Open play toys for optimal child development

According to psychologist Daria Brezinski, PHD, skills such as coping, executive functioning, language and communication, emotional regulatory, cognitive flexibility, and social competence that are typically acquired through children’s play are often circumvented, repressed, and flat-out ignored. In fact, she spends much of her time retraining behavior that arises out of missing these skills in childhood.

One major sea change has been the swift from play to entertainment: the difference is being an active participant in play vs. simply a passive observer. The type of play that is most beneficial to children, argues Brezinski, is the type of play that is unorganized and spontaneous, without rules or guidelines. When kids are overwhelmed by toys that entertain them without allowing them to play an active role, they depend more on external stimulation and have less reliance on intuition, creativity, and flexibility.

The takeaways:
#1 – Open ended toys should encourage cognitive development:
#2 – Free form and crafts play should be as free form as possible (this means no coloring books or connect the dots!)
#3 – Active play toys should encourage physical coordination, spatial relation, depth perception, and balance.
(Source: The Attached Family – Toy Considerations for Child Development)

See our recommendations:

Top 10 Toys for Physical Development – Age 3-6

Ages 3-6 (Pre-operational / Exploration)
Children develop and expand the ability to manipulate/transform information in a logical way. They increasingly learn by exploring their wider environment.

What’s important:
-toys that can be controlled or manipulated in a variety of ways
-toys that engage physical participation
-imagination, creativity, and spontaneous active play

#10 – PlasmaCar
From the manufacturer:
“The PlasmaCar rewards good hand-eye coordination and fluid movements and provides a fun way for kids to get exercise while keeping occupied.”
Why we love it:
We like that it requires no gears, batteries or pedals. Just steer and away you go.
Buy PlasmaCar

#9 – Balance Teeter Popper
From the manufacturer:
“How it’s used is up to the kids! Whether they rock it, roll it, sit in it or stand… kids want to move with Teeter Popper!”
Why we love it:
The ‘POP-POP-POP!’ noise keeps the kids so engaged, they don’t realize they’re building core strength & stability, balance, coordination and gross-motor skills.
Buy Teeter Popper

#8 – Wooden Indoor Climbing Dome
From the manufacturer:
“The Lil’ Monkey Climber Dome has plenty of room to climb all over, hang off, swing and can also be used in role-play or as a den when covered with a sheet or two.”
Why we love it:
Encourages exercise (indoors or out), aids with physical development and agility, and improves motoric cognitive skills.
Buy Indoor Climbing Dome

#7 – Kidoozie – Super Skipper
From the manufacturer:
“Jump to the music as the pole revolves around the electronic base – great for use indoors or outdoors.”
Why we love it:
A fantastic game for indoor exercise, the 3 adjustable height modes and 3 different skipping speeds allow for customization to different skill levels.
Buy Super Skipper

#6 – Durable Weather-Resistant Metal Rocking Seesaw
From the manufacturer:
“Rock on! As many as three children can have a rockin’ good time aboard this great seesaw. Combines two favorite children’s rides, a good-old-fashioned teeter totter and a rocking chair, to create a little extra excitement and a lot more fun.”
Why we love it:
Promotes safe play to channel a child’s excess energy and teach balance. Seats and handlebars were designed with a child’s size, comfort and safety in mind.
Buy Rocking Seesaw

#5 – Giraffalaff Limbo
From the manufacturer:
“How low can you go? Find out in this crazy, laughter-inducing limbo game.”
Why we love it:
A really fun and activity-filled game that will keep many children engaged at once. Promotes coordination and gross motor skills
Buy Giraffalaff Limbo

#4 – Brilliant Basics Rock-a-Stack
From the manufacturer:
“For generations babies have delighted in this classic stacking toy – helps babies develop coordination as they learn to stack the easy-to-grasp rings in the proper order.”
Why we love it:
Bright colors, shiny reflections and swirling beads stimulate visual development.
Buy Rock-a-Stack

#3 – Baby Einstein Bendy Ball
From the manufacturer:
“Soft, flexible plastic make this ball both durable and fun and the Bendy Ball’s design makes it easy for little fingers to grasp and roll.”
Why we love it:
An additional rolling tattle ball inside adds additional sounds and visual stimulation, making this toy more engaging for babies.
Buy Bendy Ball

#2 – Hape Creative Peg Puzzle
From the manufacturer:
“Stimulates children through every stage of development and help nurture and develop their natural abilities.”
Why we love it:
Develops fine and gross motor skills as well as stimulates imagination. It’s a bonus that Hape toys promote fair and ethical working practices.
Buy Creative Peg Puzzle

#1 – Squeeze and Stack Block Set
From the manufacturer:
“Fun colors, numbers, animals and shapes are soft and squeezable and BPA free.”
Why we love it:
These squeezeable blocks are great for imaginative exploration.
Buy Squeeze and Stack Block Set

Top 10 Toys for Mental Development – Age 3-6

Ages 3-6 (Pre-operational / Exploration)
Children develop and expand the ability to manipulate/transform information in a logical way. They increasingly learn by exploring their wider environment.

