“Mama, Papa, I’m bored!” Little Hannah is spending the afternoon at home today. In her bedroom, boxes full of toys are piled up. Dolls, art supplies, puzzles & Co. – Hannah’s room is like a true toy paradise, yet she still seems bored. This is a phenomenon many parents react to with incomprehension. But an overload of toys can actually overwhelm children. The result: the child’s creativity is limited. Instead, mom and dad should focus on the right selection. Toys that leave the play process open and invite interpretation are especially recommended. This way, children develop their own play ideas and promote their creative skills. Which toys are recommended for which age and how they even support development, we have summarized in this article.
Children enjoy cozy reading hours on the howa seat cushion.
The first year of life: Which toys are advisable?
In the first weeks of life up to the 6th month, parents can safely do without purchasing toys or stuffed animals. There is plenty to discover anyway during this period. After about 6 months, babies enter the grasping phase. Everything is enthusiastically put into the mouth. Now the first toys become interesting because the little ones can practice their
motor skills a lot. Teething rings, fabric balls & Co. specifically promote children’s fine and gross motor skills. From the ninth month on, the little ones start to communicate. Everything is babbled back and different sounds become interesting. The perfect time to promote babies’
hearing development and musical sense early on. To avoid accumulating too many toys already, parents should look for various combinations. Motor skills toys that also include musical elements like xylophone or rattle are especially recommended.
From 1 year: The classic toys
At about one year, children start their first crawling or walking attempts. From now on, the little ones can hardly be kept still. They need toys that allow them to explore their surroundings and practice their first steps. Motor skills must continue to be trained. Also, different colors and shapes are gradually recognized and can be assigned step by step. The following purchases are sensible:
Walker:
Practice makes perfect. Therefore, toys to push or pull along are useful from now on. With the right toys, like a
walker, the first steps are even more fun.
Advanced motor skills toys:
Babies can now distinguish different shapes and colors. Also, they become more skillful in motor skills. To further train fine motor skills, parents can consider purchasing stacking games or building blocks. Sharing, stacking, and sorting are not only fun but also support children in the learning process.
Finger paints, modeling clay & Co:
Even the youngest can already express their creativity. Finger paints or modeling clay help with this. These materials feel exciting and “different” and thus train the little ones’ motor skills.
Sandbox toys or water toys:
The best play environment for children is outdoors. At one year, the little ones can already play wonderfully outside – for example in the sandbox or paddling pool.
From 2 years: Role play with toy kitchen & Co.
From the age of 2, children gradually start to look for
role models. Whether doctor, princess, or working in the kitchen like mommy and daddy – the little ones love slipping into a new role. This trains various social skills and teaches, for example, empathy. Toys like toy kitchen, play store, dollhouse, fire truck & Co. help here. Children also gradually develop a sense of caring. To further promote this, toys like stuffed animals, dolls, or similar are useful. And the best part: the play process is completely open. Children have to use their imagination and develop their own play ideas.
How many toys do children need?
As children grow older, different toys become interesting. It also depends on the interests and wishes of the individual child. Of course, the little ones can also choose something themselves sometimes. As a rule of thumb: offer a maximum of three different toys at the same time. Instead of overwhelming children with a variety of different products, certain toys should rather be supplemented. This can be a new item for the play store or a different outfit for the doll. This way, children can focus much better on one thing. Our tip: Store toys that are not currently attracting the children’s attention in boxes or in the attic. When parents bring these things out again later, they are often perceived as a new play experience.
howa: Wooden toys for every age
Whether motor skills cubes for the youngest or play store for the slightly older – the family company howa has the right toy for every age. All toys are made of wood with child-safe paint. And the best part: there are no restrictions! Because the play is not directed in any specific way, the little ones can let their imagination run free. In addition, loving details inspire creative play ideas. The range includes
walkers, motor skills cubes,
dollhouses,
play stores,
toy kitchens, and much more.
