Throughout childhood, your child develops skills and abilities that can help later in life.
In the beginning, it is very much about understanding the world and stimulating the senses, but later on, both creativity, imagination, and social skills are put to the test in play.
In this blog, you can read a bit about the child's different "play phases" and about which toys are best suited for the various periods.
However, remember that children sometimes take things at their own pace and that your child may have different interests and seek other toys than described below.
If there is a toy that is just better than ALL the others, let your child keep it, even if it is "technically" outgrown. You can still introduce new toys, but the comfort of the old one may be just what is needed.
From 0-6 months
Here, closeness and physical contact are very important, so your child develops most abilities in contact with you and other people.
In the beginning, the child can only see black and white, but over time, the ability to see colors emerges. At this age, the child sees best at a distance of 30-50 cm.
The best toy is you. Use your facial expressions and your voice to connect with the child.
Seek eye contact, and over time you will notice that the child can follow things with their eyes and will therefore lie and observe the surroundings.
Over time, you can start singing songs with rhythm and help the child move, for example by "cycling" with their legs, pulling themselves up to sit, following hands in motion, and rolling around.
The toys at this age should primarily stimulate and strengthen these three senses and abilities:
Vision, with the help of colors and movement.
Hearing, with the help of sounds.
Gross motor skills, with the help of toys that the child can hold and grab.
Toys that are perfect for a 0-3 month old baby
- Activity gyms, with things that the baby can look at and bat at.
- Mobiles, which are nice to look at – especially for the changing table and stroller.
- Toys with strong contrasts and possibly pictures.
- Things that briefly make sound if the child hits them.
- Soft rattles and stuffed animals that won't hurt if the child hits themselves.
From 6 months - 1 year
Now your child has started to be able to sit up by themselves, and therefore there is a great focus on that in play. Fortunately, there are many ways to stimulate the little one's desire to sit up – for example, between your legs while you roll with a ball, in the bathtub, or in the stroller.
Again, your body is one of the best toys that the child can have. The more you can tumble and move the child, the better. For example, lay the child on a blanket and lift the blanket alternately on one side so that the child rolls from side to side. Make sure to have facial expressions and good sounds while doing this.
Lift the child into the air by raising them above your head and make them fly. Again, have good facial expressions and sounds, but be careful if you are playing right after mealtime. The milk may come back up 😉
Playing with sound is also something that is popular at this age. Here, it is appropriate to support the child when they experiment with one-syllable words like "ma-ma" and "da-da", as well as playing "peek-a-boo".
From 9-12 months, you will be very much on the floor, as this is where one can learn to crawl and move around. Support your child by 'pushing' their legs and knees forward when they are lying on their stomach. Over time, the movement will come naturally. Keep singing and making gestures, and enjoy that you will get support from small hands that start to clap along.
Toys that are perfect for the 6-12 month old baby
- The child's own kitchen drawer, filled with toys, spoons, and other exciting items.
- Things that can be stacked, pushed in or out, picked up, placed in, etc.
- Bath toys.
- Balls and things that can be grasped, for example, Oball, which is designed for small hands.
- Push toy, for when the child starts to walk.
See all toys for the 0-1 year olds here >>
From 1-2 years
This is a really exciting phase because you will see the child becoming more independent. This is when the child starts to walk and truly begins to explore the world. It is also at this age that the child learns the dreaded word “no,” so it can sometimes be a challenge to figure out what to play.
Continue singing songs with gestures and stimulate the child by tumbling and playing a bit “wild.”
The child begins to seriously train their independence by climbing on things, pushing chairs around, lifting and throwing things, and generally just exploring their body and the surrounding world.
Sometimes there will be a full speed of activity, while at other times, there is a need for calmer play, such as sitting and drawing together or reading a book.
The child slowly starts to play games that resemble everyday life. For example, the teddy bear or doll is tucked in and gets kisses, the child “makes food” for you, and there are cars and other things from daily life.
Toys that are perfect for the 1-2 year olds
- Building blocks and puzzles.
- Bath toys are still a hit.
- Push toy, for when the child starts to walk.
- Books about everyday life.
- Scooters or ride-on cars – which can preferably go outside.
- A play kitchen, cash register, or other “interactive” toys, where the child has to press buttons or turn things to get a reaction.
From 2-3 years
At this age, play becomes more social. Children have previously played “next to” each other, but now they begin to play together.
It is especially role-playing games, where children “play everyday life,” that are popular. Driving a bus, playing “dad, mom, and kids,” cooking for each other, and baking sand cakes are all games you will likely experience.
It is also at this age that items will be picked up at the beach and other places. Shells, small stones, and similar items. It can be really nice to go on trips, collect things, and then glue them onto paper or make small collections of the items the child has gathered.
The desire for independence is indeed increasing, and it can sometimes be exhausting to keep up. Fortunately, the child gradually gets better at climbing, holding on, and knowing their limits.
Help the child with independence by letting them fetch items in the supermarket, help set the table, or take off their clothes by themselves. Make sure to “guide” the task so the child does not have to oversee it all, as it can still be a bit difficult.
Toy that is perfect for 2-3 year olds
- Building blocks and puzzles, preferably with more advanced images.
- Books about everyday life, but a bit more complicated than before.
- Scooters or ride-on cars – which can preferably be taken outside.
- A play kitchen, cash register, or other “interactive” toys, where the child has to press buttons or turn things to get a reaction.
- Trampolines. Get help finding a cheap trampoline.
