One of the most popular questions that an early interventionist gets asked is what toys we recommend. My typical response is, “Nothing that takes batteries!” Our team met recently to make a list to share with families, and here it is:
You can introduce these toys during this time, but many babies/toddlers may want to continue to play with them beyond these ages.
4-12 months
Oball rattles and toys are great for learning how to grasp and transferring objects from one hand to another.
Crinkle books are lightweight and motivating for babies to begin to use both hands together.
Water mats are a fun way to incorporate tummy time or practice prop and independent sitting.
12-18 months
Pop ‘n Pals are a great activity to begin refining some fine motor skills. Pushing, turning, and using finger tips to activate toys are a great way to strengthen and refine hands.
Wooden blocks and stacking toys are great to start playing with. You can stack, line up, talk about pictures on them, color, shape, etc.
Shape sorters are fun to introduce in the toddler stage.
Farm sets are a fun way to model some play activities and make animal sounds.
18-24 months
Chunky puzzles, especially Melissa & Doug puzzles are great to begin working on problem solving and visual-spatial awareness.
Palm grasp crayons are helpful with strengthening hands and begin some hand-eye coordination.
Poke-a-dot books are great to introduce to work on pointing at pictures in books.
Matching egg toys are a fun way to begin working on matching and organization.
24+ months
Stick horses can be a fun way to encourage pretend play and gross motor coordination.
Water wow books are a great activity to throw in your backpack to take along and use while you’re waiting for appointments.
Magnatiles are a great way to work on building.
Color Wonder products can be a worry free way to color and finger paint!
3+ years
Sneaky Snacky Squirrel game is a great way to work on turn taking, color sorting, strategy, and can be played pretty quickly!
Kwik Stix are a fun way to use solid tempera paint in sticks for a fun way to work on grasping and painting.
Most infants and toddlers are pretty excited about social interactions and introducing toys can be a fun way to model play, grow vocabulary, build relationships, and create fun memories.
By Amy Foster, Physical Therapist, Sedgwick County Infant/Toddler Services
