| Baby toys come in many different shapes, sizes, and | | | | baby is a set of brightly colored blocks that the can |
| colors, but the best baby toy gift ideas are as | | | | stack, push over, throw, etc. Other great baby toy |
| follows: | | | | gift ideas for improving locomotive skills include plastic |
| When choosing a baby toy gift, look for something | | | | animals, dolls, rattles, and any toy that can help |
| with the following attributes: | | | | improve attention span, hand-eye coordination, and |
| 1. Bold colors: Brightly colored toys will keep a baby's | | | | manual dexterity. |
| attention longer, and will help them to distinguish | | | | 4. Illustrates cause and effect: Babies love toys that |
| between parts, and what goes with what. For | | | | they can control, and their learning and development |
| example, a toy that requires a baby to match shapes | | | | will progress if you give them a toy that responds |
| with the space they go in, reinforces the idea with | | | | with a sound or movement when the baby touches |
| color coordinating openings and shapes. Great | | | | or grabs it. It teaches them cause and effect, and |
| examples of toys that make great baby gifts, and | | | | gives them a sense of themselves, and their power. |
| are brightly colored are almost anything by Lamaze, | | | | 5. A toy that is educational: Educational toys for |
| and the Touch n' Sing blocks by Neurosmith, which | | | | babies should stimulate the five senses, or at least |
| come in a variety of subject matters. | | | | the three most important, sight, sound, and touch. |
| 2. Something that makes a sound: Just make sure it | | | | Look for toys like wrist rattles, squeak toys, pop-up |
| is not sharp noises. Babies love toys that make | | | | toys, pull toys, musical toys, activity centers, cloth |
| sounds, and music can also be very educational, | | | | books, mirrors, and mobiles. These help with all of the |
| especially when introduced at a young age. Consider | | | | above mentioned criteria, and can help you get your |
| toys such as the Baby's 1st Birthday Music Set - by | | | | baby on the right track with development and |
| Edushape. Also touch n sing blocks are great, or the | | | | learning. |
| Mozart block. Finding toys that make music, or | | | | A few great toys for babies include: |
| produce sounds that are pleasant for baby will result | | | | - Foam blocks |
| in more play and development. | | | | - Pull toys |
| 3. Something simple: Baby toys are supposed to | | | | - Tap a tune piano |
| increase in complexity as a baby learns new skills. So, | | | | - Bath toys |
| as you choose a baby toy, look for something that | | | | - Rattles |
| fits their skill level, or exceeds it by just a little bit. | | | | - Crib mobiles |
| You want to help them develop their basic motor | | | | - Etc. |
| skills, and attune their fine motor skills. So, toys that | | | | Base your gift choice off the stage of development |
| can be pushed, pulled, tugged, etc. are all great, but | | | | and inclinations of the child. |
| keep them simple. Sometimes the best toy for a | | | | |