Having a toddler means keeping up with constant changes in their development all the time – a new word here, a growth spurt there. You’ll want to be sure to take it all in and enjoy every moment, but you might also be concerned about your role in helping them continue to grow, develop, and stay on the right track. We talk a lot together about the importance of toys and play in a child’s development, and that couldn’t be truer for toddlers. The question is, where do you even begin? When selecting toys for your toddler, you’ll want to think through the ways in which they’re developing and find age-appropriate options to support those areas.
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A one year old will begin to show the ability to follow two-step activities. Think of how thoroughly they enjoy spending time filling up a bucket, and then dumping it out and starting all over again. Incorporating a toy like Acorn Soup, will encourage a child to put shapes into a “bowl” and stir them up. While a one year old won’t have the ability to play according to the written rules just yet, the game can still be used simply at first, and then it can grow with your child as they learn to follow multi-step instructions. This is not to say that Acorn Soup is the only toy, but more to help you see how some toys would be more valuable than others. For example, pushing a button that lights up would not reinforce this skill.
Shape sorters are an excellent toy option for toddlers, which can explain why they’re such a popular one. Shape sorter toys are everywhere! The reason they are so popular is because they support a child by introducing the concept of shape discrimination and in the case of 3-dimensional ones, also depth perception. There is an endless selection of fascinating shape sorters on the market. However, I usually recommend simpler designs, as they are less likely to distract kids from the task at hand. This shape sorter by Kid O is one of my favorites for toddlers or kids who are ready for 3-dimensional shape sorters. The simple design makes it easier for kids to focus on their goal. For shape sorting beginners, I love the Spin & Feed Shape sorter, because it only shows one missing shape at a time. You can also try this wooden shape sorter or this Geometry Puzzle for kids who are just learning to match shapes, because the colors on the bottom provide visual cues to help them along. There are also shape sorters that incorporate pretend play like the Sorting Barn Toy, which would be great for an older toddler. Check out my blog post on shape sorters for more ideas on selecting one that’s right for your child.
Nesting cups are another classic toddler toy with so many benefits. Just like shape sorters, there are so many options of nesting cups to choose from. Round cups are a great place to start, and you can increase the challenge to square cups once your toddler is ready. And don’t be afraid to get creative - I love the idea of using Topsy Turvy Stacking Blocks as square nesting boxes. Nesting cups is another popular toy for good reason. Nesting cups can be used to introduce kids to the concept of size, and of course to problem-solving as they try and figure out which cup fits where. Nesting cups are also great for encouraging toddlers to use both hands to play together. Using both hands is important as this will eventually help establish hand dominance. Nesting cups usually come in many different colors so kids can also learn to recognize colors and get familiar with their names. You can also take advantage of this versatile toy by being silly and wearing it as a hat. Pretend play here we come! :)
Stacking Rings are another popular favorite with so many variations to choose from. Whether choosing between different sizes, different features, or different materials, there are several factors to consider. Whichever you choose, your child will still reap the benefits of practicing hand eye coordination, fine motor skills, and size recognition. Initially your child will learn to remove the rings from their post, and they’ll graduate to being able to put them back onto the post as they develop better hand eye coordination and the careful attention needed to do so. Later, they’ll begin to learn how to distinguish between the different sizes, which is a cognitive skill that will take a bit of time for them to develop. Stacking ring toys can also help toddlers practice using two hands together – One to stabilize the base and the other to place the rings on top. There are even extra large stacking ring toys that incorporate additional movement, like squatting, twisting, pulling, lifting, and coordination.
Something as simple as a pegboard can also provide some fun for playtime, on top of helpful developmental benefits of strengthening hands, working on hand eye coordination, and practicing focus. Pegboards typically follow that simplistic design rule that I tend to favor, and they require lots of repetitive moves, which toddlers crave. The ongoing practice they’ll get with their pegboard will provide help with developing that ever-so-important hand eye coordination, as well as motor control as they work to carefully place the pegs in their holes.
Blocks are undoubtedly one of the best and most versatile toys to invest in. When it comes to blocks, the playtime possibilities are virtually endless. Whether tall towers or ornate structures, your child will continue to find new ways to play with them all the time. Simple wooden blocks are really all you need, but if you’d like to get creative, check out my post on the 9 Coolest blocks for Toddlers. Blocks are another wonderful supporter of hand eye coordination development, but they also help with motor control, balance, and encouraging independent play. Blocks are also what we call an open-ended toy which means that there isn’t one way to play. This is great because children get to steer play by following their imagination. Another cool option for stacking is MY First Totem, which can help support motor skills, spatial orientation, and picture recognition.
