Table 3 Activity categories of children in the age groups 0–6 months, 6–12 months, 12–24 months, 24–36 months and 36–48 months, sorted by frequency^a

0–6 months

Play with objects or own hands (3.85 ± 0.74)

Manipulating toys, playing with toy, playing with hands, hitting with toys

Calm activities (3.63 ± 0.77)

Listening to music, watching on screens (television, mobile phone)

Play in prone position (3.61 ± 0.89)

Lying on the tummy, reaching for objects in the prone position, raising the head in the prone position, playing on the tummy with toy

Sleeping (3.56 ± 0.64)

Sleeping, sleeping in the baby carrier

Care/activities of daily living (3.57 ± 0.75)

Being cared for (applying cream, brushing teeth), eating, crying, peeing/pooing, being breastfeed, drinking bottle, dressing/undressing, taking a bath

Play in supine position (3.48 ± 0.76)

Playing with toy on chest in supine position, hitting toys in baby gym, putting feet up/sideways on back, playing with the feet (grasping feet in the supine position, feet-hands game)

Restrained sitting/lying (3.47 ± 0.81)

Sitting in a chair, lying in the pram, sitting in a bouncer, being carried upright, sitting in car seat, lying in the baby carrier

Interactive play (3.34 ± 0.89)

Singing (together), being tickled, playing on lap, playing ‘airplane’, having a book read aloud, playing peek-a-boo, imitating/mirroring

Maintaining posture/postural transitions (3.27 ± 0.84)

Crawling, pulling up, rolling over to side position, kick feet, swinging arms, reaching, grab, rocking, controlled movement of head/neck

6–12 months

Sleeping (4.37 ± 0.70)

Sleeping, taking morning/afternoon nap, falling asleep/lying quietly in bed

Care/activities of daily living (3.60 ± 0.75)

Changing diaper, taking a bath, drinking a bottle with help, going outside, eating without help, peeing/pooing, being breastfed

Calm activities (3.35 ± 0.83)

Crowing/babbling, drooling, sitting in bouncer, lying on parent’s stomach, laughing

Play with objects or own hands (3.29 ± 0.91)

Manipulating objects in the hands, putting materials in the mouth, drawing/coloring, pulling string, touching parent’s face, clapping hands, feeling different fabrics

Passive transport (3.28 ± 0.93)

Sitting in car, sitting on the bicycle/in a bicycle trailer, being carried in a hiking backpack, being carried

Maintaining posture/postural transitions (3.24 ± 1.02)

Pushing up to sit, standing with support, rolling from tummy to back, lying on the side, rolling from back to tummy

Active transport (2.76 ± 1.13)

Climbing/clambering, shuffling buttocks, walking with support, crawling, grabbing feet, walking on the balance bike

Play (2.72 ± 0.94)

Rolling a ball, drawing/coloring, playing peek-a-boo, rocking in a baby swing, reading a book

Screen use (2.11 ± 0.95)

Watching on the tablet, watching TV, looking at the phone

12–24 months

Sleeping (4.67 ± 0.49)

Sleeping, taking morning nap/afternoon nap

Care/activities of daily living (4.09 ± 0.86)

Brushing teeth, going to the toilet/potty, taking a shower, changing a diaper, eating, dressing/undressing, drinking

Calm play (3.74 ± 0.77)

Reading a book, listening to music, playing quietly with toys (shape sorter, Duplo, toys with sounds)

Interactive play (3.69 ± 0.94)

Playing catch/tag, playing hide and seek, playing with friends/sister/brother, playing with animals

Calm creative play (3.51 ± 0.93)

Coloring/scratching with pencil/drawing/stamping, building with blocks/building tower, making music, doing puzzles

Active play (3.45 ± 0.89)

Rolling a ball, playing in the playground, playing in the sandpit, swinging, playing football, jumping on a trampoline

Active transport (3.33 ± 1.01)

Crawling, bicycling, walking backwards, climbing/clambering, crouching, walking behind a cart, walking, running

Passive transport/sedentary activities (3.21 ± 1.01)

Sitting (on sofa, stairs, chair), sitting in a car, sitting in a stroller, sitting in a bicycle seat

Screen use (2.70 ± 1.21)

Watching TV, watching on a tablet/playing games/scrolling, looking at a phone/playing games/scrolling

24–36 months

Sleeping (4.11 ± 0.93)

Sleeping, taking a short sleep/afternoon nap

Interactive play (3.73 ± 0.71)

Hugging/petting animals, being tickled, playing together, imitating others, playing peek-a-boo, helping with household chores

Care/activities of daily living (3.68 ± 0.95)

Showering, taking a bath, using the potty/going to the toilet, brushing teeth, changing diaper, drinking

Calm creative play (3.47 ± 0.74)

Building with Lego/Duplo/blocks, reading book, doing puzzles, tinkering, drawing/coloring

Screen use (3.39 ± 0.83)

Playing games on iPad/tablet, watching TV/Netflix/tablet movies

Active play (3.30 ± 0.81)

Playing in the playground, flying a kite, swinging, jumping on the trampoline, doing hide and seek, playing with a ball

Passive transport (2.96 ± 0.90)

Sitting on a bicycle seat, sitting in the car, sitting in the buggy

36–48 months

Care/activities of daily living (3.85 ± 0.72)

Washing hands, showering, going to the toilet, dressing/undressing, brushing your teeth, eating, drinking

Interactive play (3.53 ± 0.91)

Playing with pets, playing interactive games, helping in the garden, playing with other children, imitating movements

Outdoor play (3.48 ± 0.70)

Playing with water, playing in the woods, visiting amusement parks/zoos/petting zoo/beach, playing in a playground, playing in the sandbox

Sleeping (3.45 ± 1.02)

Sleeping, taking an afternoon nap

Calm play (3.18 ± 0.83)

Stringing beads, making music, playing with Playmobil, coloring/drawing/painting, tinkering, building a marble run, doing puzzles

Active play (3.05 ± 0.93)

Playing with sports equipment, sliding, dancing, playing with a ball, throwing objects, running, jumping

Passive transport (2.71 ± 0.91)

Sitting in the buggy, sitting on a bicycle seat, using public transport, sitting in a car seat

Screen use (2.33 ± 0.83)

Playing games on tablet/iPad/phone, watching TV/Netflix/Disney/DVD, playing games on a game console