Play Time
Penguin Creature Features: Dinosaurs Book
$18.99Each page in this book is bursting with unusual creatures from the time of dinosaurs, all united by a common characteristic. From wonderful wings to terrific teeth, from tyrannosaurs to...
Penguin Creature Features: Ocean Book
$18.99A bright board book packed with a menagerie of ocean creatures with fascinating features.Vibrantly illustrated by Creature Features creator Natasha Durley, each page bursts with ocean creatures united by a...
Knitted World Crochet Rattle Cactus
$18.00This easy-to-grasp super adorable cactus 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...
Knitted World Crochet Rattle Donut Pink
$18.00Soft, richly textured, making this donut a perfect plaything for babies and older siblings, who can serve them up in a tea party or play kitchen. Crochet Rattle Donut Pink...
Knitted World Crochet Ring Rattle - Highland Cow
$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. Toys are tested for...
Knitted World Crochet Ring Rattle Bunny
$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 Elephant
$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 Fawn
$18.00This easy-to-grasp ring rattle is lovingly hand-crocheted using luxuriously soft yarn derived from the pulp of organically grown and sustainably harvested bamboo trees. Bamboo is the world’s fastest-growing plant (growing...
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...
Knitted World Crochet Ring Rattle Panda
$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 Unicorn
$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 Zebra
$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 Stick Rattle Flower Daisy White
$18.00This easy to grasp stick 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 Stick Rattle Flower Magenta
$18.00This easy to grasp stick 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...
Albetta Crochet Stick Rattle Gerald Giraffe
$30.00This adorable Albetta Gerald Giraffe Crochet Stick Rattle is hand crocheted from soft cotton and is just perfect for little hands. The stick shape makes it easy to grip for little...
Albetta Crochet Stick Rattle Leo Lion
$30.00This beautifully crafted Albetta Crochet Stick Rattle Leo Lion is hand-crocheted from top-quality cotton and makes a wonderful unisex baby shower gift. All little ones are sure to love its soft...
Knitted World Crochet Stick Rattle Pig
$18.00Easy-to-grasp stick rattles are lovingly hand-crocheted using luxuriously soft yarn derived from the pulp of organically grown and sustainably harvested bamboo trees. Bamboo is the world’s fastest-growing plant (growing 40+ inches...
Knitted World Crochet Stick Rattle Toadstool Red
$18.00This adorable soft toadstool rattle is lovingly hand-crocheted using luxuriously soft yarn derived from the pulp of the organically grown and sustainably harvested bamboo trees. Toys are tested for the...
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...
Plantoys Croquet Set
$60.00A favorite family game with a very friendly design. The colorful Croquet Set can be played in several adjustable settings. It's a child-friendly version of a classic backyard game! Croquet Set...
Llorens Crying Newborn Doll Opal with Carrycot
$132.00Welcome Opal, a beautiful baby doll designed to inspire hours of nurturing play. Dressed in soft, charming clothing, Opal comes complete with a plush carrycot, making her the perfect companion...
Cucu Cupcake Bag Fidget Toy
$20.00This unique pop it bag is easy to clean and can be used to pack some daily necessities. The Pop Fidget Toy pops just like reusable bubble wrap. Push the...
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.