Friends are becoming increasingly important, and your child will start asking for a particular toy (if he hasn't already) because "everyone else has it." This is the age when kids often become huge fans of computer games, but they also enjoy having their friends over to play sports, card games, and board games. Some kids like doing science experiments (with your help) others love making beaded jewelry or playing with dolls. Your child is developing his own interests while learning from both his teachers and peers. Transportation toys, such as parking garages, airports, and train stationsīoard games that don't require reading, such as Hungry Hungry Hippos, Yahtzee Jr., or Candyland Let's try again' instead of ones that make negative beeping noises whenever kids get an answer wrong," suggests Marianne Szymanski, president of Kids are now able to imagine that they're someone else and may fantasize about being airplane pilots, police officers, doctors, or teachers.Ĭonstruction sets with large pieces, such as Legos or Lincoln Logs "Choose toys that say positive things like 'Good job. There's a tremendous explosion in learning ability at this age, and it's a good time to introduce interactive educational toys that teach math and verbal skills, such as phonics boards or mini computers. Large transportation toys with buttons to make a horn honk or a siren whistle.Musical instruments (especially popular are those with flashing lights on the keys that your child needs to press in order to play a tune).Props for make-believe play, such as toy telephone, a tea-party set, a toy kitchen, or a doll stroller.
You can also introduce a ride-on toy: Start with one that your child can propel with both feet, and move up to a tricycle. Boys and girls are both very active at this age and will still enjoy their push- and pull-toys. A boy may use his dump truck to scoop up sand, while a girl might pretend to feed her doll and put it down for a nap. No matter how politically correct you are, your child will probably play in a gender-stereotypical way-at least some of the time, Dr.
She'll like high-tech toys that make real-life sounds, such as telephones that ring or dolls that talk. She'll start to enjoy pretend play that imitates the actions of people around her. Your child's play is now more purposeful, and she has the fine motor skills needed to complete a puzzle or build with blocks by herself.
#Baby barbie games plus
Large play vehicles, such as a school bus or a fire engine, plus plastic people that ride in them Simple, sturdy musical instruments like tambourines, drums, or maracas
Hammering sets that let kids hammer pegs or balls through holes Push- or pull-toys that make noise or have pieces that pop up or move He's too young to actually learn his ABCs, but he'll still enjoy interacting with these toys and being exposed to language. Some high-tech toys for this age will name a letter, a shape, or a number when your baby presses a button. "Your baby is fascinated by cause and effect and will enjoy any toy that responds to his actions and makes use of newly acquired motor skills," says psychologist Robin Goodman, Ph.D., director of NYU Child Study Center's Website, For instance, he'll love toys that allow him to hit a ball with a hammer as well as toys with buttons that cause music to play or characters to pop up.