How to Choose Games for Toddlers

12 - 18 months:

By about 13 months, half of all babies are up on their feet and walking - even if it is a little wobbly! Once your toddler gets going he won't want to stop, so choose toys that will encourage movement. At this age he's also able to put ideas together and make a plan, so building toys are also popular.

At this stage, introduce:

Wheeled toys

Whether you invest in some push or pull toys, or get him his own three wheeled ride-on toy, your toddler will love to play with toys that are on wheels. Not only will these allow him to practice his new physical skills, but he'll also be able to choose where he goes and how he gets there.

Building Blocks

Toddler lego (Duplo) and wooden building blocks are very popular at this age, as the open-ended play will allow your toddler to create anything he can imagine.

Musical instruments

All toddlers love to make noise and whether you buy some basic instruments - castanets, drum, triangle, tambourine (or if you really are a glutton for punishment, a recorder), or make your own, he will spend many happy hours making his own band.

18 - 24 months:

With movement now at the top of the things-to-do list, your toddler will now be refining both gross motor (running, jumping, climbing) and fine motor (scribbling, threading, holding and carrying) skills - so the best toys are those that encourage this development.

At this stage, introduce:

Craft

Your toddler will begin to be interested in scribbling with large crayons, squeezing playdoh between her fingers and finger painting.

Role playing games

Your toddler has been watching you for her whole life and at this stage she will begin to play imagination games that mirror home life. Let her play house with a tea set, a toy stroller, a telephone, a doll's bed and a teddy bear and watch the magic happen.

Books

Now that your toddler has a little more independence, she'll really enjoy picking the books you read, turning the pages and pointing out interesting things on the page. Don't be surprised though if she picks the same book every night - toddlers learn through repetition.

2 - 3 years:

In the third year of life, your toddler will begin to move from playing side-by-side with other children to interacting more directly, and as a consequence, the games he likes to play will become more socially oriented. While there will inevitably be issues about sharing and turn-taking, he will enjoy being involved in peer-led play.

At this stage, introduce:

Simple puzzles

Your toddler now has the fine motor skills and the understanding needed to do simple puzzles. These will encourage him to learn how to problem-solve and strategise. He will also love the sense of achievement that comes from slotting in that last piece!

Sports games

With all that energy to burn and physical skills to hone, ball games are very popular at this age. Whether he's kicking a ball, using a set of golf clubs, or learning to hit a ball with a bat, sports games are also a wonderful way to learn social skills - taking turns, ideas of fair play, and losing gracefully.

Shops

A cash register, play money, a shopping basket and some empty cereal boxes is all it will take for your toddler to set up his own shop. Playing shops teaches your toddler how to interact with others peacefully and helps him to understand his world.