Beginning at a very young age, children learn, grow, and develop by using all of their senses. This is especially true during play. That is why it is so important to choose the right toys. Since my boys were infants, I have always looked for toys that engage the senses and encourage learning through play. Even though my boys are older now, I still encourage the use of games, toys, and activities that allow them to grow and learn.
I was recently introduced to a new line of toys for little ones ages 12 months and up. Bababoo and Friends offers a unique learning through play experience for children. Each beautifully crafted wooden toy brings Bababoo’s world to life. During play, kids are building important developmental skills, including language, motor, and cognitive. Here are a few of the toys I recommend checking out!
Whale Wilma Pull Along Toy
Bababoo and Friends takes the classic pull toy to the next level with Whale Wilma. This adorable wooden toy is recommended for children ages 12 months and up. Pull along toys are perfect for teaching kids that their actions have reactions. It is the introduction to cause and effect. As they pull the string, Wilma will follow them. They can go on many adventures together allowing for hours of fun and creativity. While playing, kids build important gross motor skills, including coordination and balance. The removable (but attached) house on top of Wilma adds another layer of play and storytelling. Make sure to use a lot of descriptive language while playing with your child to help build their skills in communication as well.
Lolo’s Boat Bead Maze
I absolutely LOVE Lolo’s Boat Bead Maze for so many reasons! First, it is the perfect size for children 12 months old (and up). It can even fit right in your diaper bag for playing on-the-go. This adorable toy uses color, sound, and texture to engage children. As little ones move the beads along the maze, they are enhancing important fine and visual motor skills, including eye-hand coordination. Problem solving skills are also engaged as the child figures out which way to move the bead to get to the other side. Parents can help build academic skills by labeling colors and counting the beads. You can also create a fun story to go along with your playtime.
Drive Through the Rainbow: Rainbow Puzzle Game
For ages 1-4, the Rainbow Puzzle Game is a unique 6-piece wooden puzzle that little ones will want to play with over and over. The littlest of story lovers can start by simply exploring the puzzle. They will take the pieces on and off and experiment with cause and effect. As they get a little older, the play becomes more purposeful as they build bridges and tunnels for the race car. While playing, kids will build important fine and visual motor skills. Parents can encourage learning even more by labeling the colors and characters on the puzzle. This helps build listening comprehension and expressive language skills. Eventually, your child can create their own stories.
Wonder Tree Shape Sorting Clock
I have always loved sorting clocks, especially wooden ones. They offer endless opportunities for learning through play, and the Wonder Tree is no exception. Recommended for ages 24 months and up, the Wonder Tree Sorting Clock is a wonderful toy to introduce and enhance academic concepts and develop important cognitive skills. While playing, children will learn number, shape, and color identification. They also enhance visual scanning and discrimination skills as they have to figure out which space the shape goes in. Problem solving skills also come into play while finding the correct space. As kids get older, they will learn one to one correspondence as they count each block, and, when they are ready, they can learn how to tell time. In the center of the Wonder Tree are hour and second hands that can be easily manipulated to make any time your child wants. Take learning a step further by introducing concepts such as “quarter to” and “half past.”
“The little lion Bababoo and his friends stand for meaningful stories and educational and sustainable wooden toys.” This is written on the back of every box. Bababoo and Friends is determined to bring learning to life with this adorable line of wooden toys. Each toy encourages a love of learning beginning at a young age. Through play, children will develop cognitive, language, motor, social, and cognitive skills.
Bababoo and Friends can be found on their website, but you can also purchase their amazing toys at your local Barnes & Noble. In addition to their wooden toys, make sure to also check out their adorable board books that bring the adventures of Bababoo and his friends’ lives.
You may also enjoy:
