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Seems like every time the holidays roll around, I happen to have a baby. And if you’re anything like me, you make sure the baby has something useful to open during the holidays also. Babies and toddlers are at a stage where play is not only about fun but also plays a crucial role in their development. Toys designed for this age group help foster important skills like fine motor development, sensory exploration, creativity, and cognitive growth. When selecting toys for babies and toddlers, it’s important to prioritize safety, durability, and toys that encourage active learning. I’ve dug deep and composed a list of items that will be a hit past the holidays!
Top 10 Holiday Toys for Babies and Toddlers:
Why it’s great: Magnetic tiles are a fantastic way to introduce toddlers to the basics of geometry, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving. These brightly colored, transparent tiles stick together with embedded magnets, allowing children to build towers, shapes, and other structures. The open-ended nature of these tiles sparks creativity and can grow with the child, providing fun for years.
I usually started my toddlers with themed tiles that way it wasn’t so overwhelming and as other holidays come along, I get to expand and add more. My kids have a big bin of tiles now. If you want to get fancy, You can get the bin that converts into a playmat to go with the tiles HERE.Â
Developmental benefits: Enhances fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and STEM learning.
- Why it’s great: A pretend kitchen set is a beloved classic toy for toddlers. With toy stoves, ovens, and accessories like pots, pans, and utensils, children can mimic adult behavior in a fun and safe environment. This fosters creativity and imaginative play while teaching basic life skills like cooking and cleaning. Not to mention it keeps your little one busy while you cook. But be prepared to have a lot of pretend meals!
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- Developmental benefits: Encourages role play, social-emotional development, and language skills.
- Why it’s great: Babies going through teething need safe and soothing options to ease their discomfort. Food-grade silicone teething toys are not only soft and safe to chew on, but they often come in fun shapes and bright colors that engage a baby’s visual and tactile senses. These toys also stimulate oral development as babies explore textures with their mouths.
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- Developmental benefits: Soothes teething pain, enhances sensory exploration, and promotes oral motor development.
#7 Tablet
- Why it’s great: Some Tablets designed specifically for babies and toddlers come equipped with large, easy-to-press buttons, bright colors, and a variety of games that introduce children to numbers, letters, shapes, and more. Many of these tablets also play songs and sounds that stimulate auditory learning. I like the Amazon Fire Kids tablet for my toddlers. I especially love the Amazon Kids app. There’s a whirlwind of apps for developmental ages. if you want more info on WHY TV IS GREAT FOR YOUR BABY, then you should read this article.
- Developmental benefits: Teaches basic early learning concepts like alphabet recognition, counting, and color identification.
#6 Stacking Rings And Blocks Set
- Why it’s great: This classic toy encourages babies and toddlers to stack, balance, and fit pieces together. The process of stacking rings and blocks helps develop problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. Look for versions made from eco-friendly materials like wood or silicone.
- Developmental benefits: Improves fine motor skills and spatial awareness, and enhances problem-solving abilities.
Why it’s great: Toddlers who are learning to walk love toys they can push or pull around the house. A cart, often filled with building blocks or other fun items, helps develop balance and coordination. The sturdy design gives little ones the confidence to take their first steps while encouraging exploration and independence. If your kids are like mine and if you’re like me and live in Target, then your kiddos will love to push and pull this shopping cart around the house!Â
Developmental benefits: Supports gross motor skills, balance, and physical activity.
- Why it’s great: Instruments like tambourines, maracas, and xylophones provide a fun and active way for toddlers to make noise while learning about rhythm, cause and effect, and auditory exploration. Musical play also helps children express themselves while developing their sense of rhythm.
- Developmental benefits: Improves sensory development, coordination, and early musical appreciation.
- Why it’s great: Shape sorters are a favorite among toddlers as they allow them to match different shapes to the corresponding holes. This activity not only enhances problem-solving skills but also introduces early geometry concepts in a hands-on way. Shape-sorting cubes often come with vibrant colors that attract toddlers and stimulate their cognitive development.
- Developmental benefits: Encourages shape recognition, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.
- Why it’s great: Soft, interactive books with sensory elements like crinkling sounds, mirrors, and textured fabrics are perfect for babies and young toddlers. These books can be chewed on and played with, providing a tactile and auditory learning experience while fostering a love for reading.
- Developmental benefits: Boosts sensory exploration, early literacy, and fine motor skills.
- Why it’s great: Whether it’s a small car, a tricycle, or an animal-themed ride-on toy, toddlers love moving around on their own. Ride-on toys help build strength in their legs, improve balance, and encourage physical activity. Many ride-on toys also have storage spaces under the seat for extra fun during play. My sister actually brought my oldest daughter first ride on car, and my other kiddos has been handing it down.
- Developmental benefits: Supports gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and physical activity.
These top holiday toys for babies and toddlers are sure to bring joy to little ones while promoting important developmental milestones. Whether you’re gifting something educational, soothing, or just plain fun, these choices are sure to create lasting memories for both parents and children alike. with the holidays right around the corner, I hope you take advantage of the list and the perks that come with it!Â
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