EPSI Toys
The toys below are the standard toy sets for the EPSI, some of which were used in its initial development. Unlike other IGDIs, an EPSI play session requires three toys. Each toy is used for two minutes during the 6-minute session.
Toy Set A |
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Toy Set B |
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Toys were screened and selected based on the fact that each has a final endpoint with steps involved in reaching the endpoint. Additionally, toys were selected with the ability to engage children’s interest and evoke play. Other important criteria for selecting these toys included safety, common availability in child care settings, availability through common vendors, and suitability for use by children in the age range (6 months to 4 years). Additionally, we rejected any toys that met these criteria, but too often evoked gross movement rather then sitting and exploration.
Pop-up toys, Gumball Machine, Pound-a-Ball, and Stacking Cups (Round or Square) are used in each administration as the “standard” play toys recommended for use in the EPSI. These and/or similar toys were used for the benchmark sample. The toys above represent examples of the toys recommended for each toy set. Although similar toys may be used, ensure that any variant has the following characteristics:
- Stacking cups should be round or square.
- Pop-up toys should have four pop-ups: one with a push button, one with a slide lever, one with a “rocking” lever, and one with a twist lever.
- The ‘ball machines’ (gumball or pound-a-ball) should have four balls that go into the top of the toy and require a lever, button press, or ‘pound’ to release the ball(s). If applicable, batteries should be removed.
- All toys should be labeled as appropriate for children 12 months and older
Each of these three toy classes has two variations (e.g., round versus square) that is assigned to Form A and B. Each toy within a form is presented to the child for 2 minutes for a total of 6 minutes in all.
See the EPSI administration instructions for additional information, including recommendations on how to use the toys during an observation, and how to modify the toys for children with sensory impairments.
EPSI Toy Purchasing Information
All of these toys can be purchased at online stores such as Amazon. The tables below contain links to the toys in various online stores. Alternatively, you may go to one of the online stores listed in the table below and type the name of the toy into the store’s “search” field. While other stores may also sell these toys, these were the most popular stores that had them in stock as of our last check. If you have problems finding them at the stores listed, search for them via Google or Shopping.com by typing in the toys’ names into the website’s search fields.
If you have already purchased the toys below and are looking for replacement parts for the Gumball Machine or the Pound-a-Ball, please see the section that follows regarding options for replacement parts for these toys.
Stacking Cups |
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| Click on the link in the far right column to purchase the toy online, or use the name to search for this toy in stores or online. To search an online store, type the toy’s name into the store’s search field. | ||
| Store | Approximate Price | Link and Toy Name |
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Amazon |
$5 | The First Year Stack Up Cups |
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Walmart |
$4-$8 |
Grin ‘n Grow Stacking Nest Cups |
| Walmart | $7-$12 | |
Pop-up Toys |
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| Click on the link in the far right column to purchase the toy online, or use the name to search for this toy in stores or online. To search an online store, type the toy’s name into the store’s search field. | ||
| Store | Approximate Price | Link and Toy Name |
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Amazon |
$22-$25 | Fisher-Price Boppin’ Activity Bugs (Animals) |
| Amazon | $16 | Playskool Busy Poppin’ Pals (Animals) |
| Fisher Price Online Store | $15 | |
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Discount School Supply |
$22-$25 |
Pop Up Farmyard Friends (Farm Animals) |
| Target |
$15-$18 |
Fisher Price Tiny Garden (Fruits/Vegetables) |
| Bed Bath & Beyond (Also available via Jet.com) |
$15-$19 |
Monster Pop Up Surprise (Monsters) |
Gumball Machine |
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| Click on the link in the far right column to purchase the toy online, or use the name to search for this toy in stores or online. To search an online store, type the toy’s name into the store’s search field. | ||
| Store | Approximate Price | Link and Toy Name |
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Amazon |
$20-$25 | Fisher Price Baby Go Swirl ‘n Tunes Gumball (Also available via Fisher Price) |
Pound-a-Ball |
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| Click on the link in the far right column to purchase the toy online, or use the name to search for this toy in stores or online. To search an online store, type the toy’s name into the store’s search field. | ||
| Store | Approximate Price | Link and Toy Name |
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Amazon |
$15-$30 | Battat Pound-a-Ball |
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Amazon |
$28 | Constructive Play Things – Pound-a-Ball |
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Amazon |
$28 | |
| Becker’s School Supply | $18-$20 | |
| Amazon | $18 | |
Options for Replacement Parts |
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Replacement Gumballs for the Gumball Machine |
$5-$6 | Please visit Fisher Price here, and select your country. |
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Replacement Balls and Hammer for Battat Pound-a-Ball |
FREE Maximum of (2) balls and (1) hammer |
Send an email with your replacement request and a current mailing address to HelloB@battatco.com |