Choosing toys that are fun and educational for your child can seem like an overwhelming task. Which toys are best? Which ones promote creativity and learning, sharing and socializing? Most of us aren’t child development experts, so it becomes tough to know which ones are worth it.
This article seeks to help you feel confident in choosing a great toy for your child. These are five classic baby toys that they are going to love, AND they help your little one learn. You might even remember some of these from your own childhood- sometimes the classic toys are the best toys.
Product Descriptions/Reviews
TOYVENTIVE Wooden Kids Baby Activity Cube
This fun cube comes in blue or pink wrapping, making it a fun gift to give somebody or your own child. Inside, you will find a complete play cube that is loaded with things kids naturally enjoy playing with, such as stacking cups and abacus counters.
The toy is safe and sturdy, and since it is made of quality finished wood, you can wipe it down with disinfecting wipes once playtime is over. It is an ideal toy to share with other kids who come to play. The cube is painted with non-toxic colors and will stand up to kids’ wear and tear.
You can also detach the abacus portion of the toy and play with it separately. The top can flip over and go inside its storage box to make cleanup time a breeze.
Pros:
- Flipping the top over the inside makes it easy to store when not in use
- Great for helping kids learn numbers and letters
- There is a free book included with purchase that kids enjoy reading
Cons:
- Be wary of children who chew on the toys- the wooden toys can chip apart.
Musical Turtle Toy, English & Spanish Learning, Electronic Toys
Kids love animals, and this friendly turtle will fast become a favorite among your kids. It is made of shatterproof ABS plastic, which means it can withstand falls and drops without damage. Plus, it has soft edges for safer playtime.
The turtle is equipped with four modes of play that involve music, patterns, learning the ABCs, and counting. The turtle also moves when the music is playing, which is sure to delight kids of many ages. This is also great for babies just learning how to crawl, as it gets them inspired to follow the turtle around.
If you like, you can place the toy into Spanish mode. This is great for kids whose native language is Spanish and for kids whose parents would like them to be exposed to different cultures and languages. It is educational and fun for kids to learn letters and numbers in a different language.
Pros:
- Speaks in Spanish and will do numbers and letters in Spanish
- Their customer service is great; one user stated they got her a working turtle in record time
- The toy is built to withstand hits from kids playing hard
Cons:
- The turtle does not crawl very well on carpet. So, if you have carpeted floor, this might not be the best one for your bub.
Mini Tudou Baby Blocks Soft Building Blocks Baby Toys Teethers
Building blocks were a staple of childhood for most of us. We loved stacking them up to see how far we could go. But when they all came tumbling down, it created a tripping hazard for everyone else, not to mention the blocks that would hit your head at times!
These soft blocks are great for babies and toddlers, and parents too. Kids can stack them up, and if they fall, nobody gets hurt. If you step on one, it will softly crush under your foot instead of making you curse.
The blocks are soft, and feature raised shapes, which are great for little hands and promote shape recognition. They come in a handy cardboard box, and they all fit together, which makes them easy to store.
It is no secret babies put things in their mouths. These are not like wooden blocks, which can splinter when chewed. Plus, you can wash these with soap and water once playtime is over. The colors are easy on the eyes, and kids really love the pastel tones these blocks are sold in.
Pros:
- Soft blocks will not hurt kids if they fall
- Blocks store easily in their cardboard box
- It’s a safe spin on a classic building toy
Cons:
- Corners of the blocks are not rounded, which does present a poking hazard.
Sassy Stacks of Circles Stacking Ring STEM Learning Toy
Stacking toys are a classic and wonderful toy your little one is sure to love. These stacker toys promote hand-eye coordination and size recognition. Each ring is differently sized, so kids will have fun seeing what happens when a big one is placed on a small one and vice versa.
The rings are big and easy to grab. This is great for motor skills as babies reach for the toy. One of the rings is clear and includes rolling beads, so babies can enjoy the sound AND understand where and how the sound is made.
This toy is quite simple, but it promotes STEM learning. Your child will learn about differences and similarities, weights, building and stacking, sequences, sorting, and other concepts.
Pros:
- This toy is ideal for kids aged 6 to 24 months
- Ring centers are the same size, so kids can stack them how they like.
- It is a great beginner STEM toy for the littlest learners.
Cons:
- When washing the toy, one user noted water got into the ring that contained the beads. So, you might want to consider it before you buy this toy for your little one.
B. toys – One Two Squeeze Baby Blocks – Building Blocks for Toddlers
These toys are an affordable and fun way to get your child into building hand-eye coordination and enjoying the creative free play. These blocks are soft and squeezable, so they will not hurt if you step on them or they fall after being stacked.
The blocks feature fun shapes with animals kids love learning about, such as dogs, gators, and monkeys. The blocks are easy to clean off, so feel free to use soap and water to clean them once playtime is over.
The blocks come in a handy carrying bag. You can take them with you anywhere you go, or you can use this bag to neatly store them in the closet or toybox without much fuss.
Pros:
- This toy is ideal for kids aged 6 months to 3 years
- These are safe for kids who are biting/chewing toys
- These blocks are educational and feature numbers/animals/colors kids can learn
Cons:
- Water can get inside during washing- make sure to squeeze out any water that gets trapped.
Buyer’s Guide
Not sure where to begin when it comes to shopping for a child’s toy? Here is what to look for when choosing great toys for children that promote learning and creativity.
Keep Toys as Simple as You Can
The more simple a toy is, and the fewer features it has, the more your child has to use his or her imagination to keep it interesting and keep themselves entertained. This is great for creativity and learning how to occupy yourself.
Purchase Toys That Teach Important Skills
Purchase toys that promote important skills to be learned while playing with others: flexible thinking, how to manage your emotions, impulse control, and socialization.
Learning numbers and letters are great for school readiness but learning to interact and play with others is far more important. Thus, pick toys your kids will have to learn to share with their friends and families.
Free of Gender
All of the toys we featured here are free of gender- they can be given to boys or girls and will be wholly enjoyed. However, parents should choose toys that show kids diverse and non-stereotyped gender roles.
It is also important to have a wide range of toys your child can enjoy, such as, action figures, trucks, dolls, pretend cleaning tools, toy kitchens, and more.
Buy Toys That Encourage to Interact with Other People
Keep toys that substitute interaction with human beings to a minimum. For example, an interactive stuffed toy that tells stories or an app that mimics a popular card game.
The more your child learns to interact with other people, the more emotional and social growth they can enjoy.
In Conclusion
Now that you have learned about some of the best educational toys for the babies in your life, which one will you pick up first? Our favorite was probably the soft building blocks- after all, kids are always stacking things up to see how far they go.
Plus, the building blocks are great for little hands to hold. Whichever toy you choose, we hope you enjoy playing with your little ones and watching them learn before your eyes!
