" Individual gifts made with love "

Music boxes, cuddly toys, pets or grasping toys? What is really good and important for my baby? New parents often rack their brains as to which toys are suitable, age-appropriate and low in harmful substances. The range on offer is truly overwhelming. However, you should not be too impressed by this. The motto still applies: less is more! This is especially true for baby toys for the first few weeks and months.

In the first few weeks, your baby won't show any interest in toys because he or she spends most of the time sleeping. The exact point at which your little one stops concentrating on basic needs and wants to actively discover something can vary greatly. It primarily depends on the development of the child itself.

Around the third month of life at the latest grasping toys become a popular toy, as at this age the baby is able to consciously reach for something. The individual elements on the grasping toy are felt with the small, delicate fingers and of course also examined with the mouth.

Playfully discovering the world

Playing, as most people know it from older children, does not work for babies in this sense. In the first few months, newborns are busy exploring their new surroundings and trying to understand everything. Essential things have to be learned first. Of course, this happens in a playful way. So give your child the opportunity to test out their skills and strengthen their motor skills. As grasping is one of the first and most important skills, grasping toys have been one of the most popular "toys" for many generations.

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First and foremost, toys for the little ones are not for entertainment, but for development. Parents should stay away from technical toys that only provide entertainment or stimulation but do not actively encourage action. Children need to use their imagination and learn and understand things through play. Toys that only flash and beep are exciting at first and just as quickly become boring. This is because it leaves no room for creativity and initiative.

Unfortunately, there are too many toys that don't make any sense.

What makes grasping toys so special?

At first glance, grasping toys seem quite unspectacular. In the eyes of your little one, however, such a ring is a phenomenal thing that will be examined again and again. Although babies can hear and see very well in the first few weeks, their keenest senses are touch and smell.

This is why little diaper wearers feel all objects that are placed in their hands. The grasping toy is particularly interesting if it consists of different elements and shapes. Sometimes different materials are also possible, which provide even more variety.

From fine motor skills and learning behavior

The focus is on motor skills. The different shapes ensure that the baby constantly experiences new impressions and becomes more and more skilled and confident with their hands and fingers.

It is recommended that you have several grasping toys to hand. Three different ones are basically enough. The elements and shapes should be clearly different. While the first grasping ring can still be rather simple, you can make models that are a little more challenging for your baby as time goes on. Always remember: your little one is learning all day long! It processes everything it feels, touches, sees, hears and tastes. In the first twelve months, a person learns more than ever before in their life. As parents, it is therefore up to you to provide your little sunshine with positive stimuli in good time so that it can develop healthily.

Make your own grasping toys - a wonderful gift idea

Baby toys are available in abundance. It's easy to order something from a store. If you are still looking for a unique and distinctive gift, why not give your creativity free rein and try making a grasping toy yourself? You can choose from a wide variety of materials and shapes, such as silicone beads or even letter cubes.

If you don't yet have any experience or don't know exactly how to make a beautiful grasping ring from the individual elements, then use the short step-by-step instructions:

Make it yourself in just a few steps

First, get all the craft materials you need ready. Sort them a little in advance so that you don't have to search for the right wooden bead or silicone bead later.

You will need from the Zwergehuus craft store:

• 1 string
• a wooden half ring
• wooden beads
• silicone beads
• letter cubes
• little bells
• Motif beads

Step 1

Take the string and cut it to the desired length. You can be a little more generous, then you won't run out at the end. Tie one end in several knots and simply cut off the excess.

You can heat the two ends with a lighter so that the threads fuse together.

Step 2

Now start with one to three wooden beads.

Then take the half ring and thread it. You have made a start.

Step 3

Now there are no limits to your imagination. However, make sure that you use as many different materials as possible so that the grasping ring remains exciting for the baby. If you want to include the child's name, pay attention to the length. It is not always possible to use many different beads.

You can add highlights with a little bell or a motif bead by sliding them over the half ring.

Step 4

Finally, thread one to three beads onto the end and knot the cord. The end is then melted with a lighter. There are no limits to your creativity. Thanks to the many craft materials from the Zwergehuus craft store, new creations are constantly being made.

Grasping toys with your baby's name are particularly popular. This turns a unique item into something very personal. You can integrate the name into the grasping toy using the letter cubes.

Put together beautiful sets

If you make the grasping ring yourself, you can make a matching set at the same time. This is because a dummy chain is also required and it naturally looks nicer when the grasping toy and dummy chain are coordinated.

Beautifully packaged, such a gift set is something that comes from the heart and is given with lots of love. The gifts and toys will be as unique as your children.