Between the ages of 6-18 months moms look for ways to keep their kids occupied.  Stef at Ask a Nanny has some solutions:

Tips for home:

I would try putting together a “cruising” obstacle course created from household objects that has varying degrees of difficulty. For example, place some large pillows on the ground in your living room for them to crawl onto or over, and make sure they are near something like the coffee table where they can grab on and pull up, or just crawl under (pad the coffee table corners of course). Help your non-crawler to pull up to the table and hold on. Prop interesting books, opened to graphic pages, on the couch to look at and cruise by. Make sure to remove any loose throw pillows that may give way if they try to use them for support. If you don’t have one already, a crawl tunnel would be a great addition also. I love this short, see-through tunnel, as it’s perfect for babies, and even has spots to attach toys or colorful scarves on each end.

Small soft stairs are excellent for pre-crawlers and crawlers alike, because they present a more attainable pulling-up option. You can help a non-crawler onto their knees and have them support themselves by their arms on the first step. This is a great way to build much needed arm strength for crawling. My son had a set of foam climbing equipment that had stairs and a ramp/slide; it was a great place to practice new skills!  I know it sounds strange and a bit crazy, but a less expensive climber option would be a couple sets of those foam Doggy Steps put together, as they are the perfect height and really soft!  Also,the “square chairs” from Serena and Lily are also very soft, great for cruising along, and can grow into seating for your girls when they are toddlers.

Another item I love to recommend when babies begin to pull up is a walking push toy (the kind that has added friction on the wheels). They won’t be able to walk with it at first, but the extra friction causes the wheels to move very slowly and encourages balance. I love the Wonder World Hopping Bunny Walker because it’s made from non-toxic and eco-friendly materials. Kookle Toys on Clement Street in SF carries the Bunny walker (and all the WonderWorld toys) and has a sample out to try with your girls!

Tips for out and about the neighborhood:

At the park, try more than the swings. The sandbox is really the best place to develop needed muscles for crawling and walking. If they eat the sand, you will need to decide if this is ok, or if not, find a way to distract them, such as bringing your Sofie Giraffe for them to chew, a sippy cup, or simply let them keep their pacifier in during the experience. Sand play really is a valuable experience for babies and is worth the extra effort.

Put them at the bottom of the slide, if it’s a quiet day. This part of the play equipment is always the right height for pulling up and standing (and then banging on!). Again, any play structure with stairs would be perfect, too!

Blow bubbles – chase, pop and watch them fly away.

Have them play ball, where the non-crawler rolls it and the crawler chases it (bring 3 or 4). PS – Beware of the rubber based surfacing in the warming summer months though, as it gets way too hot for little knees and hands!

My recommendations for free spots around San Francisco:

The Noe Valley Courts and Playground at Douglass and 24th Street:  This playground is an infant/toddler playground. During the day there are no big kids and lots of babies!!

Cow Hollow Playground at Miley and Baker Street:  This is another great playground for babies and toddlers. The big kids do show up sometimes, but there is a nicely sized area in the back just for the little ones! There is a great resource room with art activities and lots of ride on toys available during the day!

For more, head to Ask a Nanny!