Playtime With Your Baby

As a parent, you are your baby's first playmate. Play is a fun way for the two of you to bond, and it encourages healthy child development — it's how children learn about themselves, other people and the world around them, building confidence, relationships and basic skills. Toys for babies don't need to be expensive — things around the house work well, as long as they're unbreakable, safe (no loose parts, broken pieces or sharp edges) and the right size (anything that fits through a paper towel roll is too small). Good toys are washable, made to last, and appeal to parents too — you'll both be playing with them.

Learning and growing in the first year

For the first year, play won't involve many toys. Reading, speaking and singing are fun, easy and portable ways to play, and rich learning experiences: use rhymes, games and songs through your daily routines, play with and read books every day, and encourage babbling — it's how babies learn to make sounds with their own voice.

From birth to 3 months

Your newborn is developing hand-eye coordination — reaching for and touching things provides wonderful stimulation. Good toys: cloths or transparent scarves for peek-a-boo, an unbreakable mirror, fabric "bracelets" (soft rattles), a set of plastic measuring spoons, pieces of brightly coloured cloth with different textures, wooden or plastic bracelets without loose parts, and anything with a face on it — dolls, pictures, stuffed animals.

From 3 to 6 months

Your baby is developing both fine motor and gross motor skills. Good toys: sturdy rattles, peek-a-boo scarves, doughnut-shaped objects in plastic or fabric, brightly coloured textured fabric, a play arch to lie under and bat or kick at toys, and toys that make interesting sounds (rattles, shakers, chimes).

From 6 to 9 months

Your baby now sees anything within reach as a potential toy — and if he can reach it, he'll probably put it in his mouth. Good toys: stacking and nesting toys, cups and small pails, large building blocks, board books, a soft ball too big to fit in the mouth, shape sorters, trucks and cars, age-appropriate riding toys, small soft toys, percussion instruments (shakers, a small drum, a "rain maker"), toys that encourage visual tracking, and bath toys like boats and pouring cups.

Active play

Active play really does start from birth — very young babies need "tummy time" each day while awake, to help strengthen the muscles in their neck and upper body. Make sure your baby doesn't spend long periods in a seat, high chair or stroller, and avoid TV and other electronic media.