Stocking the Toy Shelf
Make sure you have the right playthings on hand to keep your kids engaged.
Stocking the Toy Shelf
Having the right playthings on hand can go a long way toward assuring that developmental targets are met and that there is enough on hand to keep children happily engaged; however, you may also want to consider the following Do's and Don'ts for making playtime as smooth as possible.
Buying Do's
- Look for sturdy toys such as stitched dolls, wooden blocks, and puzzles with heavy pieces.
- Provide play and playthings that offer new experiences.
- Store toys where your child can get to them easily and without help.
- Keep parts stored together (an end of the day task) so you don't lose any parts.
- Consider if you are buying something that will require special care or arrangements.
- Keep safety in mind. A good rule of thumb for children ages 3 and under is to avoid anything that can fit through a toilet-paper tube.
- Tell your child why you selected a particular gift/toy.
- Make children responsible for cleaning up after play, helping them so it becomes part of the play.
- Remember that paying a lot for a toy doesn't mean you will get high play-value.
- Suggested ages on toy boxes are fairly reliable, and buying something more advanced will not speed up that timetable.
- Consider toys that require pretend play and imagination such as hats, dish sets, children's tools, and dolls.
- Avoid overwhelming a child with more than one or two new gifts/toys at a time.
- Never make comparisons to other family members' gifts.
- Toy boxes encourage dumping and lost pieces.
Playthings from around the House
Infants
- People and lots of attention
- Common household items to look at and listen to Toddlers
- Cans
- Large spoons and spatulas
- Kitchen pots and lids
- Milk and egg cartons
- Shoes
- Bright scarves
- Empty boxes
- Purses to empty and fill
Ages Three and Four
- Books with large pictures
- Kitchen utensils for water and dirt play
- Hats
- Shoes
- Old clothing
- Pencils and pens
- Sponges
- Vegetable brushes
- Cards
- Large boxes to crawl through
- Pouring and measuring tools
- Real hammers with large-head nails
Kindergarten through Grade 3
- Jars to collect insects
- Mud, sand, and water
- Junk jewelry for pretend play
- Cards
- Flashlight
- Garden tools
- Wheelbarrow
- Paper punch
- Large needle, thread, and fabric
Worthwhile Things to Buy
If you want to purchase toys or to give a gift to your child, the following suggestions can help to assure that your purchases will be appropriate, long lasting, and fun:
Babies
- Soft, squeezable animals and dolls
- Mobile
- Music box
- Basket of baby books
- Soft ball
- Spinning top
Toddlers
- Child-sized table and chair
- Doll bottle
- Finger puppets
- Toy mop and broom
- Nesting cups
- Push-and-pull toys
- Rhythm instruments
- Balls of various sizes
- Soft plastic toys
- Soft dolls without buttons or eyes
- Sturdy books
- Plastic keys
- Play telephone
- Music boxes
- Toy camera
- Broomstick horse
- Step stool
- Playhouse
Ages Three and Four
- Picture storybooks
- Balls
- Dolls
- Art supplies
- Small garden tools
- Plastic tea and cooking sets
- Three-wheel riding toys
- Wagon
- Cars
- Wooden unit blocks
- Plastic lunch box
- Toy telephone
- 20- to 30-piece puzzles
- Electric toothbrush
- Trucks for dumping sand and dirt
Kindergarten through Grade 3
- Backpack
- Kites
- Butterfly net
- Jump rope
- Tape recorder
- Two-wheel bicycle and safety helmet
- Lunch box
- Board games
- Skates
- Yo-yo
- Gyroscope
- Picture dictionary
- Puzzles of the USA and the world
- Tap shoes
- Easel
- Art supplies
- Play kitchen
- Tool bench
- Cars and trucks
- Lego table
- Brio train
- Doctor kit
- Ant farm
- Bird feeder
- Croquet set
- Frisbee
- Construction sets