Babies get a lot from their toys -- even if it may seem that they don’t! Even the smallest baby will use a soft toy or a rattle to learn from and choosing the right baby toy can give them a lot of fun and help them develop into the bargain!

The visit to the toy store

Babies get a lot from their toys -- even if it may seem that they don’t! Even the smallest baby will use a soft toy or a rattle to learn from and choosing the right baby toy can give them a lot of fun and help them develop into the bargain!

It’s wise to talk to the baby’s parents first before choosing a toy. They will be able to give guidance on the actual developmental stage of the baby (they all develop at different rates!) and ideas on what the baby likes playing with. After all, give a baby a toy they’ll like and they’ll enjoy it much more.

Toy choices

There are all kinds of baby toys out there -- the best ones for young babies are those that stimulate their senses and that help them develop. Good toys to consider include rattles and things that make a noise and books and toys that they can feel and look at. Mobiles -- especially if they play music -- will engage their senses (and help them sleep which the parents will like!). Playmats and activity centres will also help them explore the world around them and learn about textures and touch.

As babies get older they become more involved in their toys. They like to stack and sort and they like toys that they can move around (push/pull toys are great for this) and that make noise. There are various toys out there that can make sounds and that can flash lights -- both electronic and simpler versions and these always go down well.

Most babies ape adult behaviour so toys that allow them to join in with adult activities will work well too. Toy phones and pretend TVs and computers will give them hours of fun here -- especially if pressing buttons makes noise!

Don’t forget about books when in the toy store. There are books available for all ages from cloth books for babies through to board books for older toddlers. Children like looking at the pictures here and this can help them learn to identify colours, animals and all sorts of other stuff that will be useful later. Popup/flap books and books with different textures in the pages are also a good bet.

Getting the age right

Babies don’t always develop at the same rates so it’s worth talking to the parents before buying toys -- they’ll get bored with ‘easy’ toys and frustrated with hard ones so do take advice here on what the baby can/cannot do.

Toys come with age guidelines that will at least give an indication of suitability. A toy that is marked at 3+ will not suit a younger child for a reason -- it may have small parts or hard edges that could do some harm so always check with the parents if in doubt. And, remember that the child has an opinion too -- find out what they like to do and it’ll be easier to choose the right toy.

Conclusion

Babies get a lot from their toys -- even if it may seem that they don’t! Even the smallest baby will use a soft toy or a rattle to learn from and choosing the right baby toy can give them a lot of fun and help them develop into the bargain. Finally, remember to look for safety guidelines such as the Kite and Lion marks and/or CE/EN ratings.