Babies are innately inquisitive and energetic, with a profound desire to explore the world around them. Promoting their active deployment during play not only assists them in acquiring essential motor skills, but also facilitates their overall physical, cognitive and emotional development. The right kind of toys can really change how an active and fit baby can be. Here, we’ve compiled the best toys that are specifically designed to keep your little one moving, busy and on track with healthy development.
Active Play: Why it’s Important for Your Baby
Play is essential for baby’s development. Not only does it build strong muscles and improve coordination, but it provides a foundation of healthy habits that last a lifetime. Play also fosters problem-solving, social skills, and sensory development. The appropriate toys allow you to foster mobility and exploration in your environment, while providing entertainment for the baby.
Activity Gyms and Play Mats
Why They’re Great:
Activity gyms and play mats are ideal for tummy time, which strengthens the neck and core. These mats typically feature hanging toys, mirrors and textured surfaces that promote sensory exploration.
Recommended Options:
Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym This baby gym features a kick-activated piano and hanging toys that’ll help encourage reaching and grasping.
Lovevery Play Gym: Tailored by early child development experts, it provides age-specific activities to bring about learning and growth.
Pro Tip:
Search for mats with washable surfaces and adjustable arches to keep them clean and versatile as your baby develops.
Push and Pull Toys
Why They’re Great:
Push and pull toys promote crawling, standing, and walking, which will help a baby strengthen their gross motor skills. They give a sense of achievement when babies move them around.
Recommended Options:
VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker: A heavy-duty walker equipped with interactive learning panels.
Hape Wonder Walker: A stylish contemporary wooden walker with interactive parts and storage.
Pro Tip:
Look for a stable base and adjustable resistance in the toy for safety as your baby learns how to walk.
Balance and Ride-On Toys
Why They’re Great:
Balance and ride-on toys help develop coordination, balance and leg strength. They are an ideal option for babies who are transitioning into toddlers.
Recommended Options:
So radio flyer scoot about sports a go-the-only resilient ride-on toys.
Skip Hop Zoo 3-in-1 Ride-On Toy: A walker, ride-on and scooter all in one as your child grows.
Pro Tip:
Look for non-slip wheels, height-adjustability and other such features that enhance safety and longevity of your toy.
Sensory Balls and Blocks
Why They’re Great:
Sensory toys, such as blocks and balls, help with fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and tactile exploration. They also foster crawling and grasping motions.
Recommended Options:
Infantino Textured Multi Ball Set: Soft, textured balls that will be easy to grasp and squeeze.
Mega Bloks First Builders Bag: Big, colorful blocks that are great for stacking and knocking down.
Pro Tip:
Select BPA-free and non toxic options for your baby to safely play with.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS FOR BABIES
Why They’re Great:
Musical instruments for babies promote listening skills and invite them to move to the beat. Interactive play is best suited to shakers, drums, and xylophones.
Recommended Options:
Baby Einstein Magic Touch Piano: A wooden piano featuring touch-sensitive keys and pre-recorded songs.
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Band Set: Safe, colorful instruments, including maracas and tambourines.
Pro Tip:
Group Play: Introduce musical toys during group play to promote social interaction and cooperative learning.
Stacking and Sorting Toys
Why They’re Great:
Meanwhile, stacking and sorting toys can develop everything from problem solving to hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills in young babies. They also introduce simple shapes and colors.
Recommended Options:
Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack: Classic stacking toy featuring colorful rings.
SpinAgain by Fat Brain Toys: A different kind of stacking toy, one that spins as pieces slide onto a pole.
Pro Tip:
Encourage your baby to stack in different orders to help their creativity and cognitive development.
Soft play sets and climbing toys
Why They’re Great:
Soft play sets and climbing toys are important for babies, allowing them to crawl, climb, and figure it all out in a safe environment. They’re great for building strength and coordination.
Recommended Options:
ECR4Kids SoftZone Climb and Crawl Activity Play Set: Covered in soft, sturdy foam, this set is design for active play.
Little Tikes Climb ‘n Slide 2-in-1: Perfect for climbing and sliding.
Pro Tip:
Make sure to supervise your baby when they are climbing and place the play area on soft ground to avoid injury.
Educational Toys that Encourage Interaction
Why They’re Great:
Interactive toys that light up, make sounds or have buttons to push engage a baby’s senses and encourage cause-and-effect learning.
Recommended Options:
LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table: Interactive music and lights.
A great number of activity modes ensure fun and learning for your baby.
Pro Tip:
Change out toys every few weeks to keep your baby’s attention and promote exploration.
Find the Right Toys for Active Babies
Age Appropriateness: Select a toy that suits your baby’s stage of development for the most engagement and safety.
Safety Compliance: Choose toys that comply with safety standards and do not have small components that could be choking hazards.
Durability: Active babies can be tough on toys, so look for durable, quality materials.
Multi-Functionality: Make sure you are finding toys designed for a little bit of growth so you can get more use out of them.
Conclusion
Active/Fit Toys (Most), brings out the best in babies! So when you spend money on the right toys, you’re not just getting a source of entertainment: You’re helping create the base for your baby’s physical, cognitive and emotional growth. The possibilities are infinite, from activity gyms to ride-on toys. Make the right choice, and have your baby flourish!
You can promote active play, and see the delight as your child grows stronger, brighter, and more curious each day. Happy playing!
