Toys

Toys are often equated with fun, but they are also a crucial part of your child's development. Touch is one of the first senses to develop in a child, and usually begins almost immediately with a baby's grasping reflex; toys that vibrate or have motions or rhythm help to stimulate this response.

From three to five months, social interaction becomes key for infants. Rough language skills also begin to develop at this early stage, and audible sounds such as laughing will indicate your baby's interest in specific toys and activities.

Just before toddlerhood kicks in, typically between six to nine months, an infant's gross motor skills (his or her ability to use large muscles in the arms, leg, torso and feet) and fine motor skills (his or her ability to use smaller muscles such as fingers, toes, wrists, lips and tongue) are just started to progress. Your infant will be able to sit up unassisted for a greater length of time and will probably start to move by bouncing. Infants also begin to examine toys and learn problem-solving skills. Advanced "peek-a-boo" toys, activity centers, stacking or sorting toys, toys with "surprise" actions, balls and books, and toys that make sounds or "speak" are all especially exciting for children at this developmental stage.

Once your child becomes a toddler, they will be on the move more and more. A child from 12 to 18 months of age will love push-pull toys that make sounds, toys that open and close or have turning knobs and dials, and blocks; make sure you purchase large blocks with no sharp corners, preferably made from soft, pliable material with primary colors.

The older and more independent your child becomes, the more he or she will want to be on the move. Once he or she is able to walk, riding toys become lots of fun! Also at this stage, from 18 months usually right until before he or she is three years old, action toys and toys that allow the child to emulate adults, such as telephone toys or play scenes, catch a child's interest more and more as he or she grows.

Sensory Development Toys
Babies are able to hear while they are in the womb. They can often even recognize your own voice. Just by simply talking to your baby will help imprint language on their developing mind. Parents can encourage sensory development in an infant through sensory inputs by singing them lullabies and rhymes, holding the baby in your arms, introducing colors and other play and learning activities that will stimulate your baby's senses.

Sensory development toys allow the child to develop learning potential. A baby development toy should try to help develop the baby's vision, hearing and tactile sense. These are all important as the baby processes the world around him. Other models of educational baby toys will hit on other points for when the baby is a little bit older. Not only are they great educational toys, they often feature bright colors and different textures. The activities on sensory development toys help develop thinking. Whether it's an educational baby toy for an older child or a baby development toy for a younger child, the first steps to understanding are very important.

Language Development Toys
A child's mind is well-equipped for learning and mastering language. From birth up until the age of 5, children will develop their language skills at a very rapid pace. Children's language development is influenced by many different factors around them. These factors include adults and older children who will listen and attend to their expressions and who use and model appropriate language around them.

Educational toys focusing on language and its development are very popular. Language toys are very effective in the child's development. Hear your child say letters, numbers, shapes and colors with educational toys.

Educational toys like the a play cell phone not only entertain, but also help the child's basic language functions since the child can have a pretend phone conversation. Try the Fisher-Price Elmo's Talking World Cell Phone. This is a great toy for your child's imagination as well as their language development.

Educational toys are great first toys for a baby. An educational baby toy will help the child learn to develop many different components of their brain and body during their first years.

Great Educational Toys To Look For Include:

• Books
• DVD's and CD's
• Math and Counting Toys
• Puzzles
• Sorters
• Travel Toys

Books
From music to pop-ups, animal shapes to letters, baby books are cute, fun, entertaining and educational all at once. No baby is too young for his or her first book. BabyAge carries books for infants that feature bright colors and 3-D illustrations with peek-a-boo and crinkle touch areas. Place in the crib to provide visual and motor skills stimulation for your infant. For older children, we carry books that teach your child a second language, books with magnetic pieces that teach children to name and identify animals or the letters of the alphabet and books that will increase your child's vocabulary and matching skills. For you, BabyAge carries parenting books, including the best selling "What to Expect" series, as well as scrapbooks for you to keep track of your baby's development and important milestones.

