Age-Appropriate Toys For Child Development

Last Updated: January 23, 2019

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Are you wondering what toy is best for a child?

Even if you’re around children a lot, choosing a gift that is both fun and educational can be difficult! Children go through
different learning stages as they grow from newborns to adolescents. While these stages are occurring, changes in their
brain are also happening.

Although every child develops in their own time, it is important to continuously stimulate their mind and senses in order
to help them grow. Learning the different stages of development is important to help determine what an age-
appropriate toy is for your child or loved one. If you are looking for the perfect gift, inform your decision by what
developmental stage a child is at.

Below we highlight key points to consider when choosing a gift that will keep your child engaged. We also created a
helpful visual for easy reference.

Every person’s growth, learning and development starts with their motor and sensory skills. Sensory skills involve your
senses. Things are learned and memorized best by children and adults when they engage their senses.

Motor skills are used when your muscles, nervous system and brain work together to complete a task. There are two
types of motor skills: fine and gross. Fine motor skills include small tasks like picking up a spoon, bending your fingers
and moving your lips. Gross motor skills include bigger movements like rolling over, sitting and walking, anything that
involves using your feet, legs, torso and arms is a gross motor skill.

Motor skills are measured by skills such as

 Muscle tone

 Strength and coordination

 Rhythm and timing

 Bilateral coordination
  Primitive and postural reflexes

 Eye-muscle balance and coordination

 Balance and posture

Sensory skills are those that involve the senses, which include:

 Hearing

 Vision

 Smell

 Taste

 Touch

 Vestibular (inner ear)

 Proprioception (the ability to know where one’s body is in space)

 Balance and spatial perception

Age-Appropriate Toys for Children

Choosing a toy will depend on what age and stage the child is in. It’s not necessary to get caught up in gender-specific
toys as long as they are colorful and cheerful. Ask yourself if the child will enjoy or if it’s a little to complicated for them
to comprehend it.

Remember, gifting a toy to a child will allow them to become more social and share with other kids. Dollhouses, wooden
blocks, play kitchens and dress-up items have been staple baby toys for a really long time because they allow for
creative and imaginative play. Below we have highlighted what toys are best at what age and why.

Birth to 5 Month Olds

From birth to five months of age, babies start to grasp objects and show affection. They laugh at funny faces and even
make funny faces themselves! The best part of all? By five months, they can typically sleep through the night with naps
once or twice a day.

Milestones: In this age range, babies are starting to sit up and find ways to balance. They will need toys that are safe and
easy to hold because at this age, babies put everything in their mouth (so make sure to wash your toys often)! They also
react very well to objects that are moving, objects that have black and white contrast and sounds. Tummy time and
peek-a-boo are excellent activities to play with your baby.

Toys For Birth to 5 Month Olds

Everything is new for a baby at this stage, so introducing them to soft toys, textures and contrasts will help to stimulate
their senses. Toys that improve their hand-eye coordination are key. Exposure to shapes and sizes will help babies
differentiate between round and square objects and because they are starting to grasp items, this is the perfect time to
introduce them to shapes. Some great toy options include:

 Rattles

 Squeeze toys

 Large rings

 Activity gyms

 Plush animals

 Interactive play mats

 Black and white books

 Wind chimes

 Toys with mirrors

 Mobiles

6 to 11 Month Olds

Watch out! Your six to eleven month old is now crawling and eating solid foods. It’s all about taste in their world right
now and they are learning what they like and don’t like to eat. Also, they are now able to recognize you as their parent!
These babies have also learned to stand up on their own by holding on to sturdy furniture.

Milestones: Babies at this age are able to pick up larger items with their fingers and use both hands at the same time.
They like to bang objects together and throw them. At this stage, babies need to be introduced to constructive play,
which are things that feed their imagination.

Toys For 6 to 11 month old babies

As mentioned, toys that help with creativity, visual stimulation and constructive skills are best for a baby at this stage.
Below are some toys that allow them to explore as well as improve their sensory and cognitive skills as well as language
development.

 Xylophones

 Stacking toys

 Wooden puzzles

 Baby blocks

 Musical toys
  Teething toys

 Activity tables

 Play phones

 Pretend kitchenware

 Play plush toy

1 Year Olds

Congratulations! Your little baby is now a happy one-year-old. There are several milestones your bundle of joy has
accomplished. They stand by themselves (and maybe even take a few steps), they may be able to eat on their own and
they are taking less naps during the day.

