Don’t get me wrong, I am that person who is happiest in a toy store or in the dollar spot of Target. Toy shops and toy aisles are my jam. I get excited, I feel happy, I think of all the ways I can use the toys with my clients. I sometimes even hoard toys that are awesome in case I will need them at some point…
I have had to have my friends and family hold me back from buying too many toys at the toy store. I even pile up my basket with toys I want to buy and then at the end of my shopping trip, put all of them back on the shelves, unless I really need something.
I obviously (at least partially) became a pediatric occupational therapist to indulge my toy and game habit….
I have spent countless paychecks buying toys and fun items for my clients and students. And now that I have a child, I have to remind myself every day that there is no point in spending money on those fancy see through blocks or a sensory toy at this age…because my kid prefers real, everyday objects we have at home. For the most part.
I know eventually she will join me in my toy and game obsession. But for now, I’m saving my money (mostly).
Babies prefer real, random household objects for a few reasons:
They can be used multiple ways (open ended)
They recognize them from everyday life
They see family members using them and wonder…what could that be?
Babies learn through pictures and connect them to real objects starting around 9 months (so don’t forget to point out objects in photo books like this little set, so they can make those connections!)
They encourage sensory exploration (this pot is so LOUD when it falls on the floor; I can dance to the rhythm of this mixing bowl rocking on the floor!; etc) of all the senses
Adults enjoy real, random household objects for a few reasons too:
They are multi-use for adults too (score! I can use this pot for steaming carrots AND as a toy for my kid?!)
They keep kids occupied for unusually large chunks of time (PRO TIP: have you ever given your child an old (safe!) clean purse or reusable bag with spoons, spatulas, measuring cups, plastic lids, etc, inside? Get ready for at least 15 minutes of peace! Switch up the items for brand new fun every so often!).
They make for super cute pictures (I.e. “look at this tiny human with a giant spatual - my future chef!”)
You should always monitor your child with these items and make sure to use your good judgment about what is safe to hand over. Make sure items are not small enough to choke on. Also important that they don’t have small pieces than can be pulled, chewed or ripped off for the same safety reasons. Your eyes should be on your child while they are playing with these objects, and you should be close by. If you’re leaving the room and no adult will be watching for even a moment, you should let the child know that time to play with this item is “all done” and place it out of reach until you come back in the room.
While every child is different age wise, between 6-9 months is a good time to ramp up handing your child some random, real life household objects for your child to explore. It’s good for development, good for your wallet and will help your child learn even more about her environment.
Please enjoy this gallery of photos entitled “Why Are There Even Toys?” for some examples from our home. Some photos may even give you some ideas for how to use a household item for a fun game (i.e. taping items to a tray with painters tape so that your child can peel each one off for minutes and minutes of uninterrupted fun). Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have!
Why Are There Even Toys?
From Left to Right:
Row 1: Laundry Machine, Velcro strap, Silicone spoonula, Keenex box,
Row 2: Lights, Stokke Tripp Trap High Chair, Silicone bottle Brush, Kitchen Chair
Row 3: Holiday Plates (dollar spot, Target!), green salad hands, Day old birthday flowers, Unbleached parchment paper
Row 4: Clean cellulose based sponges cut into shapes in water, Wet clean cellulose sponges on skin, clean bucket (which we use for sensory activities and storage and bottle washing ALL THE TIME so we have three!) potatoes/egg carton
Row 5: Muslin wash Cloth (we use these for everything and have about 60 of them!), pillows, large thick coloring paper (paper is a choking hazard if ripped off and chewed please monitor carefully), sunglasses
Row 6: Silicone coated whisk, large (clean and not hot) oven tray/painters tape/pegs, toilet paper roll/painters tape, small (clean and not hot) oven tray with magnets
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