DVD's and CD's
From educational to musical, to relaxation DVDs for moms-to-be, BabyAge.com carries just what you need in DVDs. We offer DVDs that will help your child learn counting and language skills, colors, the alphabet, and music appreciation, plus DVDs that help mom relax or get back into pre-baby shape. Check out our selection -- you are bound to find the perfect DVD!

CDs can serve many different purposes. CDs filled with baby music can make any car ride entertaining. It can also make naptime a great time. A baby CD filled with baby music is great for playtime as well. CDs can also be great as educational tools as well. Some versions of baby CD have children learning letters, numbers, rhythms and rhyming. There are CDs and baby CD for all kids to enjoy.

Math and Counting Toys
Educational toys help develop the child's basic learning skills. Educational math toys can contribute to a specific area of child development. Educational math toys can improve a child's basic concepts of mathematics and can help develop counting methods. And these toys definitely do not have to be boring.

One of these educational toys which will certainly help the child develop their math skills is a Play Money Set, like the Melissa & Doug Play Money Set. It is an educational math toy which can help out in all factions of math, including addition and subtraction. It can also get the child acquainted with the basic concept of money.

Other educational math toys like the Numbers Set help the child develop basic counting skills by seeing numbers first hand. Try the Melissa & Doug Numbers Sound Puzzle. This wooden 21-piece puzzle pronounces the name of each number when its piece is correctly placed in the puzzle board.

Although educational toys are just that, they are fun too. The most important part of all educational toys is that they engage the child at both a developmental level and at a more basic entertainment level.

Puzzles
Not only are puzzles fun, but they are a great way to improve your child's reasoning and spatial abilities. Puzzles help stimulate the mind by encouraging problem solving, coordination, recognition skills and patience. Our puzzles are sure to entertain and quickly become one of your child's favorite pastimes. We have some of the finest puzzles, all at affordable prices.

We offer many different types of puzzles to choose from that are perfect for any age, starting around 9 months. From child puzzles that are just for fun, like the popular Hollow Woodworks Double Name Puzzle, to educational puzzles, like the Kidkraft Judaica Educational Puzzle, that assists in helping children learn numbers and basic concepts.

Sorters
A shape sorter is a great toy. A shape sorter toy will teach the child about shapes and will teach them about many different concepts. A shape sorter shows the child how to put the circle into the circle-shaped hole and the star into the star-shaped hole. A shape sorter toy is a very simple toy that the little ones will just love. One of the reasons parents love a shape sorter toy is because children will develop shape and color recognition skills while being entertained. Most shape sorting cubes features many different shapes and colors and boasts wooden frames.

One of our best selling shape sorter toys is the Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube. It features 12 chunky, vibrant shapes that make a satisfying ‘clink' as they drop into the hardwood cube. Than when your child is finished, they can just open the lid and start all over again.

Travel Toys
When you're on the go, you can keep you little one occupied with a variety of car seat toys and stroller toys. Stroller toys keep baby entertained and occupied while going for a long walk or on vacation and stroller toys make a great stroller accessory. Most models of stroller toy attach easily and can also be used with infant car seats.

Car seat toys are inexpensive and easy to attach to the car seat and it's an easy way to entertain your precious cargo while traveling. A baby car seat toy can vary in size, features and entertainment value. Car seat toys are most commonly soft, plush characters which easily affix to any car seat with a handle, generally an infant car seat. A car seat toy needs to be easy to use with no loose parts so if baby drops the baby car seat toy no pieces will be lost. Many of the newer car seat toys are activated by the baby and some baby car seat toys can be activated by either baby or parent.

Best-Selling Educational Toys include:

• Step2 Lift & Hide Bookcase Storage Chest
• Melissa & Doug - Magnetic Responsibility Chart
• Evenflo Tri-Spinner Switcharoo

We have a various number of imaginative toys to choose from here at BabyAge.

