Plastic Keys

Little babies from the time they are old enough to grab and shake things until they are really able to play with all types of toys really like plastic keys.  What's not to like about them?  They are plastic.  Good!  They are bright and fun colors.  Good!  They clink and jangle when you shake them.  Good!  Because plastic keys are lightweight, they are great for itty bitty four-month-olds who are just learning how to operate their hands.  Doesn't hurt when they drop them on their faces.  They are convenient for bringing in the car to play with while riding.  They are small enough to fit in Mommy's pocket so that she can use them for distraction/ redirection in a store, doctor's office or really anywhere the baby needs some colorful entertainment.  Toddlers will also play with plastic keys because they still enjoy brightly colored toys and shaking/ throwing things.  Another bonus: lightweight plastic keys don't hurt when they are hurled at your head by a wild two-year-old.

Anything They Aren't Supposed to Have

Babies LOVE anything that they are not supposed to have.  Forks can put out an eye when swung around by uncoordinated baby hands?  Then the fork is the item the baby wants most in this world and his little heart is just shattered when a mean old caretaker won't allow him to play with said fork.  Don't want baby to throw your phone across the room or make calls to Tibet and eat up your minutes?  Then don't leave that phone where baby can reach it and be careful that it doesn't fall out of your pocket.  It may be the mystique and draw of the forbidden that intrigues and beguiles your little one to so desperately want to play with dangerous or otherwise not allowed items or maybe it's just because these items happen to be shiny and the grown-ups play with them often.  Who knows?  The one thing that is certain is that if you don't want your baby to have something, he will want it more than he's ever wanted anything ever before.

They are getting ready for adolescence in that manner.