Toys For Children 30 to 36 Months Old

By the time your child reaches his third birthday, he'll be ready for more challenging toys. After all, if he can put on his own T-shirt, wash and dry his own hands, and brush his own teeth (read more on self-care), he can certainly manage blocks and even simple memory or board games. Most 3-year-olds can also draw a vertical line, which means now's the perfect time to open a display gallery on the refrigerator.

At this age your child is a confident walker, runner, and jumper, and is likely able to balance on one foot for a second or more. That means it's time to let him play with scaled-down sports equipment. He may want to include other children in his games, and he'll really begin to notice and focus on other kids, which allows him to play more structured games.

As he gets older, your toddler will become increasingly imaginative. He's no longer concerned just with his physical effect on the world and will start developing his own story lines, characters, plots, and adventures. Giving him clothes and props for pretend play — something as simple as a cardboard box can be a wagon, a spaceship, a fort, and so on — will help encourage this area of his development.

Puzzles: Toddlers are developing their problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination at this age, and nothing tests their new abilities better than basic jigsaw puzzles. Look for ones with large pieces and a simple, easily recognizable picture. Some simpler ones come with trays that the pieces fit into.

Beginning board or memory games: Your toddler's brain development will benefit from learning how to play a simple board game such as Chutes and Ladders or a card game like I Spy or Memory. Particularly with memory games, he'll have fun trying to match things that are alike, and is likely to squeal in delight whenever he's successful.

Kid-size dishes, pots, and pans: Children this age love to pretend and play imaginary games, and one of the things they like best is to imitate Mom and Dad. A kitchen set gives them license to mix up all kinds of imaginary concoctions. Throw in a few empty sample-size food containers (tiny mustard jars, mini-jam pots, etc.) and your child could become the next Jacques Pepin.

Construction sets: Most toddlers this age are masters at stacking several blocks, but that doesn't mean the game loses its appeal. They especially enjoy blocks that lock together, such as Legos or Duplos, because they can use their budding imagination — and hand-eye coordination — to build higher, more complex towers. Natural wood or colored blocks are also perennial favorites.

Art supplies: Your child will be ready and willing to experiment with art supplies, and it's your job to make sure he has the necessary tools of the trade. Invest in an art kit — look for one with a variety of art supplies — or assemble one yourself by gathering your own materials a little at a time and stashing them in a plastic lunchbox. Kids this age like crayons, watercolors, clay, collage basics like magazines and newspapers, construction paper, and tempera and finger paints. Just make sure everything is washable and nontoxic.

Outdoor equipment: As your child really starts to grow into his physical skills, he'll love toys that let him test his newfound abilities. Swings and sports equipment such as plastic balls and bats, miniature basketballs and hoops, soft soccer balls, and play golf sets are perfect toys for this age group.

Books: Your toddler's language skills and vocabulary are getting more sophisticated, so it's more important than ever to surround him with age-appropriate books. Children this age are starting to follow narratives and can understand more complicated words and stories — for example, try such classics as The Little Engine That Could, by Watty Piper, or Madeline, by Ludwig Bemelmans.

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Toys For Children 24 to 30 Months Old

Your child is now 2, and has become even more, uh, assertive. But his defiance really results from the tug-of-war between his desire for independence and his continuing need for help. What he's doing — again and again — is testing his limits.

Along with independence come expanded language skills. He can now speak in short sentences and has become more purposeful, telling you what he needs or wants. He is also beginning to understand abstract concepts. He can ask for more milk, and inquire about whether he can go to bed later. But he still doesn't understand what next month or next year means.

He can form images in his mind, and organize his toys by size, or color, or shape. His memory is improving and he may be able to tell you at the end of the day what he had for lunch. A minority of 2-year-olds also know their colors and letters, and can count to 10.

Toddlers are spirited folk, so look for toys and activities that give yours a way to channel his energy. Also look for toys that challenge his developing mind.

Ride-on toys: Your child will still love wheeled toys he can push himself along on such as tricycles and wagons — pedaling is probably more than he can handle. Look for ride-on toys that are well balanced. Cargo holds that allow your child to pack and unpack for his trips are a nice feature.

Balls: Balls continue to be a favorite, but even more so now that your toddler can target his throws. A few kids this age even make the occasional catch. Set up a couple of wastebaskets as "hoops" and the two of you can have a rousing game of basketball. Or establish two goal lines and introduce your child to a drastically simplified version of soccer.

