Which Way Will the Animal Peek?
Hide an animal puppet behind a pillow and let it appear at playful intervals. Your baby can watch, search, and knock to invite it back.
- 12 months
- Quick prep
- At home
- About 5 minutes
Developmental benefits
- Cognitive：Waiting for the animal to reappear and following it from place to place gives your baby a playful reason to sustain attention.
Preparation
What You’ll Need
- 1
A pillow
- 2
an animal puppet or stuffed animal
Step 1
Wait for the Animal
Hide the animal behind a pillow and softly call your baby’s attention. Let it peek out and disappear again, timing each appearance to your baby’s focus. At first, bring it back before their attention drifts; then gradually make the wait a little longer.
What to notice
- Watches the pillow while waiting for the animal to appear
Cognitive Self-Regulation (Executive Functioning) - Turns their head to follow the animal in different directions
Perception
Tips
- Looking away, studying their hands, or crawling toward another toy can show that your baby’s attention has shifted.
- The repeated surprise gives your baby a reason to keep watching the same place for a little longer.
- Lengthen the interval in small steps based on your baby’s response. The change may be subtle at first.
Step 2
Where Did It Go?
If your baby moves closer to look behind the pillow, quietly move the animal while they are not watching. Let it appear from another place, such as behind your baby, for a small surprise. Then invite your baby back to continue if they want.
What to notice
- Looks from side to side when the animal is no longer behind the pillow
Memory - Smiles or claps when the animal appears
Emotional Functioning
Tips
- Your baby may have another idea. Follow their action and adapt the game instead of immediately returning them to the original step.
- Looking from side to side for the missing animal shows that your baby expects it to still exist even when it is out of sight.
Step 3
Knock and Invite It Out
Ask another caregiver to knock on the pillow as if it were a door, then make the animal appear and say hello. Guide your baby’s hand through a knock, then let go. See whether they copy the action and wait for the animal.
What to notice
- Watches closely as an adult knocks on the pillow Cognitive Self-Regulation (Executive Functioning)
- Copies the adult by knocking on the pillow
Imitation and Symbolic Representation and Play
Tips
- The pattern—knock, then the animal appears—can build anticipation and support a longer watch.
- Your baby may need several turns before connecting the knock with the animal’s appearance.
- Answer as the animal: “I’m coming!” Pause briefly, then make it peek out and continue the interaction.
Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026