Toys + Activities

There are five core principles of the highly-regarded Montessori method: nurturing respect for the child, stimulating their absorbent mind, instantiating sensitive periods, providing a prepared environment, and facilitating auto-education. For Montessori play, opt for toys with a simple design that draw inspiration from real life, utilise natural materials, and promote cognitive and STEM learning.

Wooden toys are generally considered safer than plastic baby toys, as they do not contain harmful chemicals or toxins that can be found in some plastics. Additionally, wooden toys are less likely to break into small pieces which can pose a choking hazard to little ones. Wooden toys are more durable, biodegradable and a o made with sustainable wood. They are high-quality, environmentally friendly wooden toys that don't include PVC, phthalates, or other substances commonly found in plastic baby toys. Eco-friendly toys support both your baby's development and environmental sustainability.

Newborn toys should promote their sensory and physical development. Activity spirals engage newborns with colours, textures and sounds. High-contrast black-and-white toys encourage visual tracking for newborns up to 3 months old, and from about 4 to 6 months, rattles, textured teethers and crinkle toys can help support the development of fine motor skills. From 12 months, you can introduce more involved toys like dolls, push-pull toys, and story books. While your child is learning how to see the world and developing their most important senses, you should choose baby toys designed to support their growth and physical development at every stage.

When it comes to the best outdoor activities for babies, there are plenty of options! From blowing bubbles to playing ball games and splashing in water, there's no shortage of ways to bring joy and engage your little one outside. The WHO recommends that children aged 12 months to four years spend at least 3 hours a day being physically active, and studies show spending time outside encourages more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. So, the more time they spend outside, the better. This can include light activity such as standing up, moving around, rolling and playing, as well as more energetic activity like skipping, hopping, running and jumping. Make sure they get at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity and 60 minutes of unstructured playtime every day. Help them stay active and avoid being inactive for more than 1 hour at a time (except while sleeping) for their health and happiness.

During tummy time, enhance your baby's sensory and visual experience with the right toys. Consider using soft sensory books, mirrors, rattles, board books, music mobiles, stacking toys or baby gyms. For additional stimulation, place black and white pictures, board books, rattles, or toys within 8-12 inches of your baby's face to enable focus. For a top-notch sensory range using colours designed for baby's senses, check out Etta Loves!

You should choose toys designed to support your child's physical development from the time they're able to grip objects (around 6 months old), with sensory options like rattles, grasp balls and crinkle toys. As they become more mobile and start exploring the world, choose appropriate baby activity toys designed to improve their fine motor skills like tummy time toys. And when they can pull themselves up on their feet, walkers and ride alongs can help them improve their balance and coordination while they explore and play.

Enriching your child's learning through playtime has countless benefits! Sensory play enhances cognitive, motor, psychosocial, emotional, and linguistic development in children. Plus, it's a powerful stress reliever that stimulates brain growth and encourages problem-solving. Don't forget, it's super fun too! Some of the most beloved options include wooden blocks, tents and teepees, role-play sets (like kitchens or bakeries), and craft kits. Encourage your little one to use their imagination during playtime as they learn to interpret sounds, emotions, body language and other cues from the world. Start incorporating sensory play into your little one's routine today with our extensive range of baby activity toys.

The best bath toys stimulate your child's imagination and engage their senses while they learn to enjoy the routine of bath time. Playing with tiny boats, fishing toys, and bath books in the water can help transform a simple daily routine into something your child looks forward to. Look for water-friendly bath toys made of high-quality materials like silicone or natural rubber for added longevity.

The best baby bouncers will have soft, comfortable fabrics, adjustable recline positions and safety harnesses. Some also have a vibration feature to help calm fussy babies. We recommend choosing a bouncer that prioritises your baby's comfort above all else.

Kids are picky, and it can be hard to keep them entertained for long. That's why we recommend rotating age-appropriate toys to help keep them engaged without overwhelming them. Try to introduce different textures and colours to see what catches their eye. Pay attention to what brings them the most joy and what holds their attention the longest, and try to rotate between similar toys to hold their interest.

Safe toys should meet applicable safety regulations in Great Britain. Of course, you should always supervise infants playing with bath toys or toys with moving parts. Pay attention to the size of your child's toys, as ones smaller than 3.2 cm in diameter or 6 cm in length can pose choking hazards, and toys with cords longer than 30 cm can pose strangulation risks. Battery compartments in electronics should be secured with screws to prevent access. Regularly inspect baby toys for sharp edges, cracks or loose components to ensure safety. You should also ensure you're following the age guidelines for any given toy, as these guidelines are based on safety and developmental benchmarks rather than intelligence.