Chalenge your child

Build on your child’s strength by encouraging him or her to play with a challenging toy.

Kitchen toys

Stainless steel bowls are great toys for your toddler.
They are shiny and reflective, they are great for banging and they can make a lot of noise when they rattle them around on the floor – add a wooden spoon into the mix and they have a makeshift set of drums and stacking toys.

Playing with toys

Your little one may still enjoy many of her older toys, but don’t be surprised if she starts using them in more sophisticated ways, i.e., stacking blocks into a tower instead of just banging them together.

Kitchenware toys

Get some non-breakable containers with lids in assorted sizes. Have your child remove the lids, mix them up, and then put them back on the appropriate container. Start with two or three containers then add more as your child improves.

toys that promote activity

Seek out toys that encourage your child to be active. Toddlers are doing all kinds of physical tricks as they are stronger and more confident with their bodies.

The power of play

Toys that give kids a chance to figure something out on their own-or with a little coaching-build their logical thinking skills and help them become persistent problem-solvers.

Choosing re-usable toys

Toddlers love to take apart, put back together, pull out, put in, add on, and build up. Choose toys like wooden blocks that can be used to make a road, a zoo, a bridge or a spaceship.

Toys in groups and alone

Plastic bats are great for solo play but a disaster in a group. Select age and temperament-appropriate toys.

Baby toys

Baby Toys are not just your baby’s playing tool, they help a lot in building their overall development. So before buying toys for your child, you should think of its utility and different ways of playing it.

Putting toys where they belong

Each toy should be categorized and should have a home to make clean up quicker and easier.

Imagination toys

Allowing children to sometimes play by themselves is a good way to learn to do for themselves.

Avoiding sharing issues with todders

If you know that it is going to be an issue to share a special toy then try to leave it at home. Don’t expect other kids not to want to play with it.

Protect toys (and kids)

Secure (with strong tape) the battery compartment of not only every single remote control in the home, but desk clocks, toys, battery-operated toothbrushes, monitors and anything else that requires batteries.

Don’t force toddlers to share

Don’t force toddlers to share; it actually delays development of sharing skills. Kids need to feel secure in ownership before they can share

Presents that will help with development

Develop small motor skills with toys like stacking toys, wooden puzzles, shape sorters & pop up toys that little fingers can manipulate

Toddler gift tip

Looking for a good gift for your toddler? Develop their musical skills with instruments like maracas, drums and xylophones

Swapping out toys

Toddlers get bored of seeing the same old toys every morning. Stash a group of toys in a closet, attic, or basement so that every eight weeks or so, you can replace the been-there-done-that toys with some “new” toys, toys from your very own store.

Making bubbles at home

Make easy homemade bubbles, mix 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of liquid dish soap and blow away.

Toys for the car only.

Pick out a few interesting toys and books just for the car: I found that I could defuse the tantrum that inevitably occurred when my toddler realized that he was about to be strapped into a car seat by strategically offering him a toy or book he didn’t get to see all that often.

Toy tip.

Plastic Rubbermaid bins with the sealing lid are very spacious and better than toy chests, and hampers because they have a top that closes tightly and goes over the bin, making it hard for the toddler to access the toys and preventing them from throwing toys all over the room.