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All About Toys


Let's be honest...it can be a bit overwhelming to choose toys for your child, especially when you are trying to find ones that will best support your child's developmental level and engagement. Often as parents we defer to what our children are attracted to—and end up with a house full of noise-making, electronic toys that captivate their attention but seem to demand very little actual imagination or engagement in return.

My son (age 2) is a prime example of choosing toys that entertain him, rather than challenge him. When we meander through the toy section at a store, he is drawn to the toys that have buttons and make noise. I'm sure the store managers tense up when they see us coming, because pretty soon the entire aisle is a cacophony of songs and lights and noise. Initially, I was delighted by his delight and I allowed some of these toys into our home. I soon saw that these toys were not worth the cash, because children should be learning, engaging, and growing through their play, not merely enjoying what the toys does FOR them. On the other hand, when he played with his kitchen set, or his barn animals, I watched as his imagination began to stretch and develop. He began imitating themes of closeness and connection. His "electronic toys" are fun for a time, but they do not actively engage his whole body and mind. (They do, however, often save the day during long car rides).

So, I get it. It's hard to choose toys. But as a DIR/Floortime therapist and OT I want to help families select toys that will bring their children joy, and also growth. So here is a list of jumping off points for what toys MAY work well for your child, depending on their level of development. As always, please check in with your individual therapist first, as your child's needs may vary. Also, PLEASE don't feel like you need to buy all of these toys. That is not necessary, nor realistic. This is just a list of ideas if you need some inspiration. I will include some free ideas as well.

Toy Suggestions by Developmental Level:

 Levels 1-2 Regulation and Engagement 

  • Bubbles: work on regulation, visual tracking, sharing joy, motor skills
  • Parachutes or soft fabrics: play hide and seek/peek-a-boo games
  • Soft blocks: work on cause and effect, motor skills, and emotional regulation
  • Tunnels and Tents: limit the visual field to encourage eye contact, engagement, and create a safe spot for your child to explore
  • Trampolines: movement based engagement, shared joy, motor skills *supervision required
  • Jack in the Box: emotional regulation, share the expectation of the "surprise", motor skills to manipulate it
  • Music: instruments, shakers, songs, favorite Pandora "kids channels"
Free Options:
  • Blankets for peek-a-boo, hide and seek, parachute-type play
  • Make your own tent or fort with sheets and chairs. Or, throw a large bedsheets over a table for an instant fort
  • Make your own bubbles (Mix: 2 cups warm water, 1/3 cup dish soap, 1/4 cup corn syrup)
  • Place pillows or mattress on floor for some jumping and crashing fun
  • Check out music CDs or DVDs at the library or use a free app like Pandora, Youtube, or Spotify for songs

Level 3: Opening and Closing Circles of Communication
  • Balls: open and close circles by passing them back and forth. Vary the texture of the ball for sensory integration
  • Puppets: work on back and forth interaction with puppets, motor plan how to open and close the mouths
  • Play food: begin simple play where you pretend to feed each other
  • Pull and release cars: pull the car back and let go and it zooms to the other person. Keep passing it back and forth
  • Blankets: Play games on the blanket that require opening and closing circles. Swing your child in the blanket (2 adults needed) and wait for them to sign or ask for more. 
Free Options:
  • Make puppets with brown lunch bags, markers, and even fabric scraps
  • Crumple up magazines or newspapers into balls to create a tossing game. Add a target like a laundry basket for added fun
  • Use empty cups and spoons from your kitchen for pretend play. Create pretend food out of play dough. Add small amounts of water to cups for additional fun

Level 4: Problem Solving and Sense of Self
  • Empty containers and lids: figure out together what can fit inside, how to open and close them, and work on joint attention and problem solving 
  • Building toys: 
    • Legos/Duplex
    • Magna-tiles (magnetic building tiles)
    • Hot wheels tracks and cars to put together
    • Marble Maze tracks 
    • Train tracks
  • Simple Board Games
    • Candyland is a good starting game
    • MouseTrap works on building and problem solving for school aged kids
    • Peaceable Kingdom makes great cooperative games
    • Matching games and memory tile games 
  • Art Projects: It's good to have basic paper, glue, scissors, markers, crayons, and paint on hand (supervision required)
  • Sensory Play: shaving cream, water beads, play dough, paint, sand, gardening (supervision required)
  • Mr. Potato Head: helps with body awareness, fine motor skills, problem solving 
Free Options:
  • Collect old containers (yogurt tubs, water bottles) for container play
  • Use dried rice and beans for sensory play
  • Check out the local library for building toys (Goleta library has train tracks and large blocks. Santa Barbara Library has magna-tiles, legos, etc.)
  • Check out puzzles from the library
  • Use painters tape to create mazes on the floor, hop-scotch games, car race tracks, etc.
  • Create a fun twist on Mr. Potato Head by using a real potato and toothpicks. Problem solve together what household items may look like his eyes (buttons?), and attach them with toothpicks. 
Level 5: Representational Play
  • Symbolic toys to represent your child's world:
    • play food
    • dolls and accessories 
    • vehicles
    • play houses
    • school buses
    • little people figures
    • animals
    • car wash sets
    • stuffed animals 
  • Symbolic toys to stretch your child's imagination:
    • rocket ships
    • pirate ships
    • castles
    • barn animals
    •  wild animals
    • characters from TV shows and books
    • cash register
    • tool box
    • doctor kit
    • veterinarian kit
  • Cardboard Boxes - work together to turn them into a car, a fort, a rocket ship, etc. 
  • Large blank paper- draw out scenes to enrich their imaginative ideas.
  • Floor mats- there are several types of play mats that have roads, or city scenes which can help visually support children who are just starting to play symbolically and may need ideas. 
  • Dress up: put old Halloween costumes, hats, scarfs, glasses, etc. in a box for a dress up kit

Free Options:
  • Never underestimate the power of blank paper, cardboard, and a pen- you can create endless symbolic props and kids LOVE cardboard
  • Make your own paper dolls
  • Use paper towel rolls to create your own props (swords, wheels for cars, binoculars) 
Level 6: Building Bridges between ideas and Emotional Thinking:
  • Symbolic toys and props: provide or make more props for the toys they already have (the rocket ship now has astronauts and aliens and a home planet, etc.)
  • Board Games: 
    • Obstacles is a great one that works on logical thinking in a creative way
    • Rush Hour Jr. Game: logic puzzle and game that promotes thinking ahead, planning actions, and visual spatial skills
    • Guess Who
    • Clue
Free Options:
  • Check out books at the library that deal with more complex, emotional themes
  •  Create props out of household items: tissue paper can be blankets for dolls, cotton swaps can be pillows for tiny figurines, shoe boxes can turn into castles. At this level of development your child should be able to use more imagination so it is not as important to have the exact item you need for play. 
I hope this list is a helpful starting point for you! Do you have favorite toys that I missed?



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