Looking for a birth gift or to stimulate your baby's senses? This article is for you! To accompany them in their discovery of the world around them, nothing is better than the games of awakening. Here is our selection of the 20 best toys and activities for baby's awakening!
A child's first few months are the most important. It is during this period that baby discovers the world around him and develops his senses. This vital period of awakening is facilitated by games, toys and family activities. Dolls, cuddly toys, books, puzzles, walkers, rattles, all these objects help baby to discover the sounds of animals, colors, shapes and participate in the development of his motor skills. In wood, plastic or fabric, big or small, there is something for every price. Here is our list of the best toys to accompany baby in his first steps!
1. Games that stimulate motor skills
Bamtry Baby Play & Activity Mat
A waterproof and colorful play mat that allows baby to have fun while discovering animals. Regardless of his age, your child will be able to play with his toys as well as with his cars since the mat is reversible! Foldable, it can be easily stored once baby has finished playing.
Hudson Baby Unisex Baby Animal Face Security Blanket
Entirely made of velvet and poplin, this little plush rattle whale is so soft that baby will never let it go. From birth your child will be able to sleep with its rattle shaking it when he wants to play! This awakening toy will stimulate his curiosity and motor skills.
Available at Amazon.
Radio Flyer 36" All-Terrain Steel & Wood Wagon
How can I stimulate baby's motor skills if he doesn't walk? The wooden walking cart is the solution! With it, baby will discover the world around him on his two feet. The handles adapt to the age and size of the child for a better support. Once the first steps are completed, baby can finally have fun with the many activities: mirror, shape box, storage box for stuffed animals and all kinds of games, all related to the animals he may come across during a walk in the woods.
Available on Amazon
The red metal carrier car of Vilac
To stimulate the motor skills and muscles of baby's legs, wearers are recommended. With this bright red car, your child will go from new to new. This Vilac racing car will accompany children in their first steps! With this metal toy, Lewis Hamilton's succession is assured!
Available on Amazon.
2. Learning and playing music
Hape's musical tumble penguin
With this wooden Hape awakening penguin, children will discover the sounds and have fun with this waddling toy. Very light, this penguin is however not recommended for babies under 6 months. Very important, the safety of the toy is tested by the manufacturers! With Hape, Love play Learn.
Djeco's baby Rainy rain stick
The colors and soothing sounds of the Djeco rain stick captivate baby. With the colorful beads and patterns, this beech wood rattle will become an essential companion. In addition to stimulating hearing through music, this toy stimulates motor skills. A 2-in-1 awakening game!
Lilliputians Music Activity Cube
Full of colors and playful, this cube of musical awakening accompanies baby in his discovery of animal noises. The different textures, the bright colors, the different activities will develop his imagination, his thinking and his motor skills. The different accessories (teething ring, mirror, colored labels, hidden objects, animal sounds, pulling toy) will amuse baby for several hours!
3. Activities that stimulate reflection and curiosity
Haba building set
Full of colors and pieces to stack, this all to build is not insignificant. Baby will have to stack the pieces and cubes in the right order to allow the mouse to climb his ladder, the cat to wave and the snail to move forward. This game is an ideal first building toy for children 18 months and older!
Janod's Baby Forest pyramid of cubes
This construction game composed of 6 wooden cubes to stack, will encourage baby to develop his coordination, thinking and sense of observation. Each side of a cube is illustrated on a different theme: animals, numbers, shapes, colors, objects. From 12 months baby will be able to play and stack the cubes but in the right order!
Vertbaudet recessed jigsaw puzzle
A great classic from our childhood, the puzzle is making a comeback. This wooden jigsaw puzzle with bright shapes and colors is composed of thick pieces, easy to handle! From 12 months, baby develops his thinking, dexterity and knowledge of animals. The 9 thick pieces can be embedded or used as toys.
Wooden shape box little Dutch
With its different animals, Little Dutch's wooden shape box is a puzzle game that will keep baby busy. The different openings will force your child to think and find the right combinations to fit each piece inside the cube. Starting at 12 months, children will be able to recognize shapes, colors, animals, etc.
4. Le livre, meilleur moyen de les faire rêver
Livre d’éveil Sophie la Girafe
Grande amie de notre enfance, Sophie la girafe est aussi connue des bébés. Le livre d’éveil de la marque Sophie la Girafe sollicitera les nombreux sens de votre enfant grâce aux nombreuses activités et textures à découvrir. Chaque page est illustrée d’un chiffre différent, ce qui le préparera à son entrée à l’école. Facile à saisir, bébé pourra le transporter partout !
The Baby surprise book from Vtech
This animated book by VTech and its 6 interactive pages will arouse baby's curiosity. 3 buttons to discover animals, objects, colors and songs. This book will also allow your child to stimulate his sense of touch thanks to the elephant's head and its rustling paper ears. If you want to take it with you on the go, don't worry! The attachment ring allows you to attach it to the bed rails or to a stroller. 4 songs, 20 melodies and all laughter!
Because animals fascinate children, this book illustrated by Maëlle Cheval presents the baby animals of the ice floe. Polar bear, baby seal or little fox are the characters that will accompany baby in his discovery of the ice floe. From a collection of books, Les bébés de la neige develops the sense of touch and stimulates language.
What is a wake-up activity?
Children need to be awakened at an early age. The sole purpose of these activities is to help your child develop his or her abilities and senses: motor skills, dexterity, hearing, sight and touch. They teach them everything they need to build themselves up.
How to choose an early learning toy?
Choosing a gift for a baby is never simple. We don't know what will please him, if the toy will amuse him, scare him and especially if it is adapted to his age. Here is a list of important criteria to keep in mind before buying a baby toy:
- Age: the most important criteria. Check the box for the age recommended by the suppliers. Also check for small parts, children love to put things in their mouths, so be careful!
- Ease of use: the toy must be simple to use. Children who are often young should be able to have fun.
- Advice: Before you buy a toy, check out the advice of other parents to avoid unpleasant surprises.
How to choose your baby's first book
Even if baby can't read and can't yet understand the meaning of stories, toddler books exist and are very useful! Cardboard or all cloth items are ideal: he'll be able to turn the page and put the book to his mouth safely. It's best to opt for books with textured pages; the contrasts and different materials allow baby to develop his sense of touch.
What are the best brands of nursery toys?
The world of childcare is a real market. Many brands compete with each other. Some manage to stand out. Among them one finds Dejco, Janod, Haba, Vilac, Hape, Lilliputiens, Vertbaudet, Sophie the Giraffe...
Hudson Baby Unisex Baby Animal Face Security Blanket
Radio Flyer 36" All-Terrain Steel & Wood Wagon
Hape's musical tumble penguin
Haba building set