Some of our Favorite Imaginative Toys include:

• Action Figures
• Holiday and Religious Toys
• Play Kitchens
• Play Sets
• Puppets and Puppet Theaters

Action Figures
Action figures are great toys to help children develop their creative abilities and learn the art of pretending. We have a wonderful selection of action figures that include everything from prehistoric animals and Noah's ark and bugs in a box to Cinderella and from pasture pals to pirates. Our Cowboys and Indians or Medieval Times sets will even give children some insight into specific historical time periods. Each action figure is safe with no harmful parts.

Holiday and Religious Toys
Religious toys and holiday toys are very similar because religion is such a large part of many holidays. Children like to emulate adults and religious toys provide the child with a chance for emulation. Imaginative toys are fun because they allow the child to use the imagination in a realistic setting with family and friends.

Play Kitchens
Play kitchens are a fantastic way to allow your child to use their imagination. Play kitchens can run the gamut from basic to fully loaded. Some of the different models of child play kitchens include toy microwaves, refrigerators, dishwasher and ovens. These single unit models of play kitchens are sturdy and very ergonomic.

Play kitchens are a great way for your child to use their imagination and act like a grown-up. With play kitchens, however, your child may need some extra accessories to help them use their imagination to the fullest. We offer a nice selection of play food to help the child use their imagination. Assortments of play food feature everything from canned foods to meats to different desserts. Play food is essential when it comes to using play kitchens, but you may need some other accessories as well. Some kitchen accessories include pots and pans, a play cutting board and knife. Your child can prepare all kinds of play food the right way and learn about using a knife the safe and proper way before they take it to the real kitchen. Play kitchens make great gifts, but having the perfect accessories is just as important!

Our best selling play kitchen is the KidKraft Play Kitchen. This beautiful set comes complete with a refrigerator, freezer, oven, sink and microwave. This kid-sized favorite is sure to impress the young chefs in your life.

Play Sets
Play sets are a great way for the child to use his imagination. Play sets can let children imitate the careers and everyday activities of a grown-up. Play sets can enhance the imagination of your child, making their understanding of the “real world” a little more real to them.

One of our more popular play sets are the magic sets. Your budding Houdini will love learning magic tricks with the Melissa & Doug Discovery Magic Set. This high quality set will provide your little magician with all the basics to perform amazing illusions and crafty slight-of-hand tricks.

And, for the child who loves farms and animals, we offer the Melissa & Doug Fold & Go Barn. This top quality barn features large sliding front doors, large stalls, stable doors, hayloft and a convenient carry handle for playtime on the go. Also included are seven detailed farm animals, including a pig and horse, for an endless barnyard adventure.

Puppets and Puppet Theaters
Everyone loves getting invited to a puppet show! There is lots of fun to be had with puppets and puppet theatres for both children and parents. Puppets provide the child with a chance to get involved with imaginative play and really let their imagination run completely wild. Not only are puppets great for your child's imagination, they are a great means of artistic expression and communication. Most children will have an easy time relating to puppets from a very early age since they often use their imagination to make inanimate objects and characters come to life.

Wagons
Toddlers will have fun pulling a wagon full of toys or even being the wagon cargo himself! For trips along quieter, safer routes, a wagon ride might be a welcome alternative to the stroller. Some models require assembly.

Most Popular Wagons:

• Radio Flyer Classic Red Wagon
• Step2 Wagon For Two Plus
• Little Tikes Ride & Relax Wagon

Ride Ons
Many Power Ride On products allow a child to cruise around in style. They have great features which make riding outdoors fun for a child. They typically include a 12-volt battery and charger and many come with chrome wheels and accents. A beeping horn sound along with shiny, reflective mirrors makes the power cars realistic. A cup holder is great for a juice box and an adjustable seat makes any child feel like they're really driving. Many add to the experience with cool engine sounds and revving dashboard gauges.

Most Popular Ride Ons:

• Little Tikes Cozy Coupe 30th Anniversary Edition
• Little Tikes Handle Haulers Haul and Ride
• Radio Flyer Sport Coupe

BabyAge offers a wide variety of toys to be used for both indoor and outdoor play.

