You can start playing Peek-a-Boo with your little one from around three to four months old. At first, your baby may simply watch your face or smile when you reappear. Many babies begin to find the game particularly exciting at around six months, and by nine months, lots of babies will smile or laugh during Peek-a-Boo.
Playing Peek-a-Boo themselves generally comes later. During the second half of their first year, some babies begin pulling a cloth from an adult’s face, hiding their own face or trying to continue the game. However, every baby develops at a different pace.
As a mum of two, I remember how fascinating these little stages were. A game as simple as hiding your face behind your hands can produce the most infectious giggles from your little one, and somehow remain hilarious even after you have repeated it 20 times! How is that possible, you think?
What Age Do Babies Play Peek-a-Boo?
There are several different stages to when babies actually start playing Peek-a-Boo:
- Around three to four months: You can introduce a very gentle version of the game. You will most probably find that your baby may watch, smile or show another sign that they are enjoying it.
- Around six months: Many babies, and most likely yours, will become more engaged and start anticipating your return.
- By around nine months: Lots of babies smile or laugh when an adult plays Peek-a-Boo with them. Mine loved it!
- Later in the first year: Some babies begin joining in, pulling away a cloth or hiding and revealing their own face.
These ages are only a general guide; your baby may be different and don’t worry if they don’t play or enjoy it. Some babies adore Peek-a-Boo early, while others are less interested or prefer different social games.
The CDC includes smiling or laughing during Peek-a-Boo among the things many babies do by nine months. NHS children’s health guidance also recommends Peek-a-Boo as an activity for babies from around four to six months – it’s a good one to try out.
When Can You Start Playing Peek-a-Boo With a Baby?
You don’t need to wait until your baby understands the game. You can begin playing a simple version once they are interested in watching your face, often at around three or four months.
Cover your eyes with your hands for a moment, then uncover them and say “Peek-a-Boo!” in a warm, cheerful voice. Watch your baby’s reaction. They may smile, kick their legs, wave their arms or simply look interested.
Keep the disappearance extremely brief for a younger baby. At this age, the game is less about understanding where you have gone and more about enjoying your face, voice and attention.
If you find your baby turns away, becomes a bit unsettled or appears overwhelmed by it all, simply just stop and try again another day. Playing should feel enjoyable and relaxed rather than like something your baby has to perform.
When Do Babies Start Enjoying Peek-a-Boo?
Most people find that their babies start enjoying Peek-a-Boo between four and six months. You might notice your baby:
- Watching your hands closely
- Smiling when your face returns
- Kicking or waving excitedly
- Making happy sounds
- Waiting for you to reappear
- Laughing when you say “Peek-a-Boo!”
By about six to nine months, the game often becomes even more exciting because babies are beginning to anticipate what will happen next.
My children seemed to love the combination of familiarity and surprise. They gradually learnt that I was going to reappear, but the moment I did was apparently still extremely funny!
When Do Babies Understand Peek-a-Boo?
Babies’ understanding of Peek-a-Boo develops gradually. It is connected to a concept known as object permanence – the understanding that a person or object continues to exist even when it cannot be seen.
A young baby may behave as though a hidden object has simply disappeared. During the second half of their first year, babies increasingly begin looking for people and objects that have moved out of sight.
You might see signs of this when your baby:
- Looks for a toy that has rolled away
- Tries to remove a cloth covering an object
- Watches the place where you disappeared
- Reacts when you leave the room
- Anticipates your return during Peek-a-Boo
It is an ongoing development rather than something that suddenly appears on a particular day. Peek-a-Boo gives babies an enjoyable way to practise the idea that something can disappear and then return.
When Do Babies Play Peek-a-Boo on Their Own?
Babies often start playing the game for themselves later in their first year, although the timing varies considerably.
Your baby might begin by pulling your hands away from your face or removing a light cloth from your head. Later, they may lift a blanket, cover their own face or hide behind a piece of furniture before revealing themselves.
It still counts as joining in even if they do not say “Peek-a-Boo”. Actions such as watching, anticipating, reaching for the covering or trying to make you repeat the game all demonstrate engagement.
Do not worry if your baby enjoys watching the game but does not initiate it themselves. Starting Peek-a-Boo is not a standalone test of development.
Why Do Babies Like Peek-a-Boo?
Peek-a-Boo contains lots of different things that babies naturally enjoy: faces, familiar voices, repetition, anticipation and a small surprise. Sounds pretty good eh!
Babies also love social interaction. When you respond to their smiles, sounds and movements, they begin to discover that communication works both ways. It’s all very positive for them. They make a sound or expression, you respond, and the interaction continues.
