Toys for small babies

Advice on what to look for when buying toys to stimulate your small baby's development, plus the opportunity to purchase a range of educational baby toys and games.

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Stimulating development > Toys for small babies

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It is difficult to know which toy a small baby will like best, there are so many toys to choose from.

Small babies cannot focus in the same way as an adult, the edges of things are blurred to begin with, but your baby will still enjoy looking at brightly coloured toys. Try textured toys, mobiles with a colour contrast or light projecting mobiles.

Another good toy for a small baby is a playmat or baby gym. A baby gym is a an arch, either single or criss-crossed, made out of material or plastic, with small toys suspended from it. When you baby is tiny he will only be able to focus on the toys, as he gets older he will begin exploring with hands and feet.

Playmats can be used anywhere, on the floor, the sofa, in the home, in the garden, giving your baby an interesting and safe play to play. Some babygyms come with an integral playment, so you baby can feel textures next to him as well as above.

Babies love bright colours and different textures, sounds and surprises. Consider a baby gym that is easy to clean, with contrasts and variety.

As your baby gets a little older he will begin teething and appreciate toys to bite and chew on such as teething rings.

As your baby's eye and hand coordination improves he is learning about cause and effect. Toys that 'reward' with music or surprises are a good idea, such as bells, rattles or toys which bang. Also try stacking toys, blocks and balls.