Infant and Toddler Toys

Matching a toy to what your baby can do now

Babies use toys differently at each stage. Soft plush and rattle-style grabbers suit the early months, when the main skills are holding, shaking and mouthing. Activity and learning toys with moving parts suit sitting babies who can reach and press. Ride-on or steer toys, such as the sit-and-steer type in this range, suit older infants who are starting to push. Choose by what your child can do now, not by the oldest age printed on the box.

Age grading, small parts and batteries before the first chew

Look for the age grading on the pack and treat it as a minimum, since toys for older children can have small parts a baby could swallow. Plush toys should have securely stitched features and a care label saying whether they can be machine washed or only surface cleaned. If a toy has sounds or lights, check that the battery compartment closes with a screw, and whether there is a volume control or an off switch.

Questions about Infant and Toddler Toys

What does the age label on an infant toy cover?

It reflects the safety testing and the skills the toy was designed for. A minimum age warns of small parts or features unsuited to younger babies. Never use a toy below its stated age, and discard it when seams, eyes or parts come loose.

Can I wash a plush baby toy?

Check the care label. Many plush toys tolerate a gentle machine wash in a laundry bag, while those with electronics or a sound box need surface cleaning only. Air dry fully before giving the toy back to your baby.

Are toys with sounds and lights better for learning?

Not necessarily. Simple toys that invite touching, shaking and mouthing build skills too. If you choose a sound toy, look for a volume control or a quiet mode and test it, since some are loud at close range.