Toys That Encourage First Words (and How to Play With Them)

The short answer: first words come from back-and-forth with you, and toys give you something to talk about. The best first-word toys are simple ones your child wants to ask for, point at or make a sound with: pop-up and cause-and-effect toys, animals and vehicles, board books, and toys you play with together.

When first words usually come

Many babies say one or two words, like "mama," "dada," "hi" or "bye," around their first birthday. NIDCD and ASHA both list this for the end of the first year. After that, words come in slowly at first:

Age	What the CDC says most children do
12 months	Waves "bye-bye," calls a parent "mama" or "dada" or another special name, understands "no"
15 months	Tries to say one or two words besides "mama" or "dada," like "ba" for ball or "da" for dog
18 months	Tries to say three or more words besides "mama" or "dada"

Sources: CDC milestones at 12 months, 15 months and 18 months.

What counts as a word

More than you might think. The American Academy of Pediatrics says "a 'word' is any sound that consistently refers to the same person, object, or event." If your child always says "mog" for milk, that's a word. Answer with the full word, "milk," and celebrate it.

Pointing, waving and handing you things count too. They are how children communicate before the words arrive, and they're worth answering every time.

How to play for first words

• Talk about what you're doing. ASHA's tip for 13 to 18 months is to "talk to your child as you do things and go places." Short and simple works best: "Ball. Big ball. Roll!"
• Name it, then wait. Hold up a toy, say its name, and pause. Give your child time to make a sound, point or reach.
• Use the words that make things happen. "More," "go," "up," "open" and "uh-oh" pay off fast in play, because saying them gets a result.
• Answer every try. The AAP notes that "the more you respond to her as if she were speaking, the more you'll stimulate her urge to communicate."
• Make the sounds. Animal noises, "vroom" and "beep beep" are easier than words and just as fun to copy.

Toys we like for first words

• Montessori Busy Board (Clocks): our son loves "flipping switches, turning knobs, pressing buttons, and watching the lights turn on and off." Every switch is a chance for "on," "off" and "again." Listed for ages 1–2.
• Talking Flash Cards (224 Words): once he started talking, he loved repeating the words he heard, and the speaker is clear enough for him to imitate them. Say the word with the toy, then leave a pause for your child. Listed for ages 2–4.
• Kids Karaoke Microphone with Bluetooth: for our son, who has a speech delay, this microphone "gave him a fun reason to vocalize and experiment with sounds." Humming and silly sounds count. Listed for ages 3–5.
• Drum Set (Orange): bang, stop, wait. "Boom!" and "more" come naturally. Listed for ages 2–4.

Not every great first-word toy is something you buy. Board books, a ball, bubbles and a toy phone do the same job.

If first words feel slow to come, read how many words an 18-month-old should say, and talk with your pediatrician. ASHA's advice is simple: "Don't wait to get help if you're concerned."

More ideas: our speech and language toys and best toys for late talkers.

Common Questions

What toys encourage a baby to say first words?

Simple toys that give your child a reason to communicate: pop-up and cause-and-effect toys, balls, bubbles, animals and vehicles for sound effects, board books, and toys you play with together. The toy matters less than you naming things, pausing, and answering every sound or point.

When do babies usually say their first word?

Many babies say one or two words, like "mama" or "bye," around their first birthday. The CDC lists trying to say one or two other words by 15 months and three or more by 18 months. There is a wide range, and your pediatrician can help if you have concerns.

Does babbling or pointing count as talking?

Pointing, waving and showing you things are early communication, and the AAP counts any sound your child uses consistently for the same thing as a word. Answer them all, and say the real word back.

Do talking toys help with first words?

They can when you play together, but a toy that talks a lot can end up doing the talking for your child. Say the word with the toy, then leave a pause for your child's turn. See do talking toys help speech? for the research.