You need to be careful while introducing toys to newborns. Look for an appropriate time when kids are ready for play. Look for signs like interest in visually stimulating things or the urge to play with other children. Also, only introduce toys to kids when they can control their head movements and sit on their own to reduce the chances of injury. Never leave them unattended while they play.

 

Introducing Toys to Newborns

Always ensure safety and look for age-appropriate toys that children can easily play with. Ensure the toy doesn’t contain small pieces that can lead to a potential choking hazard. Additionally, the toy should come with developmental qualities to help nurture the growth and development of children. Picking the perfect toy that is both exciting and safe is not an easy job. To help you, we mention a few types of toys you can look for to engage your toddlers in a meaningful activity.

 

How Many Toys Should a Baby Have?

There is no specific number of toys that a child can have. Always prioritise quality over quantity in toys. The toys you choose for your little ones must be rich in benefits and intriguing enough to captivate their attention. Look for baby toys that:

• Nurture sensory play

• Foster hand and arm strength

• Boost fine motor skills

• Stimulates emotional growth

 

Practice toy rotation to avoid monotonous play sessions, and this also helps you discover your child’s interests. As they engage with a variety of toys, you will be able to see which are the ones they keep going back to. Also, toy rotation helps you to add variety and fun to your child’s play sessions. For children aged 3 to 12 months, practice toy rotation daily or every alternate day, as their attention span is shorter as compared to children older than one year, and hence they tend to feel bored quickly. So, make their play sessions exciting and enjoyable with toy rotation. 

 

Toys for 0 to 6 Months

At such a tender age, you have to be extra careful with what your child plays with. Toys for newborns should be soft and hygienic for their sensitive skins, and make sure they always play under your supervision. Some of the kids' toys for 0 to 6 months old are like:

 

Soft toys: From teddy bears to classic plush toys, soft toys are loved by children of all ages. Look for child-safe fabric and other safety standards before picking a soft toy for kids. Soft toys like our Hazel the Hedgehog or the Pink Pupster are just perfect to delight your tots. Soft toys nurture emotional growth and promote social skills in toddlers as well.

 

Activity Mats for Newborns: Activity Mats include a base material made with soft and child-friendly fabric and some activity toys, like sensory toys or musical toys, attached to the ceiling of the activity mats. Children can be placed on the mats either in a sitting or lying position, as the age permits, and children can play with the hanging toys easily. This is a fun way to keep them occupied for hours in a safe environment while they play.

 

Soft Cloth Books for Children: You can find a variety of picture books made from soft cloth for children to engage in light-hearted activities while experiencing sensory play. Soft cloth books are available in a variety of themes like alphabets, numbers, and farm elements, among others. These are available in both coloured versions and black-and-white themes. 

 

Toys for 7 to 12 Months

At 7 to 12 months, children can be introduced to more activity-based toys like baby walkers and activity board for kids. Explore these options below.

 

1. Activity Walkers: Generally, baby walkers are given to children at 12 months of age. They develop basic stability by the time they reach 12 months and are ready to take their first steps, and a wooden baby walker is ideal at this age. Activity walkers often come with attached activities like musical toys or sorting blocks for little explorers. This keeps children engaged for hours as they practice walking.

 

2. Activity Cubes for Kids: Activity cubes are a colourful sorting activity for children to practice hand-eye coordination and sensory skills. Shape-sorting activities like matching the shape to its corresponding slot are a good mind activity for children. This is both entertaining and insightful.

 

3. Musical Toys: Kids love musical sounds, and if they have the control to create one, they would not want to miss it. So, ignite the creativity within your child with musical toys for kids. With xylophones, a flute and a guitar, let them become the next George Michael.

 

We hope that the guide above gave you some worthy suggestions that you wanted and will help you pick the perfect toy for your toddler. Explore our collection of toys at Barnshenn for newborns and toddlers. If it’s still not enough, you can hop on to our social media handles like TikTok, Pinterest, and Instagram for more gift inspiration for toddlers. See you in the next blog.