Art supplies: Invite your child to be creative. Set up an area in your home where it's okay for him to be messy. You can prompt his artistry by asking your toddler to draw certain things: the sky, or grass, or even what the sound of rain looks like. When you're feeling brave — or maybe the word is energetic — bring out tempera paints and some broad brushes and watch how these additions charge up the creative process.

Percussive instruments: This is the age when music inspires dancing, clapping, spinning, hopping, even shouting — so why not add to the cacophony by handing over a tambourine, or drum, or rhythm sticks? Experiment with different genres of music and invite your child to conduct or beat out an accompaniment.

Dress-up clothes: Pretend play starts to take off about now. Designate a drawer or a box for dress-up clothes and stuff it with an assortment of shirts, skirts, hats, high-heel shoes, whatever might inspire some imaginative romps. If nothing else, it's a great excuse to put stuff on and take it off — an exercise 2-year-olds seem to love.

Child-size household equipment: Toys for dramatic play need to be realistic. So buy a set of toy dishes, pots and pans, and plastic food. Set up a small table and chairs where your child can host tea and dinner parties. Acquire a small broom, or even a little vacuum cleaner, to make cleanup fun.

Construction toys: Your child may become interested in new construction possibilities. Consider giant Lego blocks or play sets with pieces that can be linked or snapped together. Your child can create buses, trains, or entire farms, complete with furnished houses.

Puzzles and manipulatives: Your child's new dexterity has opened up many new play possibilities. He can more easily organize cups so that one nestles inside another, assemble four- or five-piece puzzles, use a set of plastic keys to open doors in a plastic house, and dress and undress a doll outfitted with laces, snaps, and buckles.

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Toys for 18-to 24 -month -olds

Your toddler is becoming more excited about independence but is constantly being reminded of her own limits. So while she insists on doing something "Myself!" one moment, the next might find her turning to you for help.

The way she learns what she can do is by getting her hands into everything. She fiddles with knobs, opens and shuts doors, flips light switches on and off — it's enough to drive any parent nuts. Toys with interlocking parts — pop-up toys, nesting toys, sorting toys, trucks with doors that open and shut, play kitchens with knobs and doors — can create endless opportunities for your child to explore, and push, her limits while keeping her away from the light switch.

At this age, children learn best from unstructured play, so just make the toys available and off she'll go.

Plastic tea set or playhouse: Your child will get a kick out of play eating and drinking. And in general, scaled-down toys, from rakes, push brooms, and shopping carts to miniature kitchens, give her a chance to do one of the things she loves best — mimic what she sees the adults around her do and organize her world to her own satisfaction.

Large and small blocks: Working with blocks lets your toddler build her handling skills by grabbing, stacking, and sorting. Large cardboard bricks easily add up to toddler-size forts and hiding spaces. Small wooden ones can be sorted and organized into any number of original designs.

Toy instruments: Children generally love music and the chance to create their own sound, no matter how cacophonous. Give her a toy guitar to strum or a keyboard to bang on and she'll treat you to many original compositions. Make sure whatever instrument you find has a volume dial you can turn down so that you — and your neighbors — can tolerate those early tunes.

Puzzles: Puzzles are a good way to give your young child little victories — the simple satisfaction of putting something exactly in place is a marvelous thing. Choose puzzles that have very few pieces and are made of thick, easy-to-manipulate blocks of wood.

Illustrated books and cassette tapes: While recorded stories are no substitute for reading to your child, many toddlers do enjoy the novelty of hearing a voice come out of a machine and can appreciate that the voice is new and different. The regular patter of nursery rhymes is particularly pleasing to a toddler's ear. For more ideas, see our recommended books and music for this age.

Train sets: Your toddler can use her new dexterity to link the cars and run the whole train around the house. She'll love seeing how it can take corners, and the difference between running it over a carpet and across a bare floor.

Washable crayons and paper: Your child is becoming more interested in making her own mark — on floors, walls, furniture. Clear a space for her to work, give her a big sheet of paper (tape it to the table) and a couple of crayons (you don't want to overwhelm her), and she'll get the idea that art has its place. Hang up whatever she makes for you. (See our article on writing and your toddler.)

