We Have Tested These 5 Toys… But Which Ones Actually Work?
As a new parent, you may be eagerly awaiting the milestones that your baby will reach in their first year of life. One of the most exciting moments is when your little one takes their first steps. But did you know that early walking in babies might be a sign of higher intelligence? Recent studies have suggested that there may be a link between early walking and cognitive development. While this doesn’t mean that every early walker is a future genius, it does provide an interesting perspective on this important milestone. Plus, there are many toys and activities that can help your baby learn to walk. In this article, we’ll share with you:
- Why early walking is linked to higher intelligence
- The right ways to promote early walking
- What to look for in a toy
- Our Top 5 picks for toys
- An overlook of the best toy
The Link Between Early Walking And Intelligence
Although it’s still a topic of research and debate, some studies have shown that babies who start walking earlier tend to have higher cognitive scores later in life. This may be because walking requires a lot of coordination and balance, which are also important skills for problem-solving and decision-making. Additionally, early walking may indicate faster development in certain areas of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for planning and decision-making. Another reason for this link could be that babies who walk sooner are exposed to more physical activity and stimulation. Walking allows babies to explore their environment in a whole new way, which can lead to more opportunities for learning and development. Additionally, early walkers may be more likely to engage in physical play and exercise as they grow older, which can also have a positive impact on cognitive development. While it’s important not to put too much pressure on your baby to walk early, providing them with plenty of opportunities for movement and exploration can help support their overall development.
Want Your Baby To Start Walking? Don’t Push – Encourage
While early walking may be one indicator of potential intelligence, it’s important not to put too much pressure on your baby to perform or achieve certain milestones. Every baby develops at their own pace. Instead, focus on creating a supportive and stimulating environment and providing the right materials that encourage your baby to explore and learn at their own pace. This includes giving them plenty of opportunities for physical activity, such as tummy time, crawling, and playing on the floor. You can also offer toys and activities that encourage balance, coordination, and muscle development. For the first months, some examples might include push toys, activity centers, and play mats with different textures and obstacles. When the baby is older, climbing toys might be a great choice. By creating a safe and stimulating environment for your baby, you can help them build the skills and confidence they need to start walking on their own. Remember to be patient and supportive throughout the process, and celebrate each new milestone as it comes.
The Right Toys Create The Right Environment
Creating a good environment for your baby’s development is important and can be done with the help of suitable toys and tools. Toys that encourage movement and exploration, like play mats and push toys, can help your baby develop motor skills and coordination needed for walking. Meanwhile, toys that promote cognitive development, like puzzles and shape sorters, can help to stimulate their problem-solving and spatial reasoning skills. By providing your baby with the right toys and environment to explore and learn, you can create a fun and engaging developmental environment that supports their growth in various areas. But how to choose the best toy? We ranked the toys according to these criteria:
Interactivity: does this toy encourage exploration and hands-on learning? Interactive toys can help babies explore the world around them, learn new things, and develop important skills like problem-solving and socializing with others.
Versatility: is this toy limited in its possibilities, or has it many play options? A versatile toy is the best choice because it keeps the baby engaged and interested and promotes continuous learning.
Sustainability: is this toy safe for the child and environment-friendly? Will it last for a long time? Sustainable toys are made with materials safe for your baby and the planet. Sustainable toys can also be long-lasting and reduce waste.
So, what good toys are out there? Let’s take a look.
1. The toy that does it all: Pikler Triangle from GROWGO
- Interactivity: 10/10
- Versatility: 10/10
- Sustainability: 10/10
- Price point: $ (*we found it cheap considering the period of time it serves the child as a toy)
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Interactivity and versatility go hand in hand with this toy. The GROWGO Pikler Triangle offers so many ways for a child to interact with it that it really is a multifunctional play set. This is the ultimate investment into your child’s future, as this toy’s age range is from 6 months to 7 years. With such potential, the price point seems more than fair.
Not only you’ll get the Pikler triangle itself, but it also comes with a double-ramp that has 3 options (climbing up, sliding down, and rocking), wooden balls for playing Pinball, and a tent cover for the triangle frame, greatly extending the toy’s life.