What’s important:
-toys that can be controlled, constructed, or manipulated
-toys that engage curiosity, promote symbolic thinking, and encourage imaginative/ pretend play
-imagination, creativity, and spontaneous active play
-toys that engage active participation (rather than passive viewing)

#10 – Squigz
From the manufacturer:
“Suction Construction – They flex. They stick. They suck people into creativity.”
Why we love it:
With a pop so satisfying, it’s just as fun to take them apart as it is to put them together! Inspires creativity, fine motor skills, sensory stimulation. And you can even play with it in the bathtub!
Buy Squigz

#9 – Rubbabu letters
From the manufacturer:
“Introduce young learners to the alphabet, stack them, arrange them and spell simple words with these durable, natural rubber foam alphabets.”
Why we love it:
The large, soft, and tactile pieces are easy for little hands to hold while learning to spell simple words.
Buy Rubbabu letters

#8 – Sno Paints
From the manufacturer:
“Everything your child needs to build and decorate their first snowman of the season while displaying their coloring creativity.”
Why we love it:
This is a great way not only to inspire creativity, but to encourage outdoor play in the winter months. Harmless to people, pets, and environment, AND melts away with the snow.
Buy Sno Paints

#7 – Fred and Friends FOOD FACE Kids’ Dinner Plate
From the manufacturer:
“Endless fun playing with food designs on the face–from a broccoli bouffant to a mashed potato makeover”
Why we love it:
It reminds of us the nostalgic Dapper Dan The Magnetic Man toy – for mealtime! It’s made from hotel-quality, food-safe, high-fire ceramics, and is dishwasher safe.
Buy Food Face Plate

#6 – Road Tape
From the manufacturer:
“PlayTape is a fast, fun way to lay down instant roads anywhere for creative play.”
Why we love it:
Not only does it encourage imaginative and constructive play, it sticks to any flat surface, is easy-tear, re-positionable, and peels up without residue. For kids who prefer trains, or just to add some variety, try Track Tape.
Buy Road Tape

#5 – Spinnyos Giant Yo-ller Coaster
From the manufacturer:
“Load up the Spinnyos spinners on the Launcher and send ’em spinning up, down, fast, slow, upside down and backwards!”
Why we love it:
Constantly changing tracks and adjustable ramps, tunnels, dips and loops keep kids engaged for hours.
Buy Giant Yo-ller Coaster

#4 – Tomy Megasketcher – Magnetic Drawing Board
From the manufacturer:
“Using the special pen tool and stamp shapes, you can create fantastic masterpieces thanks to the wonders of magnets and metal powder.”
Why we love it:
Creative play on the go, so you can inspire art, even on a long car trip.
Buy Magnetic Drawing Board

#3 – Tomy Pic ‘n’ Pop
From the manufacturer:
“The Tomy Pic ‘n’ Pop is a unique popper unit that gets toddlers on the move.”
Why we love it:
The pic and pop actually shoots colorful plastic balls when the handle on top is pressed, encouraging kids to move to retrieve them. This toy encourages exploration and understanding of cause and effect relationships, and important stepping stone of mental development.
Buy Pic ‘n’ Pop

#2- Take Apart Airplane
From the manufacturer:
“The breakable toy that comes back together again. Made of 24 big plastic pieces, this colorful airplane can be taken apart and reassembled with ease.”
Why we love it:
Kids will love assembling this toy because when they’re done, they have a cool airplane to play with. Other options include a take apart crane and a take apart roadster.
Buy Take Apart Airplane

#1 – Magformers Rainbow 30 Piece Set
From the manufacturer:
“Instant connect powerful magnets make playtime instantly FUN!”
Why we love it:
The magnets are designed to attract and never repel, which helps kids learn to construct without getting deterred by initial frustration. We love the variety of pieces and open-ended nature of the construction.
Buy Magformers Rainbow 30 Piece Set

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