I admit that I’m very, very picky about infant toys. First of all, I’m on Team Less-is-More. The baby toy industry is a relatively new market when you look down the halls of history. Early toys were simply household items adapted for baby or items made at home. There are countless options on the market today, but I am a minimalist when it comes to toys. Part of it might be that I did not have much room to store them, but also, it is the fact that just a few toys can get the job done.

Here are my guidelines. #1 I prefer toys that can double down on the opportunity to learn, such as a puzzle that also teaches shapes. #2 I love toys that are durable and, as much as possible, made from natural wood, natural latex, or some type of sustainable and non-toxic source. Sometimes, colorful toys, even wooden ones, might not have the best colorant choice. #3 It is a big yes from me if the toy’s value grows with the baby. When you can add-on extras to the toy or the toy itself offers multiple skill-building opportunities as the baby hits developmental milestones. Creativity at this age is very simple and mostly trial and error discovery, once they have the ability to combine and stack toys. Skill building and interaction are my top goals for baby toys, but there is room to include something soft and cuddly to snuggle.

• Black and White Contrast Book —- My grandchildren love this first baby book. It is soft and easy to hold. Even before baby can hold it, you can set it up nearby for play or tummy time. It stimulates baby’s development visually with bright contrasting colors, by sound with a built-in crinkly cloth, and by touch once they can hold and interact with the book. It grows with your baby. Later, add communication skills as you talk to baby about the book. I have bought this gift over and over. Definitely a favorite. (p.s. It’s washable and durable.)
• LOVEVERY — I love, love, love every-thing about this baby play gym: the quality, the versatility, the skill-building, and most of all the fact that it grows along with your baby. You can choose from a variety of add-ons. It is sturdy and worth the investment.
• Montessori Stacking Blocks, Rings, and Balls —This is a durable set that will encourage baby to first hold, then venture into perception and coordination skills as they sort, stack, and sequence.
• Mellissa and Doug Knob Puzzles—There are so many to choose from, but I prefer the ones that do double duty, like the link here. It is a house, but doubles as shapes. At first, you will help the babay place the shape. Let them try as soon as they are able, but you might need to still help guide the shape into place.
• Sorting Barn— This is a soft-sculptured barn set that encourages babies to put the easy to grasp animals in and out of the barn. That is great for development on several levels. Depth perception, coordination, sorting, to name a few. I love that it doubles as a skill- builder and naming animals.
• Nananubs Teether— This easy to hold teether massages the gums, but also promotes coordination and it is so cute. Another popular item used by my grandchildren and a standard on my baby gift list. Did I say it was cute? 😉
• Yogingo Tissue Box —This looks like a soft sculpture tissue box with crinkle cloth tissues. Babies will be engaged as they handle the crinkle tissues, taking them out of the “box,” playing with them, and putting them back. It is developmental and grows with baby skills. I love that. Plus each tissue has different items printed on them that can be used for naming and communication later.
• Lovey Soft Toy— It’s part blanket, part toy, and so soft and snuggly. This link is for a bunny, but there a several options for other lovey animals: kitty, fox, fawn, raccoon, frog, and the extra cut duckie.
• Sophie la girafe —Sophie is a giraffe made of natural rubber. Not only does it work as a teether along the way, Sophie is a wonderful first toy. It is easy for baby to grasp, and then later to manipulate, turning it this way and that, repositioning, and changing hand to hand. She has a gentle squeak that promotes interaction and listening skills. I have used this with babies to practice tracking sight and sound.

Image by pvproductions on Freepik

WINS: Skills: eye-tracking, listening, hand-eye coordination, visual perception, relationships, communication, strength and movement

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