By Marcela Teran, Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Hello there!
This is Marcela Teran, pediatric occupational therapist, bringing you a list of my favorite children toys. In this list, you will find recommendations for toys I already use at my therapy center and that I realized over the years are the most engaging, fun, and help foster development.
What makes a toy a developmental toy?
The main difference is that regular toys are meant only for entertainment purposes (which is important as well!) while developmental toys have been designed with the goal to target a skill appropriate for each age. Some of the skills toys can help with are:
- Language and communication
- Fine motor (coordination of the hands)
- Gross motor (coordination of the whole body)
- Imagination/creativity
- Visual perception (the brain's ability to understand and use the info that comes through the eyes)
- Cognition (logical reasoning, memory, problem-solving)
In general terms: the less a toy does, the better for the child. Toys that have lots of lights, sounds, and repetitive music are typically not rich from a developmental point of view. Screen time devices are also not considered developmental toys.
Toys 0-12 months
- Melissa & Doug Poke-a-Dot Book Bundle: First Words, First Colors & Shapes
- Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy
- Hape Put-Stay Rattle Set | Three Sea Animal Suction Rattle Toys
- Fat Brain Toys pipSquigz Loops - Orange
- Fat Brain Toys Whirly Squigz
- HABA Magica Wooden Baby Clutching Toy & Teether
- Playtime by Magifire Baby Tummy Time Playmat
Toys 12 months to 2 years
- JoyKids Sensory Toys for Toddlers 18M+
- Melissa & Doug Cutting Fruit Set
- Melissa & Doug Match and Roll Shape Sorter
- Melissa & Doug Latches Wooden Activity Board
Toys for 2-year-olds
- MindWare Seek-a-Boo Game
- TOOKYLAND Wooden Kitchen Toy
- Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Ice Cream Shop Playset
Toys for 3 and 4-year-olds
Book for a tour and we'll show you around!