Playing Santa is never easy. The holiday season is right around the corner, and parents, caregivers, and family members are scrambling to select the perfect toys for the children in their lives. If you’re curious about how you can introduce fun and learning to your favorite little ones, use our age-appropriate gift guide below.
Gifting an age-appropriate toy not only ensures that the item is safe for play but also facilitates learning, development, independence, creativity, problem-solving, and so much more!
Toys for Babies (0 to 12 months)
In some ways, this is the most difficult group to purchase gifts for. Babies, especially newborns below 3 months, aren’t able to do much. They can observe their surroundings to some extent, but even then, their vision is blurry.
The best types of toys you can purchase baby below 12 months are something that stimulates their senses and promotes interaction. Once you’ve picked out a toy, ask yourself, the following questions:
- Does it make noise? Does it crinkle or squeak?
- Does it have a nubby texture? Will it feel soft or cuddly?
- Is it safe for baby to put in their mouth? Will it help relieve teething pain?
- Does it have bright colors or bold patterns that they will be able to recognize through blurred vision?
This is not an exhaustive list of questions, but they can help guide you as you consider the best options.
Here are a handful of ideas that you may consider if you’re feeling stumped:
1. Mobiles
Look for a high-contrast baby mobile that you can move from the crib to the car seat to the pack-n-play and more! Here is one option you might consider.
2.Rattles
Baby rattles are a classic development toy. These Fisher-Price rattles are brightly colored, soft, and make subtle noise that will engage baby.
3. Floor gyms
For the first 9 months of their lives, babies use floor gyms when they play on the floor. They can lay on their backs and observe the colorful toys hanging above them. Once they crawl, they won’t lay beneath the arch anymore, but they may still crawl to and pull up to the gym to play with the toys. Here are a couple of different options you can consider. The most important factor is the bright, contrasting colors.
4.Unbreakable mirrors
Get the baby in your life an unbreakable mirror for tummy time! Tummy time is essential for healthy muscle development. During supervised tummy time, they strengthen their neck, shoulder, and arm muscles, so they can eventually sit, crawl, and walk independently.
However, this is hard work, and many babies will let you know their displeasure through fussing. You can help to mitigate their unhappiness by encouraging them to keep their heads up and look around.
How do you do that? With sensory toys and objects like mirrors! Check this tummy time mirror out.
Toys for Toddlers (1 to 3 years)
Enter the toddler years! You’re now shopping for a little one on the go. But here’s the thing — there’s a big difference in age-appropriate toys for a 1-year-old versus those for a 3-year-old.
For instance, 1-year-olds are too young to learn their ABCs or possess the fine motor skills they need to build with blocks or complete a puzzle. So, here are some ideas for each of the 1-year-olds as well as the 2-to-3-year-olds who are a little bit more aligned in terms of abilities and interests.
Here are some ideas for 1-year-olds:
- Stacking rings
Again, go colorful! Here is a set of stacking rings that you might consider.
- Nesting cups or boxes
This is a simple set of nesting cups that will keep your 1-year-old occupied now, and they can continue to use well into their toddler years.
- Push or pull toys
These are popular options if you want to encourage walking or if you have a super mobile little one! Check out the Vtech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker or the Vtech Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer for just a couple of push and pull options.
- Shape sorters
A classic shape-sorting toy never goes out of style. Consider this Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube for your little one.
- Play vehicles
At this age, toddlers will be on the floor frequently and love pushing vehicles around. Consider this friction-powered construction vehicle set.
Many classic toys will bode well with this age! Don’t overthink your gift.
Here’s what you should think about for 2-to-3-year-olds:
- Dolls and stuffed animals
Dolls and stuffed animals are developmental toys regardless of the child’s gender! They’re a great tool to develop social skills, communication, and gentleness.
- Ride-on-toys, tricycles, or balance bikes
As a child’s gross motor skills continue to develop, they’ll be able to ride on toys, tricycles, and balance bikes. Balance bikes, in particular, are becoming increasingly more popular. Here is an example of a balance bike that has no pedals. Kids just sit and push to go.
- Toddler puzzles
Gift some toddler puzzles that they can use for cognition skill learning. Here is one example of a cute and colorful option perfect for preschoolers.
- Props for make-believe play
You have lots of options here, including:
- Dress-up costumes
- Toy telephones
- Tea-party sets
- Play kitchens
- Doll strollers
Kids at this age (regardless of their gender) will play with a variety of toys. It is perfectly appropriate to gift a baby doll to a little boy or a fireman suit to a little girl.
Toys for Children (4 to 8 years)
Once again, there’s a big divide between age-appropriate toys for 4-year-olds and those for 8-year-olds. We’ll break our suggestions down by years.
4-to-5-year-olds
- Art supplies and crafts
- Construction sets such as Magna-Tiles and Legos
- Sports equipment such as soccer balls and basketballs
- Bicycles with training wheels
- Barbies, dolls, or action figures (depending on interest)
6-to-7-year-olds
- Remote-control cars
- Strategy games such as chess, checkers, or Jenga
- Magnets, magnifying glasses, or telescopes
- Basic science kits
8 Years and Up
Once a child gets to 8, they begin to develop more adult-like hobbies as well as their own interests. Have a conversation with them and see what they’re passionate about. If you’re an extended relative or family friend, ask Mom or Dad what they’ve been interested in lately.
Chances are, they have a specific interest that you can help encourage with your gift. You can also consider buying them an experience. For instance, if you’re told they’ve been interested in reptiles lately, you can gift this National Geographic Light Up Terrarium Kit that is perfect for a reptile lover. Or you can purchase tickets to your local zoo or reptile house.
When it comes to keeping it age-appropriate, check the packaging to see what the toy recommends, and always check with the child’s parents to see if they feel it would be suitable for their child.
Final Thoughts
Are you ushering in the holiday season and feeling a bit under the weather? Do you want to have a reliable pediatrician on your healthcare team? Jacksonville Pediatric Care Centers provide care. Dr. Benitez and his team of Jacksonville pediatricians work around the clock to provide exceptional pediatric care.
