Spark Doable

Here are some simple toys, books, games, or activities for early learning.

These are fun, cute, durable, and useful. Some are educational, problem solving, or busy work.

I bought so may baby toys when I first got pregnant, and a lot were redundant, not that great, or baby didn’t even care. I don’t like wasting money or space, so here is a list of toys I would buy for my kids when they become parents, and I don’t even think they would need many more! I do admit the stacking rainbow is redundant with the number puzzle and shape block puzzle, so sue me. But these toys would definitely get good use and not be left covered in dust or lost in the pile.

This list is just to help you feel confident that simple play does support learning. Enjoy your kids, have fun, answer questions, and learning will happen.

Disclaimer: If you purchase after clicking my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Math for Babies & Toddlers

Math Blocks Baby Can Chew

Silicone Blocks with Numbers & Shapes

Talk, narrate play, identify or “name” the number and shape, let baby have solo play time, and use during tummy time. Stack into a tower, knock down, repeat. Teaches cause and effect. Babies are learning everything. Works later for shape puzzle cut outs clicking together and matching.

Cups that Stack & Nest

Numbered Water Play Cups

Triple duty. Same as above, plus works during bath time to let water trickle through, simple to clean, doesn’t get moldy because water can’t get trapped inside, stack them in order as a tower, nest them inside each other. Works for developing simple logic. They just don’t realize fun is technical too.

Textured Shape Sorter

Baby Rubber Band Cage for Shapes

Good for holding, chewing. May be a hit or miss in certain moods or for certain kids. If I model grabbing or putting away, my little kids copy. Keeps them busy for a few minutes while I do dishes.

Wooden Ring Stacker

Rainbow Wooden Stacking Rings

Another good one for ordering. Use for teaching colors, rainbow order, and size comparison. Also works on fine motor skills, to practice lining up the hole with the peg to stack them. Plus you can roll them… Another random “learning physics of life and the real world for babies” bonus that we don’t tend to think about.

Chunky Number Puzzle

Counting & Shape Stacking Blocks Puzzle

Stacking rings on pegs with quantities to match numerals, matched with dots inside the empty puzzle slot. Lots of layers of counting and matching. Clever for correlating quantities and ordering. Blocky puzzle for stacking, matching, fine motor. I love it. Many conversations.

First Counting Board Book

Babies Love Numbers Lift a Flap Book

My kids like all the lift a flap books we have. This one is cute and simple. Basic. No distractions. Not too many details but actually still plenty to talk about.