December is here! If you are anything like me, that means you have not even started your Christmas shopping yet. If you need some last minute gift ideas that your child will love, I have got you covered. Not only will these toys be a big hit, they will also help your child develop their communication, imagination, and fine motor skills. I have included links to some of my favorite toys under each category. Note: These are just our favorite toys-they are not affiliate links.

When I get to the store (or open up Amazon), I immediately gravitate towards the toys that require kids to use their imagination. Think play kitchen, baby doll with a bottle, blocks, cars and trains. These toys all encourage pretend play, which is a developmental skill that we love to see in young children. They also usually don’t require batteries or make crazy noises, which means that kids and parents get to provide the dialogue. As your child’s imagination grows, so will his ability to play independently. Now you can have a few minutes to enjoy your coffee while it is still hot! 

1. Amazon.com: New Classic Toys Blue Wooden Pretend Play Toy Kitchen for Kids with Role Play Bon Appetit Electric Cooking Included Accesoires Makes Sound : Toys & Games
2. Amazon.com: UZIDBTO Realistic Baby Doll Set – 12 Inch Newborn Baby Doll with Clothes and Accessories Baby Doll Diapers Bottle Food Stuff : Toys & Games
3. Amazon.com: Tiny Land Wooden Train Set for Toddler – 39 Piece- with Wooden Tracks Fits Thomas, Brio, Chuggington, Melissa and Doug- Expandable, Changeable-Train Toy for 3 4 5 Years Old Girls & Boys : Toys & Games
4. Amazon.com: MEGA BLOKS 80-Piece Building Blocks Toddler Toys With Storage Bag, Big Building Bag For Toddlers 1-3 – Blue [Packaging May Vary]

One of my other favorite toys is puzzles. I love that there are so many types of puzzles to choose from, so you can always find one that has pieces that interest your child. Whether your kiddo is into animals, vehicles, letters/numbers, or characters from a specific TV show, you can usually find a puzzle to please them. I love using puzzles in therapy to build vocabulary skills, work on asking for help (some of those puzzles can be tricky!), and target those fine motor skills like picking pieces up, twisting and turning them, and fitting them in the right spot. 

1. Amazon.com: Melissa & Doug Old MacDonald’s Farm Sound Puzzle – Farm Animal Toys, Sound Puzzles For Toddlers And Kids Ages 2+ : Everything Else
2. Amazon.com: Wooden Puzzles Vehicles & Traffic Tools Chunky Baby Puzzles Peg Board for Preschool Educational Jigsaw Puzzles, 9 Pieces : Toys & Games

Finally, I love picking out toys that encourage children to get a little messy, such as play doh, water beads, or kinetic sand. Not only do kids learn by seeing and hearing, but they also learn by touching and feeling. When we let our kids get a little messy, we give them an outlet for their curiosity and their natural need to explore things with their fingers. We can also build up their vocabulary of action words as we engage in sensory play by commenting on what they are doing. Try modeling words like roll, squish, smash, and squeeze as your child explores with their hands. 

1. Amazon.com: 50000 PCS Water Beads, Jelly Water Beads with 1 Water Mat, 1 Tweezers, 3 Spoons, 5 Balloons : Everything Else
2. Amazon.com: Kinetic Sand, Pave & Play Construction Set with Toy Truck and 8oz Black Play Sand, Sensory Toys for Kids Ages 3 and up

In this blog we have tried to give you some toys that are great for kids that dont’t require technology.  Try some of these as great options for your little one.  Have an amazing holiday season!