Do you know that you can use household items as a toy for babies? Thousands of toys are on the market for children today. Technology has changed the game and kids now are growing up with screens, tablets, interactive toys, and also constant stimulation. But more visual stimulation does not equate to better learning; often the simplest of toys enrich young minds far better than their technological counterparts.

You may have heard parents complain that their children have been surrounded by dozens of new toys and also yet they chose to play with the box in which the toys were packaged.  Does this mean commercial toys have nothing to offer toddlers? Of course, not- even loud toys with flashing lights and screens can stimulate good play and learning in toddlers.

List of Household Items as Toys For Babies

But the better the quality of your child’s play, the more enriching the learning experience. Children need to play creatively to learn about the world around them; this means they need toys they can interact with, utilize in several ways, and use to build skills that will help them later in life. Here are some ideas for household items as a toy for babies and everyday items that can promote learning in toddlers:

1. Cups, Pipes, and Other Water Toys

Grab some plastic cups and bowls out of your cabinet and throw them in the bathtub with your toddler!  Water play is fun for all ages and teaches young children the concept of “cause and effect”, balance, the basics of gravity, self-control, and fine motor skills like scooping and pouring. 

Some experts even suggest that the skill of transferring liquid from one container to another is an important prerequisite to potty training!  Most children delight in water play and learning will come naturally through trial and error (and constant adult supervision). 

Looking for a toy that will encourage learning in the bathtub?  Buy some toy pipes!  These plastic pipes suction to the walls of your tub and have gears that spin as water flows through them.  Let your little ones pour to their heart’s content!  

2. Brooms and Dustpans

Toddlers are deeply curious people and thrive in environments where they feel helpful!  They love watching their caretakers and imitating the things they see them do. 

All of these are excellent reasons to get your tot some household items as toy of her babies!  Toy vacuums, kitchen sets, tool benches, and also other everyday items are available in toy form for your little helper.  Let your children clean, cook, or work alongside you and praise them for their help. 

This builds their self-esteem and confidence in their abilities.  Want to challenge your toddler?  Buy a toy broom and dustpan, scatter some balled-up paper on the floor, and also demonstrate how to sweep the pieces into the dustpan.

 However, Sweeping is a full-body exercise that builds gross motor skills, encourages concentration, and allows your child to feel useful!  Plus, your child can use his imagination to ride the broom like a horse.  Doesn’t every kid want a pony?

3. Wagons

Toddlers love to explore and play outdoors; but their tiny legs, new walking skills,  and short attention spans make long outdoor trips difficult.  Enter the wagon– a tried and true parenting staple for decades.  This particular wagon is collapsible for portability and has seat belts for safety. 

Wagons offer children a bit of respite while still allowing them to actively engage with their surroundings.  Tow your tot to the beach, on a picnic, or even just down the street with ease.  Each new experience enriches your children’s brains and teaches them about the world around them. 

Let your child push and pull the wagon around at home!  This fosters independence, builds strength, and teaches children new ways to use their bodies to make things move!

4. Interactive Books

Children may be too young to follow and understand stories until they are several years old.  But they are never too young for books!  Interactive, touch-and-feel books allow children to explore new textures and physical sensations. 

Lift-the-flap books teach babies object permanence and offer an exciting element of surprise to toddlers.  Sound stories help children connect a picture to its corresponding sound and teach the cause and effect of pressing buttons. 

Even simple board books encourage children to learn the basic operations of a book: how to hold a book, turn pages, and observe the content on each page. 

One unique book idea for toddlers is a “Quiet Book”- a cloth book with buttons, zippers, clock hands, velcro, and also other simple mechanisms for them to explore.  This teaches kids skills they will use throughout their lives as well as encourages an interest in reading when they are older!

5. Balls and Ramps

The ball is the most classic toy for humans and animals alike- and with good reason!  Playing with a ball teaches toddlers about movement, balance, and coordination. It improves gross motor skills by encouraging children to chase and throw.

One of the first games most children play is passing a ball back and forth with a friend; this teaches sharing and the concept of social play.  Most preschoolers have a ball to play with already.  But you can build upon their natural curiosity by purchasing ramps and structures upon which they can roll balls.

The toy linked above is a stackable loop with bridges and small ramps to put together, build towers, and test the pathways with small balls.  Toys like this invite children to play creatively, test new ideas, and increase spatial awareness.

6. Simple Musical Instruments

Everyone knows that toddlers love drumming on pots and pans; but how does this help them learn?  It allows them to discover the relationship between different materials and their corresponding sounds, builds an understanding of rhythm, and gives them a fun outlet for their curiosity and energy. 

Children love to mimic adults in the ways they use objects.  But imagining and using everyday items in new ways helps children to build creativity. 

In this case, If you’re unwilling to sacrifice your good cookware to your toddler, simple musical instrument sets are available in stores and online.  The set linked above has instruments to shake, bang, jingle, and clang- fun sounds for your fun-loving little musician!

Wrap Up

Toddlers are excitable, creative little people and as long as they are playing, they are learning. Parents, teachers, and caretakers everywhere want to make the most of their children’s playtime but shopping for toys can be overwhelming.

Online shopping has made the toy market infinitely more vast and accessible. Additionally, This can make shopping for the best, most educational toys complicated and frustrating. We hope this list of household items as a toy for babies has offered some good starting points for promoting educational and fun experiences for the children in your life as well as.

Toys are wonderful at encouraging independent play but remember- the best “toy” children can have is a caretaker who plays with them. So hit the market, roll up your sleeves, and have fun playing!