The Best Toys for an 18-Month-Old

When looking for toys for an 18-month-old, there are several factors that you should consider. While many toys will entertain a child, toys for this age group should not contain any small pieces that can pose a choking hazard. Toys should provide different textures, shapes, sounds and colors to provide stimulation for your child. Selecting appropriate toys will improve your 18-month-old's physical and cognitive development and provide hours of entertainment.

  1. Blocks

    • At 18 months, your toddler is developing coordination and is beginning to understand imaginary play. Blocks can help teach your child about balance as he stacks them and watches them fall down. Additionally, when a parent or caregiver plays with your child, she can demonstrate how the blocks can build a house for a doll or a bridge for a car. This helps teach your child about abstract play.

    Dolls and Animals

    • At 18 months, children begin to develop an understanding of role-playing. Children will imitate parents or caregivers, and love doing this with dolls or stuffed animals. As the child plays pretend with the doll, he is developing empathy for others and demonstrating his ability to apply learned behavior, such as patting a doll's back after giving a bottle.

    Push and Pull Toys

    • At 18 months, children are mobile and are learning about cause and effect. Look for toys with wheels that roll when pushed and when pulled along behind the child. Most children this age love cars and trucks, but read packages carefully when purchasing, as many are not appropriate for young children.

    Books

    • Even though children this age are not able to read independently, books are great choices for entertainment. Children love to turn pages and look at pictures. Look for sturdy board books with bright colors and pictures. Many books provide sensory stimulation with different textures for the child to feel. Children this age particularly like looking at pictures of other babies, so look for books featuring other young children.

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