At around 1-2 years of age, children become naturally curious and begin developing new skills through exploration. Children have acquired new motor skills so will need toys that can challenge these skills, such as toys with a hammer or a button. They are too young to actually learn their ABCs, but they still enjoy interacting with these toys and being exposed to language.

Top Toys:

• Stacking rings
• Nesting cups or boxes
• Push- or pull-toys that make noise or have pieces that pop up or move
• Hammering sets that let kids hammer pegs or balls through holes
• Simple, sturdy musical instruments like tambourines, drums, or maracas
• Shape sorters
• Large play vehicles, such as a school bus or a fire engine, plus plastic people that ride in them
• Puzzles with four or five pieces