The toy that gets used every day is rarely the loudest or the one with the biggest box. It is often the soft friend reached for after a big day, the stacking cups that make bath time easier, or the familiar comforter packed before a trip to Nan and Pop’s. The best toys for kids meet the child in front of you: their age, interests, energy level and need for reassurance.
For parents, a worthwhile toy also has to work in real family life. It should be safe for its intended age, easy to clean, durable enough for enthusiastic little hands and useful beyond five minutes of novelty. Here is how to choose toys that support play, comfort and calmer daily routines from the newborn months through to the preschool years.
What makes a toy worth bringing home?
A good toy does not need to teach every skill at once. Babies and young children learn through repetition, sensory exploration and imaginative play, so a simple toy can offer plenty when it is well matched to their developmental stage.
Look for toys that invite your child to do something rather than simply watch. A rattle encourages reaching and listening. A soft comforter can become part of a familiar wind-down ritual. Blocks allow children to build, knock down and try again. These small moments build confidence without turning play into a lesson.
The most useful toys also leave room for your child’s imagination. A wooden spoon may become a microphone, while a plush character might be a brave explorer at childcare and a bedtime companion at home. This is why fewer, thoughtfully chosen toys can often feel more valuable than a crowded toy box.
Best toys for kids at each early stage
Newborns: gentle sensory comfort
In the early months, newborns do not need lots of toys. They are drawn to faces, gentle sounds, high-contrast patterns and textures they can safely explore with their hands. A soft activity toy, a simple rattle or a washable newborn soother can offer interest without overwhelming a brand-new nervous system.
Choose lightweight items with securely attached features and no loose parts. High-contrast black, white and bold-coloured details can be especially engaging while your little one’s vision is still developing. Keep play brief and follow their cues: turning away, fussing or becoming stiff can mean they have had enough stimulation for now.
Soft toys can be wonderful for supervised cuddles, pram outings and bonding time. For sleep, always follow current Australian safe sleep guidance and your product instructions. Love By Emi recommends the cautious 12-month standard for a comforter in the cot, so a sleep space for a little one under 12 months should remain clear of soft toys, loose bedding and other items that may create a hazard.
Six to 12 months: cause, effect and movement
Once bubs are sitting, rolling and beginning to crawl, toys become an invitation to experiment. They love seeing what happens when they shake, squeeze, drop or bang something together. Teethers, sensory balls, stackers, bath cups and simple musical toys for six-month-olds suit this wonderfully curious stage.
This is also an age when toys spend a lot of time on the floor, in the pram and occasionally in someone’s mouth. Easy-clean materials matter. Check toys regularly for wear, particularly seams, batteries and small detachable pieces. A toy that is easy to wash is far more likely to stay in regular rotation.
Toddlers: independence and big feelings
Toddlers are busy practising independence while still needing plenty of connection. Open-ended toys are particularly helpful here because they can grow with a child’s confidence. Think blocks, pretend food, chunky puzzles, dolls, cars and animal figures.
Comfort toys can have a meaningful role too. A familiar mini lovey may help a toddler manage the handover at childcare, settle into a holiday sleep routine or regroup after a disappointing moment at the park. It is not about making a child dependent on an object. It is about giving them a predictable, comforting cue as they learn to manage new experiences.
Keep choices manageable. Rotating a few toys every week can make old favourites feel fresh, reduce mess and help toddlers focus long enough to develop their own play ideas.
Preschoolers: stories, problem-solving and pretend play
By preschool age, children often turn everyday experiences into elaborate games. They may feed a teddy breakfast, build a vet clinic from cushions or spend half an hour transporting rocks in a toy truck. Toys that support storytelling, construction, drawing and role play give them room to practise language, empathy and problem-solving.
Board games with simple rules can be lovely for turn-taking, but they should still feel playful rather than pressured. If your child loses interest midway through, that is normal. The aim is connection and practice, not finishing every game exactly as the box suggests.
How to choose the best toys for kids in your family
Before adding a toy to the cart, think about where and when it will be used. The right choice for a quiet newborn nursery will be different from the right choice for a busy toddler travelling between home, childcare and grandparents’ houses.
Four practical checks can make the decision easier:
- Age suitability: Follow the manufacturer’s age guidance, particularly where small parts, batteries, cords or magnets are involved.
- Safety and care: Choose sturdy construction, secure seams and materials you can clean according to the care instructions.
- A clear purpose: Consider whether the toy supports active play, creativity, comfort, movement or a familiar routine.
- Staying power: Ask whether your child can use it in more than one way or return to it as their skills change.
Price can matter, but expensive does not automatically mean better. A quality soft toy used at every nap-time wind-down or a set of blocks played with for years may offer more value than a novelty item that only holds attention for an afternoon. Equally, a toy does not need to last forever to be worthwhile. Some toys are perfect for one short developmental phase, and that is okay.
When a comforting toy supports bedtime routines
Bedtime can be a tender, tiring part of family life. Young children often find it easier to settle when the steps before sleep happen in a familiar order: bath, pyjamas, book, cuddle, lights low. A comforting toy can become one gentle part of that routine.
For little ones and toddlers, calming sound can also help soften unpredictable household noise or make an unfamiliar room feel more familiar. White noise or a gentle lullaby should be used thoughtfully, at a low volume and positioned away from little ears. They are a settling tool, not a replacement for responsive care, safe sleep practices or medical advice when sleep concerns feel persistent.
A plush sleep toy with a removable sound machine, such as those from Love By Emi, can be especially practical because it pairs tactile comfort with a repeatable sound cue while still being easier to wash. The best fit depends on your child. Some children respond beautifully to a consistent sound; others prefer a quiet cuddle and a favourite story.
For younger bubs, keep the sleep environment clear and use sound features in line with the product directions and safe sleep recommendations. As children get older, a comfort toy may move naturally from supervised winding-down time to becoming a treasured part of their own bedtime ritual.
Let your child show you what they need
It is easy to feel pressure to choose the most educational, trending or beautifully styled toy. But your child’s response is the best measure. Notice what they return to when they are tired, what helps them play independently and what brings a little calm during a busy day.
A well-loved toy may end up with a flattened ear, a few crayon marks or a permanent place beside the cot. That is not a sign it has been worn out. It is a sign it has done something special: helped your child feel safe enough to play, explore and grow.