Age Appropriate Toys

Age Appropriate Toys Teachers must keep in mind the ages of children they are choosing toys for, including their typical interests and skill levels. The manufacturer’s age recommendation is a good starting place to ensure that toys are age-appropriate. Warnings such as “Not recommended for children under 3” should be followed.27 See Table 3.6 for some age-appropriate toys to consider. Please note that toys appear on the list when they become appropriate and are not repeated in later ages.

Age Some Age Appropriate Toys

From 6 weeks to around 4 months these toys become appropriate

 Simple rattles

 Teethers

 Light, sturdy cloth toys and dolls

 Squeeze toys

 Texture and soft squeeze balls

Between 4 to 6 months these toys become appropriate

 Soft blocks

 Keys on rings

 Interlocking plastic rings

 Small hand-held manipulatives

 Toys on suction cups

Between 7 to 12 months these toys become appropriate

 Rubber or rounded wood blocks

 Push toys (simple cars, animals on wheels, etc.)

 Squeeze-squeak toys

 Roly-poly toys

 Activity boxes and cubes

 Containers with objects to empty and fill

 Transparent, chime, flutter, and action balls

 Large rubber or plastic pop beads

 Simple nesting cups

 Stacking rings

 Graspable unbreakable mirror toys

 Simple floating toys

 Paper and large crayons for scribbling

 Cloth, plastic, and board books

These toys become appropriate for 1-year- olds

In addition to above

 Push toys with large handles

 Toys to push on the floor

 Doll carriages and wagons

27 Think Toy Safety by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is in the public domain. 28 Think Toy Safety by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is in the public domain.

Age Some Age Appropriate Toys

 Stable ride-on toys with no pedals

 Small stacking blocks

 Unit blocks

 Hollow blocks

 Large plastic bricks to press together

 Simple puzzles (at 1, 2-3 pieces and 1½, 3-5 pieces)

 Pegboards with large pegs

 Hidden object toys

 Simple pop-up toys

 Simple shape sorters

 Pounding and hammering toys

 Simple matching toys

 Simple lock boxes and toys

 Large beads for stringing

 Funnels and colanders

 Small sand toys

 Dolls and simple accessories

 Rhythm instruments operated by shaking and banging

 Simple dress-up clothes and role-play toys

 Child-sized dramatic play equipment

 Picture books

 More detailed toy vehicles

 Trains with simple coupling systems

These toys become appropriate for 2-year- olds

 Pull toys

 Small, light-weight wheelbarrows

 Push toys that look like adult equipment (lawnmower, vacuum, etc.)

 Small tricycles

 4 to 5 and then 6-12 piece puzzles

 Magnetic boards with shapes, animals, and people

 Fit together toys