Age guide

Each children's product lists its age grade, the youngest age it is made for. Use this guide to see what suits each stage.

0 to 12 months

Babies explore by looking, grasping and mouthing. Choose large, smooth pieces with no small parts: grasping toys, soft balls, and a low mirror and bar for pulling up.

1 to 2 years

Toddlers walk, climb and want to help. Good choices are a learning tower, a climbing triangle with a ramp, push toys, simple posting boxes and a floor bed.

Shop 1 to 2 years

3 to 5 years

Preschoolers start longer pretend play and finer hand work. Play kitchens, dollhouses, peg dolls, puzzles, block crayons and balance boards all fit here. Products with small parts start at this stage.

Shop 3 to 5 years

6 years and up

School-age children build, make and play games with rules. Look for larger building sets, craft and art supplies, and furniture that grows with them.

Small parts and supervision

Products with small parts are graded 3 years and up. Montessori materials with small pieces are graded 3 years and up, and their product pages say when an adult should supervise. Read the safety and compliance page for more.