Top 5 developmental toys for 0-12 months

With Christmas around the corner, I wanted to create a series of gift guides with our favourite toys. Over the coming weeks I will be adding blog posts for other age groups so make sure to check back. Many of our toy recommendations are cross a range of different age groups.

Please note that our age group recomendations are based on development and are for guidance only, children using toys under the age recommended by the manufacturer should be supervised at all times.

1. Sensory Flashcards

When babies are born, their retinas are not fully developed. They can only see about 10-12 inches away and can only detect large contrasts between black and white. Regular exposure to contrasting shapes and patterns will stimulate their visual pathways helping their eyes to coordinate with one another more quickly.

Flashcards can be a great way to make tummy time more exciting they can also be used to encourage tracking. This will help the eye muscles to strengthen as well.

This set of Sensory Flashcards features 30 high-contrast illustrations of patterns, nature and animals. Each pack comes with fun activities to help guide new parents on their newborn’s development. Ideal for use with a wooden flashcard holder.

2. Activity Cube

Activity cubes usually feature a different activity on each face and provides a variety of ways to engage your child, to enhance their motor skills and to provide opportunities for learning and growth. Most of these toys are aimed at children 12 months+ however both our children have loved activity cubes from the time they are able to sit up independently.

We love this activity cube because of the neutral colours and the variety of activities it has on each side.

3. Wooden Rattles

Rattles develop a baby's fine motor skills by allowing them to work different types of grasping skills.

This rattle set has a variety of shapes and sounds to stimulate their senses and will encourage your baby to explore objects with different hand positions.

4. Object Permanence Box

Object permanence is a natural part of a baby’s cognitive development, and they will come to learn that objects continue to exist even when they can’t see them.

The object permanence box helps them learn this concept while also learning about cause and effect and developing hand-eye coordination.

5. Walker

A walker can be a useful tool for parents. Some studies show that using walkers can delay independent walking, however many babies love being able to move around with the support of a walker and the independence it brings with it. Our daughter loved using walkers and our son was less interested. They both started walking independently at almost the exact same age.

This campervan walker has a cute gender neutral design with the added benefit of being able to store toys. Babies and toddlers love containing objects and will later enjoy transporting them around.