Toys for Every Age

By Jessica Gordon

For babies, play isn’t just for fun. It’s the way fundamental connections and pathways between babies’ brain cells are formed—and that sets the stage for all future learning and thinking, from talking and reading to tying shoes and riding bikes.

But what toys to choose? Since babies’ brains develop in set stages, it’s important to provide the right toys for developing the right skills at the right time. Here’s how to pick the ones that are just right for your baby, every step of the way.

0–3 months: Since newborns still spend most of their time lying down, choose toys that stimulate their sense of touch, sight, and sound from this position.

Favorites: brightly colored mobiles that move and play music; activity mats featuring arches with dangling toys; rattles; soft, textural black-and-white pattern toys.

3–6 months: Older infants are moving their arms, legs, and hands much more—and everything goes in their mouths! They’re able to grasp toys and wave them around. Favorites: activity mats; soft toys; material and board books; teethers; soft blocks; bath toys.

6–9 months: By now, your baby is starting to sit up and crawl. He’s developing more muscle control, so choose toys that help develop eye-hand coordination.

Favorites: building blocks; puzzles with knobs; nesting cups; activity boxes with interactive pieces and dimensional wooden shapes that fit through matching cut-outs; push-and-pull toys that baby can move.

9–12 months: As babies approach the one-year mark, they’re more and more active. They crawl, stand and may even start walking! Fine motor skills and verbal abilities are also quickly developing.

Favorites: balls of all sizes, both plush and plastic; stacking rings and cones; bath toys.

12–18 months: Babies will start walking and even climbing. They'll also start forming simple two-word sentences and will play independently.

Favorites: basic puzzles; toy telephones; ride-on toys with wheels; musical toys like keyboards; pretend toys like play kitchens and tool sets; crayons (supervised) and drawing paper.

18–24 months: Your child's imagination is starting to blossom at this age. Focus on toys that encourage mimicry and rudimentary role playing as well as singing.

Favorites: easel with art materials; simple puzzles; picture books; baby dolls; dress-up clothes.

3+ years: For a three-year-old, the sky is the limit! Toddlers have their own distinct personalities and unique thoughts and interests as well as longer attention spans to focus on crafts and more complex games.

Favorites: play dough; magazine subscription; craft kit; matching games like Concentration; more advanced picture books; three-wheel scooter; floor puzzle.

What’s old is new!

Hold on to toys: If you take toys out of circulation for a time and then reintroduce them, they’ll be new all over again! Plus, many toys grow with your baby—children just interact with them differently. Take wooden blocks, for instance: Babies start by grabbing and throwing them, then they stack and topple them, and finally they graduate to building elaborate structures.