What Toys Should My Baby & Toddler Have? The Complete Age-by-Age Guide

“There are no Seven Wonders of the World in the eyes of a child. There are Seven Million”— Walt Streightiff.

You can’t buy seven million toys to fulfill the playful desires of your child—nor should you try. However, you can be strategic and intentional about selecting age-appropriate toys that support development, spark imagination, and create lasting memories without overwhelming your home or budget.

Children will play with just about anything. A cardboard box can provide hours of entertainment, and kitchen utensils often fascinate babies more than expensive toys. You don’t need to be overly restrictive about what your child plays with, but having a guide to age-appropriate toys helps ensure you’re supporting developmental milestones while avoiding toys that are too advanced, too simple, or potentially unsafe.

The toy industry generates billions annually by convincing parents they need countless specialized products. The reality? Quality matters far more than quantity. A few well-chosen toys that grow with your child provide more value than rooms full of plastic that gets ignored after a few days.

This comprehensive guide divides toy recommendations into developmental phases: Phase 1 covers toys for babies (0-12 months), and Phase 2 addresses toys for toddlers and preschoolers (1-5 years). For each stage, we’ll explain what developmental skills your child is building, what features make toys appropriate and engaging, and specific recommendations that offer the best value for your investment.

Understanding Developmental Play: Why Age-Appropriate Toys Matter

Before diving into specific toy recommendations, it’s important to understand how play supports child development and why age-appropriateness matters.

How Play Supports Development

Play isn’t frivolous—it’s the primary way children learn about their world and develop crucial skills:

Cognitive development: Problem-solving, cause-and-effect understanding, memory, attention span, and early math and literacy concepts

Physical development: Fine motor skills (grasping, manipulating), gross motor skills (crawling, walking, running), hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness

Social-emotional development: Understanding emotions, developing empathy, learning to share and take turns, processing experiences through pretend play

Language development: Learning new words, understanding communication, expressing needs and ideas

Creativity and imagination: Thinking flexibly, creating scenarios, expressing themselves

Sensory integration: Processing information from all five senses plus vestibular (balance) and proprioceptive (body awareness) senses

Why Age Matters

Toys that are too advanced frustrate children and can actually hinder development by creating negative associations with learning. Toys that are too simple bore children and don’t provide adequate challenge to promote growth.

Age-appropriate toys hit the “just right” challenge level—engaging enough to maintain interest while being achievable enough to build confidence and mastery.

The Best Toys Are Often Simple

Interestingly, research consistently shows that simple, open-ended toys promote more creative, sustained play than complex, battery-operated toys that do everything for the child. A set of wooden blocks offers infinite possibilities; a toy that performs one pre-programmed sequence gets boring quickly.

This doesn’t mean avoiding all electronic toys, but it does mean prioritizing toys that require the child’s imagination and manipulation rather than passive watching.

Phase 1: Baby Toys (0-12 Months)

We’ve categorized “babies” as children aged 0-12 months, though development varies significantly within this first year. Babies progress from completely helpless newborns to mobile, communicative almost-toddlers in just twelve months—the most dramatic developmental period of their entire lives.

Guide to Choosing Baby Toys

0-2 Months: The Newborn Stage

The first two months constitute the newborn stage, and children at this stage primarily enjoy seeing and hearing interesting things. Their vision is limited (they see best at 8-12 inches—conveniently, about the distance to a caregiver’s face during feeding), and they can’t yet grasp objects intentionally.

Ideal newborn toy features:

Bright and contrasting colors: Newborns see high-contrast patterns (especially black and white) more easily than subtle colors. Bold patterns capture and hold their developing attention.

Human face features: Babies are hardwired to be fascinated by faces. Toys with simple face-like patterns (two dots for eyes, a curve for a mouth) engage newborns naturally.

Simple designs and clear lines: Overly complex designs overwhelm newborn vision. Simple, bold patterns work best.

Objects that make gentle sounds: Auditory stimulation supports cognitive development. Rattles, crinkly fabrics, and musical toys engage newborns’ hearing.

Safe for supervised viewing: Newborns can’t grab toys intentionally, so toys at this stage are for looking at and listening to rather than manipulating.

2-6 Months: The Exploration Begins

When infants pass the 2-month mark through about 6 months, they develop interest in touching, holding, shaking, and tasting everything. This is when “everything goes in the mouth” begins—an important developmental stage called oral exploration that helps babies learn about textures, tastes, and properties of objects.