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Toys for 12-to 18 -month -olds

Your toddler is really taking off these days — and as you chase her little body down the street, you may miss the days before she learned to use her legs so well. "Active" is an apt way to describe her now, and she likes any toy or game that allows her to throw her whole self into it — balls, swings, and tiny climbing sets, to name a few.

Her hands are becoming more coordinated, too, and she can now use toy sorters more efficiently, build even greater block towers, and scribble a drawing. Her play involves lots of experimentation, like "What happens if I drop this ball?" or "What happens if pull this lever?" She's very interested in the consequences of her actions, and because her memory isn't well developed she won't tire of repetition. Toddlers also like to try out what they see adults doing, so look for toys that imitate daily life.

Large building bricks: These light cardboard bricks are big enough to stack up into a fort or wall, or any other way your toddler wants. But the most satisfying part of the process continues to be the finale — when the walls come tumbling down.

Push and pull toys: Heavily weighted push toys can give your beginner something to lean into as she motors around your home. Wagons can be ideal. Pull toys are for slightly advanced walkers who can look behind them as they move forward. Give them something to look at: Pull toys that flap, bobble, squeak, or in any other way make a scene are favorites. To find out more about walking and your toddler,

Sorting and nesting toys: Toddlers love to sort, stack, unsort, unstack, and basically reorganize their lives. Sorting and nesting toys are great fun for those who are trying out their early problem-solving skills.

Climbing gym: A tiny gym can give your toddler a safe place to climb, hide, slide, and practice all her emerging motor skills — over and over again. But these sets can also be pricey and are quickly outgrown.

Balls: Any ball that's easy to grasp will be a hit with this group — underinflated beach balls, vinyl balls, cloth balls. Stay away from foam balls that could end up as a mouthful. This is the age at which you can introduce your child to "catch." Start slowly — she'll begin to get the back-and-forth rhythm with some practice.

Washable crayons and paper: Let the scribbling begin! Hand your toddler no more than a couple of crayons at a time — you don't want to overwhelm her — and tape the paper to the floor so she can make her mark without dragging the paper along with her.

Ride-on vehicles: This mode of self-locomotion may be even more popular than walking. Many small ride-on toys have models with handles for an adult to push when the child gets tired. Avoid the electronic versions — they're expensive and take away from the fun of getting around under your own power.

Tool bench or toy kitchen: Junior fix-it kids or aspiring chefs will get hours of play out of plastic or wooden models scaled to their size. Sets like these give a child a chance to emulate the things he sees adults doing, and they'll continue to hold his interest for several months as his play gets more sophisticated.

Picture books: Your toddler will enjoy more advanced picture books showing familiar objects and activities. She may also start to take pride in her own library and the chance to pick out a favorite for you to read. For more ideas, see our recommended books for toddlers.

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Toys for 9-to 12 -month -olds

By the time babies are 9 or 10 months old, they're usually able make their way around the room in some fashion — creeping, crawling, or cruising (walking with the furniture's assistance). By 12 months, many babies have risen to their feet and can stand and even walk.

Your baby has started using objects as tools, pushing a ball with a stick or chasing the carrots around his plate with a spoon. He's also more interested in interactive games. Tickle him and let him tickle you back. Talk on the phone and then pass it off to him so he can babble, then hand it back to you for another round.

His problem-solving skills are improving and now he'll take the lid off a clear container to get the toy he sees inside rather than trying to reach through it. And he's beginning to understand words and recognize the names of familiar objects.

On all fours or on two feet, giddy with the freedom of movement and mobility, a baby at this age will want move, grab, and get to whatever used to be out of reach.

Push toys: Push toys give your toddler a chance to exercise his new walking skills. Choose a push toy, like a wagon, that is heavily weighted so your baby can lean into it, and take a lap or two around the living room. (Most babies this age are still too young for pull toys, which are better for slightly advanced walkers who can look behind them as they move forward.) Newfound mobility is a heady experience. But even after the novelty of walking wears off, your baby will enjoy pushing and pulling toys for months to come.

Shape sorters: Trying to figure out why the square block won't go through the round opening is a nice challenge for early problem-solvers. This is one of those toys that fascinate, and only occasionally frustrate, babies this age.

Balls: He's encountered them before, but balls get even more thrilling when you assume a standing position and can actually bounce them off the floor.

Toy telephone: Babies love to imitate their parents. Even if he can't say much yet, a baby will try to communicate by holding the receiver and pushing buttons. The more realistic the phone, the better.

