Every family has those tried-and-true toys and tools that become a part of their everyday rhythm—the ones that support development, spark joy, and get used again and again. These are the resources that helped us create a home environment rich in learning, movement, and imagination during Lucy’s earliest years.
Some were gifts, some were finds, and all of them played a meaningful role in shaping Lucy’s growth. Whether you’re preparing for your little one’s early milestones or looking to gift something purposeful, here’s a roundup of our absolute favorites:
🧠 Mudpuppy Games, Puzzles, and Flash Cards
A household favorite! This Mudpuppy Dog Portraits Memory Game helped Lucy learn dog breeds in record time. Beautifully illustrated and compact—perfect for travel and quiet play.
🔤 DK My First Cards
These simple but effective cards were a go-to tool for Lucy’s early learning. She used them to identify numbers, letters, and everyday objects. Shop them here.
🌈 Click N’ Play Plastic Ball Pit Balls
Sensory-rich and endlessly entertaining, these balls are a must-have for motor play and full-body learning. Click here.
🎵 Baby Einstein Toys
Lucy loved this Symphony Gears musical toy. It introduced cause and effect, coordination, and musical exploration.
📚 VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk
Interactive and educational, this VTech desk offered so many opportunities to learn through sound, touch, and play.
👀 Books Like “What Do You See?” by Kathy Broderick
These types of books were great for object recognition and visual learning. Take a peek.
🎯 Color Cones and Rings
With endless play options—sorting, stacking, aiming, color learning—this carnival set provided hours of fun.
🎲 ThinkFun Roll & Play Game
Great for teaching colors and following instructions. Plus, it gets the whole body moving! Check it out.
🧩 Coogam Wooden Sorting and Stacking Toys
A tactile and satisfying way for Lucy to build coordination and problem-solving skills. Find them here.
🍽 Learning Resources Play Food and Games
We love New Sprouts play food and the Alphabet Island game for interactive, pretend-based learning.
🍄 Best Learning Mushroom Garden
This interactive toy was a total hit when Lucy was a baby. Shop it here.
📻 StoryPod or Similar Audio Tools
A screen-free favorite! Encourages calm, independent listening and storytelling time.
🌀 Fat Brain Toys SpinAgain
Visually satisfying, fun to touch, and irresistible to spin. Lucy loved this one.
🤸🏽 Balance Beam
So great for coordination and confidence. Lucy used this PreGymnastic beam for endless creative movement.
🥁 Musical Instruments
This electronic drum set was a fun way to explore rhythm and sound without overwhelming volume.
These aren’t just products—they’re memories in motion. Each one served as a stepping stone in Lucy’s development and helped us create a joyful, stimulating environment at home.
Do you have favorites you’d add to this list? Share in the comments—I’d love to keep growing this resource bank with you!
Raising Light 