You’ll need to be more careful at this stage to ensure toys don’t have:

• Small parts that pose choking hazards
• Rough edges or sharp points
• Toxic materials or finishes
• Loose pieces that could detach

Safety becomes paramount once babies can grasp objects and bring them to their mouths. Follow current CPSC safety guidelines for all baby toys.

6-12 Months: Mobile and Curious

At 6-7 months, your child will likely be able to sit independently and may be starting to crawl. By 12 months, many babies are walking or close to it. They can now twist, squeeze, drop, push, and pull objects at will, exploring cause-and-effect relationships and testing how objects behave.

The choice of toys changes significantly at this stage to support these new physical abilities and cognitive interests.

0-2 Months: Newborn Toys

Hanging Mobiles and Soft Toys

Hanging soft toys are ideal for newborns. Since they haven’t yet developed the strength or coordination to hold objects, hanging toys positioned 8-12 inches above them provide visual stimulation without requiring physical interaction.

Look for:

• High-contrast patterns (black and white, bold colors)
• Gentle movement that’s not overly stimulating
• Safe, secure mounting that won’t fall
• Simple shapes that are easy for developing vision to track

Colorful Soft Animals and Dolls

Always look for vibrant and multicolored soft animals or dolls. At this stage, they serve primarily as visual interest rather than play companions, but they’re introducing your baby to objects they’ll interact with more actively in coming months.

Choose:

• Machine-washable materials
• No small detachable parts (buttons for eyes, sewn-on accessories)
• Soft, baby-safe fabrics
• Simple, friendly faces

Toys With Rattling Noises

Noises of various kinds interest babies and support auditory development. Most newborns will react to a rattling noise—turning their heads toward the sound, showing excitement—and this supports their cognitive development and helps them understand cause and effect.

Options include:

• Traditional rattles with handles (even though baby can’t hold them yet, you can shake them)
• Wrist or ankle rattles (attach with velcro, make noise when baby moves)
• Soft toys with rattles or crinkly material inside
• Musical toys with gentle sounds

Soft Toys With Recognizable Face Patterns

Face patterns are incredibly important for newborn toys. Babies are evolutionarily programmed to recognize and focus on faces—it’s a survival mechanism that ensures they bond with caregivers. We recommend buying soft animals or dolls with clear, smiling faces.

The faces don’t need to be realistic—simple representations with two eyes and a smiling mouth work wonderfully and may actually be easier for newborn vision to process than complex, realistic faces.

Colorful Fabric Balls

This is an inexpensive yet effective option. You can hang a few over your baby’s crib or changing table, providing visual interest during diaper changes and awake time. Choose soft fabric balls rather than hard plastic ones—if they fall on baby, they won’t cause injury.

2-12 Months: Baby Toys

Bright Colored Puzzles (9+ months)

Bright colored puzzles should be introduced around 9-12 months when babies develop better hand-eye coordination and problem-solving interest. Your baby will try to match pieces and fit them into spaces—the bright colors attract attention while the puzzle itself teaches spatial reasoning and shapes.

Start with:

• Large, chunky pieces easy for little hands to grasp
• Simple shapes (circles, squares, triangles)
• Knob or peg handles for easier manipulation
• 3-6 pieces maximum initially
• Wooden puzzles that last longer than cardboard

Soft Rubber Blocks and Rounded Wooden Blocks

Rubber or wooden blocks are essential as babies can now stack, knock down, throw, squeeze, and explore objects actively. Blocks support countless developmental skills and remain engaging for years.

Benefits:

• Teach spatial relationships and balance
• Support hand-eye coordination
• Encourage problem-solving (how to stack without falling)
• Safe for teething—babies will mouth blocks
• Infinite play possibilities

Choose blocks that are:

• Large enough to prevent choking (typically 1.5 inches or larger)
• Smooth and splinter-free (for wooden blocks)
• Made from non-toxic, baby-safe materials
• Easy to clean (blocks will be mouthed constantly)

Keys With Rings

Although not technically a toy, key rings designed for babies are wonderful. Baby can hold them, chew on them safely, and shake them to make noise—meeting multiple sensory and developmental needs simultaneously.

Look for:

• Baby-specific toy keys (not your actual keys, which carry germs and aren’t safe)
• Large, easy-to-grasp rings
• Different textures and colors
• Teething-safe materials

Roly-Poly Toys

One of the most interactive toys, the roly-poly is a self-balancing toy that fascinates children of many ages. Your baby can throw it, kick it, hit it, or push it, and watching the toy balance itself provides endless entertainment while teaching cause-and-effect and physics concepts intuitively.

