Parents often reach for toys to keep toddlers entertained, but new research suggests that everyday household items like whisks and potato mashers may hold children’s attention longer and support early development.
Delaney Witmer, a student researcher at Arizona State University, studied how 32 children aged two to four interacted with both familiar and unusual objects at home. Parents were asked to provide a safe, unfamiliar item—most commonly kitchen utensils—while familiar toys included dolls, cars, and plastic food.
The results showed children touched the novel objects more frequently and for longer periods than familiar toys. On average, unusual objects were handled 40 times during a 10-minute session, compared to 30 times for regular toys, with each interaction lasting 5.32 seconds versus 4.64 seconds for familiar items.
“This type of play engages their attention and encourages attentional shifts,” Witmer told the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference in Phoenix. “Children also tend to look to their parents for guidance more often when exploring something unfamiliar, which adds another layer to learning.”
Witmer recommends that parents introduce new, safe objects to their children beyond the standard toy box. Even brief exposure can stimulate curiosity, support memory development, and prepare children for future learning.
Her research, forming part of her thesis, highlights that toy and object interaction plays a crucial role in early learning, with novel items encouraging children to explore longer and process new information more effectively.
The study aligns with previous findings suggesting that hands-on, exploratory experiences—such as baby-led weaning—can benefit infants’ growth and developmental outcomes by promoting self-directed learning and curiosity.
