The short answer
Cover your face briefly with your hands, then smile and say “Peekaboo!” Your baby may stare, squeal or laugh. This small game is also a warm exchange in which you pay attention and take turns responding. Between seven and nine months, babies may increasingly anticipate a familiar face returning. If your baby does not laugh, that does not mean they dislike the game or are behind; they may watch quietly or prefer something else today.
In this guide · 12 sections
Keep in mind
- Cover your face briefly with your hands, then smile and say “Peekaboo!” Your baby may stare, squeal or laugh.
- Watching your face, hearing your voice change and responding when you reappear all create opportunities for back-and-forth communication.
- Starting without props is safest: cover your own face with your hands.
- Some babies laugh loudly; others look on quietly.
Why is peekaboo so engaging?
Cover your face briefly with your hands, then smile and say “Peekaboo!” Your baby may stare, squeal or laugh. This small game is also a warm exchange in which you pay attention and take turns responding.
Between seven and nine months, babies may increasingly anticipate a familiar face returning. If your baby does not laugh, that does not mean they dislike the game or are behind; they may watch quietly or prefer something else today.
What does it have to do with object permanence?
When you put a toy behind a box, your baby may begin to discover that it still exists out of sight. This growing understanding is called object permanence, and it develops gradually rather than appearing overnight.
The American Academy of Pediatrics describes hiding games as a playful way to explore this idea. The CDC includes looking for a dropped, out-of-sight object among nine-month milestones, but that is not a requirement to complete every hiding game.
It is also about communicating
Watching your face, hearing your voice change and responding when you reappear all create opportunities for back-and-forth communication. You might wait for a sound or glance before saying “Peekaboo” again.
The CDC includes smiling or laughing during peekaboo in its nine-month social-emotional examples. A response to one game alone cannot tell you everything about communication development.
How might play change at seven, eight and nine months?
At seven months, simply covering and uncovering your own face may hold your baby's attention. At eight months, you might partly conceal a large toy behind a stable box; around nine months, some babies enjoy looking for a familiar toy that has slipped out of view.
These are ways to adjust a game, not separate mandatory checklists for seven-, eight- and nine-month-olds. Make the challenge easier or harder according to your baby's interest and movement skills.
Three hiding games to try at home
First, hide your own face behind your hands and reveal it after a moment; pause to see whether your baby looks or vocalizes. Repeating a favorite game is fine.
Next, partly hide a large, one-piece toy beside a wide box and ask where it went. You can also slowly reveal a toy from behind your own hands. Show the answer if needed rather than treating finding it as a test.
Does this game prevent separation anxiety?
A face disappearing and returning during play may feel predictable and safe. But playing peekaboo does not guarantee that separation anxiety will disappear.
A baby who laughs during the game may still look for you or cry when you actually leave the room. These are different experiences; the game can support warm contact without promising to eliminate distress.
Safety with cloths and small objects
Starting without props is safest: cover your own face with your hands. If you use a toy, choose something large, sturdy and appropriate for your baby's age, with no detachable pieces.
Never leave a cloth over your baby's head or face. Supervise throughout, control any fabric yourself and put cloths, cords and small objects out of reach after play.
What can you try today?
When your baby is awake and comfortable, sit facing them on a safe floor space. Bring your hands to your face, ask “Where did I go?” and reveal a smile. Notice whether they want another turn.
Then partly conceal a large toy behind your hand. If your baby does not find it, reveal it cheerfully; you do not need to increase the hiding time or keep a score.
What if your baby does not respond?
Some babies laugh loudly; others look on quietly. Not reacting during one peekaboo game does not by itself mean a developmental problem. Look at social contact across different situations.
If you have ongoing concerns about response to their name, reciprocal interaction or a loss of skills your baby previously used, discuss them with your pediatrician. Developmental milestone lists are guides, not diagnoses.
When to seek support
Some signs need emergency help; other concerns can be discussed with your child’s healthcare team.
- Loss of a previously acquired skill
- Persistent concerns about hand use, communication or development
Sources used for this guide
- American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren.org — American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren – Cognitive Development in Infants: 8 to 12 Months
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren) — Cognitive Development in Infants: 4 to 7 Months
- CDC — Milestones by 9 Months
- American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren.org — HealthyChildren – How to Buy Safe Toys
English editorial review:
The English text and regional guidance have been checked editorially. This is not an individual clinical assessment.
Luluna provides general parenting information. It does not diagnose conditions or replace your child’s healthcare professional.
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