Toys & Games for Infants

• Infants are just starting to learn about the world around them. Even though young babies spend much of their time sleeping (and crying), they do have short, alert periods scattered throughout the day that parents can take advantage of. There are many activities and games that can be played with an infant, even one who is only a few months old.
  
  Reading is an important activity that should be done with an infant of any age. Make sure the books you choose to read to your infant have simple patterns and bright pictures, and that you read with enthusiasm.
  
  Singing is also a wonderful activity to do with your child. While you sing songs, provide your baby with an age-appropriate baby rattle and let her make noise too. You can also play songs on a music box or radio and dance with your baby.
  
  Other interactive toys that a young baby might like are mobiles, mirrors and chew rings.
  
  

Baby Games for 6 Months and Up

• When your baby gets a little bit older, play will become a more integrated part of her day. Continue to read and sing to your infant, but also introduce her to other toys such as soft balls or stuffed animals, sound and texture toys, bells and bath toys, and even large building blocks.
  
  Parents can play pretend with their babies using any of the above toys. For example, parents can pretend that a group of stuffed animals are chasing each other or playing a game of leap frog. Toddlers will also love to play peek-a-boo or hide-and-seek with their stuffed toys. Hiding a favorite teddy bear under a blanket will have your baby giggling, as well as teach her about object permanence.
  
  Parents may want to begin playing body awareness games with their infants as well. Tickle bellies, toes and underarms and watch your baby giggle. Say the name of the body as you play the tickle game.
  
  

Games for a 1-Year-Old

• Between the ages of one and two, children grow quickly. The games and toys they play with will be more challenging and encourage them to walk and talk. Building games will help your child with their hand-eye coordination.
  
  Play word games with your child to improve her developing language skills. Songs that use rhyming will be fun and help your young toddler with speech. For example, singing "Wheels on the Bus" or "I'm a Little Tea Pot" are catchy and interactive songs to teach your young toddler.
  
  Your child may also begin to use large crayons, and coloring games as well as arts and craft activities can be played with your 1-year-old. You may want to print out some free coloring pages with simple details and thick lines to start her off. Sensory activities with water, clay and fingerpaints will be fun for young children as well.
  
  Floor play is also important. Get down on the floor with your toddler and play with soft trucks, blocks and music toys. Make an obstacle course with pillows, cardboard boxes and other safe toys and have your toddler navigate her way through it by crawling or walking.
  
  

Toddler Games for Older Kids

• Older toddlers will begin to develop an interest in what you do as a parent. They may want to role play and copy what you do. Have your child play house and take care of her doll by feeding her, changing her diaper and putting her to bed. Or provide her with a toy broom or vacuum and have her help you clean the house.
  
  Test your toddler's memory by playing simple matching games with cards. Play the shell game with her, using some plastic cups and a ping pong ball hidden under one. Move them around and have her guess which cup the ball is under.
  
  Another great game for toddlers is musical parade. Have her play a harmonica or drum and pretend she is in a parade. Musical instruments are a great toy for toddlers between the ages of two and three.
  
  When your toddler reaches the age of 3, she may be ready for some board games. Candy Land, Hi-Ho Cherry-O, and Chutes and Ladders may be appropriate, as long as your young child is beginning to recognize her numbers, shapes and colors. All of these games will enhance her developing recognition skills and they will also teach toddlers essential social skills such as taking turns and playing fair.