How to Choose the Perfect Toys
Newborn Toys and Games
You’re the best ‘toy’ for your newborn. Your child will delight in watching your face, listening to your voice and simply being with you. Watch your baby as you play. If it looks like she’s tired, overwhelmed or needs some down time, it’s time to take a break.
As your baby grows, he’ll enjoy looking at a brightly coloured mobile, listening to a wind-up musical toy or learning to reach for a rattle. A toy with contrasting colours such as red, black and white is the most interesting to newborns. Your baby will also enjoy a toy with faces or with patterns such as curves or checks. Keep in mind that newborns can’t focus on objects more than about 20-30 cm from their faces.
Toys and Games for Babies and Toddlers
Around Your Home
Your baby or toddler will probably enjoy playing with push-along toys, soft balls, cuddly teddies, board or cloth books that can’t be ripped, toy cars and trucks, blocks (building them up and knocking them down again), and a bucket and spade for the sandpit.
Surprise toys such as a jack-in-the-box and other cause-and-effect toys are fun from around 10 months on. The initial surprise might upset some children, so introduce these toys gently. Simple puzzles, ride-on toys, and picture books with fun rhymes and bright illustrations are likely to fascinate your toddler.
Preschooler Toys and Games
Indoors
Your preschooler is likely to enjoy that can be used for play-acting, such as a toy tool box, old mobile phone or dress-up clothes. Cardboard boxes can be turned into lots of things, including a toy stove, letter box, car or boat.
Try arts and crafts such as paints, crayons, pencils or cutting and pasting, or spend some quiet time reading books together or listening to stories.
Outdoors
Outdoor equipment – such as a tricycle, cubbyhouse, sandpit or swings (with an adult nearby) – will keep your preschooler busy and active. Balls are fun to throw, hit or kick.
Simple board games and puzzles, toy animals, toy cars, dolls and construction toys such as Lego are all fun. Keep a balance between toys that need a solution, such as jigsaw puzzles, and open-ended toys that stimulate your child’s imagination.