Things to remember
- Playing with toys is beneficial for children’s growth and development.
- Open-ended toys stimulate children’s imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
- You can make toys, use everyday household items as toys, or search your local toy library.
- It is important to check the safety of toys when choosing toys.
- If your child is interested in toys that do not align with your family’s values, talk to your child first. The Best Toys for Kids
- Toys are a great way to start playing and support your child’s development.
The best toys for kids are open-ended. Open-ended toys are great because they allow your child to use them in a variety of ways. They encourage imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Here are some ideas for open-ended toys:
- Bricks – Your child can use blocks to stack, build, think, and more. Balls – Great for jumping, skipping, rolling, holding and throwing.
Cardboard boxes – your child can pretend to be a store counter, oven, car, boat, dollhouse and more. - Picture – With some old clothes and some fabric, your child can pretend to be anything or everyone.
Creative touches – Your children can get creative with colored paper, stickers, pencils and washable markers. - Collecting – Your child can collect links, beads or coins and sort them by color, pattern, size or shape. Natural materials – You can make a treasure chest for your child filled with leaves, feathers, or shells. Or you and your child can make a natural doll.
Toys that are appropriate for children of different ages
Many toys have age information on the packaging. This can be helpful, but it is just a rough guide. Your child’s interests will give you a better idea of what to choose.
Here are some ideas to stimulate the interest of children of different ages.
Love
Playing with your baby involves interacting with you and other caregivers. Your baby loves seeing your face, hearing your voice, and being with you. Of course, the best toys for your baby are the ones you play with. For example, try looking at a brightly colored mobile phone, listening to a musical instrument, reaching for a toy, or touching something with a different texture at the same time. Toddlers enjoy playing with boxes, blocks, pegs, buckets and jars, and clothes. Younger children also enjoy simple musical instruments that can be shaken and struck, such as drums made from turned pots and wooden spoons.
Toddlers and school-age children
Older children enjoy toys and playthings that allow them to explore, solve problems, and use their imagination and mind. This might include resources for catching objects, making paper airplanes, making clothes, or cooking. Puzzles or games that encourage older children to play with others are good choices. Older children may enjoy toys and games from different cultures.
