Kids Toys - Which Toy for What Age?

Toys are a great way to support play for young children; an essential part of their development. Choosing appropriate toys for children can be complex but it's an important responsibility so the team at Auckland's Learning Tree Childcare have put together some tips.

Babies

Good toys for babies are ones that engage with their senses. Every new shape, colour, texture, taste and sound is a learning experience. They enjoy brightly coloured mobiles, squeaky animals, shaking rattles, or wind up musical toys.

Toddlers

Toddlers can play with a wider variety of toys. They also need objects such as blocks, large balls, and push-pull toys to help them build motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Shape sorters are great for toddlers’ cognitive development and it's always good time to share a book.

Pre Schoolers

Preschool and school-aged kids are learning to use their imaginations and developing social skills. Good toy ideas include clothing for dress-ups, musical toys, and sports toys they can use to play with others, outside. Preschool age is a good time to start learning about letters, numbers and language. You'll find a wide range of puzzles and games that will help make this type of learning fun.