Best Toys to Inspire Children’s Play

From their very first sensory objects through to the magic of imaginative play, this guide will help you select the perfect children’s play toys based on your child’s age.

Having kids is certainly a journey. And as with all adventures in life, being a parent offers up plenty of opportunities for learning. One of the things we think everyone could take inspiration from when it comes to kids is playing with toys more!

Now, we’re not suggesting that you become some kind of tower-building production line or that you’re building dens from morning to night – because frankly, your knees probably wouldn’t take it – but what about setting aside a little time every day to have fun with your little ones? Not only will you be helping them build creative minds and happy hearts, you’ll also be having fun and strengthening the bond between you and your child (because nothing bonds you faster than being told you’re interpreting their brief all wrong – they wanted you to draw a light pink dinosaur not a dark pink one…).

The only slight hiccup we can see here is knowing what to go for at each age and stage, because let’s face it, the cheesy saying is right: the days are long, but the years are short. While parenthood is whizzing by in a flash, it can be hard to keep up with what’s next on the never-ending list of dos and don’ts.

If ever you’ve been faced with the toy aisle in the supermarket, you’ll know that choosing the right children’s play toys is a minefield. There’s so. Much. Choice. Below, we detail things that will not only tick the fun box for your mini monsters, but will also help them develop, so you know that you’re doubling down on every opportunity. Best of both worlds!

For kids aged 0-1: Sensory toys

You’re never too young to play (and conversely, you’re never too old either, so no excuses). From the get-go, little ones can benefit from sensory play and play toys that engage any of the five senses; touch, taste, sight, hearing and smell. Early on you might want to choose things that make a noise and/or light – like a crinkly reflective sheet or a rainmaker – before moving onto touch, taste and smell as they grow. Think rubber teethers, musical instruments or even messy play trays filled with play dough, rice, jelly or sand.

For kids aged 1-2: Movement toys

Between age one and two, you’re likely to have a mover on your hands, and with that, we’re sorry to say, you’ll not enjoy a warm cup of tea again for a while. The good news is that this is one of the most fun ages, as you see huge developmental leaps. Encourage them to get going and practice movement and balance with children’s play toys like wobble boards, slides, climbing sets, rocking horses, riding on pull-along trikes or walkers. Otherwise, you could try toy vehicles like train sets, which will inspire them to push and pull, using those spatial skills as they decide where they’re headed on their imaginary journey.

Try the super-fun LEGO® DUPLO® Daily Routines: Eating & Bedtime set to help your 1-2-year-olds develop their fine motor skills by playing with toys!

For kids aged 2-3: Problem-solving toys

As children’s language skills develop, so do the opportunities for engaging them with pretend-play toys that take some basic explanation. These might include shape sorters, which help them work on their fine motor skills (or fiddly jobs, in other words), simple puzzles to improve hand-eye coordination, or even card match-and-sort games where their memory and recall is tested. Although if yours are anything like ours, there may be some questionable ‘matches’. Aside from the cognitive benefits, toys like these are a lovely way to carve out some time with your kids too, aiding them with all sorts of plus points from improved social skills to better communication.

Our cute LEGO DUPLO Caring for Bees & Beehives set is perfect for this age! Your little ones will be buzzing to learn how to take care of bees, all while developing their observe-and-imitate skills too. Cool, right?

For kids aged 3-4: More complex building toys

By this age, your kids may have been playing with building toys like LEGO DUPLO sets since they were just one-and-a-half. Now, they’re ready to tackle more complex creations!

Have you ever built a masterpiece only to see it get knocked down by an overly enthusiastic three-year-old? Well, that’s all part of the fun! There’s no limit to the fun to be had with children’s building toys like LEGO DUPLO bricks. Fine motor skills and playing out stories are just a couple of ways blocks and building toys can aid in your child’s development as they craft towers, turrets, walls and bridges. Fun!

For out-of-this-world building fun, why not try our epic LEGO DUPLO 3in1 Space Shuttle Adventure set? With three ways to play, it’ll help your mini galaxy explorers learn about the importance of persistence and patience!

For kids aged 4-5: Creative and imaginative toys

You’ve never known chaos until you’ve met a child in their craft era, and we’re only going to go and encourage that chaos. By age four and five, kids are able to create and tell stories, and pretend-play toys that aid that are a great thing. The boundaries here are nearly limitless, just like their imagination, but some top picks are dressing-up costumes, arts and craft supplies, dolls, dens and imaginary-world stimuli like LEGO DUPLO sets. Toys like costumes and LEGO DUPLO sets allow them to try on different characters as they dictate storylines or work on collaborative play with their peers.

Your kids looking to flex their creative muscles? Look no further than the LEGO DUPLO Buildable People with Big Emotions set that lets them design their own characters. Forget feet – toddlers can even give their figures wheels!

Inspiring play at every age with the right play toys can help your child build a creative mind and a happy heart. What’s not to like?