These toys:

• Support gross motor development
• Teach cause-and-effect (I push, it rocks)
• Provide visual tracking practice
• Are nearly indestructible
• Remain engaging for months

Containers and Objects for Loading/Unloading

Get some safe containers and baby-appropriate objects. At this stage (especially 9-12 months), babies love to load and unload containers with their hands—putting objects in, dumping them out, repeating endlessly. This simple activity is tremendously important for cognitive development.

Try:

• Plastic storage containers with lids removed
• Fabric baskets or bins
• Large plastic cups or bowls
• Safe household objects (plastic measuring cups, wooden spoons)
• Large plastic links or rings

This “game” teaches:

• Object permanence (things still exist when hidden)
• Spatial relationships (objects go inside containers)
• Cause-and-effect (I put in, I can take out)
• Fine motor control

Push and Pull Toys

Small cars and toys with wheels become engaging once babies can sit independently and later when they begin crawling and walking. Push toys help babies practice these motor skills while providing satisfying movement and sounds.

Options include:

• Cars and trucks baby can push across floor
• Pull-toys with strings (for older babies who won’t strangle themselves)
• Push-toys that make sounds or have moving parts
• Vehicles with chunky, easy-to-grasp bodies

Phase 2: Toddler and Preschool Toys (1-5 Years)

After 12 months, your child transitions from “baby” to “toddler”—a period of incredible growth, increasing independence, and rapidly developing skills in all domains.

Guide to Choosing Toddler Toys

After 12 months, your toddler will be significantly more mobile than during infancy. Children now enjoy toys that demonstrate cause-and-effect relationships, support pretend play, and allow for creative expression.

Key Principles for Toddler Toys

Quality over quantity: Rather than buying many toys, look for toys that are transformable and trigger your child’s imagination. Open-ended toys that can be used in multiple ways provide far more value than single-purpose items.

Problem-solving opportunities: Problem-solving toys become effective at this stage and introduce concepts like matching, sorting, sequencing, and logical thinking. However, they shouldn’t be so complicated that children can’t solve them—frustration shuts down learning.

Pretend play: Role-playing with toys becomes increasingly important, especially as toddlers approach age 3. During the final toddler stage (2-3 years), toys that mimic real items like telephones, kitchen equipment, and tools support pretend play that helps children process their experiences and develop social-emotional skills.

Detail matters: Toys that are more detailed and realistic work best for toddlers who are learning about the real world. Your toddler will be highly interested in toys that accurately represent things they see in daily life.

Safety considerations: Even as children get older, safety remains crucial. Check for choking hazards, toxic materials, and sharp edges. Always supervise play with smaller pieces.

1-2 Years: Initial Toddler Toys

Musical Instruments

Musical instruments are perfect for cause-and-effect learning. Your toddler pushes a button and music happens. That creates curiosity, and she slowly understands that specific actions create specific results—a fundamental cognitive concept.

Great first instruments:

• Drums and tambourines (bang it, sound happens)
• Xylophones (hit different bars, different notes)
• Shakers and maracas
• Simple keyboards with large buttons
• Musical toys that play when buttons are pressed

Benefits:

• Auditory discrimination (learning different sounds)
• Fine motor skills (pressing buttons, hitting targets)
• Rhythm and pattern recognition
• Creative expression
• Understanding cause-and-effect

Real-Life Vehicles

Get realistic vehicles like firefighter trucks, buses with plastic people, or ambulances. Toddlers are fascinated by vehicles they see in their daily lives, and these toys support pretend play, language development (learning vehicle names and sounds), and fine motor skills.

Look for:

• Chunky, easy-to-grasp designs
• Opening doors or moving parts
• Figures that fit inside
• Durable construction (these will be crashed repeatedly)
• Realistic details

Real-Life Tools

Hammers, drills, toy phones, or even toy computers can be effective at this stage. Toddlers are desperate to do what they see adults doing—using tools, talking on phones, working on computers. Toy versions allow them to role-play these activities safely.

Popular options:

• Tool benches with hammers and screwdrivers
• Toy phones (especially ones that look like yours)
• Toy computers or tablets
• Kitchen sets with pots, pans, and utensils
• Cleaning toys (toy vacuums, brooms, mops)

Rocking Horses

Simple rocking horses can be fun and interactive while supporting balance, core strength, and gross motor development. The rocking motion also provides calming vestibular input that many toddlers find soothing.

