Toy Suggestions
Parents often ask me for suggestions on what toys and activities to buy for their children. Here is a list of some items that I suggest.
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*The age recommendations that are on toys aren’t always appropriate for all children.
*The toys that I am listing here only have ages noted to show the youngest age recommended for that particular toy but can certainly be appropriate for an older child as well.
*I am also listing toys that are in the low to mid price range. There are plenty of websites and stores that have wonderful toys and tasks that are similar to the toys listed here. This is just a sampling of the recommended toys and books that are out there!
For children who are just beginning to engage with toys:
Fisher Price Lil’ Zoomers Safari Sounds Jungle (6 mos. +)
Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Piggy Bank (6 mos. +)
Sit and Stand Activity Toys (9 mos. +)
Skiphop Explore & More & Match Book
Skiphop Bandana Buddies Activity Toy
Skiphop Vibrant Village Peek & Play Activity Book
Baby Activity Gym
Activity Mirror for Babies
Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Books (All Ages)
–Dress Up Bear, Peekaboo, Whose Feet?
Melissa & Doug Build an Inchworm Pop Blocs Learning Toy
Melissa & Doug Bug Jug Fill & Spill (6 mos. +)
Melissa & Doug Soft Rainbow Stacker (9 mos.+)
Musical Toys, Tunnel, Bubbles, Bath toys, Balls
Soft Books, Tactile Books, and Books with music or sounds
Soft Blocks, Soft Vehicles
Toys to encourage using both hands for play:
Nesting Cups (8 mos.+)
Snap Lock Toys (6 mos.+)
—Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Snap-Lock Caterpillar
—Fisher-Price Snap-Lock Beads
Fisher-Price Sets with people and animals
Baby Dolls with a few accessories
My Little Pony with brush/comb
Playskool (Form Fitter) Shape Sorter with snap lid (18 mos. +)
Learning Resources Stacking Shapes Pegboard
Melissa & Doug Colored Rings Wooden Stacker
Balls and Vehicles
Playskool Potato Head (2 yrs. +)
Leap Frog Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket Set (1-3 yrs. +)
Mega Blocks Building Sets with Animals and/or People (1-3 yrs. +)
Wooden Blocks
Puzzles with Large Knobs (3-5 pieces)
Bristle Blocks
Musical Instruments, Bubbles, Bath Toys, Sand Toys (for scooping and pouring)
Board Books, Tactile Books, Rhyming Books, and Books with Photographs
For children who are becoming more organized in play and engagement:
Bristle Blocks
Waffle Blocks, for experienced builders
Books with flaps, Books with rhyming stories, and repeated wording (Brown Bear, Brown Bear),
–some of my favorites are Usborne Books
Lacing Cards
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Lacing Beads Set
Melissa & Doug Beginner Pattern Blocks Wooden Classic Toy
Melissa & Doug Catch & Count Fishing Game
Musical Instruments
Puzzles with Small Knobs (5-8 pieces)
Fisher Price Snap n’ Style Dress Up Dolls (2 yrs. +)
Variety of Balls and Vehicles
Toys and Tasks that help encourage functional language and pretend play:
Puzzles with people, animals, clothing, vehicles, common objects and food
Picnic/Tea Sets
Pretend Food/Kitchen Sets
–Leap Frog Number Lovin’ Oven
–Velcro Food
Variety of Vehicles, Blocks, and Balls
Musical Instruments
Play Phone
Magnetic Dress Dolls
Puppets and finger puppets
Tool Sets (2 yrs. +)
Character Dolls: Moana, Dora, Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Mickey/Minnie, Doc McStuffins, princesses, Our Generation Dolls.
*Choose the characters that your child loves or choose some little people with moveable parts. *Also add some items that will go with that character such as a car, bed and blanket, table and chairs, and play food (or make these accessories yourself).
Sensory Play Tasks:
Art Supplies: crayons, paints, play dough sets with roller and plastic cutters