There's no buddy like Big Brother. His bedding has beautiful blue and grey-toned stripes to keep him cozy in bed. He is wearing a long sleeve-striped shirt and removable linen...
Big Brother Mouse is ready to swim! Matches his cute swim shorts a goggle and a pair of fins. His cozy cabin is also always ready when it's time to...
Best Friend Kitten is the "Purrfect" companion. You can find this friend playing Peek a Boo from inside the beautiful gift box. Kitty will arrive wearing a pomegranate stripe top...
Every bunny needs a best friend. This friend will hop out of the beautiful gift box to greet you. They arrive wearing a stripped frosted orange top but you can...
This Jira Jaguar is a spotted feline made with amazingly soft fur that is in a resting position. Its understuffed body gives an extra comforting feel in your arms. Suitable...
Fresh from the ocean and full of smiles, it's wonderful Wally Whale! He's a beautiful buddy with vibrant teal fur and the softest, most tickly underbelly. This quirky whale holds...
Vivacious Vegetable Egg Plant just arrived in a very special veg box! Stretchy-soft in blush plum fur, with a sweet friendly smile and a green stalk hat, this one is...
Cordy, colorful, cute, and kooky, that's Vivacious Vegetable Carrot! Gorgeously textured and squeezably soft, this bright orange buddy has a punky green leaf-do! A veggie with plenty of energy, this...
A curly, burly bear for bedtime. Theodore Bear is irresistibly soft and a cuddling expert! The perfect first teddy for a little boy or girl, this loveable bear is such a...
Swellegant Sheep is fabaalous and knows it. With a rich, creamy fleece made of silky-soft fur, long, loping biscuity legs and superlong lashes, this glamour-lamb is looking divine! An elegant...
Swellegant Kitty Cat steps onstage and swishes that long, chunky tail! Oh-so-cool in charcoal grey, this cat wears a wild mane of cream and black fur to go with her...
Storm Octopus is a bubbly sort, and you would be too, with eight amazing tentacles! Squishy and cheery in terrific teal, this softy is scrummy to curl up with. Shake...
Brodie Monkey is one funny fellow, with sticky-out ears and hands like feet! A cocoa-cream clambering kerfuffle, Brodie monkey is always in trouble! He's proud of his lovely rumbly long...
Lounging around like a creamy cloud, it's loveably lazy Snow Dragon! This marshmallow marvel shimmers with magic, from sparkling spines to ears, wings, and tail darts! This sumptuous softy loves...
Smudge Rabbit is such a sleepy sweetie - always sprawling out, lazing on the bed or rug! Scrumptiously soft in oatmeal fur, this lop-eared laser just captures the heart. An...
Snoozy, yawny Smudge Puppy loves to flump on the floor and nod right off. A super cute pup in warm grey and cream, Smudge has delightful floppy ears, a waggy...
Snoozy, yawny Smudge Monkey loves to flump on the floor and nod right off. Divinely snuggly and full of love, this little friend is perfect to cuddle any day! Tested against and...
Smudge Elephant loves naptime, and keeps falling asleep on the march! Flop this supersoft silly down to sit on those squishable trumpet paws. With warm grey-brown fur, bright black eyes...
Doze and dream with sweet Sage Dragon. A curious cutie with waggle wings and minty-marvelous sparkle fur, this little legend has perky ears, squashy spines, and a long, loopy tail....
Sacha Snow Tiger is romping across the ice to meet you! With warm grey and creamy stripes, this scamp is warm against the winter. Our sweet snow tiger is wonderfully...
Jellycat Rolbie Sheep is gorgeously round, with a fluffy cream fleece and gentle beigey face. Friendly and fluffy, this sheep may be tubby but can leap over any stile or...
Fancy a wander? Ask Riverside Rambler Hedgehog, who knows every green lane and peaceful path! With soft coffee spines, oatmeal fur, a dapper tweed jacket and cheery tartan scarf, this...
All dressed up for a blustery walk, Riverside Ramblers Badger is a countryside dandy. Wearing a very smart grey linen jacket and a snug check scarf in autumn greens, this...
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.