2.1. Describe different toys and activities suitable for the following aged children: • birth to 11 months • young children aged 1 year to 1 year 11 months • children aged 2 years to 2 years 11 months • children aged 3 years to 3 years 11 months • children aged 4 years to 5 years 11 months

This guide will help you answer 2.1. Describe different toys and activities suitable for the following aged children: • birth to 11 months • young children aged 1 year to 1 year 11 months • children aged 2 years to 2 years 11 months • children aged 3 years to 3 years 11 months • children aged 4 years to 5 years 11 months.

Birth to 11 Months

Babies in this age group are developing basic skills such as lifting their head, tracking movement with their eyes, grasping objects, and beginning to roll or sit with support. Their play is focused on exploration through the senses — touch, sight, sound, and taste — and on building trust with their caregivers. Toys and activities should be safe, soft, and easy to handle, without small parts that could be swallowed.

Suitable toys:

• Soft fabric rattles that make gentle noise
• High-contrast black and white patterned books or cards to stimulate vision
• Soft sensory balls with different textures
• Cloth or board books with bright colours and simple pictures
• Unbreakable mirrors so babies can look at their own reflections
• Teething rings made from safe materials
• Lightweight stacking cups for early grasp practice

Suitable activities:

• Peek-a-boo games to build social interaction
• Singing simple nursery songs with actions and rhymes
• Tummy time to strengthen muscles in the neck and shoulders
• Gentle water play with supervision, allowing babies to splash and feel the water
• Listening to soft, calming music and environmental sounds
• Simple “feel and touch” activities using different safe fabrics, such as cotton or fleece

Sensory play is key at this stage. Babies learn by mouthing objects, watching how they move, and hearing sounds. All equipment should be cleaned frequently and meet safety standards for infants.

Young Children Aged 1 Year to 1 Year 11 Months

At this stage, children are usually crawling, walking with support or unaided, and starting to recognise familiar words. They enjoy activities that encourage fine motor skills (small muscle movements) and gross motor skills (large body movements). Play is still largely exploratory and imitative of adults.

Suitable toys:

• Push-along walkers or carts to encourage walking
• Large piece jigsaw puzzles with simple shapes
• Shape sorters with big, easy-to-hold blocks
• Large building bricks such as Mega Bloks
• Sturdy dolls or soft toys
• Ride-on toys with wide wheels for stability
• Rubber ducks or floating toys for water play
• Musical toys such as drums, shakers, or xylophones

Suitable activities:

• Stacking towers and knocking them down
• Filling and emptying containers in water or sand trays
• Painting with chunky brushes or using finger paints
• Pretend play with toy kitchen sets or pretend phones
• Rolling and throwing lightweight balls
• Action songs with simple movements such as clapping or stamping
• Exploring outdoor spaces to walk, push, or pull toys on a safe surface

Children at this stage enjoy repeating actions and often like cause and effect play — pressing buttons to make something light up or produce a sound. This repetition strengthens cognitive skills and motor control.

Children Aged 2 Years to 2 Years 11 Months

Two-year-olds are often much more active. They are curious, enjoy exploring independently and want to try things themselves. Their attention span is short, so simple structured activities work best. They start to use more language and can follow simple instructions.

Suitable toys:

• Small trikes or ride-on cars for physical play
• Chunky crayons and washable markers
• Picture books with short simple stories
• Playdough and simple cutters
• Pretend animal sets and small world play sets like farms
• Posting boxes or toys where items are pushed through openings
• Easy-access climbing frames with soft flooring underneath
• Puppets with clear facial features

Suitable activities:

• Pretend cooking with play food and utensils
• Digging in sand pits with spades and buckets
• Painting at an easel with large paper sheets
• Ball games such as rolling or gentle kicking
• Movement activities like ‘follow the leader’
• Building towers with wooden blocks
• Water play with pouring and scooping tools

Language-rich play is important here. Adults can talk to children about what they are doing and name objects. This supports vocabulary growth and understanding of concepts such as big/small or fast/slow.

Children Aged 3 Years to 3 Years 11 Months

At this age, children can often dress themselves with some help, run, climb, and pedal a tricycle. They engage more fully in pretend play and start forming relationships with peers. Their play can last longer as their concentration improves.

Suitable toys:

• More complex wooden puzzles
• Dolls with accessories that encourage role play
• Train tracks and small construction sets
• Play kitchens with food and utensils
• Simple board games with picture matching
• Books with more detailed illustrations and slightly longer stories
• Balance bikes to build coordination
• Art materials including child-safe scissors, glue sticks, and collage items

Suitable activities:

• Acting out familiar routines such as shopping or going to the doctor
• Building sequences with blocks or magnetic tiles
• Making sensory trays with natural materials like leaves or shells
• Baking simple recipes with adult support
• Painting with sponges or rollers
• Outdoor obstacle courses with tunnels, stepping stones, and low beams
• Storytime with group discussions about characters or events

This stage involves building social skills through group play. Children begin to take turns, share resources, and follow simple rules given by an adult.

Children Aged 4 Years to 5 Years 11 Months

These children are often in early education settings. They are more independent, can follow routines, and take part in longer, more structured activities. They have better control over their movements and fine motor skills. They understand rules more clearly and can engage in cooperative play.

Suitable toys:

• Board games with simple written instructions
• More detailed construction sets like LEGO
• Illustrated storybooks to encourage reading readiness
• Skipping ropes and hula hoops
• Science kits with magnifying glasses or bug catchers
• Art sets with brushes, paints, and paper of different sizes
• Pretend shop sets with money and till
• Musical instruments such as tambourines or hand bells

Suitable activities:

• Role play linked to real-life themes such as post office or supermarket
• Story writing and illustrating with adult guidance
• Making up plays or puppet shows with friends
• Planting seeds and caring for a class garden plot
• Number games involving counting or matching items
• Using outdoor play equipment such as swings, climbing frames, or see-saws
• Team games such as relay races or beanbag throwing
• Exploring technology such as simple educational tablets under supervision

Play now supports skills needed for school, such as following multi-step instructions, completing tasks, and cooperating in groups. Creative play helps children express ideas and feelings.

Final Thoughts

Choosing activities and toys for different age groups is about matching them to the child’s stage of development. Younger children need safe, sturdy equipment and sensory-rich play to explore their world. As they grow, toys can become more challenging and activities more structured. This supports learning and skill-building step by step.

It is important to always think about safety, hygiene, and inclusivity. Toys should meet recognised safety standards, be in good repair, and be cleaned regularly. Activities should be adjusted for any physical, sensory, or developmental needs, making sure every child can join in. Child-led play gives opportunities for creativity and confidence building, while adult-led activities can guide learning and social interaction. Play is the main way children learn, so thoughtful choices make a real difference to their growth and happiness.