Some of our Favorite Outdoor Toys Include:

• Step2 Naturally Playful Sandbox
• Little Tikes TotSports Easy Score Basketball Set
• Step2 Naturally Playful Sand Table

Play Tents and Tunnels
A play tent or play tunnel is fantastic for indoor or outdoor use. A nice child play tent can provide the child with their own special place to play and hide. A play tent can be very cozy and spacious for one child or several children. Many standard child play tents can fit up to four children inside. A child play tent can be made of nylon or other material for easy clean and easy set up.

A play tunnel is fun and exciting for the child, as well. It is ideal for crawlers wanting to play hide and seek, or for bigger kids who can attach them to a child play tent for the authentic fort experience. Our models of play tents and play tunnels come in a variety of sizes and designs.

Sleds
To most children, nothing is better in the winter than a snow day. And one of the best activities for children to do on a snow day is to go sledding with their friends. Sledding is so much fun that's almost too bad there isn't snow all year round. A sled is one of the simplest toys around. Sleds are easy to use and only require a little bit of snow and a nice hill to use.

When choosing a sled for your child, the most important thing to consider is their age. For babies and toddlers, pull sleds are the best bet for your little one. Pull sleds feature bucket-style seats that will surround your child's back and sides for extra support. When choosing a sled for an older child, the most important feature is the ability to steer or stop the direction or movement of the sled. Following these simple guidelines will ensure that your child has a safe and enjoyable snow day.

Swing Sets
Nowadays, young child can spend countless hours indoors watching television, surfing the internet or playing video games, but, what child does not love fresh air and playing on a swing set? Indoor activities will soon be forgotten once you purchase a swing set. A swing set now not only provides entertainment but can provide a place for the child to get some exercise without having to go to a park. Our swing sets will provide hours of amusement while ensuring your child's safety.

Swing sets come in many different varieties and not everyone is designed to optimum entertainment. A toddler swing set is perfect for relaxing. A toddler swing set is great for an older child. Swing sets make perfect gifts for any child.

Some of our Favorite Swing Sets Include:

• Step2 Toddler Swing
• Little Tikes Clubhouse Swing Set
• Little Tikes Endless Adventure Playground

Newborn and Up…
Newborn babies don't do a lot of playing right off the bat, but soon they'll start to explore the world around them. At BabyAge.com, you'll find a huge selection of toys and gifts to help baby do just that. As newborns and infants are in the process of developing their sensory and motor skills they especially enjoy toys that make sounds, feature bright colors or have interesting textures. The following newborn toys and new baby gifts are perfect for holidays, birthdays or baby showers.

Birth +:
Gund Giant Tinkle Crinkle Rattle & Squeak: 73 Inch
The Gund Giant Tinkle Crinkle Rattle & Squeak from Baby Gund is a customer – and baby – favorite. With its bright, primary colors, the Gund caterpillar will tinkle, crinkle, rattle & squeak! Over 5 feet long, this rattle is made with super soft velour and it is machine washable, too! Designed to be baby safe, the Gund Giant Tinkle Crinkle Rattle & Squeak makes a perfect gift for children ages newborn and up.

0-24 months:
Evenflo Exersaucer 3-in-1
The Evenflo 3-in-1 Exersaucer is the first of its kind on the market. It's an innovating three-stage activity center for babies ranging from 0-24 months. The first stage is the Playmat, which is designed to entertain and stimulate your child up until 4 months of age. The second stage, the Exersaucer, is designed for babies ages 4 months up until walking. The third stage, the Activity Table, will provide fun learning up until 24 months, when your baby will be ready to move on to a more advanced play center. The Evenflo ExerSaucer is a gift that will grow with the child, and helps stimulate 10 developmental motor skills - including improvement of gross and fine motor skills, object exploration and more. The Evenflo ExerSaucer 3-in-1 features patented folding legs to make the unit portable and significantly smaller than most models. The colorful pond theme was specifically developed to be pleasing and fun and is a perfect gift idea for newborns to two year olds.

