Nothing beats hearing those chuckles of delight or shrieks of joy when your baby is in a happy mood. Stuck for ways to keep your little one jolly? Here are some easy ideas

Simple games

Playing fun hand games such as 'Pat-a-Cake' and 'Peek a boo' will have your baby gurgling and giggling with delight. These simple hand games help develop her motor skills and teach her about 'cause and effect'.

Looking in the mirror

Faces fascinate babies and they love looking at themselves in the mirror. 'When Amber was a baby I would often jiggle her in front of the mirror to make her laugh,' says Jo, Mum to Amber, 3, and Summer, 1. Make funny expressions and poke out your tongue and she will be fixated.'

Get her to join in

When you need to get on, get your baby involved in a daily activity. It might take a little bit longer but she will enjoy helping with chores like sweeping and dusting. Watching the washing machine for a few minutes, with all that spinning, colours and water flowing is fascinating to small minds too.

Be sociable

'It doesn't need to cost the earth, look for 'Story Time' sessions at the library or arrange to have a weekly get-together with other mums you have met', suggests Lucy, Mum to Misty, 2, and Heidi, nine months.

Make baby dates

'Babies of all ages love to watch older children and other babies. If there isn't an older sibling around to entertain them, visit local play groups and coffee mornings', suggests Kirstin, Mum to Claudia, three months and Megan, 3. To find local groups in your area contact the NCT www.nct.org.uk

Surprise box

'Create a treasure basket for older babies, once they are able to sit up unsupported,' suggests parenting expert Helen Brown, author of Parenting for Dummies (John Wiley & Sons Ltd). 'Get a bag or basket filled with interesting low-tech objects to pull out and put back in and play with. Things like cotton reels, bits of fabric, wooden spoons and empty sellotape rolls are fascinating for babies to discover and explore.'

Nursery rhymes

Singing songs and rhymes will bring smiles to your baby's face. 'Whenever my Grandson Jasper cries, a quick round of 'Wind the Bobbin Up' soon has him smiling again,' says June, Granny to six babies and toddlers. Look for a local baby music class or try a nursery rhyme CD such as www.kidsmusic.co.uk for sing-a-longs in the the car and at home.

Walk in the park

Babies love the outdoors. Tiny babies enjoy looking at the leaves in the trees and an older baby will be fascinated by everything, from passing dogs to the duck pond, on an outing to the local park. You could even combine a trip to the park with a post-natal workout class where you bring baby along too. Try Pushy Mothers www.pushymothers.com or Buggy Fit

Blowing bubbles

It's a simple way to entertain your baby, but they just love bubbles. Keep a pot of bubble mixture handy for those spare moments. Blow them for her to poke at and pat.

Relaxing

Lastly, and probably just as importantly, don't overdo the stimulating stuff, advises Helen Brown. 'Small babies can get over-stimulated and then they get tetchy and tired. They do need entertaining, but not all day, every day. Like us, they also need time to chill, to lie on a mat and gurgle and kick, to stare at the trees in the garden.'