With the birth of a baby, new parents have a lot of trouble. Important attention is paid to the organization of the baby’s leisure time, and its early development. Various toys for the child will help to cope with this. They will become reliable helpers for mom and dad.
Criteria for choosing toys up to a year
Toys for children under one year old should be of high quality and meet certain criteria:
- made of non-toxic materials;
- absence of small parts that can break off and get into the child’s mouth;
- no sharp corners;
- the possibility of easy cleaning;
- without sharp sounds;
- skill development.
In addition, each of them should correspond to the age of the child. If babies 1-2 months old are content with bright rattles, then for those who are already starting to explore the world in motion, all kinds of walkers and interactive figures will be useful.
The best toys for children under 1 year old
Children up to a year develop approximately the same, regardless of gender. Therefore, it is inappropriate to say that a boy will like a small hammer, and a girl will like bright lacing. They explore the world with equal pleasure. And at this age, the main thing is not that the toy up to 1 year old is blue or pink, but that it is optimally suited to the child by age.
Rattle
Despite their visual simplicity, the use of rattles has a lot of benefits for their little owners. If you put it in the hands of a 3- or 4-month-old baby, he will actively begin to play with it. The rattle develops the perception of color, sound. The baby develops through processes, fine motor skills. The child learns to focus attention on a certain subject.
Sassy My First Bend & Flex Rattle Set – 2 Piece – for Ages 0+ Months
At the same time, what kind of rattle is in his hands does not matter. The main thing is that children’s toys for newborns are of high quality, the paint does not peel off. Weight is also important. It is easy to hit yourself with a heavy toy. Painful associations are not conducive to a fun game.
Developing mat
A bright and practical mat for children. Developing – this is what the baby will definitely need as soon as he starts to roll over and reach for objects with his hands and feet. By placing the toy in the playpen or on the floor, mother will be able to occupy the child for a long time.
Infantino 4-in-1 Deluxe Twist & Fold Activity Gym & Play Mat
The main thing is that a sufficient number of pendants hang on the rug that will interest the baby.
The rug has from 1 to 8 arcs, on which musical or simply soft toys of bright colors are attached. The kit usually comes with:
- unbreakable mirror;
- soft figures of different textures;
- rustle toys;
- musical elements.
It is convenient when the mat is equipped with soft sides that limit the movement of the child inside. In addition, the waterproof inner layer pays off well. If suddenly during the game there will be an “accident”, the furniture and carpeting will not be affected.
Cubes
On sale you can find both small plastic products (suitable for children from 8 months and older), and large soft figures that are attached to each other. With the help of cubes, the child will learn to independently model a variety of structures, from simple turrets to works of children’s architecture.
Wooden Activity Cube – Discover Farm Animals Activity Center for Kids 1 year +
The baby should buy cubes when he is already sitting confidently. This period begins at the age of about 8 months. That’s when it’s worth presenting such interesting toys for children up to a year as a gift.
Pyramid
Top 10 toys for children under one year old would not be complete without a pyramid. It is a construction of a small spire and several rings of different sizes, which are put on top of each other. The toy perfectly develops motor skills, spatial thinking, and the ability to follow simple instructions.
Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack and Baby’s First Blocks Bundle [Amazon Exclusive]
Despite the fact that wood is the leader among the materials for children’s toys, children under one year old should not play with a wooden pyramid. Firstly, it is easy to get hurt on a thin spire. Secondly, the baby can harm either himself or others. It is better to choose products made of soft, safe plastic. With such a toy, the child after 6 months can safely play on his own.
Sorter
Such toys are rather useful. They are suitable for babies after 6 months. But there is a single rule here: the younger the baby, the simpler the design should be. For a six-month-old baby, the simplest option with three or four holes. Once the child has mastered this type of toy, you can give him something more difficult. And only for 2-3 year-old kid is it worth buying full-fledged houses and other complicated structures, when you need to find a matching figure-hole for 8 or more elements.
Learning Resources Farmer’s Market 30 Piece Set, Ages 18+ months
Rules for choosing a children’s sorter:
- large holes that are located at the top of the toy (it’s easier to push);
- one hole – one figure, all other options for older children;
- no sharp corners;
- understandable elements (it is better if these are the simplest geometric shapes);
- safe materials (the child can put the toy in his mouth).
