The 4 Things I Look for Before Buying a Toy as a Speech Therapist and Mom

There are a lot of toys marketed as educational, but when I'm choosing toys for my daughter or buying gifts for other children, I usually look for the same few things.

These aren't hard rules, and children can learn from all kinds of play experiences. But these are the features I tend to prioritize because they create opportunities for interaction and communication.

1. No Lights or Sounds

Many toys with lights and sounds are designed to keep children entertained independently. While they can certainly be fun, they don't create as many opportunities for communication.

Communication develops through interactions with other people. Children learn language when they hear words used during meaningful activities and when they participate in interactive exchanges.

When a toy is doing all the talking, singing, or entertaining, there is often less room for interaction.

If your child enjoys toys with lights and sounds, there is no need to get rid of them. One option is to remove the batteries and use the toy in a more open-ended way. You can then model simple words during play such as "go," "open," "more," "wow," or "help."

2. Open-Ended Play

Open-ended toys can be used in many different ways. Because there is no single correct way to play with them, they often support creativity, problem-solving, and longer periods of engagement.

They also provide many opportunities to model language because the play can change from day to day.

Some examples of open-ended toys include:

• Blocks
• Magnet tiles
• Play dough
• LEGOs
• Vehicles
• Figurines
• Art materials

These toys can be used across a wide range of ages and interests, so they will grow with your child.

3. Lots of Pieces

Toys with multiple pieces naturally create more opportunities for communication.

Children may request pieces, ask for help, make choices, comment on what they are doing, or take turns with another person.

Examples include:

• Farm sets
• Play food
• Toy kitchens
• Puzzles
• Shape sorters
• Block sets
• Dollhouses
• Vehicle sets

These toys naturally create more chances for communication and variety during play.

4. Builds Functional Language

When I choose toys, I think about the kinds of words they encourage children to hear and use.

Many toys focus on teaching letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. Those concepts can be enjoyable and meaningful for some children, but they are not the words most children use throughout their day.

Functional words such as "more," "go," "open," "up," "in," "out," "help," and "stop" can be used across many different situations and activities.

Toys that create opportunities for these words help children practice and absorb language that is useful in everyday life.

Final Thoughts

Language develops through interaction during play, not from the toy itself.

When I choose toys, I look for ones that make it easier to be present with my child and stay involved in what they’re doing. That usually means the toy creates opportunities for language throughout play, provides a rich variety of ways to use it, and supports creativity and engagement. It keeps the play open enough that I can join in naturally, without needing to redirect what my child is doing.