With four kids in the house, I sometimes feel like I’m living in a toy shop. We have a playroom packed full of all the toys you can imagine (and many you can’t!). I’ve found that there are a few classic toys that all four of my babies enjoy playing with time and time again, while others just sit in the corner gathering dust. I’m a big fan of toys that last, toys that will grow with baby, and toys that stimulate their imagination. Wooden toys always win hands down for our family over those bright, flashy, noisy plastic toys that people seem to like buying for kids lately.
Whether you’re shopping for baby toys for a gift or for your own kids, these 9 classics don’t fail on providing non-stop entertainment (and they wont drive moms bonkers with hideous noises and blinking lights). Check them out in the slideshow.
More Toys for Babies:
Classic Toys I Loved When I Was a Baby That My Kids Love Too
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Building Blocks
A set of wooden blocks is always a winner. Baby will spend hours stacking blocks (and knocking them down), and as he gets bigger his imagination will grow and he will get more creative with them. This Early Learning Centre set (£12.00) is my favourite.
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Shape Puzzles
Puzzles are a great way for babies to learn their shapes and practice their fine motor skills by putting them together. This Multi-Solution Shape Puzzle by P’Kolino (£14.30) is great as it can be put back together in more than one way, which really stimulates your child's creative thinking!
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Vehicles
They're not just for boys! Trains and cars are great toys, and with a little imagination any surface can become a road or track. All of my kids have been through an interest in vehicles at some point or another. I love this Orange Tree Animal Puzzle Train (£25.00), as the removable and stackable pieces offer more creative play options.
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Sensory Blocks
My kiddos have all loved these! Babies love watching the contents move around and watching the bright colours. Toddlers love making music with them, building, balancing, making shapes, and looking at the world through coloured perspex. This Sensory Block (£42.68) set is perfect.
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Musical Instruments
Noisy, yes---but I prefer the noise of a musical instrument over a plastic, flashing toy any day. Babies love things that make noise, so shakers and jingly bells are perfect. Toddlers love to play the xylophone and experiment with different sounds and learn a little about cause and effect while they're at it. This BigJigs Wooden Music Set (£13.95) contains a great selection of instruments for your littles.
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Play Food
Toddlers love cooking up pretend meals and having make-believe tea parties for their teddies! This Melissa & Doug Food Groups (£16.00) set can be a good way to teach them about healthy eating too.
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Activity Cube
I love these! They're great for babies who can sit up unattended as well as toddlers. With so many different activities, they'll never grow bored of it. This Wooden 7-in-1 Garden Activity Cube (£79.50) looks good enough to be on display when you have visitors over too.
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Pretend Play
Toddlers love pretending to be someone else, dressing up, and acting out stories. It's a great way to encourage their imagination and encourage them to make up stories. This Le Toy Van Doctor's Set (£38.95) is a great addition to a dressing up box.
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Shape Sorter
A simple shape sorter can keep a toddler entertained for hours. It's a great way for them to learn about shapes as well as problem solving! This colourful Cow Shape Sorter (£23.00) will make playtime extra fun!
