Developmentally Appropriate Toys for Toddlers 12-18 Months
As your baby is getting older, you’re probably wondering what developmentally appropriate toys you should be considering for your blossoming little one. During the period of 12 to 18 months of age, your baby is now walking with confidence and expanding his or her vocabulary. Age appropriate toys are always a must!
They’re able to entertain themselves without the need for you to always be there to soothe, comfort or play with them.
For example, you may now notice that you can cook dinner without interruption as your toddler plays within your sight.
Be sure to check out even more of my helpful parenting tips, too!
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Developmentally Appropriate Toys for Infants 12-18 Months
Your baby is beginning to show more emotion at this stage of development.
He or she will love to give hugs, smiles, kisses and even over-joyous body movements to show happiness.
Personality begins to develop and your baby will have no problem letting you know what he or she likes.
The coos that your baby was making earlier are now turning into recognizable words, allowing for more interaction between you and your baby.
With all these changes, toys are wonderful items to encourage your baby’s overall development!
Fisher-Price Corn Popper
Melissa & Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery CartVTech Pop-a-Balls Push and Pop BulldozerRadio Flyer Busy Buggy
Developmentally appropriate toys for infants designed specifically for the stronger walker often resemble something that mom or dad uses frequently.
Some of the popular push toys are the lawn mower, vacuum cleaner, grocery cart and baby stroller.
Your baby may also now enjoy a larger wagon to pull his or her favorite toys in.
Toys to Push
These toys play a significant role in the continued development of your baby.
They help improve body balancing, coordination and both fine and gross motor skills.
Toys to Encourage Academic Learning
Toys that are more focused on academics can be very entertaining for your baby.
They should have bright colors, lights, sounds and even responsive talking to engage your baby’s senses, problem solving skills, thinking skills, learning of new concepts and the use of more words and recognizing letters and sounds.
Let your baby choose the academic toy that intrigues them.
If your baby loves the interactive response of this type of toy, he or she will most likely choose this toy as one of the favorites.
LeapFrog Dino’s Delightful Day Alphabet BookVTech Touch & Teach Word BookVTech Musical Rhymes BookLeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book
At this age, your baby is also making associations and will like to pick his or her own toys, so include them in toy buying.
Play sets with a Theme
Play sets that have a particular theme, such as a farm, castle, family house or car wash encourage your baby’s strong desire to mimic what he or she is observing in the world.
This entices your baby’s creativity, as well as his or her fine motor skills.
This is the age where mimicking increases. Some toys that may engage your baby include a playset kitchen, laundry room or grocery store.
Step2 Toddler Corner HouseFisher-Price Laugh & Learn Toddler PlaysetStep2 Charming Cottage Kids PlayhouseBankers Box at Play Castle
Your baby will love these playsets that are just the perfect size for his or her height and baby fingers.
(Plus, they will grow well with your child as they get older.)
Curiosity, discovery and sharing will be engaged and shared through your baby’s personality.
What are the Best Toys for Toddlers 12-18 Months
Toddlers between 12 and 18 months are rapidly developing their physical, cognitive, and social skills. The best toys for this age group encourage exploration, creativity, and development. Here are some excellent options:
Stacking and Nesting Toys: These toys help develop fine motor skills and spatial awareness. Look for stacking cups, rings or blocks.
Shape Sorters: Shape sorting toys challenge problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination.
Push and Pull Toys: Sturdy push or pull toys help with balance and walking and often come with interactive elements.
Musical Instruments: Simple instruments like xylophones, drums, or shakers introduce toddlers to different sounds and rhythms.
Award Winner Body DollWee Baby Stella Sleepy Time Doll SetSoft Body Baby Doll in Gift BoxAdora Black Baby Doll Girl
Pretend Play Toys: Toys that mimic everyday objects, such as toy phones, kitchen sets, or baby dolls, promote imaginative play and social development.
Ride-On Toys: Ride-on toys that toddlers can scoot or push with their feet help develop leg strength and coordination.
Soft Building Blocks: Soft, oversized building blocks are safe for stacking and knocking down, fostering creativity and fine motor skills.
Books with Flaps and Textures: Interactive board books with textures, flaps to lift and simple stories engage toddlers’ senses and language development.
VTech Magic Star Learning TableVTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk DeluxeBright Starts Having a -Ball Get Rollin’ Activity TableLeapFrog Learn and Groove Musical Table
Balls: Soft, lightweight balls are great for rolling, tossing and catching, helping to develop gross motor skills.
Puzzles: Simple puzzles with large, easy-to-grasp pieces encourage problem-solving and fine motor skills.
Art Supplies: Toddler-safe crayons, washable markers and large sheets of paper encourage creative expression.
Bath Toys: Toys designed for bath time, such as floating boats, cups for pouring and water-friendly books, make bath time an engaging sensory experience.
Outdoor Play Equipment: Safe, age-appropriate outdoor toys like swings, slides, and ride-on cars can provide hours of active play.
Magnetic Drawing Pad Doodle BoardLeapFrog Dino’s Delightful Day Alphabet BookLeapFrog Spin and Sing Alphabet ZooFisher-Price Little People Toddler Learning Toy
Sorting and Stacking Toys: Toys that involve sorting by color or size and stacking objects help with cognitive development.
Educational Toys: Toys that teach numbers, letters and shapes in an interactive way are excellent for early learning.
When choosing toys for toddlers, ensure they are safe, free from small parts that could pose choking hazards, and made of non-toxic materials. Toys that encourage exploration, creativity, and social interaction are ideal for this age group. Always supervise playtime and engage with your child to foster their development and learning.
Find more development toys for children of all ages on Mommy Evolution!
I love these ideas, I think they work perfectly well with young learners. I am actually thinking of using some of them while teaching my own kids. I will let you know how it works with them. Thanks for sharing.