Toys can be a great way to kickstart your child’s play and support your child’s development. But your child might not need as many toys as you think.

The best toys for children are ‘open-ended’. These are the toys that your child can use in lots of different ways. They encourage your child to use her imagination, creativity and problem-solving skills.

Open-ended toys include:

blocks – one day your child uses them to build a tower, and the next day he might balls – they’re great to bounce, look at, roll, hold and throw, cardboard boxes – your child can pretend these are shop counters, ovens, cars, boats, doll houses and more, dress-ups – with some hand-me-down clothes and bits of fabric, your child can become anything or anyone he likes

Crafty bits and pieces – coloured paper, stickers, crayons and washable markers can get your child started on a masterpiece.

Toys can be a great way to kickstart your child’s play and support your child’s development. But your child might not need as many toys as you think.

The best toys for children are ‘open-ended’. These are the toys that your child can use in lots of different ways. They encourage your child to use her imagination, creativity and problem-solving skills.

Open-ended toys include:

blocks – one day your child uses them to build a tower, and the next day he might balls – they’re great to bounce, look at, roll, hold and throw, cardboard boxes – your child can pretend these are shop counters, ovens, cars, boats, doll houses and more, dress-ups – with some hand-me-down clothes and bits of fabric, your child can become anything or anyone he likes

Crafty bits and pieces – coloured paper, stickers, crayons and washable markers can get your child started on a masterpiece.