Milestones: By this time, your baby is probably scribbling and covering/uncovering objects such as plastic lids or shoe
boxes. They are at the age now where they want to investigate everything. They like to find hidden objects and imitate
the sounds that you make.

Toys For 1 Year Olds

Toys with moving parts, levers, wheels and blocks are ideal. Songs also play a huge part in development because they
help with memorization and repetition skills. Toys to build and put together are great for motor skills. It’s all about
sensory and imagination at this age, so anything with music will stimulate their brains.

 Cloth books with photos or illustrations

 Non-toxic markers and crayons

 Wood blocks

 Large peg boards

 Sensory ball sets

 Spinning spiral towers

 Mini pianos

 Wooden bead mazes

 Push toys

 Shape sorters

2 Year Olds
Your toddler is growing quickly. They now like to run away, play hide and seek, complete sentences and even show a
little independence.

Milestones: By this time, your toddler is kicking a ball, climbing up and down the stairs and pointing at everything they
see. They like to interact with other kids and are now using one hand more than the other, although it’s still not certain
if they are right or left handed.

Toys For 2 Year Olds

Toys that require physical strength are best for two-year-olds as well as those that help them with their language and
social skills. Because they have more control over their hands, two-year-olds can play with heavier toys that build
physical strength. Playing pretend at this age also allows them to get a better sense of dressing themselves and every
day activities.

 Puzzles

 Dress-up/pretend items

 Construction toys

 Child-size household equipment

 Art supplies

 Toy food

 Books with illustrations

 Dollhouses

 Play scooters and cars

3 to 6 Year Olds
Your child is walking and running more than ever and is even ready to ride a bicycle. Although their activity level is often
higher, they also require a lot of good rest. They have now started school and are interacting with many kids their age.

Milestones: By this time your child has more strength. They are able to control heavier items and have much better
coordination when using scissors or crayons. They are most likely brushing their own teeth and becoming more
independent.

Toys For 3 to 6 Year Olds

Because they have more control over their reflexes and movements, it’s important to get toys for your child that involve
brain activity and hand and muscle movements. Allowing your child to do crafts, play outside and play memory games is
ideal.

 Jump ropes

 Toy cars and trucks

 Percussion instruments

 Butterfly nets

 Sidewalk chalk

 Tricycles and bicycles

 Hula hoops

 Jigsaw puzzles

 Spelling toys

 Drawing easels

7 to 8 Year Olds
By this age, your child has an understanding of cause and effect. They are able to write complete sentences and enjoy
being part of a team. Because of this, though, they are easily influenced by peers. So, making sure they have the tools to
be an individual is key.

Milestones: By this time, your child is learning vocabulary through reading, telling stories and has a creative imagination.
They have a longer attention span and love to collect things. They are more active and can play for long hours.

Toys For 7 to 8 Year Olds

Because they are eager to learn, science toys and educational board games are perfect for this age range. Toys and
activities that involve a lot of concentration, such as knitting, are also ideal.

 Science kits

 Puppets

 Lego®

 Board games

 Chess and checkers

 Rocks and gems

 Knitting kits

 Outdoor toys

 Painting kits

 Activity books

9 Year Olds and Older

Nine-year-olds are becoming independent and are starting middle school. They are building lasting friendships and are
facing more academic challenges. By now, their attention span has increased and they are asking more questions.

Milestones: At this age, memory is developing at a rapid pace. Your child can concentrate on a single activity for
prolonged periods of time. Consequences of bad behavior are now understood and they are able to express their
thoughts and opinions about a variety of topics.

Toys For 9 Year Olds and Older

Reading plays a huge role in your child’s life at this age. It stimulates their imagination, communication skills and
vocabulary. Problem-solving toys are ideas at this age and may keep them entertained for hours.

 3D puzzles

 History board games

 Sports equipment

 Electronic dictionaries

 Journals

 Race tracks

 Funny books

 Mechanical toys

 Card sets

 Comic books

No matter what age your child or loved one is, it is always great to get them toys that will improve their motor and
sensory skills. It keeps them alert and eager to learn new things. If you are looking for gift ideas or birthday present
ideas, check out our gifts for kids, perfect for any occasion!
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Lexi Dwyer

Contributing Writer

How to Boost Baby’s Development With Age-Appropriate Play

It’s never too early to discover that learning is fun.

