Choosing Toys or Gifts They'll Love
What might look like messy play or mindless rattling is actually serious business for your baby. From day one, they’re learning through movement, touch, sound, and – yes – smearing food on every available surface. Play is how your little one makes sense of the world, so choosing toys that match their stage of development can really help them thrive.
Here’s a simple guide to what kinds of toys to look out for during each phase of your baby’s exciting journey.
0–6 Months: The First Explorer
Your newborn may be tiny and still figuring out the basics, but their brain is already hard at work. Even in the early days, babies can recognise voices and slowly begin to track faces (though not quite in focus at first).
At this stage, look for toys with high-contrast patterns and simple shapes – a mobile over the cot is ideal for visual stimulation and encouraging early motor skills as they start to reach out. A fun activity gym is amazing for development and early hand eye coordination as well.
Suckling is another important reflex to support, so having safe teething toys can help build strength in their mouth muscles – which later supports chewing and speech. We stock a super fun range of teething toys at Dimples.
Babies also love the sound of your voice, so don’t hesitate to chat away, sing, or start reading aloud. Soft crinkly activity books are a great addition as they are very visually interesting to your little one, as well as a high contrast board book.
6–12 Months: The Little Scientist
As your baby gets stronger, tummy time becomes key for building neck and upper body strength. Use an engaging play mat to make tummy time fun and motivating.
Around six months, proper teething often begins, so toys they can safely chew are your best friends – easing discomfort while supporting oral development.
At this stage, babies are all about discovery – they’re working on sitting up, crawling, grasping, and even pulling themselves to stand. Toys that support these physical leaps are ideal. Look for soft balls to encourage rolling and crawling, stacking toys for building early coordination, and activity cubes or busy boards with things to twist, slide, and push. Toys that respond with sound or light when touched can also be hugely exciting (and educational), helping babies connect cause and effect. And don’t forget the classics – things that crinkle, rattle, or squeak are still crowd-pleasers and support sensory development beautifully.
12–18 Months: The Creative Genius
You’ve made it through the first year – what a milestone! At this age, many little ones are eager to master walking. A sturdy walker toy can support their balance and leg strength as they wobble around with pride.
Fine motor skills also start taking centre stage. Now that your little one is on the move and growing more curious by the day, toys that support exploration, movement, and problem-solving are ideal. Push-and-pull toys like the classic Buzzy Bee or a cute pull along toy are perfect for developing balance and coordination as they become more confident on their feet. Large building blocks or stacking rings help improve fine motor skills and spatial awareness. This is also a great age for toys that encourage interest in pretend play – think toy phones, baby dolls, animal figurines, or mini tea sets. Musical instruments like tambourines, shakers, or xylophones are not only fun but also help with rhythm and sensory processing. Chunky crayons are also great for encouraging scribbles – and those early masterpieces might earn a spot on your fridge.
As their vocabulary starts to form and their understanding of language grows, this is the perfect time to keep those conversations flowing. Reading together, singing songs, and chatting about what you’re doing throughout the day helps build their language skills and connection to you. Even if they’re not saying much just yet, they’re absorbing it all – storing up words, rhythms, and tones to use later.
18 Months - 2 Years: The Big Personality
Welcome to toddlerhood – where the big personality really comes through! At this stage, your child is becoming more independent, showing clear preferences, and beginning to express their likes and dislikes. You might notice them choosing to play solo more often, or forming strong attachments to certain toys, books, routines, or even characters from stories and shows.
This is also when pretend play really starts to blossom. Role-playing everyday scenarios – like cooking dinner, feeding a doll, or making a pretend phone call – is not only adorable, it’s an important part of social and emotional development. A toddler-sized kitchen set is a fantastic toy at this age, encouraging imaginative storytelling and helping little ones mimic the world they see around them. One of these Kitchen Helpers let your toddler safely join you at the counter, fostering independence and fine motor skills. By involving them in simple kitchen tasks, you’re nurturing their creativity and boosting their confidence in a hands-on way.
Beginner puzzles are also a great choice to foster problem solving skills – Particularly ones with familiar objects such as this zoo puzzle, or this vehicle puzzle.
At this age, play becomes more purposeful – every stack, stir, and story is helping your little one make sense of the world and build skills for the future.
3+ Years: The Explorer
Preschoolers see the world with fresh eyes – everything is fascinating! Toys at this age are more than entertainment; they support learning, spark imagination, and help your child make sense of their world. By three, many children are ready for smaller pieces, but it's still important to supervise, just incase.
Preschoolers play hard – building, crashing, dragging, shaking, and repeating – and quality toys will last longer and often perform better. Children this age are also starting to enjoy more meaningful creative and open ended activities.
Here are a few of our favourite picks for the bigger kids ages 3+
Washable Colouring in Tablecloth - Great for sole play or a group activity. Best of all it can be reused over and over again!
Balance Bike Start off with the trike if your little one is new to riding, and then it transforms into a balance bike!
Cash Register - Perfect for pretend grocery shops or café setups, this beautifully crafted toy helps children explore early math, communication, and social interaction
Playdough - Little monkeys love squishing, rolling, and making lots of different fun objects
Connetix - Inspire creativity with the countless ways these sets can be built
Go at Their Pace
Every child develops at their own rhythm. Some skip crawling and go straight to walking. Others might take their time with speech while still communicating effectively in their own way. Some might be into different things than their peers - and that's okay!
It’s tempting to compare, but there’s a very wide range of normal. If you’re ever concerned, have a chat with your GP or child health nurse. You're doing an incredible job raising a one of a kind little person.
And remember – the best toy of all is you. Your love, voice, and presence are what your baby cherishes most ❤️
Learn more
