Best for this moment
for calmer, lower-pressure moments, especially when you need an indoor option.
Point and Name House Walk
At a glance: Walk around the house together — when baby points at something, name it enthusiastically. A 5-minute, low-energy indoor activity for ages 12m–20m. No prep needed.
Carry or walk with your baby around your home. When they point at or reach toward something, name it clearly: 'Light! That's the light!' Pointing is one of the most important pre-verbal communication skills — it shows your baby understands that they can direct your attention. By naming what they point at, you teach them that objects have words.
Parent tip
Start before you overthink it. No-prep activities work best when you begin while the moment is still recoverable.
What success looks like
A good outcome is a few minutes of engaged play, some back-and-forth with you, and a small sign of progress in cognitive skills.
More help for this situation
Screen-time alternatives
Screen time
Swap the screen for hands-on play that holds attention just as well — no charging required.
Read the screen time guideInstructions
- Pick up your baby or hold their hand for a walk
- Move slowly through the house, room by room
- Watch their eyes and hands — where are they looking?
- When they point or reach, name it: 'Clock! That's the clock!'
- Repeat the word twice: 'Clock. Tick-tock clock.'
- Wait for any response — a sound, a look, a reach
- If they don't point, point yourself: 'Look! A plant!'
Why it helps
Pointing is a milestone in communication development — it shows joint attention, the ability to share focus on something with another person. Naming what your baby points at connects their gesture to a word, building vocabulary through natural interaction. Speech and Language UK recommend following your child's lead and naming what interests them.
Variations
- Do the same walk outside — trees, cars, birds, flowers.
- Point at something yourself and wait for baby to look — 'Look! A cat!'
- Repeat the same route daily — babies love naming familiar things.
Safety tips
- If carrying baby, use two hands or a hip carry for safety.
- Move slowly — give baby time to look and point.
- Avoid hot or dangerous objects within reach.
When to pause and seek extra support
Stop if your child becomes distressed, unsafe, or consistently frustrated by the activity. If play, behaviour, or development worries keep showing up across settings, check in with a qualified professional.
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