Choose:

• Sturdy construction that won’t tip easily
• Appropriate size for your toddler
• Handles for holding on
• Smooth rocking motion
• Safety features like wide bases

Ride-On Animals and Vehicles

Ride-on toys at this stage shouldn’t have pedals—the child will use their feet to push themselves along, which supports gross motor development and spatial awareness.

Options include:

• Animal-shaped ride-ons
• Car or truck ride-ons
• Ride-on toys with storage compartments
• Those with sounds or lights for added engagement

Benefits:

• Gross motor development
• Balance and coordination
• Spatial awareness
• Independence and confidence
• Physical activity

2-3 Years: Advanced Toddler Toys

Doll Carriages and Wagons

Wagons and doll carriages allow your child to explore their environment while bringing favorite toys and treasures along. This supports pretend play (caring for “babies”), gross motor skills (pushing and pulling), and independence.

Features to look for:

• Sturdy construction that won’t tip easily
• Appropriate size for your child
• Easy-to-grip handles
• Storage for multiple toys or dolls
• Both indoor and outdoor suitability

Realistic Push Toys

Not just any push toys will interest your child at this age—you need to find realistic push toys that resemble actual items like vacuums, lawn mowers, shopping carts, or toy cleaning equipment. These support pretend play that helps children process and understand their world.

Popular choices:

• Toy vacuum cleaners that make realistic sounds
• Shopping carts (perfect for pretend grocery shopping)
• Toy lawn mowers
• Baby strollers for dolls
• Cleaning sets with brooms and dustpans

Small Tricycles

Many children learn to pedal between ages 2-3, making this the perfect time to introduce a small tricycle. Tricycles support gross motor development, coordination, balance, and provide valuable outdoor exercise.

When choosing tricycles:

• Ensure appropriate size (feet should reach pedals comfortably)
• Look for adjustable seats for growth
• Consider models with parent push-handles for younger riders
• Prioritize safety features like wide bases
• Choose durable construction for outdoor use

Puzzles With Knobs

Stick to puzzles with no more than 12 pieces—larger puzzles will be too difficult and demotivating for this age. Look for puzzles with knobs or pegs that make pieces easier for developing fine motor skills to manipulate.

Puzzle benefits:

• Problem-solving skills
• Shape recognition
• Hand-eye coordination
• Fine motor development
• Concentration and focus
• Sense of accomplishment

Choose puzzles featuring:

• Familiar objects (animals, vehicles, food)
• Bright, engaging colors
• Wooden construction (more durable)
• Large, chunky pieces
• Clear images that make matching easier

3-5 Years: Preschooler Toys

Preschoolers aren’t technically considered toddlers by developmental definitions. However, parents often still think of their 3-5 year olds as “little ones” or toddlers. This age group requires more complex toys that support their rapidly developing cognitive, physical, and social skills.

Building Blocks and Construction Sets

At this age, children have the ability to build and create intentionally. Building blocks are perfect for supporting this emerging skill while teaching engineering concepts, spatial relationships, problem-solving, and creativity.

Options include:

• Traditional wooden blocks in various shapes
• Large LEGO or DUPLO sets
• Magnetic building tiles
• Wooden train sets with tracks
• Construction sets with connecting pieces

Benefits:

• STEM learning (science, technology, engineering, math)
• Creativity and imagination
• Fine motor skills
• Planning and sequencing
• Spatial reasoning
• Cooperative play with peers or siblings

Ride-On Toys and Bikes

Tricycles or even smaller bicycles with training wheels become appropriate. Outdoor activities become significantly more important than indoor play at this age—children need vigorous physical activity daily for healthy development.

Consider:

• Tricycles with larger frames for growing children
• Balance bikes (no pedals, teach balance before pedaling)
• Small bicycles with training wheels (for older preschoolers)
• Scooters (some 4-5 year olds are ready)
• Safety equipment (helmets are non-negotiable)

Complex Puzzles

Introduce more complex puzzles with 20-50+ pieces depending on your child’s interest and ability. See how your child copes with increased challenge—some will love it, others need more time with simpler puzzles.

