Past the stage of rattles and floor gyms, your child is a toddler now. Constantly exposed to language but unable to communicate most of his feelings, wants, and needs, he can get frustrated at times and need you not to react in anger but by rerouting his attention. Toys can do just that, and push button toys do it in a particular way.
Toddlers develop at various paces, but most young toddlers get to a stage when pushing a button and getting feedback becomes really interesting. All of a sudden, he wants to push every button he sees; light switches, remotes, keyboards, kitchen appliances… there are buttons everywhere.
When it comes to push button toys, it is important that you find your toddler toys according to which stage he is in at the moment.
For instance, during the ages of 12 to 24 months old, you should help him learn fine motor skills, one of the developmental skills. Learning to master push button toys for toddlers is one of the ways he can hone his fine motor skills.
Why do toddlers love to push buttons?
Toddlers learn to mimic what you do. Doesn’t it seem like you are always having to tell them NO?
Toddlers love push button toys because there is an action and a reaction. He pushes a button and then sees a light and hears a sound. He types on the keyboard and he sees the letters appear on the screen. There is also tactile feedback from buttons that can be addicting for a toddler.
If you text a lot, channel surf with the remote, or type on your keyboard, it only stands to reason that he is going to start going for your phone and your remote when they are within reach.
Do not exasperate him.
Keep the remotes and phones out of reach if you don’t want your toddler to beg and throw a fit.Then offer him toys for toddlers who love to push buttons, like toy cell phones that light up or sound a beep when a button is pressed or a walk-on piano, on which the keys light up and it actually plays the different piano tunes.
Why is pushing buttons fun for toddlers?
Between 12 and 24 months of age, your toddler’s thinking skills will move ahead in a spurt. A push button toy will inspire and keep your little one engaged.
Most push button toys are crafted in such a way as to withstand rough play. Kids tend to be rough on their toys, and this is another trait of a fun toy – one that can withstand a rough-and-tumble kid.
Not all push button toys are considered Montessori or open-ended toys. In fact, most are not considered open ended because when you push a button you get an outcome (light or sound). This doesn’t mean they aren’t fun and engaging.
With push button toys that have multiple buttons, kids can choose whether they want to hear the alphabet, numbers, animal sounds or match colors, and to them, this is very fun.
Why is pushing buttons good for toddlers?
When a child can do something that stimulates his mind and helps him learn and grow, he is a happy child, and a good push button toy does just that. He pushes a button and makes something happen; then, he feels pride and self-worth. Now is that not the beginning of the well-being of a child?
Fine motor skills are all about how the body’s small muscles aid it in dexterity, strength, and fine motor control.
A child can look at something, decide to do something, and make his hands and fingers do it with fine motor skills, but these skills are nurtured by practice.
As a child learns these skills, such as he can with push button toys, he can learn to help put on and take off his socks and scribble with a crayon.
Additionally, push button toys are an example of cause and effect toys, which are one of the types of toys that can help children with special needs.
Push button toys show your child that he can manipulate his environment, that one thing causes another, developing attention, curiosity, and intentional play. Cause and effect toys go together with problem solving skills.
What are the different types of push button toys?
- Mechanical
- Pop-up
- Activity cubes
- Plush toy with sounds
- Tactile feedback (like when your phone vibrates with each keypress to keep you from missing a letter in a word)
- Busy boards
- Imitation Electronic
- Remotes
- Cell phones
- Tablets
- Game controller
- Activity Desks
- Musical rhymes books
- Music table
- Flashlight
- Hammer and pound
- Bop
- Push to wind up
- Push to record
What are the best toys for toddlers who love to push buttons?
Playskool Poppin’ Pals Pop-up Activity Toy
Bright colors and numbers are always a plus for your toddler. Tiny fingers can push, pull, twist, slide, and press buttons to reveal cute, happy animals with this pop-up toy that promotes appropriate fine motor skills, a result of cause and effect play. Poppin’ Pals has a handle that is easy for tiny hands to grab.
BrainUp Busy Board Sensory Activity Board
Just what your toddler needs – a noisemaker! Different types of puzzles and latches along with gear wheels and a spinner with beads will keep him busy for hours. Also included on the busy board is an abacus with numbers and more. This sensory developmental toy helps him learn to process what he sees, hears, and touches.
EBIOO Locks & Latches Montessori Green Busy Board
This wooden latches board sports latches and locks that click, slide, snap, and hook. It has a mirror, keys, keyrings, a button, a wheel, a tie, some beads, a zipper, a buckle, and some wooden animals. This is a sensory developmental toy that will stimulate his natural senses and his dexterity.
VTech Click and Count Remote
Your toddler can learn opposites and volume control with the up and down volume control on the remote control. It looks just like your remote but with bright colors. He can surf 9 channels, like weather and news, and play over 45 songs, sound effects, and phrases. This remote help with fine motor skills.
LeapFrog My First Learning Tablet
Each action activates a unique pattern of colors, lights, and sounds. This tablet features a home button and 20 app icons. It familiarizes your toddler with letters, numbers, animals, colors, shapes, and more. Hear phrases about sports and health. This is a cause and effect toy, teaching your toddler that, for each action, there is a reaction.
Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Baby Multi Toy
Push and pop 5 vibrant silicone bubbles. They are constructed inside a plastic frame. Poke and grab them. Keeps toddlers occupied for hours. Exercises fine motor skills. Works the senses. It is a cause-and-effect toy.
WolVolk Toddler Musical Activity Cube Play Center
The center has 6 sides and 15 activities to keep your toddler busy. Press the star or the musical note. Rotate the gears. Ring the bell. There is even a microphone. Each object exercises cause and effect reasoning. Fine motor skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving are all exercised with this toy.
MyMealivos Yes! NO! Sound Buttons
Two buttons: one yes, one no. This is a cause-and-effect toy. This toy can also be used in an educational way to teach the meaning of yes and no as well as to improve communication with your toddler before he can speak.
Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Duo
This tablet features textured shapes, silicone buttons, and words written in English and Braille. Feel, push, and pop buttons for sensory, tactile, cause and effect learning, and more.
Vikki is the creator of Totsgo and the mother of two children. She is a passionate mother who enjoys assisting other parents.