Best “Toys” for Infants and Toddlers
by Taryn Alper, MA, CCC-SLP/TSSLD
Some of my child’s favorite toys aren’t exactly toys at all, so I made a list of household items that my child has enjoyed playing with as an older infant to a young toddler.
Speech-language pathologists educate families on how they can use items they already have at home to support speech and language skills. Recyclable materials like cardboard boxes, paper towel tubes, and egg cartons can be given new life. A kitchen cabinet that a child has free reign over to independently open and take things out of like containers, mixing bowls, and wooden spoons can buy you hours of entertainment. It’s a beautiful stage when a child wants to mimic what a guardian or older child does at home, so embrace the chaos.
I give you my child’s favorite “toy” list:
Bag of lentils from Trader Joe’s: This is one durable bag of lentils. Around the time my child started to stand while holding on to furniture, she also wanted do that with an object in one hand. The day she found this bag of lentils it was love at first sight. It became her daily baby workout routine to shake the one pound bag. An early verb we worked on was “shake” as the lentils moved around the bag and made a sound. She also gnawed at the bag while teething and never made a hole in it. And yes, I’ve replaced her “toy” a few times to actually cook the lentils.
Nested measuring cup set: This was another teething favorite. These measuring cups are a great addition or replacement for stacking blocks. They also withstand being dropped repeatedly.
Box of tissues: A fresh box of tissues is magic to a child. Tissues can then be used to wipe anything else in the child’s environment. Unsupervised, expect pieces to be torn, but that’s part of the fun.
Sponges: My child will see us wiping up and then ask to help. Sponges also make easy bath toys.
Dish towels: They’re a peek-a-boo favorite. My child still loves to pull down the one I have hanging off the oven.
Ikea bag: We fill Ikea bags with laundry to take to our building’s laundry room. My child loves taking pieces of clothing in and out while naming them. You can also put your child in the bag and pull them around your home on a ride.
Swiffer: We have two Swiffers at home. My child has her own with one of the middle pieces taken out so she can participate in cleaning the floor. Watching a child coordinate how to move a Swiffer is adorable.
What “toys” do you have at home for a young child to use?