Progressive puzzle features:

• More pieces (20, 30, 50+)
• Smaller pieces requiring more precision
• More complex images
• Eventually transitioning from knob puzzles to regular jigsaw puzzles
• Puzzles with educational themes (maps, letters, numbers)

Art Supplies

Preschoolers benefit enormously from open-ended creative materials:

• Crayons, markers, and colored pencils
• Paint and brushes
• Play dough and modeling clay
• Safety scissors and glue
• Large paper and coloring books
• Craft supplies (pom-poms, pipe cleaners, stickers)

Pretend Play Sets

Elaborate pretend play emerges strongly in the preschool years:

• Kitchen sets with food and dishes
• Doctor kits
• Tool sets
• Dress-up clothes and costumes
• Dollhouses with figures and furniture
• Play cash registers and shopping sets

Gaming Consoles and Screen Time

You can introduce gaming consoles suitable for 5-year-olds for occasional fun time at home, especially during inclement weather. However, keep screen time limited and treat it as a special activity rather than daily entertainment.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:

• No screens before age 2 (except video chatting)
• Maximum 1 hour daily for ages 2-5
• Co-viewing when possible (playing together)
• High-quality, educational content
• Balancing screen time with physical play

Age-appropriate games:

• Simple puzzle games
• Educational apps teaching letters, numbers, shapes
• Movement-based games
• Creative games (drawing, music-making)

Choosing Toys Wisely: Beyond Age Appropriateness

Beyond age recommendations, several principles help you make smart toy choices:

Open-Ended vs. Single-Purpose Toys

Open-ended toys can be used in multiple ways and grow with children:

• Blocks, balls, dolls, play silks, dress-up clothes
• Encourage creativity and imagination
• Provide longer-term value
• Support various types of play

Single-purpose toys do one thing:

• Battery-operated toys with pre-programmed sequences
• Can be engaging but often for shorter periods
• May support specific skills but don’t encourage creative thinking

Aim for a balance, but prioritize open-ended options when budget is limited.

Safety Certifications

Always check for:

• ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) certification
• CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) compliance
• Age recommendations from manufacturers
• Choking hazard warnings
• Non-toxic materials

Sustainability Considerations

Consider environmental impact:

• Wooden toys over plastic when possible
• Durable toys that last through multiple children
• Toys from companies with ethical labor practices
• Avoiding toys with excessive packaging
• Choosing classic toys over trendy items that quickly lose appeal

Budget-Friendly Options

Quality toys don’t require breaking the bank:

• Buy secondhand from consignment shops or online marketplaces
• Focus budget on versatile items used daily
• DIY toys using household items (cardboard boxes are free and beloved)
• Borrow from toy libraries if available in your area
• Ask for specific toys as gifts rather than buying everything yourself

What Toys You Don’t Actually Need

Just as important as knowing what to buy is knowing what to skip:

Infant walkers: Discouraged by pediatricians due to safety concerns and developmental drawbacks

Excessive electronic toys: A few are fine, but too many discourage imagination and active play

Toys with lots of small pieces (for young children): Choking hazards and constant cleanup frustration

Character-licensed toys: Usually cost more and have shorter appeal as children’s interests change

Toys that do everything for the child: Encourage passive watching rather than active engagement

Duplicates: One of something is usually plenty—you don’t need five toy phones

Toy Rotation and Organization

Even with careful selection, toys can overwhelm your space. Implement a toy rotation system:

1. Divide toys into 3-4 groups
2. Keep one group accessible while storing others
3. Rotate every few weeks
4. Stored toys feel “new” when they reappear
5. Reduces clutter while maintaining engagement

Organize by category:

• Blocks in one bin
• Vehicles in another
• Art supplies in a designated area
• Puzzles on a shelf
• Dress-up clothes in a basket

Final Thoughts: Play Is the Work of Childhood

Anything can become a toy, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Some of children’s favorite “toys” are household items—wooden spoons, cardboard boxes, pots and pans, fabric scraps, or natural items like pinecones and smooth stones.

You as a parent should guide your child and ensure certain toys are available at appropriate developmental stages. For example, when your child crosses age 5, it won’t make much sense to focus on baby rattles or simple stacking toys. Rather, ride-on toys, complex construction sets, and pretend play items will keep your child happier and better support their development.

The goal isn’t accumulating toys—it’s providing appropriate tools for learning, creativity, and joy. A few well-chosen, high-quality toys that match your child’s current developmental stage and interests provide far more value than rooms full of unused items.

Watch your child play, notice what captures their attention and imagination, and let that guide your choices more than marketing or trends. The best toy is the one your child actually uses—whether it’s a $100 specialty item or a cardboard box and some crayons.

Play is how children learn everything—about themselves, others, and the world around them. By providing appropriate toys and ample time for play, you’re giving your child the essential foundation they need for all future learning and development.