20-Month-Old RIE-Inspired Toy Shelf
We’re in full toddler mode at 20 months and I like to find a balance of new play objects and familiar items that can be used in new ways. I found many RIE-inspired toy ideas tapered off after the 12-month mark so I’ve ventured into new territory finding a mix of open-ended and some close-ended items that my child shows an interest in.
What’s on our shelf?
Seasonal items
I like to shop the kitchen section at Target for inexpensive container-shaped items made from materials that are safe if they end up going in the mouth. The pumpkin is holding a few teethers because those two-year molars are upon us (Oli & Carol apple teether, Teether tubes).
Seasonal books
Fall favorites this year are:
Open-ended toys
- Plastic curlers are reintroduced every few months and these Grapat wooden rings usually stay in rotation.
- Blocks in a rope basket.
- Big plastic jar with play pit balls — saw this at a local RIE workshop and it’s brilliant. The jar lid is large enough for toddlers to screw/unscrew. The balls are used in a variety of ways (though reinforcing cleanup is an ongoing struggle). Once the jar is empty, other objects are thrown in, toted about, and dumped out.
Close-ended toys
- Puzzles in a large format.
- Play food and play dishes are newer additions as my child has more interest in what’s happening in the kitchen and mimicking chopping, cooking, and serving food. I scooped up a bunch of these at Once Upon a Child for about $5.
- Bitty Baby doll doesn’t get much attention yet but baby #2 is coming in a few months so my plan is to introduce baby accessories with upcoming shelf refreshes and have this be a consistent topic!
Current favorite books
Current favorites include Eric Carle’s Book of Many Things, This or That: A Busy Morning, Brown Bear slide & find version, and can someone tell me why these cheap object books are so captivating?!
What else is in the room? (not pictured)
- This stroller is the MVP of all toys and has been since it came on board around 18 months. I held off introducing a walking assist toy until my child was confidently walking on their own. The stroller is in constant motion through the house and I am consistently amused when I see what they're hiding inside.
- Pikler® Triangle was introduced around 12 months and I just witnessed my child's first climb up & over with confidence! I use furniture coasters to prevent the base from slipping on carpet.
- Steps/rocking boat — I fully credit this item for building my child's confidence to go up & down steps hands-free and with ease.
- Nugget couch. I'll say less.