Christmas sensory light play for babies and toddlers

Christmas is such a magical time for children - the Christmas tree, decorations, lights, presents and Santa are all super exciting for kids. A child's first ever Christmas is such a special occasion, despite the fact they probably have no idea what's going on. 

Having a baby who's only 5 months old at Christmas time {like I did} means they can't quite comprehend Christmas enough yet, but that doesn't stop them wanting to knock over the tree, pull off all the decorations and put everything in their mouths - because putting stuff in your mouth is the coolest thing ever when you're 5 months old. 

Not so cool when it involves tinsel, wrapping paper, gift tags and god forbid electric Christmas lights. So, while Christmas time and decorations are exciting for kids, it's not really that safe for young children and can be a bit stressful for parents, myself included.

I have to admit I'm one of those mums who's overly paranoid about safety when it comes to babies. It could be some type of first time mum syndrome, or maybe it's just a natural instinct when it comes to parenting. Having said that though I don't want her to miss out on the fun of Christmas just because she's a baby. 

I've been searching for fun Christmas light ideas for babies for ages, but nothing was quite right so I literally went and scoured the cupboards to find items I had at home that I could use to create my own baby proof Christmas light play. Turns out I had everything I needed to create a great sensory play activity already, and you probably do too.

HOW TO MAKE SENSORY LIGHT PLAY SAFE FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS

The obvious safety issues when it comes to infants and toddlers with Christmas lights are that they can, and most likely will, put them in their mouth and also that they're electrical. Young children have no concept of consequences, and little impulse control, and the first way they usually explore new items is to put them in their mouths which you obviously don't want them to do with Christmas lights. 

Infants, especially under 18 months old, don't have the cognitive ability to understand the consequences of their actions so the easiest way to make something safe for them is to remove the danger, however this doesn't mean they have to miss out on Christmas lights altogether.

By making simple changes like using battery operated lights and enclosing them in an inaccessible container, this Christmas light sensory play eliminates the danger of electrical cords and removes the opportunity for children to mouth the lights, however still allows them to experience and play with Christmas lights. Giving them access to their own safe Christmas lights will also, hopefully, reduce the allure of tree lights. 

Please note this activity still requires full adult supervision.

CHRISTMAS LIGHT SENSORY PLAY FOR BABIES, INFANTS AND TODDLERS

 You will need:

• A plastic jar or container
• A set of battery operated fairy lights

Its seriously that simple! Even if you don't have any of these items at home you could purchase them quite cheaply. You can pick up battery operated lights from local department and dollar stores or online from places like Etsy or Catch.com.au {if you're in Australia} for a couple of dollars. Food storage containers can be found at your local supermarket for about $6-$8 {we used a round sistema container, but any shape will do}. It's really easy and cheap to create an awesome entertaining, stimulating, and developmental play activity that can be used over and over again.

All you need to do is place the lights in the container, turn them on and then secure the lid {screw top or snap lock work just as well as long as they secure tight enough that bub can't get them off}. Give it to your baby and voila you have endless entertainment.

I did this for the first time with bub last night and she thought it was amazing. She is mesmerised by lights anyway, kind of like a moth is to those bug zappers, so it wasn't too hard to get her interested. As soon as I came within eyesight she was trying to grab it off of me. She was super excited that I let her hold it and that I let her put it in her mouth!  Best mum ever.

She played with it in her rocker moving it from her hands to feet and back again.

Those facial expressions crack me up!

Played with it on the floor rolling it around

Played with it in the bumbo knocking it off the tray and then trying to eat it 

every time I gave it back to her.

Have you seen any other ideas for Christmas fun with babies? 
Do you have one that you have used with your own baby?

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