Choosing the right toy for your child can be tricky, especially if you don’t know what they need right now. Luckily we’ve put together an easy guide of toys by age and what will work best for development and fun.
Toys for 0 -12 months
Currently, your little one can’t see very much and still will have problems distinguishing colours. So it’s great to get toys with high colour contrast that they can see.
They’re also exploring textures and different sounds with both their hands and their mouth. Therefore, choose toys that are made from different materials and maybe they have a bell or a squeak for extra fun.
Plus, ensure that the toys are chew proof and can easily be washed, as they teeth their need to chew will only increase.
They will also be working on their motor-skills and fine-tuning their hand-eye co-ordination. So it’s great to give them toys they can grasp and help them achieve different actions.
Try out some of these great toys
1 to 2-year-old toys
As your little one grows, they are starting to understand cause and effect. When they do something, something else happens. It’s great to help encourage this with toys that offer the same option.
Pushing pieces through a cube, hammering or pressing and it making noise are all great ways to develop this skill. Any toy that they can respond to is a winner at this age.
Why not try these toys:
- Large puzzles
- Push or pull toys
- Simple musical instruments
- Stacking rings
3-4 years old
Toys are getting more exciting now, with them able to imitate actions, talking and playing. 3 to 4-year-olds love role play, with tools like shops, phones and everything they need to increase their creativity. They’ll also start to love tricycles and things that get them moving around the house!
You’ll probably notice them creating worlds of their own with construction toys. These can either be simple blogs are snap together, like Duplo. Either way, they will love creating environments that let their imagination run free.
Why not try these toys:
Toys for 5 to 7 years old
There is a considerable shift in learning at this age, and their toys also change with them. Their imagination and creativity are now in full swing, and they love to create new worlds, and can now fantasize that they are different people too, like doctors or aeroplane pilots.
They can spend more time doing learning activities, like arts and crafts or science experiments at this age too. Plus, your little one will be starting to develop their interests and will help guide you in what they like and don’t like at this age.
Why not try these toys:
- Arts & Crafts
- Role Play Toys
- Complex Puzzles
- Dress Up Clothes
- Transportation toys
