What Makes a Toy “Good”? A Speech Therapist’s Guide to Picking the Perfect Toy

Hey, speech friend! 👋🏼

Let’s talk about something important—toys.

Because if you’re scrolling social media right now post holidays, you’re probably seeing a flood of bright, musical, spinning, light-up toys being waved in your face. 

Every year it feels like the same thing: everything beeps, everything flashes, and everything plays the same five songs on loop until you start questioning your life choices.

But as a pediatric SLP (and a mom of four!), I want to gently tap you on the shoulder and say:
Wait. Before you click Add to Cart… let’s talk about what actually makes a toy good for your child’s speech + language development.

And here’s the spoiler upfront:
The best toys are almost never the flashy ones.

Let’s break it down 👇🏼

1. Great Toys Encourage More Interaction… Not More Entertainment

This is my #1 rule:
The less a toy does, the more your child has to do.

Light-up, sing-a-song toys might seem “fun,” but they don’t encourage your child to talk, think, experiment, or interact. The toy does all the performing, while your child becomes the audience.

We want the opposite.

Toys like:

• Wooden blocks

• Play food

• Animal figurines

• Puzzles

• Dollhouses

• Cars and ramps

…invite kids to be the thinkers and decision-makers. These toys require imagination, problem-solving, storytelling, and LOTS of language.

That’s where the magic is. ✨

2. Open-Ended Toys Win Every Time

A good way to judge a toy?
Ask yourself: How many ways can my child play with this?

Here’s the truth:
Toys with just one function only allow one type of play. A toy cow that “moos” every time you press its stomach? Cute… but that’s it.

Open-ended toys, though?
They give you endless opportunities to introduce language.

For example:

• A barn can become a zoo, a pet shop, a jungle, a grocery store, or a neighborhood.

• Play food can become a restaurant, a cooking show, or a birthday party.

• Magnatiles can become towers, rockets, homes, stores, caves—whatever your child dreams up.

Every new scenario = new vocabulary + new language opportunities.

3. Toys That Mimic Real Life Are GOLD

Young kids learn SO much from imitation, especially in the early speech stages. Pretend play gives them the perfect practice space.

I always recommend toys that mirror everyday routines, like:

• Toy kitchen sets

• Cash registers

• Pots and pans

• Shopping carts

• Baby dolls

• Phones

• Brooms

• Doctor kits

These automatically introduce real-world vocabulary and help kids practice routines they already see every day. Plus, this kind of play grows naturally with them—toddlers pretend to stir food, preschoolers “cook dinner,” and older kids act out full restaurant scenes.

4. “Less Screen, More Scene”

Screens aren’t the enemy… but screen-based toys often limit interaction.

If a toy has a screen, ask yourself:

Does this encourage back-and-forth interaction—or does it just entertain?

In language development, interaction is everything.
Talking with your child matters more than any animation or noise a toy can produce.

Look for toys that spark conversation, not ones that mesmerize your child into silence.

5. Simple Toys Grow WITH Your Child

One of my favorite things about simple, open-ended toys is that they never really expire. Your child can use them differently as they grow, which means you’re getting more than just a week of excitement before it’s tossed aside.

A set of animals can be used for:

• Sounds (“moo!” “baa!”)

• Labels (“horse!” “cow!”)

• Categories

• Describing

• Pretend stories

• Sequencing

• Problem-solving

The same toy.
Different goals.
Different ages.
Infinite language opportunities.

This is how you know a toy is worth your shelf space—not because it makes noise, but because your child brings it to life.

My Favorite Toy Picks (SLP-Approved!)

Now that you know what to look for, I rounded up a full list of toys that actually support your child’s speech and language—not just entertain them.

These are toys I’ve used at home, in therapy, or both… and I've linked them all for you in this handy PDF guide!

🎁 Download the guide here!

(I know it says 'gift guide' but it's mostly just a toy guide! 😂)

I hope this free guide helps you get all the best toys for your speech room or home! I know there's A LOT of options out there --- hopefully this free PDF makes picking something out a little bit easier!