With an infant on your hands, it might feel like all you do these days is feed, change diapers and catch a nap while baby
sleeps (if you're lucky). But while it may seem like baby can’t do much, it's actually never too early to start playing with
your child. In the early weeks and months, she isn't exactly ready to kick a soccer ball or put together a puzzle, but there
are plenty of fun ways to engage with her that’ll have important long-term benefits for her physical and mental
development.

"It's a myth that babies can't play, even if they don't seem to be 'doing much' yet—they’re still taking everything in,”
says Amanda Gummer, a research psychologist specializing in child development and spokesperson for the Genius of
Play, a movement to raise awareness about the importance of play in kids’ lives. “Playing is a great way for parents and
caregivers to build that vital bond with their baby, while sensory stimulations helps baby's brain grow.”

When it comes to playing with babies, how much your child gets out of it is directly related to how much time and effort
you put into it. "Baby's development doesn't happen in a vacuum," says Rachel Coley, a pediatric occupational therapist
who blogs at Can Do Kiddo. "A big part of baby hitting key milestones and gaining skills has to do with the materials,
experiences and opportunities to practice that baby receives. By choosing toys and activities that match what your little
one is ready to work on, you make the most of your infant's awake times and set the stage for important early learning."

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Since younger babies can't exactly wander over to the toy bins and pick out something that catches their eye, it falls to
you to select playthings that give baby the chance to practice and refine new skills. Don’t know where to start? Don’t
worry. Read on to get age-appropriate play ideas and learn about the best developmental toys for babies at every age
and stage.

In This Article:
Best Developmental Toys for Newborn Babies
Best Developmental Toys for 2-Month Old and 3-Month-Old Babies
Best Developmental Toys for 4- to 5-Month-Old Babies
Best Developmental Toys for 6-Month-Old Babies
Best Developmental Toys for 9-Month-Old Babies
Best Developmental Toys for 1-Year-Old Babies
Developmental Toys for 18-Month-Old Toddlers
Best Developmental Toys for 2-Year Old Toddlers

Best Developmental Toys for Newborn Babies

Your newborn might look super-relaxed in his swing or bouncer, but it’s important to work in opportunities for
movement throughout his day. "While it's easy to assume that our squishy newborns just need a cozy spot to lounge
and watch the world go by, what they really need is time and space to wiggle, stretch and strengthen their bodies in
order to master those mini-milestones of early development," Coley says.

One of the biggest developmental milestones for a newborn in the first month is stretching out of the curled-up fetal
position they grew so used to in the womb. "Baby’s muscles are loose and floppy in this first month but will develop
more muscle tone in the second month," Coley says. While his movements are largely dominated by infant reflexes at
this point, many of those are setting baby up for tummy time success.

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Coley recommends starting tummy time in the early weeks of life, since the earlier you start, the better baby tends to
tolerate it—try placing a receiving blanket on a flat, firm surface or a loved one's chest or lap. "Baby won't yet lift his
head to look ahead, but you might see him briefly lift his head with it turned to the side or remain cheek-down,” Coley
says. “This is normal and beneficial positioning for a very young infant." Although he won't yet track moving objects,
baby may turn his head to find your face or a high-contrast black and white object placed close (about 8 to 12 inches) to
his eyes. While on his back, he may also slowly turn toward the sound of a familiar voice or a shaking rattle.

Types of developmental toys to try out

• Activity mats. A lot of play mats come with a whole bunch of toys to hang overhead, but these can be quite over-
stimulating for a newborn. For now, remove the clip-on overhead toys and then place the mat on top of a rug to create a
clean, comfortable place for practicing tummy time.

• Music-playing device. Baby’s hearing is one of the earlier senses to mature, and music can have both a calming and
stimulating effect. Try playing some soothing songs or just sing to her yourself—a mother's voice will be her favorite
(and most familiar) at this age.