The sustainable part is amazing, too. The toy is made from safe materials, such as natural wood and cotton, and is very durable and long-lasting, reducing the need for other toys and controlling waste. Plus, the packaging box turns into a craft project – a puppet theater. Talk about sustainable!
By far, the GROWGO Pikler Triangle 6-in-1 stands out as the most efficient and long-serving toy on the market for teaching kids to walk, making it the best Pikler set up available.
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2. The second best toy: Wooden Baby Walker from PairPear
- Interactivity: 10/10
- Versatility: 7/10
- Sustainability: 9/10
- Price point: $$
This toy is super interactive with its many tools and gears in the activity center. Babies will be encouraged to stand up to reach all those toys and will stay engaged with the rotatable mirror, sporting toys, and other fun things. The sturdy handle will support the child’s weight when your toddler pushes the toy. The materials are also safe and nature-friendly, plus, the design and colors are very cute and pleasant! However, this toy doesn’t have such a long life as the Pikler Triangle and will be outgrown in a couple of years.
3. Best standing toy: Magic Star Learning Table by VTech
- Interactivity: 10/10
- Versatility: 6/10
- Sustainability: 5/10
- Price point: $$
This toy is similar to the second one but focuses more on standing up than walking. It can be a great way to encourage your baby to try and stand up, also, it engages toddlers to STAY standing up, as there is so much to do on the tabletop! The interactive part is great.
However, versatility and sustainability are even lower in this one. The toy doesn’t offer any other physical activity than standing up and training fine motor skills. Also, the toy is all made of plastic.
4. Best for older toddlers: Wooden Baby Walker by Woodtoe
- Interactivity: 5/10
- Versatility: 5/10
- Sustainability: 8/10
- Price point: $$
This walker comes in handy when the baby is already confident with standing up and trying to walk. Toddlers can support themselves by hanging on to the handle, and they can walk around while pushing the cart. The great thing about it is that the cart encourages them to have their toys in one place, teaching them tidiness and also giving them the independence to transport their toys where they want to on their own. Also, it’s a beautifully-designed wooden item that passes the sustainability check. However, the age range isn’t that broad and doesn’t do that much for young toddlers. Also, the toy doesn’t offer much interactivity and can get boring soon.
5. Best walker with wheels: Baby Walker With Wheels by YIZHISHEEP
- Interactivity: 5/10
- Versatility: 4/10
- Sustainability: 5/10
- Price point: $$$
If you’re looking for a nice baby walker, this one is amazing. Undoubtedly, it is a high-quality product: sturdy, durable, well-made, and stylish. It will keep your baby safe and put and will serve you as long as you need it. Versatility and interactivity, though, are not so great. We gave them some points because the walker features a wide shelf: you can put your baby’s favorite toys there, so your child won’t get bored as quickly. But walkers, where babies are seated, are not recommended for long use: studies have shown that it can impede the actual process of learning to walk for babies. Toddlers should learn to hold their own weight to develop faster, so this toy gets the last place. However, it’s a useful item in some circumstances, so it’s worth considering.
Why Is GROWGO Pikler Triangle The Winner?
The Pikler triangle from GROWGO is truly the ultimate toy for growing kids. It offers a wide range of opportunities for play and learning, from supporting young toddlers as they learn to stand up and walk, to providing climbing and exploration challenges for older children.
The double-sided ramp that comes with the Pikler triangle from GROWGO is an incredibly useful and versatile feature of the toy. With a smooth side for sliding and a side with colorful wooden climbing stones for climbing, the ramp offers multiple ways for children to engage with the toy. Additionally, the ramp can also be used as a rocker due to its curved sides. Together with the triangle frame, it provides countless options for physical activity and development, benefiting kids of different ages.
For fine motor skills and teamplay, there are three wooden balls included in the set. Kids can play Pinball or ball race with them. Also, the tent cover is amazing for providing kids with a private corner and developing their creative thinking and imagination while playing home or camping. The toy is also made from durable, high-quality materials, ensuring that it can withstand years of use and continue to provide value for families.
By offering so many different ways to play and learn, the Pikler triangle from GROWGO is a great investment for families looking for a toy that can grow and evolve along with their child’s development.
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Laura Johnson
The GROWGO pikler is amazing! It provides endless hours of fun and helps my kids develop their motor skills and coordination.
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