Copycat Facial Expression Game
Make faces at baby and watch them try to copy you — a delightful way to develop facial expression skills and social mirroring.
What You'll Need
No materials — just your face and your attention
How to Play
Get face-to-face with baby during an alert, calm moment. About 10 inches apart is ideal.
Start with a big, exaggerated smile and hold it for several seconds.
Watch baby's face closely. Even a tiny mouth twitch is them trying to mirror you.
Switch to a surprised face — big round eyes, open mouth, raised eyebrows.
Pause between each expression. Baby needs processing time.
Try slowly sticking out your tongue. This is often the first expression babies successfully copy.
When baby makes any face back at you, copy theirs and celebrate.
Why It Works
Babies are born imitators. Research shows newborns can copy tongue protrusion within their first hours of life. When you make faces at your baby, you're activating their mirror neurons — the brain's built-in social learning system. Each expression you make teaches baby that faces communicate information. Over time, they'll use their own facial expressions intentionally to connect with you and others. This is the very beginning of emotional communication.
Tips
Go slow. Hold each expression for at least 5 seconds before switching. Baby needs time to study your face.
Make it a two-way street. When baby makes a random face, copy it right back. They'll be thrilled.
This works especially well during the "magic hour" — that window of alert calm after a feed.
Older babies (8-12 months) may start making faces to deliberately get a reaction from you. That's social genius at work.
Age Adaptation Tips
For babies, focus on sensory exploration. Let them watch, touch, and feel the materials. Always supervise closely and keep small items out of reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 5 min, with 0 min of preparation time beforehand.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 0-1 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors or outdoors?
This activity works great both indoors and outdoors, giving you flexibility based on the weather or your space.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
Ratings & Reviews
Sign in to leave a rating or review.
Add to Your Weekly Plan
Schedule this activity into your family's week. It takes about 5 min.
Free account required to save plans
Explore More
Love this activity?
Create a free account and add it to your weekly planner. Discover hundreds more activities matched to your child's age.