Baby Not Interested in Peekaboo or Pat-a-Cake
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, Zero to Three guidelines
Last reviewed:
Behavioral development varies greatly from child to child. If you have noticed baby not interested in peekaboo or pat-a-cake, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Social games like peekaboo and pat-a-cake typically engage babies starting around 6 to 9 months. These games build important social communication skills including turn-taking, anticipation, and shared enjoyment. If your baby shows no interest in or response to interactive games by 12 months, mention this to your pediatrician.
Key takeaways
- Social games like peekaboo and pat-a-cake typically engage babies starting around 6 to 9 months. These games build important social communication skills including turn-taking, anticipation, and shared enjoyment. If your baby shows no interest in or response to interactive games by 12 months, mention this to your pediatrician.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 7 months and does not yet engage in social games
- Call your doctor if: Your baby shows no social engagement of any kind, including no interest in games, faces, or voices
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to CDC, AAP, Zero to Three guidelines, social games like peekaboo and pat-a-cake typically engage babies starting around 6 to 9 months. These games build important social communication skills including turn-taking, anticipation, and shared enjoyment. If your baby shows no interest in or response to interactive games by 12 months, mention this to your pediatrician. At 0-5 months, babies are too young for structured social games. They enjoy face-to-face interaction, being talked to, and having their movements gently guided. Interest in interactive games develops later. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 7 months and does not yet engage in social games. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby shows no social engagement of any kind, including no interest in games, faces, or voices.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-5 months
Babies are too young for structured social games. They enjoy face-to-face interaction, being talked to, and having their movements gently guided. Interest in interactive games develops later.
5-8 months
Babies begin to enjoy simple social games. They may smile during peekaboo and anticipate the "reveal." Engagement may be passive at first, with the baby watching and smiling rather than actively participating.
8-12 months
Most babies actively participate in social games, laughing during peekaboo, clapping during pat-a-cake, and initiating games themselves. If your baby shows no interest in or enjoyment of these games by 12 months, it is worth noting.
12-18 months
Toddlers love social games and often request them by initiating the game themselves. They expand to new games and enjoy the social back-and-forth. Lack of interest in social games at this age may indicate a social communication difference.
18-24 months
Interactive play becomes more complex. If your child has never shown interest in social games and also has limited eye contact and joint attention, a developmental evaluation is recommended.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed baby not interested in peekaboo or pat-a-cake and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 12 months and shows no interest in or enjoyment of any interactive social games.
- Mention if your baby actively turns away from social game attempts.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 7 months and does not yet engage in social games
- Your baby enjoys peekaboo but only at certain times and not when tired or hungry
- Your baby watches social games with interest but does not yet actively participate
- Your baby prefers some games over others
- Your baby is over 12 months and shows no interest in or enjoyment of any interactive social games
- Your baby actively turns away from social game attempts
- Your baby does not anticipate or react to peekaboo by 10 months
- Your baby shows no social engagement of any kind, including no interest in games, faces, or voices
- Your baby previously enjoyed social games and has stopped responding
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice baby not interested in peekaboo or pat-a-cake — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 7 months and does not yet engage in social games — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-5 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Respond consistently and calmly to your baby's behavior. Maintain predictable daily routines.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby shows no social engagement of any kind, including no interest in games, faces, or voices.
Related Conditions
Baby Not Laughing at Peek-a-Boo
Most babies start showing delight during peek-a-boo between 6 and 9 months, when they develop "object permanence" - the understanding that things still exist when hidden. If your baby isn't laughing at peek-a-boo yet, consider their age and overall social engagement. Some babies prefer other games, and some show enjoyment through smiles or excited movements rather than laughter. What matters most is whether your baby is socially engaged with you overall.
Baby Not Imitating Actions or Gestures
Imitation is one of the most important developmental skills because it is the foundation for learning language, social skills, and play. Babies typically begin imitating simple actions (sticking out tongue) in the first weeks, progress to imitating sounds and gestures (waving, clapping) by 9-12 months, and imitate complex actions and words by 12-18 months. If your baby is not imitating any actions or gestures by 12 months, or not imitating words by 18 months, a developmental screening is recommended.
Baby Not Sharing Attention (No Joint Attention)
Joint attention - the ability to share focus on something with another person - is one of the most important social-communication skills that develops between 9 and 14 months. It includes following someone's point or gaze, pointing to show you something interesting, and looking back and forth between you and an object. This skill is the foundation for language learning and social development.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is baby not interested in peekaboo or pat-a-cake normal?
When should I call the doctor about baby not interested in peekaboo or pat-a-cake?
When is baby not interested in peekaboo or pat-a-cake normal?
What causes baby not interested in peekaboo or pat-a-cake?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about baby not interested in peekaboo or pat-a-cake?
Is baby not interested in peekaboo or pat-a-cake normal at 0-5 months?
Is baby not interested in peekaboo or pat-a-cake normal at 5-8 months?
Should I go to the ER for baby not interested in peekaboo or pat-a-cake?
Does baby not interested in peekaboo or pat-a-cake go away on its own?
References
- [1]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Important Milestones: Your Baby By Nine Months. CDC
- [2]American Academy of Pediatrics. Social Development: 4 to 7 Months. HealthyChildren.org. AAP
- [3]Zero to Three. Play and Social Skills. Zero to Three
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Baby Not Interested in Peekaboo or Pat-a-Cake.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed baby not interested in peekaboo or pat-a-cake and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 12 months and shows no interest in or enjoyment of any interactive social games.
- Mention if your baby actively turns away from social game attempts.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby is over 12 months and shows no interest in or enjoyment of any interactive social games
- Your baby actively turns away from social game attempts
- Your baby does not anticipate or react to peekaboo by 10 months
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby shows no social engagement of any kind, including no interest in games, faces, or voices
- Your baby previously enjoyed social games and has stopped responding
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of baby not interested in peekaboo or pat-a-cake are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby shows no social engagement of any kind, including no interest in games, faces, or voices.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Behavior Concerns
Baby Not Laughing at Peek-a-Boo
Most babies start showing delight during peek-a-boo between 6 and 9 months, when they develop "object permanence" - the understanding that things still exist when hidden. If your baby isn't laughing at peek-a-boo yet, consider their age and overall social engagement. Some babies prefer other games, and some show enjoyment through smiles or excited movements rather than laughter. What matters most is whether your baby is socially engaged with you overall.
Baby Not Imitating Actions or Gestures
Imitation is one of the most important developmental skills because it is the foundation for learning language, social skills, and play. Babies typically begin imitating simple actions (sticking out tongue) in the first weeks, progress to imitating sounds and gestures (waving, clapping) by 9-12 months, and imitate complex actions and words by 12-18 months. If your baby is not imitating any actions or gestures by 12 months, or not imitating words by 18 months, a developmental screening is recommended.
Baby Not Sharing Attention (No Joint Attention)
Joint attention - the ability to share focus on something with another person - is one of the most important social-communication skills that develops between 9 and 14 months. It includes following someone's point or gaze, pointing to show you something interesting, and looking back and forth between you and an object. This skill is the foundation for language learning and social development.
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