They say the best things in life are free, but I’m not sure that applies to baby toys. When you’re a new parent, you want to make sure your child has everything they need, and that can start with selecting a good toy.
There are plenty of things to consider when shopping for baby toys and I mean really think about it: You don’t want your little one getting bored or frustrated with their playthings.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Sensory toys are designed to stimulate a child’s senses and aid in their development. |
| 2. When choosing sensory toys, consider the child’s age, developmental stage, and individual interests. |
| 3. Look for toys that offer a variety of sensory experiences and are safe and durable. |
| 4. Sensory play can be incorporated into a child’s daily routine through toys and activities that engage their senses. |
| 5. There are many affordable options for sensory toys that can aid in a child’s development and exploration. |
So what should you look for when seeking out the perfect baby toy? Here are some basic guidelines:
A Toy That Touches All Senses
A good toy is one that stimulates all five senses. When it comes to children and their toys, there are two kinds of stimulation: simultaneous and sequential.
Simultaneous stimulation is when a child focuses on the same thing in a sequence of events (like hearing the tick-tock of an alarm clock while watching their favorite TV show).
Sequential stimulation happens when you combine several things at once, like smelling popcorn while watching your favorite movie or tasting some ice cream while listening to music from your iPod.
Toys that stimulate multiple senses at once are great for keeping baby’s attention because they keep his mind active and engaged throughout play time.
Having said that, there’s nothing wrong with getting creative! There are plenty of ways you can mix up the stimuli in your baby’s surroundings so he can still have fun even if he only has access to one sense at a time – just make sure whatever you choose won’t be too overwhelming for him!
For example: A pair of headphones could work as both auditory input AND visual input because they’re attached to things like iPads/iPhones; however — depending on how old your child is — these may also require additional assistance from an adult so they don’t end up hurting themselves on accident (due simply because they’re not used yet).
Types of Sensory Toys
| Types of Sensory Toys | Description |
|---|---|
| Textured toys | Toys with different textures that stimulate touch and can help with tactile development. |
| Musical toys | Toys that produce sound and can aid in auditory development. |
| Visual toys | Toys that incorporate bright colors and visual stimuli to aid in visual development. |
| Scented toys | Toys that have different scents that can stimulate the sense of smell. |
| Taste-safe toys | Toys that are safe for babies to put in their mouth and explore with their sense of taste. |
When it comes to creating a sensory-rich environment for your toddler, having the right toys is crucial. Our article on 15 sensory toys every toddler should have in their toy box provides helpful suggestions for building a well-rounded sensory toy collection that can aid in your child’s development.
A Toy That Develops Cognitive Skills
A toy that develops cognitive skills is one that helps your baby learn about the world around them. Cognitive skills include things like learning about cause and effect, which means that a toy with this kind of development will always have an action or reaction.
For example, if you push a button on a shape sorter, the shapes should come out of the holes. This teaches your baby that when you push something, it can have an effect on the world around them.
A good baby toy also has visual appeal; it’s colorful and appealing to look at (like our Busy Ball Popper) so it keeps your child engaged longer and doesn’t bore them as quickly as other toys might.
If you’re looking for sensory stimulation as well as cognitive development in your child’s toy collection then we suggest finding something with multiple textures!
We love all of our different types of Busy Balls because each one offers different textures Ranging From Smooth Surfaces All The Way Up Through Bumpy Ones!
Sensory Toy Suggestions by Age Group
| Age Group | Sensory Toy Suggestions |
|---|---|
| 0-6 months | Soft blankets, rattles, teething toys |
| 6-12 months | Textured balls, activity mats, sensory blocks |
| 1-2 years | Play tunnels, musical instruments, shape sorters |
| 2-3 years | Sensory bins, play dough, balance boards |
| 3+ years | Sensory swings, building sets, science kits |
A Toy With Different Textures And Colors
Babies learn about the world around them through sensory exploration. Different textures and colors help your baby develop their sense of touch, sight and hearing.
So it’s important that a baby toy has multiple textures and colors to help stimulate your child’s brain development.
Choosing the right sensory toys for your toddler can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Our article on sensory toys for toddlers: how to choose the right ones for your child offers practical tips on selecting toys that can engage your child’s senses and support their growth and development.
A Toy That Is Safe And Durable
Safety is the most important thing to consider when choosing a toy for your baby. Make sure that it has non-toxic materials and is durable enough to withstand chewing, tossing and dropping.
- Look for toys that are easy to clean.
- Avoid any noisy toys that can irritate your child’s ears if they’re used frequently.
- It’s also important to make sure the toy isn’t too small so that there’s no choking hazard or other danger involved in its use or playtime with them.
A Toy That Comes In Various Forms, Like A Rattle Or Plushie
A good toy should offer variety. You want to be able to use the same toy in different ways and in different settings, so you may want to consider choosing a toy that comes in a variety of forms.
For example, a rattle could be used as an auditory cue for your baby’s attention and then later on it can be used as an object to grasp while learning how to grab things with their hands. In addition, there are many other types of sensory toys that come in multiple forms such as plushies (soft cuddly toys), teethers (items that fit into baby’s mouth), rattles (noisy toys that make sounds by shaking them), etc., all which have their own benefits for helping babies learn about their world around them!
Sensory play can provide endless benefits for toddlers, from enhancing their cognitive abilities to improving their social skills. Our beginner’s guide to the importance of sensory play for toddlers can help you better understand how to incorporate sensory play into your child’s daily routine.
