Navigating play with babies and toddlers can be confusing for new parents. Play helps babies reach physical milestones, fosters parent-child connection, and builds social skills, like empathy. That’s why we’ve partnered with Melissa & Doug to give you the guidance you want and need to establish a good play routine with your little ones. If you’re stuck on how to play, keep scrolling for play tips and inspiration, our favorite first toys, and much more, starting from the newborn stage up to age 2.

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Play with Confidence

0-3 Months
4-6 Months
7-9 Months
10-12 Months
13-15 Months
16-18 Months
19-21 Months
22-24 Months

0-3 Months

best first toys for baby

The Best First Toys to Introduce Playtime for Your Baby

everymom tip
In case no one has told you this yet, it's totally OK if playing with your newborn feels kind of unnatural. It's important to remember that playtime will look different for every parent and child.

4-6 Months

building core strength for baby

Babies Need Core Strength: These Toys Can Help Them Build It

everymom tip
You can’t underestimate how exciting ordinary things can be to a baby. The simplest change to their day-to-day, like a new object, or even an old object moved or used in a new way, is a source of novelty.

7-9 Months

expert tip
Children learn about their world through play. They not only learn social skills or understand the relationships that exist around them (including the most important relationship with their caregiver), but they also learn how things work.
Rachel Tomlinson, Registered Psychologist

Play Tips: Melissa & Doug's Wooden Surprise Gift Box

Dr. Jenny Radesky shares how play can help develop empathy, sharing, and reciprocity.

10-12 Months

Hands Down, These Are the Best Toys for Your Little One’s Development

expert tip
Play is one of the things that can build all the skills and tools necessary for kids to grow into successful and sufficient adults.
Megan Carolan, Director of Policy Research at the Institute for Child Success

Play Tips: Melissa & Doug's Rollables Ocean Slide

Using characters in play can help role play new experiences, develop language, and social referencing. Dr. Jenny Radesky explains how play and connection work together.

13-15 Months

The Cutest Push Toys for Kids’ Play

expert tip
Help your child with their exploratory learning by creating or setting up an environment for them to freely explore and learn.
Bea Moise, M.S., BCCS.

Play Tips: Melissa & Doug's Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart

Problem-solving skills, independence, imaginative thinking, and building a sense of self are just a few of the benefits of playing with this shape sorter.

16-18 Months

play ideas for problem solving skills

5 Easy Play Ideas That Teach Key Problem-Solving Skills

everymom tip
When it comes to puzzle-based play, giving verbal hints while still giving your child the space to problem solve on their own gives them independence and helps develop their confidence.

Play Tips: Melissa & Doug's GO Tots Barnyard Tumble

Dr. Jenny Radesky shares how play can help build empathy and flexible thinking.

19-21 Months

building empathy with play

How Play Can Help Toddlers Learn About Emotions and Build Empathy

everymom tip
Kids having the opportunity to self entertain and soothe creates a strong sense of self as they grow their social-emotional intelligence.

22-24 Months

everymom tip
Turn on some tunes and have a dance party with your kids—this happens to be a great way to energize yourself, too!