Something that toddlers will begin to gain an understanding of is cause and effect, and there are lots of great cause and effect toys on the market to help support that growth. Incorporating toys like these are super important, because you’re helping your child begin to learn that their actions can cause something to happen. If they flip this switch, the light will turn on. If they press this button, a song begins to play. They’ll learn quickly that they have the ability to affect the world around them. Cause and effect toys can also promote attention and independent play. Here are 9 examples of toys that teach cause and effect. While pop up toys are a great place to start, cause and effect toys can be more complex than just pressing buttons. Pushing a ball to watch it roll down a track is one example. Again, it’s important to be mindful of toys that have lots of buttons and functions as the cause and effect can easily get lost with that type of toy.
Your toddler will just begin learning to walk independently with improved balance. Now’s a great time to incorporate pull and push toys to help them master this skill. Push toys will help provide some stability and added balance as your child grows more confident on their own. Think of things like toy mowers, baby carriages, and grocery carts for themed play. Pull toys, on the other hand, require the coordination of grasping, walking, and pulling, and while working to maintain balance – Sounds challenging just thinking about it! Something like a classic red wagon would be a great investment in this case.
Even though your toddler is able to walk, it’s still a great idea to continue encouraging them to practice crawling and maneuvering around on the floor. These actions help to strengthen muscles in their hands and arms. Practicing actions like squatting is also helpful for building strong legs and working on balance. Tunnels are an incredibly fun option for kids, and they don’t need to be fancy. Most will fold up very simply for easy storage in any size home. Floor puzzles are great for this as well, with added benefits of encouraging shape recognition and independent play. Games like SEEk A boo will encourage these movements as well, but in a fun and interactive way that can get the whole family involved.
If you’ve got an extra energetic toddler on your hands with a not-so-huge attention span, you might find that they gravitate most to physical activity (and you might encourage lots of physical activity to bring on a quiet naptime!). There are many toys on the market that will help keep your child busy, moving, and active while having fun. For these kids, don’t underestimate the amazing benefits of a simple classic like a ball. Balls encourage coordination and social interaction. You can select different sizes and weights to change-up the challenge, and try out different textures for added novelty. Remember to practice different actions, like rolling, throwing, and catching, and try using smaller sized balls for added challenge and refining of skills as your toddler grows.
Around 18 months, a toddler will begin to show the ability to differentiate between things that are similar and things that are different. To support this skill, select toys that require matching or sorting. This can even be done with everyday objects already laying around your house (Find all of the blue things in the room! Separate the socks from the shirts in the laundry basket). Large beads (careful to select ones safe for toddlers) can be used for sorting and can also be used to promote bilateral and hand eye coordination.
Toddlers will start to imitate the little things you do every day by pretending to talk on the phone or prepare a meal. Toys that encourage pretend play are a wonderful option for this age level. Look for things like toy telephones, play kitchens and play food, themed play sets and costumes, and toy brushes. You’ll begin to see just how much they’re paying attention to everything you do!
If you’re looking for playtime options that can also act as quality family time, then there are so many more options to consider. Storytime can be a great idea for bedtime or any time of day. A one year old will begin to understand what they’re seeing in pictures and have the ability to help turn the pages. Reading together and pointing to pictures can be incredibly supportive for language and cognitive development. Here are some great book ideas for toddlers, in case you’re looking to build their library. If your child enjoys hearing stories, then you might also consider finger puppets as a fun way to work on finger isolation, or using different fingers for specific, intentional movements. You can also sing nursery rhymes with your toddler and try finger play songs. A song like Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes can promote language and communication, with an added benefit of incorporating some physical activity.
Family craft time is another wonderful idea that your toddler will be thrilled to try out. Simple crafts that involve pasting are fun for this age level. Finger painting is a messy and enjoyable way to encourage sensory exploration as your child feels the sensation of paint on their hands, and it’s another great way to encourage fine motor development.
By around one, a child will begin to understand the concept of object permanence, which means that an object still exists even when it is out of sight. It’s how your child will know to look around for a ball that just rolled away or go looking for their favorite stuffed animal in a big pile of pillows. Playing Peekaboo and introducing games like Where’s Bear will help continue to develop this skill. I also love Flappy the Elephant, an adorable musical toy plays peekaboo.
Like some of the more interactive play ideas above, there are so many playtime ideas for your toddler that can help them develop vital skills without using any toys at all. HappyToddlerPlayTime, Candokiddo and Busy Toddler share amazing online resource that includes lots of play ideas for toddlers that don’t involve toys. Hope you give some of these, or any of the great options listed above, a try with your toddler soon. :)