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Play-Yard Hide-and-Seek

While your baby stays inside the play yard, move to different positions outside it and call for them to find you. Then switch roles so your baby can experience both hiding and being found.

  • 12 months
  • Quick prep
  • At home
  • About 5 minutes
Focus
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Developmental benefits

  • Movement：Searching around the play yard encourages your baby to turn, crawl, pull up, or move sideways as they adjust their body to find you.
  • Cognitive：Repeatedly watching you disappear behind the play yard and return gives your baby experience that you still exist when briefly out of sight.

Preparation

What You’ll Need

  1. 1

    A baby playpen

Step 1

Who Is Calling Me?

Crouch behind one side of the play yard and call your baby’s name softly. Let them follow the sound and look for you. They may even pull up to see over the side. When they find you, pop up and say hello.

What to notice

  • Pulls up at the play yard to look for you Gross Motor
  • Looks for you behind the playpen even when you are out of sight Memory

Tips

  • If your baby cannot find you, peek out briefly, wait until they see you, then hide again.
  • When your baby finds you, greet them with a smile or a hug so the discovery feels joyful.

Step 2

I Found You!

Hide at a new position, such as the other side of the play yard, and call your baby again. If the distance is harder, choose a spot where part of you remains visible so your baby has a clearer place to move toward.

What to notice

  • Crawls in the direction where you are hiding Gross Motor
  • Looks happy when they find you Relationships with Adults

Tips

  • If your baby pulls up, move just a short distance to one side so they can practice moving along the play yard toward you.
  • After your baby finds you, move to another position and repeat while the game remains fun.

Step 3

Now I’ll Hide

Let another caregiver hold your baby behind one side of the play yard while you pretend to search. Look in several places before finding them. Your baby may become excited and pull up to surprise you.

What to notice

  • Smiles happily after you find them Emotional Functioning
  • Imitates the way you hide Imitation and Symbolic Representation and Play

Tips

  • If your baby begins hiding behind the play yard on their own, follow their idea and let them lead the game.
  • Notice where your baby is looking and appear from a different side. The surprise may bring a big smile or laugh.

Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026