Books: At this age, children are particularly intrigued by books with flaps that open, textures that can be rubbed, and bunnies that need patting. For more ideas, see our recommended books for babies.

Blocks: Blocks give him the chance to practice the art of stacking. He can probably stack three or four at this point, so the subsequent crash is gratifying.

Pail and shovel: These tools come in handy when your baby's all-time favorite activity is filling and dumping, filling and dumping. Take these along to the sandbox, or out to the park and your baby will stay contented and busy for some time.

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Toys for 6-to 9-month -olds

Your baby's play is becoming much more vigorous. When she picks up a spoon now she bangs it against pots and pans, and she furiously rattles the bunch of keys she finds. She can now grab two toys at once and slam them together. But her movements are also becoming more precise; thanks to her growing dexterity, she can pick a raisin off the floor.

She is becoming aware that objects still exist even when she can no longer see or feel them. This means she'll miss a favorite stuffed animal if she can't see it, and try to search for it. It also means you can begin playing hide-and-seek games with objects. Hide her teddy bear while she's looking, and she'll find it right away — and be very proud she did.

This is the age at which most babies go mobile. From sitting, it's a short developmental step to scooting around on her stomach, to rocking back and forth on her hands and knees, and then to crawling. By the time she's 8 months old she may be pulling herself up to a standing position and climbing your stairs. The following toys can help her explore her quickly developing senses.

Busy board: Many babies adore these activity boards that can be attached to a crib rail. They come with parts that move and spin, giving your baby a place to practice coordinating her hands with sensory experiences. She's also getting the idea that you can make things happen to objects — so poking, twisting, squeezing, shaking, dropping, and opening things will fascinate her.

Soft dolls or stuffed animals: Babies this age often develop an attachment to a "lovey," or favorite toy or blanket. And pediatricians encourage this connection, saying a familiar object can ease transitions later on. Still, some dolls and stuffed animals make more suitable loveys than others. Avoid ones with ribbons, plastic eyes, yarn, or anything that can be pulled off and put into your child's mouth. And don't get dolls so big they're hard for your baby to pick up and explore.

Balls: Balls are fun for just about any age. Lightweight fabric balls suit this particular crowd well. Roll one back and forth between the two of you on the floor, or when she's older, toss it across the room so can can crawl after it.

Household items: Look no farther than your kitchen cabinet for some of your baby's favorite items. A plastic bowl, some measuring cups, and wooden spoons will entertain your baby for a long time. Open the cupboard while you're preparing a meal and your baby will pull out a few utensils of her own and whip up something alongside you.

Wood or soft blocks: Show your baby how to stack a few blocks, and then knock them down. Pile them into containers for her — and dump them out. She'll get the idea. Stacking blocks and filling and dumping games are wildly popular in this age group.

Moving toys: As your baby begins to crawl and move around, she'll be more interested in toys that do the same. Find some sturdy cars she can push around the rug. Or toys that pop up when your baby pushes just the right spot.

Books: This is the age at which reading becomes more interactive and fun for both of you. (Find out more about reading to your child.) Cloth or board books work well now. After you read the book, you can pass it to her so she can take a turn flipping the pages and "reading" to you. For more ideas, see our recommended books for babies.

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Toys for 3-to 6-month -olds

As he enters this stage, a baby discovers how much fun his own hands can be now that they're no longer clenched in a fist. He can suck his fingers, and use them to grasp a toy that has been placed in his hands. He has begun to reach for toys. He soon learns to pass a toy back and forth between his hands and rotate his wrist to inspect it from all sides, usually before popping it into his mouth.

Make sure that all toys are safe for chewing — check labels! And never attach a toy to a crib or playpen with elastic, which could end up strangling or entrapping your baby. By 6 months your baby can probably sit up, giving him a new perspective on life and making him the center of his own clanging, colorful, ever-changing world. .)—>

Activity center: This is basically a rack that comes with dangling toys and / or from which you can hang toys of your own choosing. It's only for a baby who is still horizontal, but it can make life more interesting while he is. Your baby can bat at the toys, pull them, spin them, and rattle them. He'll probably begin to lose interest in his activity center once he reaches 5 months or so and can push up on his hands and knees.

