Play Time
Maileg Maileg Bunny Size 4 Plush Toy Night Suit
$68.00This lovely bunny will be sure to make any child extremely happy! She gets cozy for the night her red and white striped night suit that is as soft as...
Maileg Maileg Cooking Set Toy
$28.00Playful stove box opens up to reveal everything you need to cook a perfect imaginary dinner. The set includes a pot, pan, strainer, and utensils. Height: 3.15 in Material: Cooking...
Maileg Maileg Dance in Matchbox Little Broth...
$28.00Maileg Little Brother Dance Mouse is a new friend to the collection. He is dressed in a cute vest and comes in a beautiful matchbox. Maileg Little Brother Dance Mouse Details:...
Maileg Maileg Iron and Ironing Board Toy
$22.00The new iron and ironing board are sized just right for the dollhouse and just the right height for our Mini friends, including Size 1 Bunnies and Rabbits. Includes bright...
Maileg Maileg Mini Dining Table Set Toy
$60.00Invite your friend for Sunday supper at the dining table. The set contains a round table and 2 metal chairs. Oval table measures 6.5" x 3.5" Chairs are 5" tall...
Maileg Maileg Miniature Bathtub Toy
$24.00All your beloved Maileg friends will need a bath once in a while. The vintage bathtub fits perfectly in the Maileg Dollhouse & Bathroom. *Mouse is sold separately* Material: Metal ...
Maileg Maileg My First Teddy
$36.00The perfect gift for any newborn baby. The fabric is very exclusive and gives the small teddy bear a sweet classic vintage look. Ready to be loved for many years....
Maileg Maileg Polly Pork Plush Toy Medium
$38.00Oink Oink! Make room for one of the cutest pigs of all time. Polly Pork is very soft and is always ready to cuddle with a friend! Suitable for all...
Maileg Maileg Rabbit Size 4 Plush Toy Overalls
$68.00The bunny & rabbit collection is made of soft natural linen & cotton fabric - which gives a lovely hand feel and look. This rabbit is ready for summer...
Maileg Maileg Rabbit Size 4 Plush Toy Sailor
$68.00All hands on deck! This intricately crafted size 4 Sailor Rabbit doesn't sacrifice his sea legs for style as he demonstrates how important it is to look good out on the...
Maileg Maileg Safari Friends Panda Toy
$36.00 – $80.00This sweet panda is made of cotton and corduroy. It is a dear friend to all the other animals in the popular Maileg Safari friends category. Maileg Safari Friends Panda...
Maileg Maileg Teddy Baby
$22.00A baby has arrived at the teddy family. It is made in the same soft linen fabric as the rest of the teddies, it comes dressed in a small suit...
Manhattan Toy Manhattan Toy Put and Peek Birdhouse
$42.00The Put & Peek Birdhouse offers fill-and-spill play for young toddlers. The set includes four colorful rattle birds all featuring a variety of fabric textures, and an easy-open roof and door perfect for tiny...
Manhattan Toy Manhattan Toy Winkel Elephant Rattle ...
$18.00The Zoo Winkels Elephant features the same colorful, chewable, bendable loops as the original, which make it easy for infants to grasp and explore. The appeal of the Winkel teething...
Manhattan Toy Manhattan Toy Zoo Winkel Lion Rattle ...
$18.00The classic Winkel now features a sweet little animal face! An adorable lion face has been placed inside the classic Winkel loop structure for added engagement. The Zoo-Winkel is the...
Manhattan Toy Manhattan Toy Zoo Winkel Monkey Rattl...
$18.00The Zoo Winkels Monkey features the same colorful, chewable, bendable loops as the original, which makes it easy for infants to grasp and explore. The appeal of the Winkel teething...
Tikiri Marshmallow Collection Natural Rubber...
$49.00This delightful collection of your favorite animals, made from Natural rubber colored in soft pastel shades, each containing an enclosed rattle, will provide stimulation and comfort for any newborn. Includes: Pink...
Manhattan Toy Mind Cubes
$28.00This set of 4 soft cubes feature ribbons, numbers, letters, shapes and patterns in research proven high-contrast graphics. Stilumate baby's visual development with the Wimmer-Ferguson Mind Cubes. Ages 0 months+...
Moulin Roty Moulin Roty Hanging Activity Toy Leav...
$30.00A hanging activity toy that will help stimulate your little one's senses. Features colorful jumble of animals, a mirror at the center, and multiple sensory activities. Size: 13.5 inches Age:...
Sophie La Giraffe Multi-Support Activity Mirror
$46.00Sophie La Girafe Multi-Support Activity Mirror is ideal for entertaining your baby while on the move! Use the 2 rings to easily attach it to multiple supports (pushchair, bed, playpen,...
Manhattan Toy Musical Pull Toy Cherry Blossom Rainbow
$26.00Pull the cloud down from the rainbow to hear "Fur Elise" as it slowly moves back up. Fosters cause and effect learning. Attaches with fabric loop to most carriers and...
Madame Alexander My First Powder Pink Dark Skin Doll
$40.00Dressed in pink plush, this baby is the perfect first doll for any little one. Cute and cuddly, this 12"newborn baby doll with a soft fabric body is ready to...
Madame Alexander My First Powder Pink Light Skin Doll
$40.00Dressed in pink plush, this baby is the perfect first doll for any little one. Cute and cuddly, this 12"newborn baby doll with a soft fabric body is ready to...
Manhattan Toy My Rocket
$20.00Blast off into space with My Rocket! Let your young one become an astronaut and pilot this colorful rocket for many missions to come. Featuring an internal rattle for simple...
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.