Babies learn a lot through play. Although it may seem like they cannot do a lot they develop fast -- and the toys they play with can have a specific effect on how they develop. So, when visiting a toy store to find a toy for a baby keep an eye out for toys that will help here. If in doubt, have a chat with the parents first to see what toys the baby already has and what they like to play with.
Popular baby toys
There are a lot of choices in the baby toy sector. Some of the more popular ones are listed below:
Playmats/Activity centres -- babies can lie safely and comfortably on these mats and explore them. Some mats come with an arch from which toys can be hung and some come with special areas that make noises or that feel different to stimulate their senses.
Mobiles -- mobiles help a baby learn how to focus as they look at them. Some are electronic and can play music which can also be useful when getting them to sleep.
Bath toys -- there are all kinds of toys that a baby can play with in the bath from individual animals/characters through to play-sets that encourage them to construct and pour as they get older.
Rattles -- babies love rattles and noisy toys which are good from a hearing perspective and also help them learn how to hold.
Teethers -- teethers aren’t just a useful aid to teething, they can make noises and help with motor skills
Soft books -- it’s never too early to introduce a child to books and soft books can be given from an early age. Babies enjoy looking at the pictures and can also learn about touch through the different textures.
Musical toys -- musical toys and music can help babies sleep and can also help them learn about problem solving as they work out how to make noises on the toys.
Push/Pull toys -- as babies get older and more active a push/pull toy will help them develop physically.
Stacking/sorting toys -- as babies become more mobile they will enjoy stacking, building (and knocking down!).
Walkers -- walkers can help babies develop the skills they need to walk. Some walkers double up as brick cases and ride-ons which can also be useful.
Safety and age restrictions
When buying baby toys it’s recommended that the toy should match the age of the child (toys should show this on a label) and that it meets all necessary safety requirements. Age restrictions on toys for babies are there for a purpose -- many toys for older children use small parts that a baby could choke on or may have hard parts that could hurt them.
From a safety perspective look for a BSI Kite Mark, a Lion Mark or a rating of CE or EN. These ratings show that the toy has passed tests and is considered to be suitable for use by a baby of the specified age
