Ten (Battery-Free) Toys That Boost Brain Development in Young Children

This isn’t my typical content, but today I want to pivot to a topic that is close to my heart. Before I began to write and even before I became a mom, (my daughter Sarah is now 15-years-old), I was a first-grade teacher! It was such a wonderful season in my life. For those few years, it was a joy to teach those sweet first graders, to interact with their families and to work alongside so many excellent educators. I’m grateful for all I learned in the classroom, especially for what I was able to apply when I became a mom after I left the classroom.

One thing that surprised me as a teacher was how many students had not properly developed their pincer grasp-the fine motor skill that uses the thumb and index finger to pick up small objects. Several of my students had noticeably weak muscles in those fingers. Why does the pincer grasp matter? It’s essential for everyday tasks like holding a pencil, buttoning clothes and even picking up food. While not always the cause, difficulty with pincer grasp is often linked to increased screen time and less hands-on, tactile play.

While I began teaching around 2006-2007, young children were not using electronics nearly as much as they do today. It makes me wonder how early and frequent exposure to screens may now be affecting children’s fine and even gross motor development.

Early childhood is a critical period of rapid brain development. Hands-on play is the primary way children learn, as well as develop fine and gross motor skills. As you compile your holiday shopping list, I’d love to suggest some non-electronic, brain-boosting toys for toddlers and preschoolers for you to consider.

Wooden Puzzles: For young children, puzzles with chunky pieces or pegs are especially helpful because they are easier for little hands to move and place. Many puzzles include letters, numbers or pictures, which makes them a wonderful tool for developing language skills as well as fine motor skills. Melissa & Doug offers many high-quality wooden puzzles that are great options for little ones. For a really inexpensive activity to help develop the pincer grasp, try using wooden clothespins! Kids can clip them onto different surfaces or use them to pick things up-it's great practice for hand strength and fine motor skills.

Books: It’s never too early to read to a child. Young children particularly enjoy interactive books. I recommend Pat the Bunny for toddlers. The book has touch-and-feel elements to it. If possible, create a mini library for your child or as a gift to a child in your life. It could be as simple as a basket filled with books.

Pretend Play/Dress Up: A few decades ago, many kindergarten classrooms had areas set up where kids could pretend play. They usually had a little play kitchen area with play food. Why? Because pretend play sparks imagination and creativity. If you don’t have the space or the finances for a play kitchen, consider finding one second hand. When my daughter was little, I bought a play kitchen for her that was second hand. If a play kitchen isn't an option, even simple pretend food and small plates can spark a child’s imagination. Save Halloween costumes or any fun and safe accessories you have (purses, hats, etc.) for your child to play dress up. Imaginative play not only encourages a child’s curiosity, but it also helps develop social and emotional skills.

Creative Station: Provide art supplies such as plain paper, construction paper, crayons, markers, stamp markers, colored pencils, stickers, etc. in a basket or bin. Providing art supplies in one place makes things practical and mobile. If you need to bring the “creative station” on the go to keep your child engaged, it’s always ready!

Play-Doh: I know, it can be messy, but it’s worth it! Working with Play-Doh is great for creativity and it strengthens hand muscles for writing and other tasks. It’s also a calming, sensory experience.

Instruments: You don’t need anything fancy. You can find an inexpensive instrument set for young children that includes egg shakers, tambourine, small hand drum, etc. Again, keep it all in one basket/box. Crank up kids’ music so you and your child can delight in singing, playing instruments and dancing together.

Classic Games: Remember Chutes and Ladders, Candyland, Old Maid, Operation, Hungry Hungry Hippo and so many more? Many of these games teach counting skills, following directions, develop hand/eye coordination and they are great for families to spend quality time together.

Wooden Train Set: I love simple wooden train sets for boys and girls! First, kids get to design and build their own track, add scenery and connect the magnetic train cars together. Finally, they push or pull the train around the track manually. Train sets give kids the chance to work on so many skills! Think about the hand/eye coordination it takes for a child to keep a train on track.

Easel: An easel with a white magnetic board is great for drawing and learning activities. When your child is not using the easel to draw on, you can use it as a teaching tool. You can use magnetic letters on the board to help with letter recognition and spelling activities. If you don’t have room for a standing easel, a tabletop one can work just fine.

Outdoor Toys: Let's get kids outside, with supervision of course, especially since we’re talking about younger children. Encourage kids to ride bike, a Big Wheel (remember those?), a Plasma Car or scooter. Notice all of these toys require a child to propel themselves. No motors. When kids exercise (run, climb, jump, balance) they develop gross motor skills. Even throwing a ball around with a child helps coordination. Another fun outdoor activity is drawing with sidewalk chalk and while you’re at it…how about a game of Hop Scotch? This next item is a splurge toy, but it’s a fun one, if it’s in your budget. Perhaps, you can buy one second hand. It’s a water play table! You fill the table with water and let your child’s imagination and curiosity go. The sensory play of scooping, pouring, squeezing sponges and operating small tools like cups or water wheels, helps strengthen the pincer grasp. It also serves as early science exploration of cause and effect and basic problem-solving skills.

A few final thoughts. This may be the teacher in me, but I strongly encourage that all toys are organized by category in bins or containers. You can find inexpensive organizers at Target, Walmart and Dollar Tree. Everything should have a home. Books in one basket, LEGO in one bin, etc. Not only does this approach teach kids how to stay organized, but it makes for easy clean up too. Encourage your kids to pick up their own toys. As they sort and match what toys go in what bin, they practice sorting and matching, which are foundational skills for math. Plus, with toys sorted in bins, their play center/station becomes mobile. They can take a bin with them to another room in the house or on the go when they leave the house.

The following companies offer some great learning toys: Melissa & Doug, Learning Resources, Fisher Price and LEGO. I highly recommend the LEGO DUPLO bricks for younger children.

Lastly, I encourage you to check out places where you can find second hand toys. Let’s face it, kids get over toys quickly so you don’t want to spend a lot on toys. For books, take your kids to the library to check out books and while you’re there, learn about programs they offer for little ones. Most libraries do. Thanks for reading and I hope you found this information helpful!