This adorable soft toadstool rattle is lovingly hand-crocheted using luxuriously soft yarn derived from the pulp of the organically grown and sustainably harvested bamboo trees. Toys are tested for the...
Crocodile: One of the Tikiri My First Zoo animals, the cute crocodile is ever so squeezable and ready for curious minds. Take him in the bath, or as a teething...
Lots of pacifiers lost? Say no more, this cute silly buddy will be the solution to this problem. Floppy, sloppy, silly and soft, this playful pacifier holding silly buddies, tie...
I’m always chewing on things – in my mouth and in my brain! Learning new things is so much fun, and because I’m so curious, it happens by accident all...
There’s nothing that makes my tail wag more than frolicking through a field of wildflowers with the sun on my back. My heart is always full and my soul always...
I come from a lush, mystical forest where I love to gallop and chase rainbows! I think miracles happen all the time and you, my friend, are one of them....
Friends tell me I’m playful and oh so cool! Having fun in the sparkly snow reminds me that we’re all unique, just like snowflakes. I love to ski in the...
I was born in a beautiful pasture at sunrise not too long ago. I love to bleat and sing and am curious about all new things. Meeting new people is...
I’m a kind, loving bunny who believes that the best way to make friends is to be one. Everyone I meet is extraordinary, like you! I love to lend an...
Won’t you join my family? I am a tender and loving bear who spends my time caring for adorable honey bees in the meadow where I live. I always feel...
I love to hop on tall grass, my favorite food is cupcake frosting and my favorite word is “yes”! It feels so great to do something you’re proud of, don’t...
I live in a beautiful treehouse perched high in the sky. Won’t you come to visit me? We can go on adventures in the magical treetops, take long, delicious naps,...
I live in a beautiful treehouse perched high in the sky. Won’t you come to visit me? We can go on adventures in the magical treetops, take long, delicious naps,...
Friends always call me a curious little kitten, because my mind is as quick as my paws trotting through the meadow to discover new things! I love admiring every flower...
I come from a whimsical place where the sun glitters and the clouds are like cotton candy. I love to bring out the best in people and find the good...
I am an energetic kitten who loves to laugh, leap and chase sunbeams. Luckily, I’m very good at landing on my feet! Friends say I’m an optimist - if things...
I roam a breathtaking forest every day in search of exciting new places and amazing new experiences. Travelling is my passion – it opens my heart, broadens my mind and...
I live on a stunning savanna under the gigantic blue sky. I love romance and ruffles and even though I’m little, I want to achieve big things! Let’s be BFFs,...
I love to roam big, wide-open spaces and use my trunk to reach high places. I also love to perform – nothing makes me happier than making people happy! I...
Where I come from, the ice and snow are always sparkling. I love building snow forts, slurping marshmallows in hot chocolate, and most of all, helping people. I believe we...
What makes the sun shine, or flowers grow? I want to know! I live in a fascinating forest with plenty of new things to discover. If I’m not sure how...
I’m always hopping from one big dream to another. There’s so much I want to accomplish in this beautiful world, and I know I can do it if I don’t...
I can't decide which I love more - dancing or flying! I think dancing is like dreaming with your feet and flying makes me feel like I can conquer anything....
I live in a lively garden full of color and magic. Every time I hop through the blooming flowers, I get inspired to create something new! Let’s paint with every...
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.