Where Is Dad?

Cover yourself briefly with a blanket, use your voice as a clue, and surprise your baby by appearing again.

6 months
Quick prep
At home
About 5 minutes

Focus

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Developmental benefits

Cognitive：Searching for an adult hidden under a cover gives your baby repeated experience that a familiar person is still present when out of sight.
Social/Emotional：The adult’s playful disappearance and warm return create a predictable interaction that supports your baby’s trust and sense of security.

Preparation

What You’ll Need

1
Blanket

Step 1

Where Is Dad?

Sit facing your baby on a mat and draw their attention with your voice or movement. Cover your face and upper body with the blanket and pretend to disappear. Watch whether your baby looks for you and respond to what they do.

What to notice

Looks curiously at the moving blanket after hearing a sound beneath it Initiative and Curiosity
Babbles in response to your voice Communicating and Speaking

Tips

A young baby’s attention can shift quickly to another sight or sound. Keep each hiding turn brief.
If your baby has not located you, call their name softly or move under the blanket to make a gentle sound.
If your baby turns toward you under the blanket, lift it and reveal your face.

Step 2

Dad Appears Again

When your baby notices you under the blanket, add a small movement or a gentle call. Wait for a look, sound, or touch, then lift the blanket so your baby can see that you are back.

What to notice

Smiles happily when you appear Relationships with Adults
Turns in different directions to find where a sound is coming from Gross Motor

Tips

Vary the game with a slightly bigger movement or a playful sound while keeping your voice gentle.
Repeat a simple phrase each time: “Where’s Dad? Here I am!”
Use a warm voice and avoid a sudden loud shout that could startle your baby.

Step 3

Dad Was Here All Along

Repeat the disappearance and return. Wait to see whether your baby reaches for the blanket. If not, lift it slowly and appear again.

What to notice

Stares at the blanket as though expecting you to be underneath Memory
Pulls the blanket away repeatedly to make you appear again Exploration and Discovery

Tips

Respond warmly to any searching attempt so your baby has a reason to explore again.
When your baby moves toward you, wait briefly before appearing so they have time to continue the search.
If the blanket is hard to pull away, lower one edge so your face appears.

Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026