Parents, if you’re looking for fun ways to bond with your little one and support their healthy development, the right toys can make a big difference. Choosing toys and activities that get your child’s body moving and brain working helps build important skills they’ll use for a lifetime. From crawling and climbing to problem-solving and playing with friends, these experiences strengthen both their minds and muscles. Toys that challenge kids in just the right way can improve balance, coordination, strength, thinking skills, and even confidence. And the best part? They’re beneficial for every child, whether they’re catching up, right on track, or looking for a new challenge.
Toy Recommendations and How to Use Them
Small Rattle Toy: 8 weeks – 10 months
- Helps with: Holding objects and bringing hands to the middle of the body
- Activities:
- Reaching for rattles in front of face while lying on back
- Holding rattles while playing on side
- Reaching for a rattle to encourage turning on belly or crawling
Bubbles: 8 weeks+
- Helps with: Eye coordination, learning to reach, kick, or move toward an object
- Activities:
- Reaching while lying on stomach or back to pop bubbles
- Sitting with assistance, turning head to watch bubbles
Piggy bank: 18 months – 2.5 years
- Helps with: Building balance, control, and focus on one leg
- Activities:
- Standing on one leg and pressing a coin into a piggy bank without letting their other foot touch the ground
Bean bags: 12+ months
- Helps with: Coordination and motor planning
- Activities:
- Throwing underhand
- Throwing overhand
- Squatting to pick up a bean bag and hold it overhead with both hands, then throw the bean bag down to the ground as hard as possible
Puzzles: 2+ years old
- Helps with: Boosting thinking skills during active playtime
- Activities:
- Pick up a single piece of a puzzle, then run/jump/skip through an obstacle course, and repeat until all pieces are picked and the puzzle is complete
Squigz: 3+ years old
- Helps with: Coordination, balance, and hand strength
- Activities:
- Stand sideways on a soft surface like a cushion or foam mat, then place a Squigz toy on the opposite side of their body so they have to reach across with one hand to grab it, then have them stick it to the window.
These toys encourage kids to learn in different ways and explore their environment. They begin to develop their problem-solving, creativity, imagination, speech, focus, and sensory development. Starting as soon as possible allows them the maximum time to grow.
For more toy recommendations that support your baby’s development, follow TEAM 4 Kids! Early intervention can make a world of difference in your child’s growth.
Sarah PT, DPT and Madison PT, DPT
In this video, PT Madison explains how we can use each toy to improve gross motor skills for babies, toddlers, and kids of all ages!
