The toy industry has broadened to include things that perhaps you never dreamt of during your own childhood. Therefore, if you find yourself needing to purchase some items for the kids in your life, you may feel intimidated. Fortunately, there is a wealth of information below that is sure to help.
You should always make sure the toy you are buying is appropriate for the age of the child who will play with it. Always read the age the toy is recommended for on the box. Many times toys designed for older kids have small pieces that can pose a choking hazard for younger kids.
Be aware of how much space a toy will require. Don’t purchase anything that won’t fit in the child’s room. It can lead to a lot of frustration. Giant stuffed animals and toy cars a child can ride in might thrill a kid at first, but will likely be stored away somewhere and forgotten.
Older children will benefit from project based toys that will enhance their motor skills. Model airplanes and cars, science and chemistry kits and ant farms require children to use both their hands to build the project and their reading skills to follow the directions. These toys are perfect for children aged nine to fourteen.
If you’ve got multiple kids in your family, be sure to pick up some toys that allow for social play. These could be Tinker Toys or Legos. Or you could opt for many of the different board games out there. These toys will help bring your family closer together.
If your child outgrows a toy, don’t throw it out! Consider selling your toys at a yard sale or give them away to a Salvation Army. There are other families out there that could use those toys, and they may not have the money for new versions. What’s toy trash to your child may be another family’s treasure.
If you are looking for a unique gift, consider purchasing a personalized gift. A great toy for a special little girl is a doll that comes with its own set of personalized adoption papers. These papers will list the child’s name as the parent along with the doll’s full name.
The less you have to pay for a toy, the better your experience. Look for promotional codes before making any online toy purchases. Most big-name retailers offer special deals for purchasing over the Internet. Many coupon sites publish promo code numbers you can use to save a little money. Just do a quick search to find them.
Kids love toys that can shoot objects in the air, especially young boys. However, you should probably avoid purchasing toys like these. As fun as they may be for your child, they also pose a serious injury threat. Should the object fall back down, your child’s eye could become injured.
Always check the labels of toys for the words “non-toxic.” These days, you will not find as many toys made with toxic parts like they were decades ago. But, there are still some out there. These kinds of toys could poison your child, should he or she swallow a part of it.
Before buying a child a toy, ask their parents what the child wants. If you are buying a toy for a friend’s kid, knowing this is a huge advantage. A gift that they already want is a gift that is sure to be enjoyed. Their parents will be able to point you in the right direction.
Never hang any toys that have cords, ribbons or any kind of string in a playpen or crib. Young kids can get entangled which can cause harm or death. Also, discard all the plastic wrapping the toy comes in as soon as possible since children can play with it and get injured.
Usually at some age in a child’s life they will like to pretend. Give them dolls and furniture, and watch their imaginations take hold as they play family. A play kitchen can help them prepare a meal for you. These are all great ways to stimulate their imaginations. Give them safe props and then watch them be creative.
There are a few simple things to keep in mind when selecting a toy for your child. Ask yourself if the toy is safe first and foremost. Then try to imagine how your child will interact with the toy. Ask whether or not it will help develop their motor skills or creativity to determine if the toy is a worthwhile purchase.
Some of the best toys are the ones that have stood the test of time. Sometimes classic toys are the best choices because they have lasting power. They can be played with for years, hold up to years of play and then be passed on to the next child to love.
Be mindful of the age range that is suggested on toy packaging. This age range is geared for your child’s safety. You sure don’t want to purchase toys that are too young or even too sophisticated for the age of your child. Conversely, if you buy a baby toy for an older child, it will never get played with.
Don’t get overwhelmed with buying the very newest technology when it comes to toys. Trends can fade so it may be wiser to invest in a toy that have proven to stand the test of time. Often the newest trendy toys are also the ones that are discarded just as quickly.
There was a time when toys were fairly simple in nature, but still provided hours of joy to children everywhere. But, given the complexity and wealth of options that now exist, shopping for toys is daunting to many. However, with your new command of the marketplace, you should be able to shop with new confidence.