A Toy That Helps Hand-Eye Coordination
If you’re looking for toys that help develop hand-eye coordination, a good place to start is with baby play gyms.
These are basically large mats with teething toys hanging from the center of it. Babies love them because they provide a lot of sensory stimulation and exercise their muscles at the same time. Some baby gym play mats even come with music and lights!
If you have a curious toddler who’s interested in what makes things tick, then they’ll love accessories like gears and levers (like those found in trains) as well as puzzles that involve connecting shapes or numbers by matching colors or patterns. These can be used to teach basic math skills too.
A Toy That Fosters Creativity
A toy that fosters creativity is one that encourages your child to use their imagination and problem solve.
They might be able to build with blocks, paint on a canvas or make music using cardboard instruments or shakers. Creativity helps children learn and grow, so look for toys that encourage this skill set.
A good example of a toy that fosters creativity is an activity cube—they have different activities throughout the day like lights, sounds and music; books with flaps to lift up; buttons to push; gears that turn as you roll them across the floor; shapes/characters attached at different points in order for children ages 6 months – 3 years old (or older!) to play independently without supervision from parents or caregivers
Motor skill development is an important aspect of a child’s growth and can be fostered through play. Our article on the importance of sensory toys for motor skill development explores how sensory toys can aid in developing fine and gross motor skills, ultimately helping your child reach important developmental milestones.
A Toy That Promotes Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor skills are the large movements of your body. They’re important for babies to develop as they learn how to walk, climb, jump and run.
Some toys that promote gross motor skills include:
- A musical activity table with lights and sounds. This type of toy will encourage your baby to reach for it and move about on it. It can also help them learn about cause and effect (e.g., when they press a button the toy makes noise).
- A ball pit with soft balls that are the right size for their hands – this will allow them to crawl through it and pick up the balls as well as toss them about in there with ease without getting injured in any way either!
A Toy With A Variety Of Sounds And Shapes
A good toy for a baby should have multiple sounds and shapes, as well as different textures. The combination of all of these elements is important for helping your baby develop.
A toy that makes different sounds will help your baby learn how to recognize certain sounds, which is something they need in order to advance their speech development.
A toy with a variety of shapes will also help them learn about the world around them, especially when it comes down to recognizing shapes themselves. Lastly, having different textures on their toys will help your child’s sensory development as well!
A Toy With High Contrast Colors And Patterns
High contrast colors and patterns are easier for babies to see. A toy with high-contrast design will be able to catch your baby’s attention and make it more likely that your baby will want to play with the toy.
This is because high contrast designs will help draw the eye in, making it easier for your baby to focus on what they’re looking at.
An example of a high contrast toy is one that has bright colors over a black or white background, or even just different shades of purple against yellow (like this one).
A Toy With Simple Shapes And A Variety Of Colors
A good baby toy will have a variety of shapes, but try to find one with simple shapes. A common mistake parents make is thinking that babies need toys with lots of bells and whistles.
In fact, they can become easily overwhelmed by too many options at once!
Babies also enjoy the sense of touch from different textures. So look for toys made with different materials like soft fabric or hard plastic that are easy for your child to hold onto.
And finally, don’t forget about color! Babies love bright colors like red, green and yellow because these are high-contrast colors meaning there’s a lot of difference between them — which helps them learn about contrast early on in life!
Sensory toys can play an important role in helping children build strength and coordination in their muscles. Our article on sensory toys for building stronger muscles highlights some of the best toys for promoting muscle development and offers helpful tips on incorporating these toys into your child’s playtime.
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you get started in the world of baby toys. Remember, it’s not just about buying one toy that will last forever; it’s also about helping your child develop their senses as they grow up and learn to play with others.
So think about what kind of toys would be good for your little one and go from there!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to learn more about sensory toys and baby toys:
The Independent: Best sensory toys for babies and toddlers – This article provides a comprehensive list of the best sensory toys for babies and toddlers, along with explanations of their benefits and features.
HealthyChildren.org: What to Look for in a Toy – This article offers helpful tips for choosing safe and developmentally appropriate toys for babies.
Verywell Family: Best Baby Toys Under $1 – This article offers budget-friendly options for baby toys that can aid in their development and sensory exploration.
FAQs
What are sensory toys?
Sensory toys are toys that are designed to stimulate one or more of a child’s senses, including touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell. They can be used to aid in the development of a child’s motor skills, cognitive abilities, and social skills.
How do I choose the right sensory toys for my child?
When choosing sensory toys for your child, consider their age and developmental stage, as well as their individual interests and preferences. Look for toys that offer a variety of sensory experiences and are safe and durable.
What should I look for in a baby toy?
When choosing a toy for a baby, look for toys that are safe, durable, and age-appropriate. Toys that encourage exploration, interaction, and sensory stimulation are also beneficial for a baby’s development.
Are expensive toys better than cheaper ones?
Expensive toys are not necessarily better than cheaper ones. The most important factors to consider when choosing toys are their safety, durability, and developmental appropriateness. There are many affordable options for toys that can aid in a child’s development and sensory exploration.
How can I incorporate sensory play into my child’s daily routine?
Incorporating sensory play into your child’s daily routine can be as simple as providing them with toys and activities that engage their senses, such as textured toys or sensory bins. It can also involve incorporating sensory experiences into everyday activities, such as encouraging your child to touch and feel different objects during a nature walk.
Meet Hellen James, the multi-talented writer and nurturing mother who takes young readers on a thrilling journey through her sensory-infused blog. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences as a parent.