Although it feels like a simple game, Peek-a-Boo can support:
- Social interaction
- Attention and anticipation
- Turn-taking
- Facial recognition
- Early communication
- Understanding that people and objects still exist when hidden
- The bond between a baby and their caregiver
Does Peek-a-Boo Teach Object Permanence?
Peek-a-Boo is commonly associated with object permanence, but it is more accurate to say that the game gives babies an opportunity to practise and explore the idea.
Your baby’s understanding develops through numerous everyday experiences and not just through playing Peek-a-Boo. Dropping a spoon, watching someone leave the room and searching for a partially hidden toy all contribute to them undertanding the concept of object permanence.
You do not need to “teach” object permanence through repeated tests. You can do this by talking, playing and responding to your little one, as this will provide plenty of valuable learning opportunities.
How to Play Peek-a-Boo Safely
The traditional version is wonderfully simple:
- Sit where your little one can see you clearly.
- Cover your eyes or face with your hands.
- Pause very briefly.
- Uncover your face and cheerfully say, “Peek-a-Boo!”
- Wait to see how your little one responds.
- Repeat the game if they appear to be enjoying it.
You can vary the game by:
- Hiding behind a door or sofa
- Covering a favourite toy and revealing it
- Using your hands to cover your baby’s eyes briefly
- Looking into a baby-safe mirror together
- Letting your baby pull a cloth away from your face
- Hiding partially, so your baby can still see some of you
Always supervise games involving cloths or blankets. Use a light, breathable piece of fabric and remove it immediately after the reveal. Never leave fabric covering a baby’s face or place loose material in their sleeping space.
What If My Baby Doesn’t Like Peek-a-Boo?
Not every baby enjoys surprises. Some may stare rather than laugh, while others can become upset when a face suddenly disappears or reappears. You need to judge this for yourself and work out whether your little one likes the game or not.
Try making the game gentler:
- Cover only your eyes rather than your entire face.
- Keep the pause very short.
- Use a calm voice instead of suddenly shouting.
- Smile before and after hiding.
- Allow your baby to remove your hands.
- Stop when your baby looks away or appears uncomfortable.
Your baby may prefer songs, copying sounds, clapping or looking in a mirror. Not enjoying one particular game does not automatically indicate a developmental problem.
Should I Be Concerned If My Baby Doesn’t Play Peek-a-Boo?
You’ll find that developmental milestones describe what many children can do by a particular age, but they are not diagnostic tests. As a mum, I can confirm that your little ones will develop skills at different rates, and their interest in games and activities will be different depending on the child.
By nine months, many babies smile or laugh when someone plays Peek-a-Boo with them. However, a baby might understand and interact with you in other ways without being particularly interested in this game. It’s not something to worry about. But if you are concerned about your baby’s overall development, particularly if they rarely respond to familiar faces or sounds, make very little eye contact, lose skills they previously had or are missing several expected developmental milestones, you are best to speak to your GP or Health Visiting team.
It is the broader pattern of communication, movement and social interaction that matters, rather than whether your baby performs Peek-a-Boo on demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a three-month-old play Peek-a-Boo?
You can introduce a gentle version at three months. Your baby may watch your face or respond to your voice, although they are unlikely to understand the hiding element yet.
Do four-month-old babies like Peek-a-Boo?
Some four-month-olds smile or show excitement during Peek-a-Boo. Official developmental guidance suggests it as an appropriate interactive game at this age.
Do six-month-old babies understand Peek-a-Boo?
A six-month-old may begin anticipating your return and enjoying the repeated pattern. Their understanding of hidden people and objects is still developing.
At what age do babies laugh at Peek-a-Boo?
Some babies laugh from around four to six months. By nine months, smiling or laughing during Peek-a-Boo is common, although not every baby reacts in exactly the same way.
When do babies hide their own face?
Some babies start imitating Peek-a-Boo later in their first year. They may use their hands, clothing or a blanket, but there is no exact age by which every baby should do this.
Is Peek-a-Boo a milestone?
Smiling or laughing when an adult plays Peek-a-Boo is included in the CDC’s nine-month social and emotional milestone guidance. Playing it independently is not a universal standalone milestone.
When Do Babies Play Peek-a-Boo?
You can begin playing Peek-a-Boo with your baby at around three to four months, but the game often becomes much more entertaining at around six months. By nine months, many babies will smile, laugh or anticipate your return, while actively initiating the game may come later.
Follow your baby’s cues and keep it playful. If they smile, laugh or look expectantly at you, you can be fairly certain they would like another round!
If you are looking for more age-appropriate ways to interact with a young baby, take a look at my two-month-old baby activities. You may also find my guides explaining why babies fight sleep and when babies can sleep in their own room helpful.