Babies can be a handful, despite what smiling mothers and proud fathers say. Which preschool to pick for them, what baby toys they should play with, what they should eat, and wear - these are just some of the countless hidden tasks which can challenge any new parent. When you bring your little bundle of joy home from the hospital, you have a new life to take care of, to nurture, grow and most off all keep entertained. Babies and toddlers grow tired quickly but need constant mental and physical stimulation in order to correctly develop their receptive little brains. This is where educational baby toys and soft toys come into play. Tiny hands need safe and entertaining toys to play with, so if you feel you are running into a wall when it comes to which toy to purchase, read on and discover what new and exciting toys you can choose for your offspring.

The most popular soft toy of perhaps the entire decade has been the Tickle-me-Elmo. Early on in 2000, parents were basically killing each other during Christmas time in order to obtain an Elmo toy for their little ones. What is the fascination with this stuffed Sesame Street reject? Fun fact: Before the Elmo toys rocketed to success, Elmo was one of the most unpopular Sesame Street characters and now due to his unbelievable commercial success, the standard characters have been relegated to the background. What makes him so loved? Chiefly the high degree of interaction he provides kids and the friendly way in which he relays his programmed information. Elmo can be hugged, squeezed, tickled, even spoken to and he will respond to children in a variety of friendly ways. Various Elmo's are in production, ranging from a bargain priced purchase to a very high-end buy. This is the perfect toy for any child ranging from birth to 24 months of age.

If you are looking to bring out your baby's creative side, nothing beats the Crayola crayon range. Ever since you were a child, you yourself have loved scribbling on paper and creating pretty pictures for fridge art. Now, your children can craft their own fantastic drawings with Crayola crayon packs. Crayola crayons are non-toxic and come in a variety of eye-pleasing colours, which is sure to bring out the little Picasso in your toddler. All it takes is some paper and a box of crayons to provide hours of fun.

Do you remember your Fisher-Price play set? Millions of delighted children have experienced the utter pleasure of playing with their Fisher-Price figurines throughout the years. A sturdy build and value for money are two of the key factors that give Fisher-Price toys their edge. Some of the more popular toys and soft toys in their range include the LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table for interactive musical playtime, the Farmer Says voice wheel which teaches kids basic words, as well as the ever popular Rock-A-Stack.

Little ones use soft toys to learn about the world around us. As they grow older, these toys let them discover their identity, grow relationships with others and reinforce skills they will need as an adult. Toys are not merely simple amusement; they profoundly affect many aspects of your child's life. The most popular toys are often the simplest, with crayons, dolls and building blocks always topping the sales charts. These well-liked toys also share the common denominator of having been universally loved throughout the decades. Bring some fun into your child's life with these much-loved baby toys and soft toys, which will bring a smile to any face.