Toy Rotation for Better Play
Most kids have too many toys. And amid all that playtime chaos, it’s easy to forget that toys have a purpose beyond just keeping that little one occupied — though that goal is also a critical one for any parent trying to stay sane.
Toys are meant to be tools. They’re supposed to foster creativity, exploration, and skill development. Babies and toddlers are constantly growing, so it’s best if their toys grow with them!
Kids can quickly be overwhelmed when faced with excessive stimulation, and if their playroom resembles a Toys-R-Us, the choices can stifle their ability to calmly, creatively, and productively play.
The answer? Rotate your toys.
This method of swapping out a limited number of toys on display for a stash you keep out of sight can decrease the chance of your baby being flooded with simulation. Take the array of toys and activities you have and store them in smaller, more manageable containers. Put those away, and, when the time is right, pull them out for a new experience for your little one. The swaps will keep things fresh, encourage your child to stay focused on what’s in front of her, and give her the chance to broaden her creative mind.
For Babies:
Babies are learning and growing at a rate that we can’t even imagine as adults. Toys are a big part of this intense motor and sensory development and making sure they’re supportive instead of overwhelming can help.
There are three major aspects to toy rotation I recommend for these little ones:
First, especially during the first year, I recommend upgrading toys monthly or as your baby hits new milestones. The black-and-white soft books that stimulate a newborn are boring four months later. The mirror used for newborn tummy time is not so compelling once your baby turns six months old. On the flip side, my seven-month-old is now excited to see the stacking rings and wooden blocks we pulled out last weekend. It’s important to make sure every toy in your baby’s space is both stimulating and developmentally appropriate.
Second, I recommend keeping different toys in different spaces. We have an elephant toy that is only for the car seat and certain books that are only for bedtime. We will have a few toys that are only for the diaper bag, once we can safely play in public places again — the FatBrain Dimpl is great for this option.
Third, it’s a good idea to rotate toys even within the age-appropriate ones you’ve chosen, mostly because it can feel like absolute chaos to have it all out at once, and it can be chaos for little ones too. At seven months old, my baby is currently into chunky books, stacking cups, rings, wooden blocks, FatBrain stacking Tobbles, and a musical drum. He’s starting to hold two objects and bang them together and hold one object and bang it into other things. However, we don’t have all of those fun toys out at once. We keep a few available for a few days and then swap them out for new ones!
It’s important to remember that it’s not necessary to switch out every toy each month. Little ones have toys and comfort items they love, so it’s important to make sure they can always find those pieces. There are also toys that really just bring your little one a lot of joy, and those can also stay out all the time.
For Toddlers:
Rotating toys and limiting activity options can help toddlers work on their ability to remain attentive, which can be a challenging skill to develop. So often we see toddlers run through the house and pull everything off the shelves without even a glance at what they’re touching, let alone spending any significant time playing with it. Sometimes, what’s happening is there are just too many options, so these toddlers aren’t actually devoting any real attention to what those choices are. They are simply skimming the “toy section” with wide eyes and wild hands.
Having a limited number of options can stimulate creativity and decrease boredom. It allows your toddler to decide how to play with the available options. You may even find her repurposing toys with new imaginative games!
I recommend rotating toys or activities for toddlers biweekly if you are able. Try getting your inspiration from the adage, “Out with the old; In with the new.” When a “new” toy comes into the rotation, whether it’s truly a new toy or just an activity they haven’t had access to in a while, an older one that has been neglected gets put in a box in the closet.
Who knows, perhaps toy rotation will also give your toddler an increased sense of patience! It’s a lofty goal for a toddler, but it’s worth a shot.
Jessica is an experienced physical therapist passionate about early development, gross motor play, and improving daily function for those with neurological diagnoses. She earned her undergraduate degree in kinesiology from Michigan State University and her doctorate in physical therapy from Daemen College. Practicing for nearly seven years, Jessica has worked with children and families in hospital, outpatient, early intervention, school-based, and private clinical settings.
Jessica lives in northern Michigan, where she spends as much time as possible outside. She’s mom to five-month-old Declan and aunt to two energetic toddlers, two-year-old Tallulah and three-year-old Grayson.
