What is a developmentally appropriate toy?

Consider your child’s age and stage of development

The best way to do this is to think about what skills they are currently working on mastering. For example, if they are working on their fine motor skills, you might want to consider a toy that requires them to use their hands in a specific way, like building blocks or a puzzle. If they are working on their gross motor skills, you might consider a toy that gets them up and moving, like a tricycle or baseball set.

Consider your child’s interests

What does your child like to do? If they are interested in music, you might want to consider a toy that plays music or an instrument. If they are interested in animals, you might want to consider a toy farm set or stuffed animals. If they are interested in sports, you might want to consider a Nerf basketball hoop or a football.

Consider your child’s learning style

Does your child learn best through visual aids? Then you might want to consider a toy that is brightly colored and has lots of patterns and shapes. Does your child learn best through auditory aids? Then you might want to consider a toy that makes noise or plays music. Does your child learn best through tactile aids? Then you might want to consider a toy that can be manipulated with their hands, like clay or puzzles.

Prioritize quality

You want to ensure you are getting a that will last long enough for your child to get lots of use out of it without falling apart after just a few days of playtime. Look for well-made toys with durable construction and design features that stand up to wear and tear (and toddler tantrums!).

Make safety a priority

All toys should be safe for children to use, but some toys pose more risks than others. Avoid toys with small parts that could be swallowed or choked on, sharp edges that could cut or scrape, or toxic materials that could cause health problems if ingested. Always read the labels and warnings on toys before purchasing them to make sure they are safe for your child.

Look for toys that encourage exploration and discovery

Toys that allow children to experiment, explore, and figure things out on their own promote problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Look for items like building blocks, puzzles, stacking toys, and simple machines your child can take apart and put back together again.  

Avoid electronic toys

Choose toys that do not require batteries or electricity to operate whenever possible. These types of toys tend to be more expensive and can quickly become outdated as technology changes. They also tend to encourage children to be passive viewers instead of active participants in their own playtime.

By following these guidelines, you can be sure you are choosing the best possible toys for your child’s development and learning. And, most importantly, you can be sure your child is having fun!

Here at Young Scholars Academy, we aim to create an engaging learning environment, filled with meaningful fun activities that create such big memories, your kids will happily remember throughout the years! We pride ourselves in the quality of our establishment and maintain an environment that is clean, safe and loving for all. Our classrooms provide every child a place where they can explore, discover and enjoy learning through kinesthetic experiences. Visit us to learn more!

This post may include affiliate links and I may earn commission if you make a purchase through these links. When you think about your kids playing in the mud, your first thought is most likely how difficult it will be to clean them up afterward, but there are so many benefits to mud play for…

After years of having “hit or miss” experiences in choosing toys for my kids, I decided to turn to the research. Yes, even when it comes to choosing developmentally appropriate toys, research can help us. One of the keys to toy-buying success is focusing on developmental toys. Considering the age of your child and the skills they are learning can be key to making good toy choices.

With that in mind, I’ve put together this list plus a series of guides that help you sort through child development toys by age, as well as certain skills we might want to foster such as social-emotional skills.

Developmental Baby Toys

One thing is clear from research on toys for babies–simple is better. While electronic toys are flashy and attractive, babies do not really need all the bells and whistles (literally). Traditional baby toys that focus on building foundational skills are ideal.

In fact, some studies have shown that too many electronic toys for babies might actually impede their language development as they mature. When babies play with electronic toys, their caregivers are less likely to use as many words while playing with them (because the toy is doing all the “talking”). Because of this, babies absorb fewer words in these play sessions. When it comes to baby toys, simple is best.

What are the best developmental toys for babies?

Simple, open-ended toys are ideal for babies. Here are some of our favorites.

This play gym is perfect for babies because of its interesting textures and high-contrast colors. The best part–it converts to a tent for toddlers! Great for years of fun.

Bead Maze

A classic toy that engages babies’ fine motor skills and grasping skills. My kids always loved these.

Sensory Blocks

These are fun for babies to explore texture and shape. These are also soft so babies can even chew on them.

 Push Toy

For older babies who are starting to try walking, this toy is a huge hit. It allows them to explore standing and taking a few steps while relying on the toy for balance.

Pull and Push Tissue Box Toy

If you’ve ever seen a baby pull ALL the tissues out of the box (repeatedly) then you know why this is a great toy. They can pull over and over to practice. I wish I knew about this when my kids were babies!

Developmental Toys for Toddlers

Shape Puzzle

One of the best classic toddler toys. It helps kids learn about shapes and spatial reasoning.

Button Art Toy

This fun art toy is a great way to encourage fine motor skills and color learning.

Related reading: Expert Advice to Design the Ultimate Kids Playroom at Home

Developmental Toys for Preschool-Early Elementary Age

Counting and Sorting Set

This seems like such a simple toy, but it is perfect for preschoolers practicing counting and sorting. Plus the scoop tongs help build fine motor skills.

Building Toy

Around elementary age, kids are able to really expand their imaginations with toys like this. They help develop creative thinking and STEM skills.

Kid-Friendly Watches

These watches are so cool for kids learning to tell time. They clearly mark both the hours and minutes so those time-telling skills can be reinforced each time they look at the watch. For preschoolers, there are pictures of animals so you can tell kids at what time to expect routine changes. For example, you could say that when the little hand is on the cow and the big hand on the mouse, we will go to dinner. This is a great way to help preschoolers learn routines (and hopefully prevent some meltdowns). Genius!

Toys for Middle Schoolers (and up)

Snap Circuits

There is a reason these sets have been around for decades. Great learning with the fun reward of making something move or making a light turn on, etc.

Walkie-Talkies

As kids reach middle school age, they want to hang out with friends more and more. Walkie-talkies can be a fun (screen-free!) way to keep in touch with neighborhood friends. They are also good for keeping in touch with you while at a nearby park or on a bike ride (many walkies have a mile+ radius).

Wait…there’s more! See these guides for more gift ideas

Toy-Selection Guides

Toddler Toys That Will Boost Children’s Development {and they’ll love for years!}

End the Gift-Giving Regret: Tips for Choosing Age-Appropriate (and Fun) Toys

Fun, Meaningful Kids’ Gifts that Promote Kindness

Top Books to Read to Babies for Brain Development

Toys for Emotional Development: Gifts that Keep Giving

Research Shows Us Why Traditional Toys are Better for Infant Development {plus our favorite traditional toys}

What is a developmentally appropriate toddler toy?

What is an example of an appropriate infant toy?

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What are some toys for physical development?