Games to play with older babies?

I'm still relatively new here but am hoping some of you bright ladies can help me out a bit.

I have a 10 and a half month old girl. She's a bright spark, into everything (we try to allow her as much freedom as we can realistically) and very curious about the world around her. But I'm a bit of a fuddy duddy myself and we only get 'out' maybe once or twice a week. So most of the time, we're at home. And I think Z is getting a bit bored with the same stuff. She does like her toys, but they don't hold a lot of mystery for her at the moment, iykwim?   So what sort of games can I play with her? Currently we can do chasing games (on all fours) and a weird version of fetch but that's about it. Also, what other 'household items' make good baby toys? I did give her a wooden spoon, which she was quite fond of, but then MIL came over and said "no, she can't have that, they're dangerous!" (apparently if they fall on them at the wrong angle they can do serious damage)

washing powder scoops are fabulous for bathtoys
as for games. my boys always loved singing row row row your boat and heads, shoulders knees and toes

Mum is always buying Caitlin "developmental" toys, but her fav toy is pegs! tipping them out of the basket, putting them back in, throwing them, going and getting them, chewng them, putting them inside other toys (like shapesorters etc), banging them together

She also loves to make noises with an old glad wrap tube and you can also put a scarf or similar through the tube so they can pull it out

We do the PAFT system (Parents as first teachers) and they advocate using normal household items as toys, pots and pans etc.

We've just put all of the child locks on the kitchen cupboards but whilst I'm cookng dinner I'll let her into the cupboard that has measuring cups, bowls and lemon squeezer (her fav) she loves it!

Well we're definitely fond of pegs as it is... they've been a fave since she could hold on to them.

As for the wooden spoon thing, MIL says that if she's chewing on it and tips / overbalances / falls it'll go straight through her mouth to the back and can do serious damage, or poke an eye out... Not sure if this is dependant on size of the spoon, I had just given her a normal cooking one, but we have a truly massive thick one that was given as part of a nappy cake, maybe that was the intended purpose?

busymum wrote: Well I'm sure they could hurt themselves on a wooden spoon if an accident happens, but need I list all the other things that could also hurt? ummm like everything? lol

I agree - if you really think about each and every "baby proof" toy each have their hazards even with the best intentions.

Just use your Mummy instinct