The kind of toys that your child needs, changes as they grow and develop, in the new born stage, toys which make a noise and are easy to grasp are great which is why, one of the first toys a new born gets from doting parents or grandparents is a rattle.  Rattles are wonderfully entertaining to a baby as they are fascinated with sound and color, this encourages their sense of hearing and sight, and it is also amusing for their relatives as the baby realizes they are the one making the noise.

Babies love to hold things and also put things in their mouths, as tasting is a way babies make sense of their surrounding, with that in mind, remember everything given to the baby should be big enough that they do not choke and not sharp for obvious reasons.  In years gone by, there was a huge problem with toys painted with lead paint, which is one of the reasons we have the current standards in toys now.

Another great toy for babies is mobiles which hang over cots and prams, these give the baby something to focus on which is farther away and to reach out and grasp, developing eyesight and movement.  A rattle which is attached to the pram or buggy is good for parents and baby as it save lose when it is inevitably thrown out of the pram.  Cuddly toys which make noises are also great for this as mum is warned when a favorite toy makes a swan dive for the floor.  A lost toy is not fun in a supermarket; as babies and toddlers don’t usually deal with this lose quietly.

There is a big range of developmental toys for children of all ages and stages but there is no wrong choice, is the toys fun and does the baby enjoy playing with it are the main two questions that need to be answered.  Just remember don’t be upset if they enjoy playing with the box or wrapping paper more than your carefully chosen present.  It is amazing what is entertaining to a child.