Play Time
Mudpuppy Board Book Set Little Artists
$14.99Mudpuppy's Little Artist Board Book Set is comprised of colorfully illustrated portraits of visual and performing artists who have made a historical impact on the world. Illustrations by Lydia Ortiz and words...
Jellycat Bucky Bigfoot Plush Toy
$32.50Forget what you've heard: Bucky Bigfoot isn't shy! This buttercream character loves meeting new people! Wonderfully scruffy from rambles in the forest, Bucky's got big ears, a big fanged grin...
Tikiri Butterfly Natural Rubber Toy
$18.00This super cute Tikiri Butterfly Rattle Toy from the Garden Friends Collection has come from the garden to provide comfort and joy for bath times and bedtimes. Each contains an enclosed...
Bunnies By the Bay Bye Bye Buddy Plush Toy Bunny Grey
This security blanket is ready to be on the go. With a handy loop on the back to attach to the car seat, stroller or crib you're sure to never...
Chewbeads Chewpals Teether Dinosaur
$14.00Chewbeads’ Chew Pals Dinosaur Teether is perfect for distracting your little one anywhere and ideal for soothing their sore gums with its textured surface! The size of this teether is...
Tikiri Chick Natural Rubber Rattle
$18.00Chick: One of the Tikiri My First Zoo animals, the cute chick is ever so squeezable and ready for curious minds. Take him in the bath, or as a teething...
Manhattan Toy Click Clack Ball
$20.00The colorful Click Clack Ball features handles that click with every twist. Filled with tiny beads inside, this baby ball also rattles when shaken. Perfect for infant stimulation! Ages 0...
Corolle Corolle Babipouce Doll Sweet Dreams
$38.00Corolle Babipouce Sweet Dreams Doll is super soft and cuddly And has a charming, realistic vinyl face that charms and comforts baby and that is delicately scented with vanilla --...
Tikiri Cotton Candy Unicorn Natural Rubber R...
$26.00When it seems nothing less than pure magic will soothe your baby's sore gums...This friendly unicorn is not just adorable, it's made from all natural rubber and hand-painted using soy-based...
Bella Tunno Count On It Teething Flashcards
$13.00These are not your average flashcards. They are learning tools that are also toys and teethers. A trifecta of toys. A hattrick of teethers, a three-peat of learning. LEARN: ...
Olli Ella Cozy Dinkum Doll Mousy Pickle Lamby P...
$55.00Cozy Lamby Pookie is all about that plush life with their soft curly and sheepish smile. Olli Ella Cozy Dinkum Details: Cozy Dinkum Dolls can be posed in multiple sleeping...
Tikiri Crab Natural Rubber Rattle
$18.00This rubber rattle from the ocean buddies collection. Easy-grip for smaller hands. Each marine animal character has an enclosed rattle that creates a soft sound when shaken. Sound Toys, like...
Knitted World Crochet Ring Rattle Fox
$18.00This easy to grasp ring rattle is lovingly hand-crocheted using luxuriously soft yarn derived from the pulp of the organically grown and sustainably harvested bamboo trees. Bamboo is the world’s...
Knitted World Crochet Ring Rattle Lamb
$18.00This easy to grasp ring rattle is lovingly hand-crocheted using luxuriously soft yarn derived from the pulp of the organically grown and sustainably harvested bamboo trees. Bamboo is the world’s...
Tikiri Crocodile Natural Rubber Rattle
$18.00Crocodile: One of the Tikiri My First Zoo animals, the cute crocodile is ever so squeezable and ready for curious minds. Take him in the bath, or as a teething...
Bunnies By The Bay Cubby Bear Plush Toy
$26.00Lots of pacifiers lost? Say no more, this cute silly buddy will be the solution to this problem. Floppy, sloppy, silly and soft, this playful pacifier holding silly buddies, tie...
Cuddle + Kind Cuddle + Kind Hand Knit Doll Claire t...
$72.00 – $92.00I live in a beautiful treehouse perched high in the sky. Won’t you come to visit me? We can go on adventures in the magical treetops, take long, delicious naps,...
Cuddle + Kind Cuddle + Kind Hand Knit Doll Everest ...
$64.00 – $88.00Where I come from, the ice and snow are always sparkling. I love building snow forts, slurping marshmallows in hot chocolate, and most of all, helping people. I believe we...
Bear Company Cuddly Spot Puppy Dog Plush Toy
$80.00A magical gift for little girls, tweens, teens, kids, and of all ages. This soft plush provides comfort and play activity for your little ones. Measures 30 inches
Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Clutch
$14.00The Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Clutch has three unique sensory experiences ready to clip and go anywhere! Each Clutch features a dimpl bubble on one end and squishy silicone textures...
Tikiri Dolphin Natural Rubber Rattle
$18.00This rubber rattle from the ocean buddies collection. Easy-grip for smaller hands. Each marine animal character has an enclosed rattle that creates a soft sound when shaken. Sound Toys, like...
Tikiri Elephant Natural Rubber Rattle
$18.00Elephant: One of the Tikiri My First Zoo animals, the fun elephant is ever so squeezable and ready for curious minds. Take him in the bath, or as a teething...
Chronicle Books Finger Puppet Book Baby Fish
$7.99With a plush finger puppet permanently attached to the book and peek-a-boo holes in every page, this charming board book is a fun way for parents and children to play...
Chronicle Books Finger Puppet Book Baby Koala
$7.99With a plush finger puppet permanently attached to the book and peek-a-boo holes in every page, this charming board book is a fun way for parents and children to play...
Play is essential for children because it contributes to their intellectual, physical, emotional and social development. When children play, they exercise their creativity, develop their imagination, master their dexterity, improve their cognitive ability and build physical strength. Experts agree that the best kinds of play allow kids to set their own goals, negotiate challenges, develop and share ideas, and make their own rules.
But how can we make sure our kids are getting enough healthy, unstructured play time when they’re growing up in an overscheduled and stressful environment, when parents are overly focused on producing high academic achievers, and safety concerns prevent us from letting our kids roam around freely and unsupervised? Perhaps the best thing we can do for our kids is to make sure they have the right kinds of toys at home to make play time most rewarding.
First and foremost is safety. Safe toys for young children are sturdy, without sharp parts or splinters, free of pinching hazards, and easy to clean. If the toy will be used by an infant, it’s important that parts aren’t small enough to become a choking hazard.
Toys must be made from non-toxic materials and coated with lead-free paints. You should steer clear of antique toys, second-hand toys and homemade toys that have not been tested and approved by a certified testing lab, or may have been produced before the current regulations governing toy manufacturing were in effect.
In addition to being safe, a good toy will match the child’s appropriate stage of development and abilities.
The best baby activity toys for infants between 0-6 months are things they can reach, grasp, suck on, shake, and make noise with. Some age-appropriate toys for little babies are squeeze toys, teething toys, soft dolls, textured balls, and board books.
Infants between 6-12 months are starting to crawl, sit up and pull themselves to a standing position. They are capable putting things in and out of containers and placing objects on top of each other. Some of the best baby activity toys for this age group are dolls, vehicles with wheels, bath toys, large beads, nesting toys, large soft blocks, wooden blocks, and push & pull toys.
As your child continues to grow, look for toys that will encourage them to explore, create, pretend, imagine, and learn from trial and error.