A fool-proof guide to age-appropriate toys and gifts.

Gift shopping for kids entails some knowledge and research. Child development experts tell us, “play is the work of children” – and this makes toy shopping serious business. The wrong toy can bore your babe if it’s too easy. Too advanced, and it can frustrate him.

Give a child the right toy and you’ll be giving him hours of fun, exploration and learning. Before you start shopping, check out our age-by-age gift guide.

Babies (0-1 year) This age is all about sensory development, particularly engaging their senses of sight, touch and hearing. Interaction with mom and dad is still the most important playtime activity. But here are a few things baby could use:

Rattles – Toys that make noise when shook, squeezed or touched; pretend keys and mobile phones that make interesting sounds or sing out abc’s and 123’s are good choices.

Mobiles – To hang on top of a crib to stimulate a baby’s sense of sight. High contrasting colors (blacks and whites) are especially good for very young babies.

Bath toys – Babies love bath time so make it more fun with toys that squeak and squeal during tub time.

Plush toys - These can be soft stuffed animals (there are hypoallergenic kinds available), plush blocks, soft stacking rings or cloth books.

Push and pull toys – These are appropriate for older babies at around 8 months, especially when they are starting to stand, cruise or maybe even walk.

Baby gyms – These are play mats with overhead rings holding different rattles or smaller toys babies can bat with their feet or their hands.

Toddlers (1-3 years) At this age, children are becoming more mobile – exploring their world more with their hands and feet. Curiosity is growing. They are also starting a language explosion so engaging them with music, books and pretend play can benefit them tremendously. Maybe they can’t count yet, but you can lay good math skills with simple puzzles, blocks and shape sorters. Here’s our list of good toddler toys:

Shape sorters

Sorting and nesting toys

Modeling clay like Play Dough

Blocks – wooden or cardboard; Lego has Duplo blocks specifically designed for toddlers’ smaller hands.

Hardback books with rounded edges

Picture books with short simple sentences in big bold letters, look for giant book versions of Dr. Seuss or Eric Carle classics.

Musical toys or toy instruments

Soft balls are good for practicing some toddler basketball, soccer or catch.

Preschoolers (4-5 years) Like toddlers, preschoolers are still curious explorers but they know more and can move around better. Though you still need to keep an eye on them. They still aren’t safety experts! Gross motor and fine motor skills are improving so choose toys that can enhance how they use their hands and bodies – just like these good preschooler gifts:

Tricycles or bicycles with training wheels

Ride-on toys like scooters and twist cars

Wooden train sets - Thomas and Friends are quite popular with this age group.

Basic musical instruments – Drums and percussion instruments are a good introduction to actual instrument play for this age group.

Simple board games like Chutes and Ladders, Cariboo, Boggle Jr., Sorry and Scrabble Junior

Costumes and accessories for pretend play

Blocks, Lego has age-by-age guides on each box set

Lacing toys and bead sets that make bracelets and necklaces are a hit with the girls.

Cooking sets and doll houses - And these aren’t just for little girls, boys can be future chefs and architects too!

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