Baby’s Basics are three collections of toys sold as sets for ages 0-12 months, ages 1-3, and a kit for any age. They are, in a word, BRILLIANT.  Baby’s Basics are the  creation of a clinical psychologist/Mom who wanted the right toys for her baby at each stage of his development, to help foster his growing sensory and motor skills. But as Moms know, when you are sleep-deprived and barely have time to brush your teeth let alone spend time shopping, it’s hard to find time to run all over town looking for developmentally appropriate toys. I think it’s even HARDER to shop for toys when your child is a toddler. Doctor and Mom Alison Schur created Baby’s Basics to take the guesswork out of shopping for the right toys. Here’s how she explains what led her to create Baby’s Basics:

I kept thinking that someone should create packages of age-appropriate items so busy parents who want the best for their babies could get them all in one place—to save time and worry! The result was the Baby’s Basics Starter Kit. (Soon followed by the Toddler Kit and the Sand & Water Kit.) Every item in each bag, including the bag itself, was handpicked for its usefulness, educational nature, and its high-quality, long-lasting value through many stages of learning and growing.

Let me tell you, she is not exaggerating. We received the Toddler Kit, meant for children ages 1-3.  Kaitlyn could hardly believe her luck, it was like Santa had dropped a toy sack right into our living room!  She excitedly pulled toy after toy out of the shipping carton and immediately set to work playing and discovering. This is what you get in the Toddler Kit:

That’s Not My….Book – The use of textures in this board book adds a new way to share books with babies and toddlers. Bright illustrations and simple text develop sensory and language awareness. Children will love turning the pages to meet a number of different fun-to-touch animals. Animals may vary.

Melissa & Doug Wood Blocks – Hours of timeless block play await your toddler! This is a wonderful set of 50 traditionally styled, solid wood alphabet blocks with hand-painted artwork. The pictures, letters and numbers encourage recognition, matching, stacking and sorting.

Tolo Rolling Ball Shape Sorter – This colorful plastic ball is full of shape-sorting fun! The 2 halves can be separated to sort 6 shapes or connect to form a ball that can strengthen motor skills and balance. Encourages color and shape recognition as well as manual dexterity and motor skills.

Melissa & Doug Pound a Peg – Pound the four pairs of colorful wooden pegs into the bench, then flip it over to repeat the activity! Wooden hammer included. Encourages hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.

Edushape Mini EduTrain – Soft, flexible blocks for building your train. A great toy for enhancing shape and color recognition and for developing fine motor skills. Set of 28 pieces.

Aurora 10” Hand Puppets (2) – Puppets are a vital part of play for children. These moving mouth puppets encourage communication, imagination, creativity and emotional expression for kids of all ages. Two puppets, Mooty and Oki, are included to support cooperative play.

Sarah’s Silks – Playsilks are a basic ingredient for children’s imaginative play. These 35”X35” squares of light silk can be used for peek-a-boo, costumes, forts, landscapes with water and much more. Hand dyed in the USA. Colors may vary.
Melissa & Doug Chunky Wood Puzzle Melissa & Doug Chunky Wood Puzzle – This wooden puzzle includes seven easy-grasp, chunky pieces with a full-color, matching picture underneath. The pieces stand upright for pretend play. Encourages fine motor skills. Animals may vary.

Edushape Interstar Rings – These vibrantly colored linking stars are easy to hold and connect. Different from traditional building blocks, Interstar Rings inspire and encourage young creative imaginations. They also help to develop coordination and logical thinking skills. Set of 24 pieces.

Collapsible Canvas Storage Bin

Kaitlyn seriously went NUTS. The EduShape Mini EduTrain is made with these blocks that are like Duplos, but softer. They come with this orange figure who Kaitlyn named “The Professor” (she loves the Powerpuff Girls) and she carried that figure around for DAYS.  The only toy that didn’t hold her interest was the Shape Sorter ball, which I’m saving to pass down to a friend. Everything else was a big hit!

Go to http://www.babysbasics.com/ to see the contents of the Starter Kit and Sand & Water Kit. The Toddler Kit is $147.95 – and yes, I know that seems like a lot of money, but think of it this way.  Nine high-quality, educational and fun toys and books, in a portable canvas storage bin- perfect for a daycare provider, perfect for keeping a stash of toys at a relative’s house for when you go to visit, perfect for a Sunday School room or MOPS group. You’re going to buy toys anyway, why not buy really good quality ones hand-picked by a Mom and clinical psychologist to be developmentally appropriate?  My honest opinion is that Baby’s Basics Toy Sets are a good investment in your child’s development. Go check them out!