You never know what your child will grow up to do. What research has shown is that when children play with open ended toys, meaning they can be whatever a child wants them to be, children are more creative.

When a toy has a sole purpose, like pushing a button to play a song or make the lights flash, it isn’t as fun as having a beanbag that can be something a child throws, balances on his head, a doll bed, a boat to transport animals, a pancake to flip in the pan, etc. Think about the items that surround your baby, do they offer them a one way ticket or options they haven’t even dreamed of yet? As your child grows, open ended toys grow with her. Blocks, dolls, balls, arts and craft and dramatic play props like kitchen sets all are examples of open ended toys.

I will tell you that I played with a lot of dolls growing up. My favorite was when my father brought home the CPR baby he used to teach with. Talk about a real looking baby! She also came with all the accoutrements of a real baby…hours of possibilities.

Here is an article about 5 scientists and the toys that inspired them.

Here is an article on little things you can do at home to help promote tummy time.