Toy Guide

Jun 09, 2022

What tools are best in the first year for play?

The best toys are honestly the ones that don't look like toys at all and are things that you already have around the house. Simple, household items. Nothing fancy, nothing expensive.

Best toys for baby in their 1st year:

1. Anything to help with Tummy Time. Tummy Time will be an important part of baby’s physical development, especially in the first 6 months of their life. Some toys that will help with this are mirrors, so they can look at their reflection while in Tummy Time, rattles, teething toys and play gyms.

2. Toys that engage their senses. Baby’s senses are rapidly developing in the first year! Toys can help to engage some of the senses, such as their hearing and vision. Some toys that help with senses are hearing, vision & touch.

3. Bath time toys. Bath time can be challenging for some babies, but it’s an important part of their care. Simple toys like cups and bath-safe boats can be used to make bath time more fun. Remember to keep bath time safety in mind while baby plays.

4. Balls. Balls are a versatile toy that your little one can play with in a variety of settings. The balls they play with should be soft and lightweight. They should be large enough that baby can’t swallow them; looks for balls that are larger than your baby’s mouth. Playing with balls can help encourage crawling and with baby’s motor skills!

5. Teething relievers. Teething is the time when baby’s teeth begin to emerge, and it can be uncomfortable for baby. They will begin to feel the effects of teething around 3-12 months (although teething discomfort may last beyond baby’s first year). Teething toys are made especially to go in baby’s mouth, so they can chew on them and relieve some of the discomfort they may be feeling.

6. Toys that encourage standing. There are activity tables baby can stand at while playing, Pikler triangles, and push walkers. This is a particularly good exercise as baby gets closer to their first birthday and begins to stand on their own.

7. Toys that teach them about communication. Baby may not be able to speak or read in their first year, but they’re still learning so much about how to communicate. Some toys that help with communication are:

Board books or soft cloth books. If the books have any touch-and-feel features or sound features, they can also be a great sensory experience!
Toys that make sounds. These can be a great way for children to learn how to associate sounds with different objects or animals, and to mimic those sounds themselves.

Best toys for toddlers:

1. Toys that imitate real life things. These help with learning and life skills! As their executive function skills begin to develop, it’s great for toddlers to get experience in settings that are like real life! They’ll also have fun doing what they see their parents do. Some real life imitation toys include kitchen and food play set, play tools, dollhouses, animal farm sets, and play doctor kits.

2. Push and pull toys. As your little one learns to move independently and improve their motor skills, these toys encourage movement and walking. Push and pull toys include carts, wagons, and pretend lawn mowers. Toddlers should always be supervised when playing with these types of toys. Make sure it is not a baby walker, as the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend baby walkers.

3. Balls. Balls are a versatile toy your little one can play with in a variety of settings. The balls they play with should be soft or made of a lightweight rubber. The balls can even be part of a set, like an indoor bowling set, to give your child even more ways to play! Balls should be large enough that baby can’t swallow them; looks for balls that are larger than your baby’s mouth.

4. Books. Your little one won’t be able to read on their own yet, but there are still many benefits to reading books to and with them. Look for books with thick, board-like pages so your child can explore the book on their own (this makes reading a sensory experience too!). If you are choosing a book to read to them that is not a board book, look for something with lots of illustrations so they can begin to visualize the meanings of new words and expand their vocabulary. There are even more features you can explore to make books fun for little ones, including scratch-and-sniff, pop-up books, books that make sound, and have coloring or sticker features.

5. Water and sand tables. These tables have become a popular warm-weather toy! They can be placed outside and allow children to safely play with water and sand while walking and standing. Be sure to check the age recommendations before purchasing, as some are made for children 4+.

6. Problem-solving toys. Another important executive function skill is working memory and mental flexibility. These are the skills that help us solve problems later in life. Have your child work those problem-solving skills from a young age with stacking toys, locking plastic blocks and simple puzzles. As children get older, you can also explore card games and board games that are right for their age.

7. Art materials. Making art is great for pretend play and storytelling. Play doughs, washable markers and paints, crayons, pipe cleaners—any of these are great tools for making art. There are also some newer art supplies like magnetic drawing boards and water reveal boards. All art supplies sold in the U.S. should say ASTM D-4236 on the package, which means they’ve been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials as non-toxic.

8. Bubbles. While some don’t think of bubbles as helping development, they can actually be a fun way to improve gross and fine motor skills! Children usually chase after bubbles and use their hands to hold the wand and produce more bubbles. Try to discourage children from eating bubbles. While they are minimally toxic, they can lead to an upset stomach if children ingest them.

"Everyday objects can be used to entertain baby and build their motor, sensory and communication skills. Using items with a variety of textures, colors, sounds, and patterns are the best way to engage baby. Simply look around the house to begin exploring and learning together."

DIY Ideas:

1. Make Your Own Shaker. While some don’t think of bubbles as helping development, they can actually be a fun way to improve gross and fine motor skills! Children usually chase after bubbles and use their hands to hold the wand and produce more bubbles. Try to discourage children from eating bubbles. While they are minimally toxic, they can lead to an upset stomach if children ingest them.

2. Homemade Mobile. A clothes hanger can be the frame for baby’s mobile. Attach 2-3 colorful, interesting items such as pictures or paper cut outs. You can switch out items occasionally to keep your little one interested. The mobile should not be within baby’s reach.

3. Baby Container Surprise. Stuff some squares of fabric into a baby wipe container and let baby pull them out. Fabrics should have different textures and colors to stimulate baby’s sense of touch and vision.

4. Swiping Games. Encourage baby to swipe at objects held in front of them such as a scarf. Have baby practice “raking” movements by letting them use their fingers to grasp and pull objects. Hold the item in different positions to encourage reaching from side to side.

7 - 9 MONTHS

Transfer From Hand to Hand. Show baby how to transfer a household object, such as a large cooking spoon, from one hand to the other. Help baby by guiding their empty hand toward the spoon. Gently grasp your fingers over baby’s hands if they need more help.
Exploring Texture. Provide baby with some objects from around the house that have different textures– soft, hard, fluffy, scratchy. These could be objects such as a knit hat, a large sponge, or cotton blanket. You can also provide items that make different noises when banged together or dropped. Playing with these items will stimulate baby’s sense of touch. You can go through and describe each as baby picks them up to explore.

10-12 MONTHS

Pillow Climbing. Once baby is crawling, allow her to crawl over pillows and cushions while you are supervising. The exercise builds baby’s core, arm, and leg muscles.
Rhythm and Music. Household items can be used to show baby how rhythm and music are made. Try grabbing a couple pots or pans and a wooden spoon. Show baby how to make a rhythm and spend the afternoon making music. With just a little bit of imagination, all of these household items become fun toys for baby to play with. Learn the stages of play your child will go through to help understand what types of activities may be best for their development at different ages.

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