Our favorite developmental toys

Photo: Courtesy of Tiny Love

This activity mat comes with brightly colored toys and a mirror to stimulate visual interest. The arches are removable
and the mat can be easily folded flat for storage.
Tiny Love Gymini Activity Play Mat, $45, Amazon.com

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Photo: Courtesy of Genius Babies

Black and white clip-on flash cards from Genius Babies "are great for giving newborns visual stimulation that they’re
interested in and able to see," Coley says.
Genius Babies High Contrast Flash Cards for Baby, $11, Amazon.com

Best Developmental Toys for 1-Month-Old Babies

Big changes start to happen in baby's second month of life—especially when it comes to arm and hand movements.
“Babies have a reflex that encourages them to look at their own outstretched hand as they wave and jerk it around like a
tiny orchestra conductor," Coley says. As you continue practicing tummy time, baby will begin to hold his head up for
very brief periods of bobbing and turning.

Types of developmental toys to try out

• Activity mats with toys. Now you can start introducing toys to help spark baby's curiosity. Try to position objects away
from the center of the activity gym (not just overhead), which encourages baby to turn her head and check out her
outstretched hand.

• Mobiles. Since babies don't start to really see color until about 3 months of age, look for a mobile that has high-
contrast, black-and-white decorations.

Our favorite developmental toys

Photo: Courtesy of The Manhattan Toy Company

The Infant Stim mobile has removable black-and-white and color cards with high-contrast images designed to appeal to
babies (such as targets and bullseyes). The cards are labeled by age, and can be easily swapped in and out as baby's
vision develops. An adjustable cord positions them further away as baby starts to see more clearly.
Manhattan Toy Wimmer-Ferguson Infant Stim Mobile, $28, Amazon.com
Photo: Courtesy of Haba

Delight baby’s senses with this overhead play gym. The bright colors are eye-catching and the wooden disks create a
clacking sound as they swing. And because the toys are dangling from a portable frame, you can set this over baby
wherever she is.
Haba Color Fun Play Gym, $65, Amazon.com

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Best Developmental Toys for 2-Month Old and 3-Month-Old Babies

As you keep up with tummy time, you'll see baby holding his head higher and steadier. By the end of month three, he
may be able to raise his shoulders and upper chest. He'll probably roll a few times accidentally if he turns his head too
far, but before long he'll doing it intentionally. (Want to get some rolling practice in? Place baby in a side-lying position.)
You may also notice baby kicking a bunch while lying on his back, which helps strengthen the belly muscles needed to
eventually roll over. Another fun development? Baby may start to intentionally reach for and grasp toys—but knowing
how to let go of objects hasn’t set in yet. Keep in mind that babies at this stage are relying on their senses (sight,
hearing, touch and smell) to navigate around the new world around them, so offer up some healthy stimulation.

Types of developmental toys to try

• Linkable plastic rings and lightweight crinkle toys. These help a two- or three-month-old baby practice grasping.

• Unbreakable mirror. A mirror fastened securely to the inside of the crib allows baby to look at his face, which will
become increasingly fascinating to him as he approaches the three-month mark.

Our favorite developmental toys

These colorful, durable links can be used individually (they're the ideal weight for a baby working on grasping) or linked
together to form a chain that's perfect for keeping clip-on toys attached to the stroller.
Photo: Courtesy of Sassy

These colorful, durable links can be used individually (they're the ideal weight for a baby working on grasping) or linked
together to form a chain that's perfect for keeping clip-on toys attached to the stroller.
Sassy Ring O' Links, $5, Amazon.com

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Photo: Courtesy of Lamaze

With bright colors, intriguing textures and graphic patterns, this clip-on firefly toy from Lamaze will become a diaper bag
(or stroller or activity mat) staple. It even includes a textured teether for when those baby teeth start to pop through.
Lamaze Fifi the Firefly, $15, Amazon.com

Best Developmental Toys for 4- to 5-Month-Old Babies

At this point, baby is busy coordinating his emerging senses (such as sight and touch) and motor skills (such as rolling
and grasping). He’ll begin to press up during tummy time, first through his forearms and then through straight arms—all
of which is preparation for sitting up and (eventually) crawling. With their eyesight getting stronger, babies become
especially interested in faces and other circular designs, like spirals and bullseyes. Babies at 4 and 5 months are also
starting to learn cause and effect, so he may start to shake noisy toys (think: rattles) and bring them to his mouth.

Types of developmental toys to try

• Teething toys. Although teething usually begins at 6 months, gum pain may start sooner. Some parents may even start
to see pearl-like buds poking through as early as 3 or 4 months.

