The topic of shopping for toys came up recently in my household when I was searching for a suitable gift for my niece. I wanted it to be relevant for her age and be something that she would enjoy playing with, whilst also providing a learning opportunity and promoting imaginative play.
I browsed the options available and began to learn more about what types of toys are right for each stage of a child’s development. According to research from Petite Amélie, the experts in creating magical childhood bedrooms, there are toys you can choose for every phase:
0-6 Months
Sensory play and comfort are key at this age. Lightweight rattles and crinkly toys will provide soothing sounds to delight their senses, while plush baby-friendly fabrics provide tactile comfort. Fabric books provide the best of both, with softness, textures, patterns and scrunchy sounds.
Newborn-friendly teddies and little animal comforter blankets are a cute gifting option too, and they may end up being a favourite toy throughout the child’s life. I made bears for my niece and nephew when they were born and, although they weren’t suitable for playing with at that age, the children still have them and I’ve recently completed a bear repair to keep them going for many years to come.
6-12 Months
Babies start to be able to grasp items, so they can be gifted items like stacking rings and shape sorters. Choose children’s wooden toys made from sustainable materials with smooth, non-toxic finishes and no sharp edges to make them suitable for little ones to handle.
Playmats and play gyms are also handy for tummy time at this age and are often full of colour and pattern that attract the baby and keep them engaged. Plus, teething toys with different textures are very handy to help soothe little ones during this phase.
12-18 Months
They’ll start to take their first steps during this time, so you can support this activity with a baby walker. If you choose one with interactive details like cogs and an abacus, it’ll double up as an engaging activity centre that improves their motor skills, too.
Developmental toys are handy to help them learn new things while they play, such as simple puzzles, stacking cups and building blocks. Plus, musical instruments are very captivating to young ears and they’ll love being able to make sounds and may encourage them to begin using their voice to join in with the music.
2-5 Years
Imaginative play is at its best during these years, when toddlers can be encouraged to create stories and interact with others during playtime. In order to encourage this, choose toys with characters, such as doll houses, or that involve a profession, like a garage or fire station.
Larger toys like play kitchens, tents and teepees make great gifts for birthdays and special occasions, as they encourage little ones can act out scenes and problem-solve while they role-play. Plus, they’re more physical now, so they can be gifted trikes, bikes and ride-on cars. They’ll have been walking for a while, so they will be able to balance on vehicles and enjoy the ride.
5-10 Years
Things don’t change too much during these years – you can still choose gift sets with characters and role-play toys. Also, bear in mind that they’ll have much better motor skills, so they will enjoy more intricate toys like building basic kits with Lego or getting creative with an art or craft set.
But they’ll still be into cute things, too, like those big squishy toys that are in all the shops. You can give the gift a more grown-up twist by incorporating a second use, such as the Warmies honey bee, which is not only super soft, cute and cuddly but is also weighted for comfort and can be heated up to provide warmth in the winter or chilled in the freezer to provide cooling relief.
10-13 Years
This is the age group of my eldest niece and nephew, so that’s almost as far as my experience of selecting toys goes, other than knowing what I would personally like to receive as a big kid myself! While transitioning from primary school to high school, I’d choose toys with an educational aspect, such as science experiment kits or bigger build Meccano sets.
They’re also likely to be getting interested in tech at this age. So now’s the time to treat them to a fun kids’ camera, like a mini one that they can take digital photos with or one that instantly prints the pics. Or they might ask for a tablet to ‘help’ them with their schoolwork, so a basic one might be an option at this age. Plus, they love to stamp their personality on their bedroom, so wall art, fairy lights or a poster is a great choice.
13+ Years
I think it’s best to let children choose their own toys at this age! Who knows what teenagers are into these days? I like to take my niece and nephew out to the toy shop on their birthday, where they can select any item they like (within a budget!) and then we go out for lunch or I take them to an activity or theatre show.
This not only means they get the toy they really want – probably something to add to the collection they proudly display in their teenage bedroom, like a Funko Pop, a superhero character or a Disney-themed Cable Guys holder that stores their gaming controller or phone – but you’ll also get to spend some time with them during your day out, which is so special.
While it can be tricky to know what a child or teen would want to receive for their birthday, I’m sure they’ll love any toy you get them and, if you’re happy with your choice, that already makes it the perfect present for them! Let me know if you have any suggestions for the best type of toys and gifts to buy for children at each stage of their development, I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below. 🙂
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