Let your kid's imagination run wild and build a medieval fantasy world complete with a functional catapult, a king and queen, 2 knights, a horse, and even a flying dragon!...
This PlanToys Central Station can be connected to any other PlanToys transportation system. The lower building can be rotated to adjust the layout of building. Build a rail system for...
Introduce children to the joy of cooking! The PlanToys Chef Set includes easy-grip cooking tools that are designed for small hands with big appetites. Expand upon this set with other...
Get in the racing car with this fast chicken! This vehicle comes with a vintage race car theme and features a turning wheel that gives the same movement as a...
It's afternoon tea time! Pretend play is the perfect way to stimulate a child's imagination while also inviting them to practice their social and communication skills. Little ones improve their...
Choo, choo! The PlanToys Classic Train is the ultimate addition to any rail set or transportation play scenario. Using the magnets, children can connect the trains for a more dynamic experience....
PlanToys Clatter is a fun musical toy that makes a click-clack sound that changes with play and goes from a soft ripple to a clattering crescendo. PlanToys Clatter Details: Age: 18...
Using an alternating up and down motion with both hands, the PlanToys Clatter colorful segments will create various click-clack sounds. PlanToys Clatter Details: Age: 18 months+ Dimension: 2.36 x 12.6 inch Weight: 0.46...
Welcome the adorable PlanToys Climbing Gorilla into a child’s play routine. The Climbing Gorilla helps toddlers develop fine and gross motor skills while encouraging them to take their first steps....
PlanToys Colored Snap Camera is a great way to encourage imaginative play. It has 3 different lenses: clear, yellow and blue with a viewfinder to see through. Kids will enjoy...
PlanToys Concertina is the perfect toy to inspire your little ones' musical creativity! As it is squeezed in and out, different notes and pitches play. PlanToys Concertina Details: Age: 18...
The PlanToys Construction Set is a 40-piece set that can be easily assembled and reassembled to create any imaginable form. 2-in-1 wrench and screwdriver included. PlanToys Construction Set Details: Age:...
PlanToys Cooking Utensils is the perfect toy for fun pretend to play to encourage your little chef’s imagination and creativity! PlanToys Cooking Utensils Details: Suitable for infants 2 years+ Includes...
This set consists of a crane, construction sign, street hazard sign, concrete mixer, and 2 figures of a foreman and worker. With the pulley, the crane can be twisted 360...
Build a castle or a city! Let your creativity take over! Contains 30 pieces with 10 shapes. There are 6 color blocks and 18 natural blocks. PlanToys Creative Blocks Orchard Details:...
A favorite family game with a very friendly design. The colorful PlanToys Croquet Set can be played in several adjustable settings. It's a child-friendly version of a classic backyard game! PlanToys...
Decorate cupcakes and host a party with the PlanToys Cupcake Set! Complete with 2 cupcakes that can be removed from their PlanWood cups, whipped cream, a piping bag for icing,...
PlanToys Dancing Alligator is a great push & pull toy for your active little one! When pulled along, the alligator moves his head and tail up and down making a click-clack...
This role play Dr. Dentist set helps children learn the importance of proper dental hygiene and healthy eating. PlanToys Dentist Set Details: 4 realistic wooden dental tools 1 toothbrush 8 wooden...
Let your little one be a detective and solve a case! The PlanToys Detective Set is a realistic playset that comes with a detective bag, pair of glasses, camera, periscope, walkie-talkie, newspaper, and...
Become a professional DJ with the PlanToys DJ Mixer Board! This toy not only supports fine motor skill development through role play but also invites children to practice their color...
Pretend play as a real doctor and take care of your friends using this professional PlanToys Doctor Set! Teaches children at a young age how to become sympathetic and empathetic....
The PlanToys Double Drum features 2 differently-sized drums and a pair of drumsticks. The drumhead is made from fabric coated with natural rubber, making for a gentle yet realistic musical...
Create your own version of happily ever after with this fairy tale block set. Age: 3 years+ Includes a prince Dimension: 1.38x2.76x1.38 inch Weight: 2.558 lbs
Play is essential for children because it contributes to their intellectual, physical, emotional and social development. When children play, they exercise their creativity, develop their imagination, master their dexterity, improve their cognitive ability and build physical strength. Experts agree that the best kinds of play allow kids to set their own goals, negotiate challenges, develop and share ideas, and make their own rules.
But how can we make sure our kids are getting enough healthy, unstructured play time when they’re growing up in an overscheduled and stressful environment, when parents are overly focused on producing high academic achievers, and safety concerns prevent us from letting our kids roam around freely and unsupervised? Perhaps the best thing we can do for our kids is to make sure they have the right kinds of toys at home to make play time most rewarding.
First and foremost is safety. Safe toys for young children are sturdy, without sharp parts or splinters, free of pinching hazards, and easy to clean. If the toy will be used by an infant, it’s important that parts aren’t small enough to become a choking hazard.
Toys must be made from non-toxic materials and coated with lead-free paints. You should steer clear of antique toys, second-hand toys and homemade toys that have not been tested and approved by a certified testing lab, or may have been produced before the current regulations governing toy manufacturing were in effect.
In addition to being safe, a good toy will match the child’s appropriate stage of development and abilities.
The best baby activity toys for infants between 0-6 months are things they can reach, grasp, suck on, shake, and make noise with. Some age-appropriate toys for little babies are squeeze toys, teething toys, soft dolls, textured balls, and board books.
Infants between 6-12 months are starting to crawl, sit up and pull themselves to a standing position. They are capable putting things in and out of containers and placing objects on top of each other. Some of the best baby activity toys for this age group are dolls, vehicles with wheels, bath toys, large beads, nesting toys, large soft blocks, wooden blocks, and push & pull toys.
As your child continues to grow, look for toys that will encourage them to explore, create, pretend, imagine, and learn from trial and error.