Tips on Choosing the Right Toys for Toddlers

Toddlers learn by doing, and play provides them with an opportunity to practice and develop new skills that fit their interests. The best toddlers toys can shape a child’s development in a variety of ways. While it may seem easy to choose the right toys for a small child, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Below are some tips for parents on choosing the best kids toys that can grow with the child, challenge them, and nurture overall development of language, physical and social/emotional skills.

Choose Multipurpose Toys

Parents of toddlers know that they love to take things apart and put them back together in new and interesting ways. Therefore, it’s important to choose educational toys for kids that are relatively open-ended, in the sense that a child can play different games with them. For instance, wooden or plastic blocks can be used to make a spaceship, bridge, zoo or road. Toys such as these can spark a child’s imagination and help them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Look for Toys With Growth Potential

Every parent has had the experience of thinking they’ve bought the best bath toys for toddlers, only to see that the child plays with it once or twice and never uses it again. It’s easy to guard against boredom by choosing toys that can be entertaining at different stages of development. For instance, the best ride on cars are fun for younger toddlers, while older kids can use them for pretend play and other games.

Pick Toys That Encourage Problem-Solving and Exploration

Through play, children have the chance to learn and refine new skills. Toys that allow kids to figure things out alone (or with a bit of encouragement) build their critical thinking skills and help them learn to solve problems. The best ride on cars for toddlers help them develop spatial skills, hand/eye coordination and motor skills.

Choose Toys That Encourage Physical Activity

As they grow bigger and stronger, toddlers can learn all kinds of tricks. It’s up to you to be your child’s cheering section when they learn something new! When visiting the best kids toy store, choose toys that help your kids develop physical skills and refine the ones they already have. For instance, balls, ride on cars, scooters, pull toys and play gardening tools can help kids develop physically and mentally while having fun.

Buy Toys That Encourage Inter-Generational Use

While kids and parents can play almost any game together, some toys are clearly geared toward adult interaction. As kids approach the age of 3 and beyond, simple board games can be fun for everyone. Family game night can help kids learn how to count and match, and it can improve memory, listening skills, and self control. Games can nurture relationship and language skills, and there’s another important benefit: Children learn to be gracious in victory and defeat.

While there are thousands of options in toy stores, the most useful are those which require the most interaction from the young child. The more kids have to use their bodies and minds to get something to work, the more and the faster they learn.