Best Toys For Infants

Best Developmental Toys for Infants from 0-12 Months

As your infant grows, they’ll be working on developing plenty of new skills that you can support them in, including:

Language

You baby will continue to show more and more interest in your daily life. You can encourage this interest by telling them what you are doing and why. You can also have “conversations” with them by repeating the sounds they make.

Movement

Allow lots of time for free movement at this age. Whenever possible, lie them on a mat on the ground, giving them room to stretch, grab their feet, and attempt to roll. Lying next to a mirror is a favourite too. You can also hang items one at a time from a play gym for them bat at and kick with their feet.

Hand-eye coordination

Around 3 months, a baby can grasp onto an object that fits into their palms. They will bring it to their mouth to explore. They are strengthening their grasp and learning to manipulate objects with their hands.

Toys and Other Materials You Can Provide

At this age, simplicity is key. Everything is still so new and can be easily overwhelming for an infant. Choose simple materials and only offer 1-3 items out at a time.

The repetition of playing with the same items will not only provide comfort in consistency and order but it will help cement neural connections that are just forming at this age.

Books - simple books, specifically those that rhyme or have limited words are perfect for this age
Toys made from wood and other natural materials. These materials provide a much more rich sensory experience for infants and they tend to avoid the overly busy colours and noises of plastic toys that could overwhelm your little one.

A rattle or maracas are great for teaching infants about cause and effect. I shake and there's a sound.
Simple fine motor toys that help strengthen the fingers, hands, and wrist, like the stacker or fine motor set, are wonderful tools for infants.