The Best Toys for Kids With Down Syndrome

"What makes a good toy for children with Down syndrome is often the same as what makes a good toy for any child," notes Emily Jean Davidson, M.D., clinical director of the Down Syndrome Program at Boston Children's Hospital. Dr. Davidson suggests toys that encourage social interaction (balls; dolls for pretend play) and cause-and-effect toys that help develop the foundation for math, such as counting toys or blocks. She also encourages reading out loud daily, and incorporating music into play. "Many children with Down syndrome love music, and singing and dancing are wonderful ways to work on language, social interaction, and motor skills." Here's a roundup of some of our favorites items for children age 2 and older.

Move & Groove! ($19.99; thinkfun.com)

Kids toss the plush cube, pick a matching colored card, and perform the given move -- all while learning the basics of game play, balance, creativity, and movement without the pressure of competition.

• Buy the Move & Groove! here.

Rush Hour Junior ($12.50; thinkfun.com)

The object of this traffic jam puzzle game is to move chunky plastic vehicles out of your way to avoid gridlock; this builds logic and reasoning skills. Players progress at their own pace, tackling an age-appropriate level of difficulty.

• Buy the Rush Hour Junior here.

Baby Care Basics: What is Down Syndrome?

Radio Flyer Inchworm Rider ($62; amazon.com)

This bouncy ride-along is fun and comfy (with an ergonomic seat). It's also a bit taller than the average toddler rider so older children with delayed development can take it for a spin.

• Buy the Radio Flyer Inchworm Rider here.

Guidecraft Screw Block ($13; amazon.com)

Kids can build fine motor skills and work on matching colors and shapes when they use the child-size screwdriver to put large wooden screws into a wooden block.

• Buy the Guidecraft Screw Block here.

Monster Toss ($40, alextoys.com)

A classic beanbag toss game, with a fun monster theme.

• Buy the Monster Toss here

Mega Blocks Play & Go Wagon ($35; toysrus.com)

Kids push this wagon from behind and it won't roll away from them -- even if they stop to play with something else.

• Buy the Mega Blocks & Go Wagon here.

Duplo Number Train ($20; toysrus.com)

Kids can build a train while learning colors, numbers, and imaginative play. All pieces are large and easy to grasp.

• Buy the Duplo Number Train here.

Farmer's Market Color Sorting Set ($30; toysrus.com)

The peppers, pumpkins, corn, carrots, and other produce in this play set are realistic, tactile, and relationally sized. Great for talking about nutrition, life skills, and beginning math, as well as colors and counting.

• Buy the Farmer's Market Color Sorting Set here.

Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Scoop Set ($23; amazon.com)

This magnetic ice cream play set encourages social interaction and fine motor skills. You can also turn it into a matching game.

• Buy the Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Scoop Set here.

Kids Like Me... Learn ABCs and Kids Like Me.... Learn Colors ($11 each; amazon.com)

These books teach colors, ABCs, and other concepts through simple words and bright photos -- and they feature children with Down syndrome on every page.

Copyright © 2014 Meredith Corporation.

• Buy the Kids Like Me... Learn ABCs here.
• Buy the Kids Like Me... Learn Colors here.