How to Choose Toys for Babies and Toddlers That Grow With Your Child
How to Choose Toys That Grow With Your Child (A Guide for Parents)
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably experienced this moment.
Your home slowly fills with toys… and yet somehow your child still ends up playing with the box the toy came in.
As a mum of two, I’ve absolutely been there. Toys that are loved for five minutes and then never touched again. It made me realise something really important:
It’s not about having more toys — it’s about having the right toys.
Choosing toys that grow with your child can make a huge difference to their development, creativity, and the amount of clutter in your home.
Why Play Is So Important for Child Development
Play isn’t just something children do to pass the time.
Play helps children develop:
• Creativity
• Problem solving skills
• Confidence
• Language and communication
• Emotional understanding
Through play, children learn how the world works.
Often, the best toys are actually the simplest ones — toys that don’t “do the playing” for children but invite them to explore and imagine.
Open-ended toys allow children to take the lead, which is where the real magic happens.
My Journey: Why I Started Ellor & Co
When my daughter Elizabeth was born, I wanted toys that were safe, stylish and practical — toys that didn’t completely take over the house.
By the time my son Harris came along, life became even busier with two little ones under two.
I found myself constantly clearing away piles of plastic toys that either broke quickly or didn’t hold my children’s interest.
It felt wasteful and overwhelming.
Having spent 15 years working in early years education, I knew how powerful play can be for a child’s development. I wanted toys that could grow with my children — toys that supported different stages of play.
When I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for, I decided to create it myself.
And that’s how Ellor & Co was born — right at my kitchen table during maternity leave.
How the Same Toy Can Support Different Stages of Development
One of the most fascinating things about children’s play is how the same toy can be used in completely different ways as they grow.
Let’s take bath toys as an example.
At first glance they may look simple, but they can actually support several important stages of development.
Stage One: Sensory Play and Bonding
From birth, bath time isn’t just about getting clean.
It’s a moment of calm, connection and trust between parent and baby.
Soft toys that are safe for little hands and mouths can become part of these early sensory experiences.
Simply squeezing the toy, letting your baby watch the water move, and talking to them during play supports early communication and bonding.
Stage Two: Exploration and Discovery
As babies grow into curious toddlers, those same toys begin to take on a whole new role.
Toys that can be pulled apart and put back together help develop:
• Fine motor skills
• Hand-eye coordination
• Curiosity and experimentation
Toddlers are natural scientists. They love discovering cause and effect. Suddenly bath time becomes more than washing — it becomes a mini learning experience.
Stage Three: Storytelling and Imaginative Play
By preschool age, play evolves again.
A toy can suddenly become a character in imaginative adventures.
One day it might be a woodland animal exploring a forest. The next day it could be a brave hero rescuing friends.
And often these toys travel beyond the bath — into the garden, paddling pool, sandpit or even on holiday.
A simple toy becomes part of endless stories led by your child’s imagination.
How to Choose the Right Toys for Your Child
When parents ask me how to choose toys that will truly support their child’s development, I always suggest focusing on three things.
1. Safe
Safety always comes first.
Babies explore the world by putting everything in their mouths, so choosing toys made from safe, non-toxic materials such as food-grade silicone can give parents peace of mind.
2. Simple
The simpler the toy, the more room there is for imagination.
Toys without flashing lights, loud sounds or complicated instructions allow children to create their own stories and games.
3. Sustainable
Sustainable toys are better for both the planet and your family budget.
Look for toys that:
• Last through multiple stages of development
• Don’t break easily
• Can be passed down to siblings or friends
Why Silicone Toys Are Becoming So Popular
Silicone toys have become increasingly popular with parents because they naturally tick all three of these boxes.
Silicone toys are:
• BPA-free and food-grade
• Soft and safe for babies
• Durable and long lasting
• Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
For bath toys especially, this is a big advantage.
Many traditional bath toys trap water inside, which can lead to mould build-up. Silicone toys that can be opened and cleaned properly help avoid this problem.
When Toys Become Part of Family Memories
One of my favourite recent moments was watching Elizabeth turn our garden into a woodland adventure.
She lined up the animal bath toys and created a story where they explored forests and crossed bridges.
Meanwhile Harris sat beside her completely focused on filling them with mud pies.
Those are the parenting moments where you stop and take it all in.
The same toys that started in our bath when Harris was a baby are still part of our everyday play years later.
And that’s what I love most about them.
The right toys don’t just entertain children for a few minutes.
They become part of your family’s story.
Discover Our Silicone Bath Toys
If you're looking for toys that grow with your child, our silicone bath toy collections are designed with exactly this in mind.
They are:
• Made from food-grade silicone
• Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
• Designed for open-ended play
• Durable enough to last through multiple stages of childhood
You can explore them here:
These toys are loved by babies, toddlers and preschoolers alike — and many parents tell us they become their children’s favourite bath time companions.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing toys for your child, remember:
It’s not about having lots of toys.
It’s about having the right ones.
Safe.
Simple.
Sustainable.
Because play really is the heart of childhood - and the toys we choose can shape the stories our children create.
