Trying to shop for the perfect toy can be overwhelming. There are so many toys to choose from, each with their own special qualities. But you need to be able to match the wants and needs of a child to find just the right toy. So keep reading to find out how to do just that.
Want a toy that really engages your child? Look to toys that really challenge the senses. There are all sorts of multi-sensory toys on the market that play with sound, movement, and even scents. They truly give your child a lot to engage with all in one toy. This can mean a lot less purchases for you!
When consider what toys to purchase for a small child, safety is very important. Avoid toys that are stuffed with small pellets or beans because these can present a choking hazard if they spill out of the toy. You should also avoid toys with parts that have a diameter of less than 1.75 inches.
Games and toys that allow children to interact with pretend versions of adult objects are both informative and entertaining. For example, toy ovens can teach a child basic food preparation skills and how to follow a recipe, and toy cash registers can teach children math skills and how to use and make change with money.
Be aware of how long a toy will take to assemble. Not every child has a designated, sizable area for playing. A large toy that will need to be assembled and then taken apart after playtime could be a problem. A lengthy assembly time for a toy could mean a lot of hassle.
Consider donating older toys to your local preschool or Kindergarten. Often times, schools are low on supplies. Toys, especially education toys, can be a real boon to their ability to engage and educate kids all across your community. If not to your school, look to other family members to see if there may be needs for toys coming up in the family.
If you have children of different ages in your family, it is important to teach your older children to keep their toys away from the younger children. They should not let their younger siblings play with toys that have small pieces which can easily come off since these can pose a choking risk.
Before buying a hand-me-down toy, inspect it carefully and search the Internet to find out how old it is. Old or used toys are not always appropriate or safe for your child. They may have been recalled or they might be broken. It is up to you to check it out.
Look to the reviews for toys online before you buy anything. Amazon.com and other online retailers often are chock full of reviews from adults just like you. They’ll tell you what to expect much more so than the promotional material and signage that accompanies the toy in the store.
Before you give any a child a toy, check the toy over for removable parts. An assembled or packaged toy might look to be big enough for play as-is. However, many toys come with detachable parts like eyes or noses. These can quickly become choking hazards to your children.
Check the construction of any toy you are considering. You want a toy to feel solid, even if it’s made of plastic. If a toy feels flimsy and like it’ll break from limited play, then choose a different toy. It can be a serious hazard for your kid if you choose a poorly made toy.
Look at the toy’s characteristics to decide if this is the toy you want. A toy that’s great will be a toy that ignites a kid’s imagination. The toy should give your child many choices which allow for endless play. It gives the children an opportunity to use their imagination and problem solve.
Inspect every toy in the home regularly for damage. Any individual items that are broken need to be disposed of immediately. You do this to prevent any risk of injury to your children or anyone else visiting the home. You might not want to do it for fear of wasting money or upsetting your children, but physical safety is always the highest priority.
Establish a budget before logging onto an online store and making a purchase. Since toys online tend to be on the less expensive side, it is easy to buy much more than you intended to. By setting a budget ahead of time, you will avoid running into any unexpected financial surprises.
Clean baby toys once a week, or every other week to get rid of germs. Clean the toys according to the instructions. Keep in mind you can clean many toys in the dishwasher. A good way to disinfect toys is by soaking them in a solution of half a cup of bleach for about 5 minutes, rinsing and air drying.
If your local toy store doesn’t have what you’re looking for, the Internet might. There are plenty of online toy stores who want your business. Oftentimes, discounts are offered to first-time buyers. This saves you both money and time, as your goods are delivered right to your door. Talk about convenient!
Play a household limit on the amount of toys allowed at any given time. This solves two issues. The first is it keeps your home from becoming a cluttered mess. And second, it forces your child to play with all the toys currently there. If another isn’t coming for awhile, you’ll see your kid pick up what’s around a whole lot more.
Avoid buying expensive makeup and jewelry for children that like playing dress-up. It often has lead in it. Instead of buying these for your child, allow them to play with non-toxic makeup and jewelry that was made for adults.
As you can see, knowing what a child wants and needs is important when choosing just the right toy. If you miss the mark, then it is just money wasted and a child who is disappointed. So keep the above hints in mind and you can make that special child very happy.