Lightweight rattles: Babies love making noise. Give him a rattle and watch him shake it up. Put on music with a strong beat so he can accompany it — babies this age generally love music and are just learning to appreciate rhythm. Some rattles are clear, letting your baby in on what's making all that cool noise.

Activity bars: These are bars hung with dangling, squeaky, tuggable plastic toys that fit across an infant seat, car seat, or stroller. This means that on long car trips or stroller rides, your baby can divert himself by exploring all the interesting noisy, grippable objects in front of him.

Soft stuffed animals: This is the age at which many children begin forming an attachment to a plush animal. Key criteria include soft and cuddly. You don't want anything with wire ears or tail that could poke through the fabric and hurt your child. You do want dolls and animals with stitched-on features. Soft toys with plastic eyes and mouth are potential choking hazards. Also off-limits are features such as bells, buttons, ribbons, and yarn that your baby can yank off and stuff into his mouth.

Squeaky rubber toys: Anything a baby can grip and squeak is usually popular with this age group. These toys are perfect for the tub. Expect to hear these squeaks — and your baby's happy squeals — often.

Board books: Reading to a child at any age will pay off. (For more, take our reading quiz.) And board books can withstand mouthing, drooling, and most other forms of baby love. Listening to your voice helps your baby develop an ear for the cadence of language. And varying the pitch of your voice using accents, singing, and vocalizing will make reading together much more interesting to your child. For our list of recommended books for babies this age, click here.

Colorful teething rings: There's nothing like gnawing on a soft plastic ring when your gums are sore. Store teethers in the refrigerator to provide cold relief when your baby needs it. Avoid putting them in the freezer. Neither the teether nor your baby's mouth is designed to withstand freezing temperatures.

Activity quilts and playmats: These quilts can smooth a journey with your baby, whether you're going across the street or across the country. Spread one on the floor and your baby has a clean, familiar surface to play on wherever you go. Hooks sewn along the side mean you can attach his favorite toys and bring them, too.

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Toys For Newborns

In her first months, before she learns to grasp objects or sit up, your baby will most appreciate things she can look at and listen to. Her vision will be fuzzy at first and she'll fix on things that are about eight to 14 inches from her eyes. She's drawn to the human face — and can recognize yours at about 1 month — but she will also enjoy large pictures of faces.

High-contrast patterns and bright colors captivate her because they're the easiest for her to see. She's already learned to appreciate sounds and soft music. (Find out the lyrics to all your favorite lullabies.) Objects that move slowly and produce a gentle sound are far more interesting to her than those that are fixed and silent.

Hand-held toys: Her nearsightedness makes her appreciate anything you can move into her line of sight. She won't be able to hold toys for a while, but she'll demonstrate her preferences by batting at the ones she likes.

Tape player or music box: Music is one of the best ways to entertain and soothe your infant. Play a variety of music — nothing too raucous — and see how she responds. For more ideas, see our musical recommendations for this age group.

Mobile: A mobile can add a new dimension to a baby's horizontal view of life. Look for ones with high-contrast colors and patterns. Many babies are particularly fond of mobiles that play music. Attach the mobile to the crib rail. Infants this age look to the right 80 percent of the time, so a toy hung overhead or on the left will be of limited value now. For safety's sake, keep the mobile out of your baby's reach.

Unbreakable mirror: Although they won't realize it's themselves they're seeing at this stage, babies find their own reflection fascinating. And by 3 months old, yours may have struck up a relationship with hers, and begun smiling at it. Look for a mirror you can fasten to the side of the crib or hang near a changing table.

Soft books with high-contrast patterns: Soft books with easy-to-see patterns or decorations are designed just for babies. Lie down next to her so she can watch you turn the pages as you read aloud to her — even at this age it pays off. For more ideas, see our recommended books for newborns.

Sensory toys: A soft toy that trills or tweets when pressed will please a baby for months to come. The accidental squeaks will also help her become aware of what her hand is doing.

Sock and wrist rattles: Attach a soft rattle to your baby's wrist or ankle, or warm her feet with socks that have built-in rattles to provide long moments of entertainment as she experiments with new sounds she can make herself.

Wind chimes: Babies love soft music, so hang a set of these in a place where she can watch it move and listen to the sound. If the chime is over her crib, your baby may fall into the habit of watching it for a few minutes before drifting to sleep. Hold her up once in a while so she can sound the chimes herself, too.

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