Top 10 Toys For Promoting Language, Learning, and Life Skills
The ones we love and recommend to parents.
In no particular order, here is ETP’s TOP 10 LIST of classic, open-ended toys, right here!
Here at ETP, we want to encourage you to use what you already own. At the same time, we want to offer a list of open-ended toys we personally use during therapy sessions and highly recommend to parents.
And this: 5 Things to Consider Before You Buy Another Toy
While we’ve provided a few options and links, remember there are so many different versions available. When choosing what you might like to invest in, choose what will (1) appeal best to the intended recipient and (2) fits your budget!
This document does not contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, we do not receive a commission. However, our play guide is the perfect companion to all of these toys!
For only $30, let us give you a run-down of language strategies to use and also ideas for how to play with your children using different toys!
01 FARM
E-I-E-I-O! A farm toy is one of the most versatile and engaging toys speech therapist use! We’re able to target so many goals Learn about farm life with a play barn set. This toy is sure to be fun for any little one who loves animals and making their sounds.
Why we love it: Toy farms are great for little ones are beginning early speech sounds like /m ,p ,b ,d/ and for consonant vowel combinations like “moo” “baa baa” “cow” “eat” “up” “neigh”. This toy really has the potential to hit all the things: Requesting, cause and effect, vocabulary, prepositions, “wh” questions like “who, what, where”, action words, following directions, expanding language, pretend play, and so much more! See why we love it now?!
Resources:
Munchkin Farm Bath Toy Squirts
ETP blog post: Basic Concepts
02 Bubbles
Pop! Pop! Pop! Bubbles are so FUN for kids. Did you know you can promote language development using bubbles? Nearly every SLP will tell you they have some on hand!
Why we love it: Not only are they inexpensive, they’re easy to play with and the perfect activity to inspire movement (both your mouth and your body!) You can encourage joint attention, promote social skills like taking turns, comment or request, and introduce concepts + vocabulary.
Resources:
Bubble Tree Bubbles (These work SO WELL!)
ETP blog post: Why Play Matters
03 BLOcks
Stack them high, knock ‘em down, build a castle, a bridge, and a village to explore. Build whatever you can imagine and build language while doing it.
Why we love it: They’re a timeless toy and considered the “gold standard” when it comes to childhood play. From prepositions, to problem solving, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and visual processing, the options and opportunities are truly endless.
Resources:
Classic Silicone + Woodblock Set
Uncle Goose Classic ABC Blocks
Stacking + Building Blocks for Babies
04 House
Much like the farm, this toy is engaging and versatile. It’s perfect for your little one who is creative and enjoys role-play.
Why we love it: While you can easily incorporate so many language skills (like labeling, object-function, prepositions, and sequencing) we personally love a great house (or dollhouse) for the practice of daily routines and re-enactment of real life events. We’ve found it helps with sequencing, identifying and understanding emotions, and problem solving.
Resources:
Melissa and Doug Fold + Go-Wooden Dollhouse
ETP blog Post: Daily Routine Series #1
05 vehicles
Vroom, Vroom! Beep, Beep! Get ready to GO! Vehicles are perfect for a toddler who carries around small toys in their hands. Let them be in charge of playing with their own car.
Why we love it: The answer is easy! Vehicles are engaging and timeless! When it comes to language, we like to use them for commenting, pausing (“think ready, set… (pause) GO!”), choices, repetition (you can target many words multiple times), follow their lead, and adding to it!
Resources:
06 Ball
Bounce, Roll, Throw, Catch, and Kick. Perfect for a family who wants a classic toy that can be used in a variety of ways.
Why we love it: As if a game of kickball wasn't good enough, using a ball will help your toddler build their understanding of basic concepts, action words, prepositional concepts, and descriptors. Of course, there’s more!
Resources:
07 dolls + stuffed animals
Who doesn’t love a soft and huggable toy you can bring along on any adventure. If you’ve got a toddler who enjoys comfort, learning, and imagination with a soft friend, then consider this a motivating toy to use during the early year.
Why we love it: Baby dolls and stuffed animals are great for learning body parts, targeting early verbs, pretend play, and social-emotional skills.
Resources:
WaterBabies Doll (Bath or pool toy)
08 Nesting + Stacking cups
These are a simple and fun way to play with young toddlers. You can stack them, count them, knock them down, & repeat!
Why we love it: We like to integrate communication with spatial relationships and problem solving. You can also take turns, follow directions, use target words and phrases, and practice imitating.
Resources:
Fisher Price Stack + Nest + Roll
09 food + kitchen
Let’s get cooking! Encourage real life experiences and happy, healthy habits with a kitchen and food set. It’s perfect for sensory and tactile play!
Why we love it: Encourage creativity, build social skills, and know that the language opportunities are plentiful! For little ones, use basic vocabulary and practice following simple step directions. With preschool to early elementary kids, incorporate sequencing, more complex language tasks, executive functioning and role play.
Resources:
Wooden Fruit and Veggies Chopping Set
Melissa and Doug Cookie Play Set
10 musical instruments
Get ready to make some noise! Musical instruments can be a fun, motivating way for children to practice using sounds and words.
Why we love it: Using a drum can teach exclamatory words like “bam, boom, bang”. Using an instrument you blow through can bring awareness to the mouth. These instruments teach kids how to use their breath, lips, and tongue to produce sounds — but these are also needed for speech too!
Resources:
Musical Instruments for Kids Set (Playful)
Wooden Musical Set (Natural)