0-24 months:
Fisher-Price Rainforest Peek-a-Boo Waterfall Soother
TheFisher-Price Rain Forest Peek-a-Boo Waterfall Soother is a tiny magical world of water with music, lights, motion, and nature sounds that will help soothe the baby to sleep. It brings the peaceful serenity of the rainforest right to the baby's crib, and a glowing waterfall features mesmerizing motion to help lull the baby to sleep. The water falls gently into a pool with a playful fish, a friendly monkey, a frog and plenty of bubbles. This product has received rave reviews and is sure to be one of baby's favorites.

0-36 months:
HALO Cotton SleepSack- Medium
The HALO SleepSack Wearable Blanket is the only blanket on the market this customized to fit a range of sizes to ensure safety for all infants. The HALO Cotton SleepSack is the safest, yet softest blanket on the market. It is made of 100% flame resistant cotton and is designed to reduce the risk of baby re-breathing into the sleeve or overheating. The HALO Cotton SleepSack is easy to slip on to a sleeping child. An inverted zipper allows the parent to change the diaper with ease and also prevents the child from scratching his chin or even unzipping the SleepSack. The HALO SleepSack helps to prevent SIDS and with each SleepSack sale HALO donates a portion toward SIDS medical research, education and family services.

0-36 months:
Cloud B Double Sherpa Baby Blanket Set
Cloud B Velvet Toddler Blanket
Do you remember a special blanket that you loved as a child? A security blanket is any familiar object whose presence provides comfort or security to its owner. About 60% of children in the United States have at least some attachment to a security object, many of which are attached to their first blanket. A baby blanket is a great gift idea because it is versatile, practical and sentimental. You can find a variety of baby blankets available. Some baby blankets are made of flannel and some are created with silk or organic cotton. The Cloud B Double Sherpa Baby Blanket Set and Cloud B Velvet Toddler Blanket are great gift ideas for newborns and are sure to be used for many years to come. For a new mom or dad, Cloud B also offers a Velvet Daddy Blanket and a Velboa Mommy Blanket. The Cloud B blankets that children love to be wrapped up in are now the perfect size for adults. The 60" x 70" Cloud B Velboa Mommy Blanket is a wonderfully plush blanket made entirely of velboa with a luxurious satin trim and is great for every stage of motherhood. Snuggle up with your little one for a movie or bedtime story with the Cloud B Velvet Daddy Blanket. The sage throw is a large 60" x 70" trimmed with brown pear velvet. Cloud B blankets are a great gift idea because it is versatile, practical and sentimental.

6 mo+:
Tiny Love Activity Ball
A ball of endless fun and developmental discovery, the wonderfully unique Activity Ball from Tiny Love will encourage your baby to sit and crawl. Made of soft textured fabrics with 5 fun baby-activated sounds, your little one will begin to climb and explore the Activity Ball the minute they see it. A jittering, rattling peek-a-boo head and legs teach object permanence, while the rattle, moving beads, and varied textures trigger your baby's sensory development. Bright, colorful, engaging, and stimulating, Tiny Love has everything your little one needs rolled up in a ball! Order today!

6-36 months:
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Puppy
The Fisher-Price Learning Puppy is one of the most interactive learning toys on the market! This Fisher-Price puppy plays games, sings songs presents fun learning challenges to your child. This developmental toy dog introduces your child to A-B-Cs, 1-2-3's, colors and parts of the body. Your baby can sing along to familiar songs the Laugh & Learning Puppy sings, including Itsy-Bitsy Spider, Pat-a-Cake, This Little Puppy Went to Market, and more! Experts agree that learning through play is best for toddlers, and the playful Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Puppy not only teaches important basics, but invites baby to hug and express love and friendship!

12-36 months:
Little Tikes Rockin Puppy
The Little Tikes Rockin Puppy really rocks! This rascally puppy from Little Tikes is always ready to play and is loads of fun for boys and girls alike. The Rockin Puppy features a high back seat, easy grip handles, and for extra safety, the textured seat and foot area are designed to reduce slipping. Your little one will love its soft fabric ears and its delightful smiling face. The Little Tikes Rockin Puppy is baby safe and recommended for children between 12-36 months. It's a durable toy that can truly grow along with your child.