Note that the child’s hand, clenched into a fist, should not penetrate the holes for the figurines. Otherwise, unforeseen injury may occur during the game.
Busyboard (Montessori board)
Educational Toys for 3 Year Old
The design can be a board, a book or a small house. All kinds of developing elements are installed on its faces. It can be:
- fasteners;
- lacing;
- labyrinths;
- abacus;
- magnets;
- switches and more.
Equipment and complexity are selected depending on the age of the baby. However, there is nothing to worry about if a sufficiently sophisticated business board acts as a toy for a six-month-old child. This will only accelerate the development of the child. Over time, the kid will deal with complex elements and each time he will play with the board in a new way.
Toddler Toys for 1 2 3 4 Year Old
If it seems to you that you have miscalculated with age-related possibilities and the child mindlessly twists the elements and quickly loses interest in them, just put the board in the closet. After some time, you will be able to get the toy, and the baby will look at it with completely different eyes.
Lacing
The toy perfectly develops fine motor skills of the child and can be actively used by him after 8 months. You need to start with the simplest options. A flat board, 3-4 holes and a thick lace – this will already be enough to start. Keep in mind that the focus of attention quickly shifts in babies. Therefore, if the child is interested in the toy for 2-3 minutes, then it’s already the start.
Only from the moment when the baby can easily master simple lacing methods, you should buy him more complex figures..
Insert frames
Insert frames can be offered to children at the age of six months. At first, these should be the most simple large-sized figures.
for 1 Year Old & Up, Magnetic Fishing Game
Be sure to show the children how to use the toy and what is ultimately required of the baby. Usually, children quickly figure out simple geometric shapes and, after that they can start more complicated pictures. Children under one year old must play with liners exclusively under the supervision of elders.
Baby dolls and cars
Figures of all kinds of animals, birds and insects that meet the selection criteria for young children can also be attributed to this category.
With toys of this type, children learn to explore the world, and also take their first steps in role-playing games. Take 15 minutes of your time, show your child how the characters can interact, and soon he will be able to plunge into an exciting game.
Soft books
There are many debates about when to buy such a book for a child. Probably the only correct answer is when the child is interested in pictures. Bright images of animals and birds will allow the baby to get acquainted with the objects of the surrounding world. And rustling pages and tactile inserts will make the game even more exciting
Early Educational Toys Baby Shower Gift (Pack of 12)
Musical toys for children up to a year
Kids love music. In addition, the development of hearing and the formation of the correct reaction to all kinds of noise is an important stage in the formation of a small personality. Therefore, starting from 2-3 months, the child can receive the first musical toys, namely:
- mobile – a fascinating hanging carousel is attached to the crib, a pleasant melody plays; such an invention calms the baby and allows you to tune in to sleep;
- interactive toys – when you press something on them, a certain sound is heard; at first, the child will simply be interested in such a relationship, then the sound will become distinguishable; with the help of such interactive toys and boards, children perfectly master the sounds of animals and other elements of the world around them;
- xylophone – a simple but necessary item that perfectly develops hearing; can later be replaced by an electronic piano or a small guitar with buttons.
Best Bath Toys
Not all children like to swim. But it is extremely important for parents to make the child fall in love with hygiene procedures and form pleasant associations associated with them. Musical toys for children from 0 to 1 year old will help you fall in love with bathing and form a kind of bedtime ritual.
Among the most popular and interesting bath toys for children are:
rubber figures – ducks, balls, all kinds of squeakers merrily flop into the water and captivate kids from birth;
waterfalls – children are interested in pouring water from container to container, and when they see how the falling water makes the gears spin and the picture changes in front of their eyes, they will be delighted;
fishing – a magnetic fishing rod and a set of small fish that can be caught will surely appeal to children from 8 months;
clockwork toys – small boats and other figures that can swim on water will be the best fun for those whose age is approaching a year or slightly older.
Ferry Boat with Mini Cars Bathtub Toy, Blue/White, Standard
As you can see, the list is long. But it is in the game that the baby learns the world. Therefore develop your baby and have fun with him.
