Appropriate Toys for Play Groups

Whether you are starting a play group with your child and other friends, working in a child care center or classroom, or simply babysitting, you may want to provide toys for the children to play with. This will help to keep them busy and having fun. You should try to provide toys that can be played with individually and in a group. Here are a few ideas on choosing appropriate toys for play groups, including what will be age-appropriate for the different age groups.

One appropriate toy to consider for your play group is stuffed animals. Stuffed animals are appropriate for any age as long as you choose the right types. Infants and toddlers should have stuffed animals where the eyes, nose, and mouth are drawn or sewn on. Infants and toddlers like to put things in their mouths, and you do not want to choke on a hard eye or nose that may come on. The stuffed animals should also be soft so that they do not get hurt. Older children can play with the same stuffed animals, plus animals with harder and bigger eyes or noses. The stuffed animals for them may be a little harder, but you can also include softer ones as well. Keep the stuffed animals separated by age group, so that you do not give an infant or toddler the wrong type. Stuffed animals are great for cuddling during a movie or snuggling with during nap time. The stuffed animals can also be used for pretend play games, such as "House", "Pet Store", and "Zoo". Some children like to even make their stuffed animals walk and talk.

Baby dolls and action figures are two other great choices, because you can include plenty for everyone to play with. This will encourage the children to share and play together. Baby dolls can be used to play pretend games such as "House", "Doctor", and "School". Children can also learn how to take care of others just by playing with baby dolls. The games children will play with action figures will depend on the figures themselves. Action figures can include superheroes, cartoon or movie characters, and wrestling figures. Infants and toddlers should have dolls that are designed for their age group, while older kids will have a bigger selection.

Toy cars are another good choice for play groups. You can buy cars individually or in sets for decent prices, allowing you to provide enough for everyone to play with! Children can race their cars, pretend they are just cruising down the road, add them to other games (such as combining the toy cars and action figures), and make up their own games. Infants who can sit up and toddlers should have large cars to play with, so that they are not a choking hazard. You can find toy cars designed just for this age group! Older children can play with cars of various sizes, from Hot Wheels to large cars. The cars come in different designs as well, from race cars and regular cars to fire trucks and dump trucks.

Most children love music, so you can also provide a few musical instruments for the children to play with. This can include maracas (and rattles for the babies), bells, small drums, Kleenex box guitars, kazoos, recorders, and even electronic toy instruments. The children can pretend to form a band and put on concerts!

If you have a play group with older children (toddlers and older), then you may decide to take them outside. You can set up a sandbox and/or water activity table for the children to play with together. There are many other outdoor toys to include, such as jump ropes, hula hoops, bouncy balls, and sidewalk chalk. Children love to play outdoors and these toys will help children to explore, discover, get the exercise they need, and be creative.

When you provide appropriate toys for play groups, be sure to lay down the ground rules for the children. Let them know that they are to play nicely with one another. They are to share the toys and take turns, and not snatch a toy from another child. Provide enough toys for the children to play with. This way if one toy is in use, they can play with something else in the meantime. Plan out individual play and group play with the children. They can have fun, keep busy, and still learn how to play and communicate with others. Have fun choosing and providing the age-appropriate toys for play groups.

I am an aunt and have worked in child care settings in the past.