• Rattles."Next time you see baby playing with a rattle, make note of how she exercises her hand grip and arm strength
while shaking it around,” Gummer says. “See how she delights in her discovery that shaking this toy creates a sound."

• Soft toys that make sounds. Simple, lightweight objects like soft blocks or balls work well for babies discovering cause
and effect. Bonus points if the toys have tags or flaps that make them easy to hold.

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Our favorite developmental toys

Photo: Courtesy of The Manhattan Toy Company

It's a teether! It's a rattle! It's both! This rattle-teether combo easily flattens into cool configurations and has colorful
beads with a non-toxic finish that are perfect for gnawing.
Manhattan Toy Skwish Classic, $14, Amazon.com
Photo: Courtesy of IQ Baby

You won't be getting rid of these Knock-Knock Blocks any time soon: The variety of high-contrast colors and intriguing
textures are sure to amuse a younger baby, while older toddlers will love stacking them into towers (and knocking them
down) and identifying the people and animals in the pictures.
Small World Toys Knock-Knock Blocks, $35, Amazon.com

Best Developmental Toys for 6-Month-Old Babies

Between 4 and 7 months, baby is working on sitting independently. If she's still sitting with support, you can encourage
her to strengthen her trunk muscles (abs and spine) by putting toys in front of her and encouraging her to reach for
them. Once baby can sit without needing to put her hands in front of her (called "tripoding"), she'll be free to use those
hands to play with toys and, hopefully, entertain herself for short periods of time (but remember, never leave baby
unattended).

Types of developmental toys to try

• Books. Board books and cloth books are not only the right size for little hands, they're also practically indestructible.

• Stackable cups. Along with helping baby practice hand-eye coordination, these developmental toys can be used to
teach baby about object permanence, the concept that items continue to exist even when you can’t see them. You can
hide smaller items under the cups (just watch out for anything that might be a choking hazard) and then make a game of
lifting the cups up for the reveal.

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• Easy-to-hold balls. Hollow balls with holes will be easy to hold, so baby can continue to refine his grasping skills.

Our favorite developmental toys

Photo: Courtesy of Little Simon

The board book Baby Faces is an adorable collection of close-up photographs showing little ones making all types of
expressions.
Baby Faces from Look Baby! Books, $3, BarnesandNoble.com
Photo: Courtesy of Fisher-Price

This set of stacking cups from Fisher-Price can be rearranged into towers or individual balls, with each cup forming one
half. It also comes with a jingle toy that can be hidden inside or underneath.
Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Stack & Roll Cups, $8, Amazon.com

Photo: Courtesy of Oball

A baby just learning to sit up will love goofing around with the Oball Classic ball. Lightweight and filled with easy-to-
grasp holes, it's made of flexible plastic that bounces back into shape even after being stepped on.
Oball Original, $8, Amazon.com

Best Developmental Toys for 9-Month-Old Babies

By now many babies are crawling and starting to pull themselves into a standing position in preparation for cruising (aka
moving alongside furniture while holding on) and walking. Your little one might also be mastering the act of picking up
small objects between the thumb and index finger (known as the pincer grasp). At this age, babies are starting to use
their memory recall and understand simple instructions. They're also able to tolerate more stimulation.

Types of developmental toys to try

• Play kitchen items. Babies love to explore at this age. If you have the space, consider dedicating a lower kitchen
cabinet to things she can play with, so she can open it and empty it on a whim. Household items such as egg cartons,
cereal boxes and plastic food containers are practically a guaranteed good time.

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• Activity tables. With their sturdy, supportive legs and array of colorful buttons, these are ideal for entertaining a baby
who’s just learned to stand.
• Loveys. Starting around this time, a lot of babies start to grow attached to transitional objects and want to hang on to
them, especially when upset or sleepy.

Our favorite developmental toys

Photo: Courtesy of Angel Dear

The loveys and blankets from Angel Dear (like this cow blankie) are cute, cuddly and machine washable.
Angel Dear Cow Blankie, $41, Amazon.com

Photo: Courtesy of LeapFrog

If baby isn't standing yet, the beauty of this activity table is that the top detaches from the legs and can be placed on the
floor.
LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table, $40, Amazon.com

Best Developmental Toys for 1-Year-Old Babies

The big milestone around the one-year mark is walking, although some babies won't be ready to take steps without help
until closer to around 15 months. They'll also start to play with objects in their intended use—picture baby pretending to
talk on a toy telephone or drinking from a toy cup.

