Your baby understands that hidden toys still exist—watch them search under blankets with determination.
These activities develop object permanence, spatial memory, and the early problem-solving skills that come from searching, finding, and figuring out simple puzzles.
Your baby actively searches for hidden objects, uses simple tools (pulling a blanket to bring a toy closer), and experiments with cause and effect through repetitive actions. They're not just playing — they're testing hypotheses about how the world works.
Support this by setting up simple challenges: place a toy under a cup, put an interesting object just out of reach on a blanket, or offer containers with lids. Each puzzle your baby solves builds confidence alongside cognitive skills.
Tool use and persistent problem-solving at seven months demonstrate emerging means-end thinking — understanding that you can use one action to achieve a different goal.
Crawling is coming! Place favorite toys just out of reach to motivate your baby to move. Celebrate every army crawl and scoot.
Container play is a hit now. Babies love putting things in, dumping them out, and doing it again. Simple cups and blocks are all you need.
Repetition is learning, not boredom. Your baby wants the same game 20 times because each round strengthens a neural pathway.
Hide a musical toy or phone playing music under a blanket and let your baby search for the sound source. Builds listening skills and early problem-solving.
Create a simple board with different fabrics and textures for your baby to touch and explore. Builds sensory awareness and early reaching skills.
Stack soft blocks into a tower with your baby and let them knock it down. The build-and-crash cycle teaches spatial reasoning, cause and effect, and pure joy.
Introduce your baby to a simple shape sorter — but forget the rules. At this age, mouthing, banging, and experimenting with the pieces is the real learning.
Count to three and lift your baby into the air during play. This anticipation game pairs number words with a thrilling physical payoff babies adore.
Hide a favorite toy under a scarf and let your baby find it. This classic peek-a-boo variation builds object permanence — a major cognitive milestone.