Along the lines of the baby and toddler activities, our county's child care resource provides this list of recommended toys (types) by age. I thought I would share them. As always, use caution when giving a new toy to your child. Check packaging for age recommendations. If a toy can fit through a toilet paper tube, it is too small to give to a young child who may put items in his/her mouth.
Birth to 6 Months:
Active Play
Squeeze toys to encourage grasping and develop muscle control in the hands.
Clutch, textured and squeeze balls.
Crib gyms with suspended toys to encourage batting and grasping.
Cognitive Play
Soft blocks with varied colors and textures.
Rattles in different shapes, textures and with different noises.
Books with high contrast colors, patterns or human faces.
Mobiles with interesting images (suspend images from the mobile and vary the images week to week).
Creative Play
Hand Puppets animated by a caregiver
Unbreakable mirrors to mimic caregiver expressions.
Music CDs featuring lullabies and Mother Goose rhymes.
6 Months to One Year:
Active Play
Stationary Exersaucer to develop leg muscles and independent play with featured activities.
Throw pillows to encourage climbing.
Tunnels for crawling and peek-a-boo activities.
Push toys (for the early walker) such as a play grocery cart or lawn mower.
Balls of various sizes and textures.
Cognitive Play
Stackable cups, blocks and rings
Containers of various sizes to encourage filling and emptying.
Activity boxes featuring simple activities such as pop-up boxes, abacus beads and easy shape sorters.
Two to three piece puzzles with knobs and simple shapes.
Interactive books with textures and lift-up flaps.
Creative Play
Hand puppets animated by caregiver.
Stuffed animals for creative play and practicing animal names and noises.
Shakers and a hand drum.
Music CDs featuring lullabies and Mother Goose rhymes.
Toys for One Year Olds
Active Play
Platforms, pillows and other climbing obstacles to facilitate balance and dexterity.
Push and pull toys such as a play grocery cart or dog on a string.
Ride-on toys such as four-wheeled bikes propelled by feet.
Rocking horses to develop balance.
Balls to practice throwing, kicking and turn taking.
Cognitive Play
Nesting and stacking toys.
Containers of various sizes to encourage filling and emptying; varied materials for placing in containers.
Activity boxes featuring more complex activities such as turning knobs and keys.
Three to five piece puzzles with knobs.
Interactive books with textures and lift-up flaps.
Creative Play
Dolls, stuffed animals and accessories for make-believe play.
Play household equipment such as tools and dishes.
Paper and crayons for drawing and writing.
Musical instruments including drums, bells, shakers and whistles.
Music CDs featuring active movement songs and rhymes.
Toys for Two Year Olds
Active Play
Wagons to push, pull and fill with toys.
Large toy vehicles to encourage pushing on the floor.
Push toys that imitate real objects such as a vacuum, grocery cart or lawn mower.
Ride-on toys that are realistic looking and can be propelled by feet, bouncing and pedaling.
Outdoor climbing equipment such as slides, steps and swings.
Cognitive Play
Peg boards with large pegs.
Magnetic boards with alphabet and varied sized and shaped magnets.
Shape and color sorters.
Plastic interlocking rings and beads.
Lacing cards and toys.
Nesting and stacking toys; oversized blocks.
Sorting and matching toys such as a collection of colored objects.
Varied objects for counting.
Knob puzzles.
Clay and accessories like cookie cutters.
Simple board games such as Candyland, Chutes and Ladders and matching games that reinforce concepts.
Picture books with bright colors, simple pictures and repetitive text.
Creative Play
Dolls, stuffed animals and accessories for imaginative play.
Play household equipment such as tools and dishes.
Dress-up materials for pretend play.
Paper, non-toxic paint, crayons, chalk and blunt-end scissors.
Musical instruments including drums, keyboards, bells, shakers and whistles.
Music CDs featuring active movement songs and repetitive choruses.
Toys for Preschoolers (3, 4 and 5 Year Olds)
Active Play
Wagons and wheelbarrows to push, pull and fill with objects.
Push toys that resemble adult tools such as a vacuum, grocery cart or lawn mower.
Tricycles and vehicles that are peddled and steered.
Outdoor climbing equipment such as slides, steps and swings.
Bat and hoop for ball play.
Cognitive Play
Peg board with small pegs.
Magnetic boards with alphabet and number magnets.
Lacing cards, string and bead toys.
Blocks and wooden building blocks.
Sorting and matching toys such as a collection of colored objects.
Letter and word tiles for creating words and stories such as magnetic poetry.
Creative Play
Realistic dolls and accessories for imaginative play involving daily activities (feeding, dressing, bathing).
Child-sized household utensils and tools to help with daily routines.
Finger and hand puppets; dress-up materials and props for dramatic play.
Plastic animals, cars and garages, dolls and dollhouse and train sets for pretend play.
Art and craft materials such as paper, non-toxic paint, crayons, chalk, glue and blunt-end scissors.
Musical instruments including xylophones, drums, bells, shakers and harmonicas.
Music CDs featuring active movement songs and repetitive choruses.
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