Educational Toys For Age: 0-18 Months

Choosing the right educational toys for babies aged 0 to 18 months can set the stage for a lifetime of learning and development. From simple sensory toys to open-ended play, there’s an incredible variety of tools available to engage and support your baby’s growth at every stage. At Let’s Learn Kidz, we’re passionate about offering a wide selection of thoughtfully designed toys to nurture your child’s natural curiosity and love of learning.

Learning begins the moment a baby is born. From birth to 18 months, babies are constantly exploring the world around them through their senses—touch, sound and movement. Choosing the right toys and resources during these early months can support their cognitive, physical and emotional development. Each stage of growth offers unique opportunities for learning, and toys can be powerful tools to help babies reach their milestones.

Developmental Milestones

From birth to 18 months, babies develop at an incredible pace, with each phase bringing new skills and learning opportunities. Choosing the right toys can help support their growth by encouraging sensory exploration, motor skills and problem-solving abilities.

0 To 3 Months

In the first three months, babies are just beginning to adjust to the world outside the womb. Their vision is still developing and they are most attracted to high-contrast visuals like black-and-white patterns. At this age, their focus is mostly on objects within 8 to 12 inches from their face, which is why toys with simple, contrasting designs or high-contrast picture cards can help capture their attention.

Reflexes also dominate at this stage. Babies instinctively grasp objects placed in their hands and turn toward familiar sounds. Toys like soft rattles or sensory toys that are easy to hold encourage these natural reflexes, allowing them to start exploring the world around them.

4 To 6 Months

By this stage, babies are gaining better control over their hands and actively reaching for objects. This is a crucial time for developing hand-eye coordination as they enjoy grasping, holding and passing toys from one hand to the other. Soft blocks, textured balls and sensory books with crinkly pages are perfect for encouraging these fine motor skills.

Babies also start tracking moving objects with their eyes and enjoy toys that respond to their actions, such as rolling balls or toys with lights and sounds. Their growing curiosity makes cause-and-effect toys particularly engaging, as they begin to realise their actions can make things happen.

7 To 9 Months

At this stage, babies are usually crawling and becoming more physically active. They love to explore their environment and are developing a stronger understanding of cause and effect. For instance, shaking a rattle to hear a sound or knocking over blocks can provide endless entertainment and learning opportunities.

Toys that encourage problem-solving, like stacking rings, simple shape sorters or activity tables, are great for this age group. Babies are also learning to sit independently, so they enjoy toys that challenge their coordination and fine motor skills, such as building blocks or interactive books with flaps and textures.

10 To 12 Months

As babies approach their first birthday, they begin taking their first steps and experimenting with early speech. Many will say their first recognisable words around this time, making it a great period to introduce toys that support language development. Picture books with simple stories or toys that name objects or play music are excellent for expanding their vocabulary.

Physically, they’re mastering their balance and mobility, so push-and-pull toys, ride-on toys and balls help them develop coordination and confidence in walking. Problem-solving toys like puzzles, stacking cups or shape sorters challenge their cognitive development as they continue to explore their surroundings.

13 To 18 Months

By now, babies are walking confidently and starting to climb and explore more actively. They love imitating adults, which makes pretend play toys like kitchens, dolls or toolsets, particularly engaging. This stage also involves more social interaction, as babies begin to understand and follow basic instructions.

Toys that encourage creativity, problem-solving and physical activity are ideal for this age group. Building blocks, ride-on toys, and toys with buttons, levers or simple mechanisms can stimulate both their mental and physical development. They also enjoy picture books and toys that introduce new words, helping to build their vocabulary as they learn to communicate more effectively.

Sensory Play and Exploration

Sensory play is a critical component of learning in the first 18 months. Through the use of different textures, sounds and colours, babies develop their cognitive and motor skills. Toys that crinkle, squish or make sounds when pressed help babies understand cause and effect and allow them to engage with their environment through exploration.

At home, parents can also create sensory activities. Something as simple as letting a baby explore a soft, colourful blanket or play with water in a shallow dish can provide endless opportunities for sensory engagement.

Open-Ended Play And Imagination

Toys that encourage open-ended play, like building blocks, soft dolls and simple stacking toys, are wonderful for allowing babies to use their imagination. These toys don’t have one specific function, instead, they can be used in many different ways, allowing babies to explore and create. Open-ended toys grow with your child, providing different learning experiences as they age.

