My Favorite Things: Pediatric PT & Mom-Approved Tools for Purposeful Baby Play
Introduction: Less is More When Supporting Baby Development
As a mom of three and a pediatric physical therapist, I know how overwhelming it can be to navigate the sea of baby gear. Here’s the truth: you do not need all the things. Often, less is more when it comes to purposeful play and developmental support.
Some of the best tools for movement and milestones are already in your home:
A laundry basket can become a ride for core strength and vestibular input.
Pillows create a crawling obstacle course to challenge balance.
Rolled towels help babies build postural control during play.
That said, I’ve rounded up the tools I return to most often—both at home and in my pediatric PT sessions. These items support strength, balance, coordination, sensory input, and connection, all while keeping play fun.
Movement & Play
Milliard Peanut Ball / Physio Roll
Supports: Core & global strength, balance, bouncing, weight shifting.
I bring this out when we're working on full-body movement, especially when we want to add some fun and bounce. It's a great way to explore balance, shifting weight, and core activation through play.
Exercise Yoga Ball
Benefits: Tummy time, supported sitting, bouncing, gentle movement.
This one often becomes part of every session. I also use it to practice head lifting during tummy time, build core control during seated play, support developing lateral protective reactions, and explore early standing. It’s especially helpful for opening up the front of the body and engaging babies who crave movement or need a little extra input to stay connected—whether that’s through gentle bouncing, rocking, or adding movement to tummy time.
Squigz Suction Toys
Benefits: Core/shoulder strength, balance, postural control, fine motor skills.
These suction toys are always a favorite during play sessions. I often use them on windows or tubs to motivate purposeful reaching and pulling. As babies engage with them, they naturally work on staying upright, activating their core and shoulder muscles in a fun, dynamic way.
Bubbles
Benefits: Balance, coordination, sensory input, visual tracking, fine motor skills.
These are always a hit for all ages! I love using them to invite tiptoe reaching, standing on one leg, popping with one finger, or visual tracking as bubbles float and drift. It’s playful, engaging, and sneaks in so much movement.
O-ball
Benefits: Grasping, midline play, bilateral coordination, oral exploration, shaking.
This shows up in nearly every baby bag for a reason. It’s easy to grab, shake, mouth, and explore—a perfect way to bring hands to midline and invite movement in a way that feels simple and natural.
Suction Spinners on a Mirror (Sassy Wonder Wheel)
Benefits: Reaching across midline, tummy time engagement, weight shifting, crawling prep.
I stick these on a mirror to encourage purposeful reaching and turning during tummy time or side sitting. It’s one of my favorite ways to keep play going longer.
Tummy Time Wedge
Benefits: Early tummy time support, head lifting, shoulder activation, visual exploration.
This can make tummy time feel so much more doable—especially in the early days. The gentle incline brings the world into view and supports more comfort and lift while building shoulder strength. An alternative option includes placing a towel roll under your baby’s chest.
Lovevery Play Kits
Benefits: developmentally aligned toys that support motor skills, sensory exploration, and cognitive development.
These thoughtfully designed play kits grow with your child. They are always in our toy rotation at home. I also often pull from them in sessions—their simplicity, versatility, and purpose make them an intentional addition to playtime.
Seating & Positioning
Upseat
Great for: Promoting upright sitting, core activation, and pelvic alignment.
Designed by physical therapists, the Upseat encourages proper posture and active sitting—great for short, supervised seated play once your baby has head and trunk control.
Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair
Great for: Supported sitting, foot stability, and posture during meals and play.
This adjustable chair grows with your child and offers the alignment and support little bodies need at the table—from infancy through childhood.
Toki Mats + House of Noa Play Mats
Great for: Safe floor play, rolling, crawling, cruising, and transitions.
These soft, wipeable mats offer a safe and supportive surface for all kinds of movement, and they blend beautifully into your home environment. My go to for home and clinic!
Oral Motor & Teething Tools
Pacifers
Ninni Co. Pacifier (Use code: MOVEVERYPT10)
A Movevery favorite for good reason—this pacifier mimics the breast, supporting natural sucking rhythms, wide latch patterns, and proper tongue posture. It’s designed to fall out once baby stops actively sucking, giving the tongue a chance to rest. Made in the USA with medical-grade silicone that’s free of BPA and phthalates.
Silicone Teething Tubes
Benefits: Oral motor exploration, tongue movement, sensory regulation.
Other favorite teethers:
These tools support oral coordination, sensory play, and early feeding prep while encouraging cause-and-effect learning.
Visual & Tummy Time Tools
Tummy Time Mirror (Wooden or Soft)
Benefits: Sidelying play, back play, visual engagement, early self-awareness.
This is a must-have during those early weeks. High-contrast mirrors promote early visual development and can help extend tummy time sessions. The bold images and baby-safe mirror draw in attention—little ones love looking at themselves, which makes early play both meaningful and fun.
Dr. Nicole’s Tips for Purposeful Play
Use everyday items—laundry baskets, pillows, and rolled towels provide effective developmental play.
Rotate toys to keep play engaging and encourage new skills.
Encourage movement across positions—tummy, back, side, and supported sitting all matter.
Prioritize quality interactions—face-to-face play, talking, and singing support brain growth alongside toys.
Affiliate Codes & Where to Buy
Ninni: MOVEVERYPT10
Toki Mats: https://tokimats.refr.cc/default/u/MoveveryPT?s=kls&t=cp
Upseat: MOVEVERYPT10 (www.theupseat.com)
