PT-Recommended Holiday Toys That Boost Motor Skills

Dr. Nicole’s Holiday Gift Guide for Babies, Toddlers & Young Children

The holidays are a perfect time to gift toys that are not only fun — but also help support your child’s motor development, confidence, and coordinated movement. As a pediatric physical therapist, I often get asked:

“What toys actually help my baby or toddler build strength and skills?”
“Which toys encourage crawling, balancing, or learning to walk?”

So I curated a special PT-approved Holiday gift guide to make your holiday shopping simple, meaningful, and developmentally supportive. Each toy below encourages real movement, exploration, and play-based learning.

Let’s dive in!

Best Toys for Tummy Time

(Builds neck strength, shoulder stability, core activation, and head control)

1. High-Contrast Tummy Time Mirror

Helps babies lift their head, visually track, and stay engaged longer during tummy time.

Developmental boost: head/neck control, visual attention, early core strength.

Tummy Time Play Set Adjustable Angle, Double-Sided Design, Montessori Tummy Time Toys Large Baby Safe Mirror and Card Display Stand with Black and White High Contrast Baby Cards

2. High-Contrast Floor Mat

Provides a visually stimulating, soft play space for tummy time, rolling, and early mobility.

Developmental boost: motor planning, sensory input, rolling motivation.

Best Toys for Sitters

(Supports sitting balance, core strength, reaching, and hand-eye coordination)

1. Stacking Cups or Rings

Endless ways to build, topple, and explore!

Developmental boost: sitting balance, grasping, reaching, midline play.

Baby playing with Mushie stacking cups toy made in Denmark, designed for sensory play and fine motor skill development.

2. Soft Blocks or Sensory Blocks

Perfect for stacking, grasping, banging, and exploring different textures.

Developmental boost: hand strength, visual-motor skills, bilateral coordination.

3. Lightweight Balls or Teethers

Great for rolling, squeezing, and transferring between hands.

Developmental boost: hand-eye coordination, weight shifting, core strength.

4. Upseat

Why We Love The Upseat: A Pediatric Physical Therapist's Perspective

5. Squigz Suction Toys

These are one of those “toys” that can grow with your child. Starting with early sitters working on core strength pulling them off a mirror or pulling two apart from each other, to early walkers pulling them off a wall or surface while standing.

Developmental Boost: 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.

Best Toys for Crawlers

(Encourage reciprocal movements, coordination, strength, and motivation to explore)

1. Play Tunnel

A classic PT favorite! Encourages hands and knees crawling, kneeling, and transitioning in and out of small spaces, all while developing depth perception and spatial awareness.

Developmental boost: crawling confidence, upper-body strength, sensory exploration.

2. Push-and-Chase Toys (like poppers or rolling animals)

Motivate babies to crawl after a moving object.

Developmental boost: crawling speed, motor planning, endurance.

3. Soft Obstacle Kits

Foam blocks, ramps, and wedges create safe mini obstacle courses for early climbers.

Developmental boost: core strength, balance, whole-body coordination.

4. Activity Centers

Great for hands-on play, exploration, and independent engagement.

Developmental boost: fine motor skills, problem-solving, sensory processing, attention, and early cognitive development.

TOOKYLAND 5 in 1 Activity Center

5. Modular Couch

Great for building, climbing, lounging, and imaginative play.

Developmental boost: gross motor strength, coordination, balance, creativity, problem-solving, body awareness, and cooperative play.

I love modular play couches because they invite movement in such a natural, playful way. Toddlers can climb, balance, crawl over obstacles, or build forts—all while working on strength, coordination, and confidence. It’s one of those open-ended tools that grows with your child and supports endless purposeful play.

Best Toys for New Walkers

(Support balance, standing, cruising, and first steps)

1. Push Toys / Walker Wagons

Choose sturdy, weighted ones so the baby can lean safely without tipping.

Developmental boost: gait training, leg strength, balance and confidence.

2. Ride-On Toys

Perfect for working on balance, weight shifting, coordination, and motor planning.

Developmental boost: postural control, leg strength, transitional movements.

3. Little Balance Box

This versatile box is an amazing developmental tool from sitting to walking. It promotes balance, coordination, and independence through natural movements

Developmental boost: postural control, strengthening, balance, and coordination.

4. Foam Balance Beams or Stepping Stones

Introduce gentle balance challenges while staying low to the ground.

Developmental boost: single-leg balance, core stability, spatial awareness.

Best Toys for Toddlers

(Encourage climbing, balancing, coordination, and imaginative play)

1. Balance Bikes

One of the best long-term toys for building gross motor skills.

Developmental boost: balance, steering, bilateral coordination.

2. Pikler Triangle or Climbing Arch

A safe, indoor climbing structure that promotes exploration and strength.

Developmental boost: climbing skills, motor planning, strength, confidence.

3. Mini Trampoline with Handle

Great for energy release, jumping practice, and sensory input.

Developmental boost: leg power, balance reactions, body awareness.

4. Magnet tiles

Great for creative building, problem-solving, and open-ended play.

Developmental boost: fine motor skills, spatial awareness, early STEM concepts, planning, and creativity.

5. Balance board

Great for core engagement, controlled movement, and sensory regulation.

Developmental boost: balance, core strength, coordination, postural control, and proprioceptive awareness.

6. Stomp rocket

Great for active play, cause-and-effect learning, and outdoor movement.

Developmental boost: gross motor coordination, leg strength, single leg stance, motor planning, visual tracking, and scientific curiosity.

Stomp Rocket Jr Multi-Color Rocket Launcher for Kids

Bonus: Why These PT-Recommended Toys Matter

Every toy on this list supports a developmental skill such as:

• Core strength

• Balance reactions

• Hand-eye coordination

• Tummy time tolerance

• Crawling motivation

• Confidence with walking

• Climbing + motor planning

And best of all — these toys encourage play-based learning, which is exactly how babies and toddlers learn best.

Final Thoughts: Gift Playfully, Gift Purposefully

Choosing toys that support motor milestones gives your child opportunities to grow through joyful movement. Whether your little one is rolling, sitting, crawling, cruising, or walking, there’s something on this list that can help them thrive.

If you ever have questions about your child’s development or want personalized ideas, Dr. Nicole is here to help with in-clinic, in-home, or virtual pediatric physical therapy.