My Favorite Things: Toy edition
As a toy enthusiast, mom of 2 boys, and SLP, I have WAY too many toys. We’re drowning over here! If I listed all of my favorites, well, you would be reading for hours.
I love toys that can grow with children- toys that can be relevant for a 1 year old and 5 year old. And these 8 toys have stood the test of time...with my clients AND my kids.
Before I dive into this list, remember- this is not all inclusive! You do not HAVE to buy these specific toys- just keep their qualities in mind when playing with and shopping for your child.
And on that note- please know that it IS 100% possible to play with your child without toys. If your child doesn’t play with toys, check out my previous blog post, “When Play Is Hard,” for some guidance (and reassurance).
TOMY Toomies Hide & Squeak Eggs
We LOVE these eggs. There are so many things you can do with them. Dump them. Open and close them. Make the squeaking sound! Match the colors. Match the shapes. Imitate faces. Talk about emotions! Crack and cook. Pretend they’re hatching. Give them kisses. When the container is closed, kids can ask for help. Always a favorite.
Old-Fashioned Latex Balloons
Never underestimate the power of a 25 cent toy- you can win almost any kid over with a balloon. Blow it up and let it “go!” Encourage asking for help. Make choices- which colors? Blow it up, tie it, pass it back and forth. Keep it in the air with different body parts. Put rice inside and shake it like a rattle. Hours of entertainment here.
Wonder Wheels Dump Truck by Battat
This one....or really any dump truck. This toy is a classic and allows for a lot of expansion and creativity. Push it back and forth. Roll it on their belly, legs, arms. Fill it with blocks and dump them out. Crash a tower. Carry animals to the farm. Build a construction site! Our dump truck is still alive and thriving after 5 years of intense use.
Melissa & Doug Wooden ABC/123 Blocks
Blocks are so versatile- and we have many, many different types of blocks. Stack them, crash them, put them in a container. Build a castle. Make funny words, create patterns. Make “alphabet soup” in a bowl. Line them up to make a “road” for cars. Really I could make an infinite list here, but you get the point.
Expandable Balls
My son screamed for this toy in the zoo gift shop for 30 minutes and I finally gave in and bought it...but I’m so glad I did. 3 years later and he STILL loves it. You can make it big and little. Put small toys inside to “hide.” Play peek-a-boo. Toss it back and forth. Use it as a bowling ball. Fun!
Play22 Wooden Car Ramp
There are thousands of car ramps out there. I picked this one because it’s simple, sturdy, and relatively space-saving. The obvious: put the cars down the ramp and watch them go. This is so exciting for little ones. Pick which color you want, pick 1 or 2 to send down. Put balls down the ramp. Drive the cars to get gas after they go. “Fix” the wheels with tools. Stack the cars up. Park them in a garage. Lots of opportunities for expansion.
Jar Melo Stacking Cubes with Animals
How cute is this toy!? I love the versatility, and so do my kids. You can play with the blocks, the animals, or both together- like a 3 in 1! Stack the blocks, nest them, crash them. Put all the animals in a block and dump them out. Sing Old McDonald with the animals. Put the animals in their houses. Pour animals from one block to another. My 2 and 4 year olds play so nicely with this toy (even together!)
Research has shown that when it comes to toys, less is more. So having toys that function in many different ways can be very beneficial, and cost-effective.
You’ve probably noticed that my list does not include toys with batteries, lights, or music- this is purposeful. These toys allow for deeper moments of social engagement- imitation, shared smiles, spoken language, increased attention, and more. That is not to say that battery-operated toys are not useful- these can be great for children who are just learning to play with toys or interacting with objects.
Until then- have fun with your kiddos!
“Children learn as they play. More importantly, in play, children learn how to learn.” - O. Fred