Types of developmental toys to try

• Push/pull toys. Pulling around an animal on a string or pushing a classic "corn popper" will provide tons of amusement
for a newly walking toddler.

• Ride-on toys. Wheeled vehicles will encourage 1 year olds to explore their environment more independently.

• Large blocks. These toys can help baby develop the building blocks for future success: Some researchers have linked
block play among young children to later academic achievement in math. Either way, there's nothing more appealing to
a toddler than building a giant tower of blocks and knocking it down.

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• Cars and trucks. One year olds love the cause and effect of a wheeled vehicle (pushing it, then watching it go). Since
cars and trucks are familiar objects, they also offer a chance to experiment with early role-playing.

Our favorite developmental toys

Photo: Courtesy of Melissa & Doug

A safer alternative to a wheeled baby walker, which the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against, this sturdy
(and seriously cute) alligator push toy makes a cheerful clacking sound as it moves.
Melissa & Doug Chomp and Clack Alligator Push Toy, $39, Amazon.com

Photo: Courtesy of MEGA

A classic building block set that’ll last you well into the toddler years, the big pieces were made especially for little hands
to easily put together and take apart. And with 80 blocks included, there are endless building possibilities.
Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag, $15, Amazon.com

Developmental Toys for 18-Month-Old Toddlers

By 18 months, your toddler's gait will smooth out, likely making him more interested in on-the-go play—he may even
take a stab at kicking a ball around. More refined motor skills means building even taller block towers and enjoying
scribbling on paper with a thick crayon. Your little one could also be more into solitary play as he grows and gains new
abilities.

Types of developmental toys to try

• Nontoxic art supplies. Finger paint is always a hit—just make sure the drawing tools you choose are appropriately
sized for chubby hands: Palm-grip crayons, sidewalk chalk and dot markers are good bets.

• Sandbox toys. Filling a pail full of sand and watching it all pour out can be mesmerizing for a young toddler, not to
mention a great way to give him a taste of solo play.

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Our favorite developmental toys

Photo: Courtesy of Green Toys

This classic bucket, shovel and rake set is a go-to toy, whether you’re at the playground or on the beach. And you can
feel good knowing it’s made in the US from 100 percent recycled plastic.
Green Toys Sand Play Set, starting from $20, Amazon.com

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon

Grasping a crayon isn’t always an easy task for tiny toddler hands, but with these specially designed egg-shaped crayons,
your child will have full control over their creativity.
My First Crayola Palm Grip Egg Crayons, $12, Amazon.com

Best Developmental Toys for 2-Year Old Toddlers

At age 2, instead of simply imitating the adults around them, kids start flexing their imagination. They're also getting
better at solving problems through trial and error, and their desire for independence is getting stronger, so run with it!

Types of developmental toys to try

• Dress-up items. Costumes and accessories help toddlers begin to explore fantasy and pretend play.

• Musical instruments. Studies have shown that children who are engaged in making music (instead of just listening) use
more communicative gestures, which may translate to better language skills as they get older.

• Easy jigsaw puzzles. Puzzles are awesome: They help build hand-eye and fine motor coordination, encourage problem
solving and boost cognitive skills, such as spatial awareness. If they’re able to, finishing the puzzle without any parental
help will give toddlers a great sense of pride.

• Connecting toys. Links, Duplo Legos, stackable pegs and beads that snap together are great learning toys for a child
who can sit down and play solo for increasingly longer stretches.

• Baby dolls and accessories. Whether you have a son or a daughter, taking care of a doll can help your little one
develop their nurturing side. A doll can be an especially great teaching toy if you've started thinking about bringing a
second baby into your family.

Our favorite developmental toys

Young preschoolers will love Lauri's Tall-Stacker Pegs, which snap solidly together and can be stacked high. Kids can also
use them to begin to practice counting and sorting by color.
Help your kid find her rhythm with this fun musical toy, complete with a drum, xylophone, bell and guiro (a percussion
instrument). And if your little one is ready for cooperative play, there are two mallets to support a duet.