If you want ideas for toys that will support your child’s sensory and motor development and like to be intentional with your purchases, this guide is for you.
By and large I am ever striving for a minimalist lifestyle. I have anxiety and lots of extra stuff makes that worse. However, I also am a sucker for a great toy that I think will get a lot of mileage and/or uniquely suites a child’s needs or interests.
Overall, I stay far away from toys with lights and music because I truly believe kids need opportunities to create their own magic in play. (I have exceptions. Such as for kids with significant motor delays I think technology, lights and music [barring those susceptible to seizures!] give kids lots of bang for their buck when they have to work so hard to get their bodies moving!
Benefits to Being Intentional with Toys
Play is slowly making a comeback, and everyone will benefit from that! In play, children develop….
- Attention skills
- Self regulation and emotional regulation
- Executive functioning
- Language
- Relationships
- Imagination
- Problem solving
You get it. Play is awesome. But being intentional about which toys you select helps you set the stage to promote your child’s sensory and motor development and lots of fun without tons of unused things gathering dust.
Below you’ll find my recommendations by age. For ease I created separate links for 0-12 months, 12 months through 2 years, 2-4 years old and 5-8 year olds. Click on the image for the list you want to be brought to that post. When possible, I included links for items that I recommended that I found on Etsy, in an effort to support small businesses. I cannot attest to the experience you’ll have with sellers or stores. I’m just showing you what toys I think will be awesome for your kids! There are also affiliate links from which I will receive a portion of sales.