For example, a set of soft blocks might first be used for grasping and sensory exploration in the early months, but later, those same blocks can become part of an elaborate tower or house built during toddlerhood.

Safety Considerations In Toy Selection

While fun and learning are important, safety is always a top priority when choosing toys for babies. Always opt for toys that are designed specifically for their age group to avoid choking hazards, sharp edges or unsafe materials. Look for toys made from non-toxic, BPA-free materials and be cautious with small parts.

Regularly check toys for wear and tear, and make sure they are easy to clean. Babies at this age explore everything with their mouths, so maintaining a clean toy environment is essential for their health and safety.

Balancing Screen Time And Physical Play

While interactive apps and educational videos can offer some value, it’s important to balance screen time with plenty of physical, hands-on play. Experts recommend that babies under 18 months have very limited screen exposure, with a strong emphasis on real-world exploration. Engaging with physical toys and having face-to-face interactions with caregivers is far more beneficial for their development than passive screen use.

FAQ

Why Are Educational Toys Important For Babies?

Educational toys support a baby’s cognitive, physical and emotional development by encouraging exploration, problem-solving and sensory experiences. During the first 18 months, babies are constantly learning through play, and the right toys can help them reach important developmental milestones.

What Types Of Toys Are Best For Newborns?

Newborns are drawn to high-contrast visuals and soft, easy-to-hold objects. Toys like black-and-white picture cards, soft rattles and sensory blankets are great choices for newborns. These toys stimulate their developing senses and encourage their natural reflexes, like grasping and following movement.

When Should I Introduce More Complex Toys Like Shape Sorters Or Stacking Rings?

Around 7 to 9 months, babies begin developing their problem-solving skills and start to understand basic cause and effect. This is a good time to introduce toys like stacking rings, shape sorters and simple puzzles. These toys help improve fine motor skills while encouraging curiosity and problem-solving.

Are Sensory Toys Beneficial For Babies Under Six Months?

Yes, sensory toys are especially beneficial for babies under six months. They help engage a baby’s developing senses, sight, touch and sound during a critical period of brain development. Toys with different textures, sounds or contrasting colours stimulate these senses and encourage exploration.

How Can I Choose Safe Toys For Babies?

When choosing toys for babies, always look for age-appropriate items that meet safety standards. Toys should be free of small parts that could be a choking hazard, made from non-toxic materials and easy to clean. Additionally, avoid sharp edges or parts that could break off easily. Always check for signs of wear and tear and replace damaged toys to keep playtime safe.

How Much Screen Time Is Appropriate For Babies Under 18 Months?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding screen time for babies younger than 18 months, except for video calls. Instead, focus on hands-on, interactive play, which is much more beneficial for their development. Physical toys and face-to-face interaction with caregivers are key to supporting their growth in the early months.

What Are The Benefits Of Open-Ended Toys For Babies?

Open-ended toys, like building blocks or stacking cups, can be used in various ways and grow with your baby. These toys encourage creativity, problem-solving and independent thinking because there are no fixed rules for how to play with them. They offer endless possibilities for exploration and keep babies engaged as they age.

At What Age Should I Introduce Books To My Baby?

You can introduce books from birth. For newborns and younger babies, choose soft books with high-contrast images or sensory elements like textures. As your baby grows, you can move on to simple picture books and board books with bright colours and familiar objects. Reading aloud to your baby helps with language development and bonding.

How Can I Encourage My Baby To Start Walking?

To encourage walking, look for toys that promote movement, like push-and-pull toys or walkers. Babies typically start walking between 9 and 18 months, and these types of toys help them practice balance and coordination while giving them the confidence to take those first steps. Ride-on toys can also support physical development and muscle strength.

How Do Educational Toys Support Language Development?

Toys that encourage talking, listening and interaction, such as musical toys, talking books or toys with songs and words, are excellent for language development. Picture books with everyday objects or toys that make sounds when a button is pressed can help babies associate words with objects, fostering early language skills.

Are Expensive Toys Better For My Baby’s Development?

Expensive toys aren’t necessarily better. The most important thing is to choose toys that are age-appropriate, safe and engaging for your baby. Simple, affordable toys like blocks, rattles and sensory books can be just as beneficial for development as more expensive options. The focus should be on providing opportunities for learning, exploration, and play.