



Best Kids Toys

You have come to the right place to find the best kids toys. Read on for my speech therapist's insider tips.

This list has just been updated with new ideas and new toys. I tried to cover all interests here so hopefully, there is something for everyone! I gave some examples of toys below on Amazon since we all love Amazon. If you do click on a link, you will be taken to Amazon.

What to look for when buying toys:

No batteries Follow your child’s interest Toys that have multiple uses Active toys High quality, durable Toys that spark creativity and imagination

When your child is actively engaged in playing (not watching TV or pressing buttons on a battery operated toy), he or she is developing cognitive, speech, and language skills!!

If you are confused on how to actually play with your child, click here to review how to play with your best kids toys.

Now, I understand how tempting it is to buy the new shiny toy because everyone is doing but try to refrain. Kids get tired of these toys and then they collect dust in the corner.

Speech Therapist's Top Picks

Nesting Cups

Nesting Cups: This is one of my FAVORITE toys. I use this almost daily during speech therapy with toddlers.

WHY? Stacking cups are incredibly versatile and attractive to toddlers. Kids always gravitate towards them and these simple cups manage to keep their attention for a long time.

HOW? Stack them up and make towers. Put objects inside each cup as you say a word. Hide objects underneath the cups and have fun finding them. Talk about colors. Count them. Talk about sizes. Fill with dirt and sand and dump them out. The list is endless.

Blocks

Blocks: Blocks are a classic toy that comes in all shapes and sizes. If you are handy, you can even make your own.

Why? Blocks spark creativity and imagination. Children can create whatever they want! I can tie in almost any speech or language goal while playing blocks such as colors, following directions, turn-taking...you name it!

How? Practice following directions by telling your child what and where to put different blocks. Work on the concepts "more," "tall," "high," "up," fall," "on," and "over." Work on speech sounds by having your child say a word before getting a block. Build creations and talk about them (i.e., build a castle and talk about who or what goes inside.) Again, the list is endless!

Construction

Construction: Construction materials are for both girls and boys...let's make that clear! These toys are MY FAVORITE and I hope all of you really consider them. My boys have learned so much and expanded their imagination while creating their empires. They actually have combined all of these toys and have taken over my basement.

Why? Constructing something requires creativity, problem-solving (how am I going to make what I want to make...there is no paint by number here), social skills (sharing toys, asking for help, collaborating), vocabulary (naming needed materials), following directions (i.e., put the blue block on top), etc...

How? Practice following directions by telling your child what and where to put certain building materials. Expand vocabulary by modeling "building concepts" such as tall, on top of, support, across, collapse, construct, etc.... Expand on your creation and talk about what added. What belongs and doesn't belong. The list is endless.

Houses/Farms/Barns

Houses, Farm, or Barns: These structures are great "containers" where imagination can grow! You can even make your own out of empty boxes.

WHY? I love using houses or barns in speech therapy for toddlers. They are inherently a relevant, meaningful "category" for learning vocabulary. Also, teaching basic story grammar is easy!

HOW? Find people and/or animals to go in your structure (categories). Find "real" and "silly" ones. Introduce the idea of a story setting (place), characters (people), and plot as you create imaginative stories.

Active Toys

Active Toys: These are toys that get children up and moving.

WHY? We learn best when we pair motor skills with language learning. Also, active children love to play so mixing language with an activity creates a wonderful, meaningful language learning opportunity.

HOW? Talk about what you are doing as you are doing it. For example, as you bounce on a ball, say "bounce." Add descriptive language such as high" or "fast."

Digging Toys

Sand Toys: These are buckets and toys to dig and build in the sand, dirt, water, or even cooked spaghetti! These simple toys are one of the best kids toys out there.

WHY? Playing in the sand or dirt or wherever is a great sensory activity for motor and language development. Kids LOVE it too. Your toddler will be busy for hours!

HOW? The motor aspect of these activities is obvious. Speech and language wise- you can hide objects in the sand and find them. You can work on the verbs "pour," "dig," and "find."

Vehicles

Vehicles: Vehicles include cars, trucks, buses, trains, or planes.

WHY? Almost all children love cars and trucks. Not just boys! They are an active game and I can weave almost any speech or language goal into car play.

HOW? There are SOOO many things to do with cars. I will just give a few examples of areas you can work on: following directions, colors, counting, /g/ and /k/ sounds (go car), descriptive vocabulary.

Stickers

Stickers: This can include small stickers, wall decals, or these REALLY cool box stickers below.

WHY? I use stickers ALL THE TIME for almost any age. They are great motivators and are very versatile.

HOW? In therapy, I put stickers on objects as we name things. This works on vocabulary and speech goals. You can also use the box stickers to make your own toys or use the wall decals to create wonderful stories that introduce basic narrative structure.

Play Food

Play Food: This includes all plastic and wooden food.

WHY? Through experience during language therapy, I noted that ALL children love playing with food. That is why it makes the best kids toys list. It is relevant and familiar to them. It is great for learning categories, verbs, and vocabulary.

HOW? Group food into different categories (breakfast, lunch, vegetables, sweets). Pretend to make food while practicing sequencing skills. Work on the verbs "cook," "eat," and "give." This list is also endless! We have a theme developing here, ha!

Bubbles

Bubbles: These explain themselves. Really....who doesn't still believe bubbles are pretty cool?

WHY? Bubbles are next to magic for kids. They are one of the best kids toys and the cheapest! They grab and keep children's attention! They are a great motivator as well.

HOW? Practice turn-taking. Practice 2-word phrases, i.e. "pop bubbles." Work on /p/ and /b/ sounds. Describe bubbles...shape, color, size. Again, this list is endless!

Magazine!

National Geographic Kids: I don't recommend any magazine but National Geographic Kids and Little Kids does a great job with its educational content and pictures.

WHY? Your child will be excited to get his or her new magazine each month. It encourages reading and learning about nature, science, and a variety of vocabulary words. Also, it is a special parent-child activity to look forward to each month.

HOW? The magazine that you choose will depend entirely on the age and attention of your child as well as how you use it. For some, you can actually read the stories using our shared reading techniques. For some, you can describe pictures, talk about animals, colors, and introduce lots of new vocabulary words!

Are You Sick of Toys?

Are you sick of toys? Are you starting to think maybe your child has too many? I know I am! The clutter alone can be enough to put me over the edge some days.

The good news is that you actually DON'T NEED TOYS to work on speech and language skills. You can help your child develops his/her first words, expand their vocabulary, improve grammar, and learn how to answer questions just by going about your day!

Learn More

.....if your child is baby and you want to start off on the right foot

....if your child isn't talking yet

....is talking but hasn't quite caught up

.....if your child is in preschool