How do parents choose toys that their baby likes?

0 to 6 months

Babies in this stage are very sensitive to sounds. They enjoy listening to music, lullabies, or even the sound of their mother's voice while she tells a story. These sounds can soothe them and bring comfort.

Recommended Toy: Music box

Narrator: Micro Baby, 6-month-old son

Since my baby was one month old, I've started playing soft music for him. He really loves the music box. When he cries, playing the music box usually calms him down. Now that he's six months old, he still enjoys listening to it from time to time.

Tip: Choose musical toys with gentle and pleasant tones to avoid overwhelming your baby.

6 to 12 months

At this stage, babies start showing interest in objects and how they move. They enjoy toys that are movable, interactive, or easy to grasp.

Recommended Toy: Car

Narrator: yhc513, Chengcheng’s mom, 10 months old

Cheng has loved cars since he was six months old. Now, whenever he sees a car—whether it's a real one, a toy, or even a picture—he points at it and can't take his eyes off it. His favorite is a yellow race car. It plays music and makes moving sounds when it hits an obstacle. He pushes it around the house, on the table, floor, and sofa, learning the sounds of the engine as he goes.

1 to 2 years old

This age is all about hand-eye coordination and movement. Balls are perfect for this stage, as they allow babies to run, throw, and catch, offering endless fun.

Recommended Toy 1: Ball

Narrator: Auntie, 15-month-old daughter

My daughter started sitting up at six months and quickly fell in love with balls. At first, she would just hold the ball and lick it, but now she can play more complex games. She throws the ball up and waits for it to fall, then runs after it. She even plays catch with me, throwing the ball to me and waiting for me to return it.

Recommended Toy 2: Puzzle

Narrator: Cher, mom, 2-year-old daughter

Cher loved puzzles from over a year old. Now, she's into Chinese map puzzles. By putting the pieces together, she learns the names and locations of more than a dozen provinces, along with their famous landmarks. She even recites them: “Tibet has the Potala Palace, Sichuan has giant pandas…”

Tip: Start with simple puzzles and gradually increase difficulty. If a puzzle is too hard at first, your child may get frustrated and lose interest.

2 years and older

As children grow, their imagination develops. They begin to enjoy role-playing with toys. Boys often prefer cars and guns, while girls may like dolls. You can also introduce kitchen sets, doctor kits, or other role-play toys to spark creativity.

Recommended Toy (Boy): Car, Gun

Narrator: Hongzhe Ma, 3 years and 6 months old

Zhezhe has been into Superhero Altman, cars, and guns since he was two. He loves using these toys to act out different roles with us. He sorts cars by size or color, and often holds his gun in both hands, stands with his legs apart, and shouts, “Don’t move! Put your hands up! I’m the police!”

Tip: Avoid loud electronic guns or realistic-looking toy guns with small projectiles, as they may not be safe or appropriate for young children.

Recommended Toy (Girl): Doll

Narrator: Athena, 3 years and 9 months old

She loves Barbie the most. She enjoys dressing her, combing her hair, and playing with her clothes. I support this kind of play because it helps develop fine motor skills and nurtures creativity and care for others.