstrate why.

11 - 12 Months
Week 49: Clap and sing along with the best playtime songs for baby
Clapping and singing to music provides early lessons in pattern recognition and language. Try our list of songs and lyrics to incorporate into playtime.

11 - 12 Months
Week 48: Beyond the bedtime routine — why everyday rituals are important for your baby’s brain
Learn about how predictable sequences in your baby's everyday life help them begin thinking in more advanced ways.

11 - 12 Months
Week 47: How doing mundane tasks like laundry can be full of meaning for your child
There is an art to narrating, explaining, and including your baby in everyday tasts. Watch Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph model how.

11 - 12 Months
Week 46: We did all the research on screen time and here’s what we found
Will time spent on a phone or tablet actually harm your baby? Lovevery sorts out the information sorts out the information to help you make informed decisions.

11 - 12 Months
Week 45: What’s the real deal with the Montessori approach?
We love Montessori for its focus on fewer, high-quality playthings and real-world, sensory experience. Learn more about it and where and when we look beyond it.

9 - 10 Months
Week 36: Helping your baby crawl…and why it’s important to keep them crawling
Pediatric occupational therapist Rachel Coley explains why crawling is vital to babies, and what can happen if they skip this stage.

9 - 10 Months
Week 38: Puffs develop your baby’s fine motor skills
Your baby is learning to use a pincer grasp to pick up objects. Learn why puff snacks can be your baby's favorite (safe) way to practice their new motor skills.

9 - 10 Months
Week 39: So simple, so fun! 5 new ideas for how to play with a blanket
Blankets can help your baby learn about object permanence, shape, and balance. Here are some fun and simple ways to incorporate blankets into playtime.