Children love to play; and toys make playtime fun and engaging. Experts in child development say that toys promote positive learning even as they entertain. Therefore, toys can be learning aids that boost various skills in your child. Having said this, not choosing the right toys for your child is detrimental. In fact, you must always consider age-appropriate toys and games when buying. How do you know which toy is best for your child? The guide below sheds more light.
Major toy categories available in the market
Vehicles
Auto-themed toys are some of the most popular. Children are able to play with all manner of miniature vehicles including buses, cars, trucks and more. Consider this, every second, up to 8 Hot Wheels are sold. This is a toy vehicle brand.
Puzzles
There are simple and complex puzzles that suit various ages. These toys are known to trigger creativity and boost critical thinking. Rubik’s Cube is one of the most popular puzzles which was created by a Hungarian toy maker. Today, puzzles have gone to another level.
Dolls
These are some of the oldest toys. They are greatly loved by girls because they are made to resemble miniature babies. Plastic and cloth are the main materials used to create dolls. They are not only used by children; there are people who collect them as keepsakes or to decorate their spaces. Some people attach spiritual meaning to dolls.
Construction sets
These are standalone pieces that can be joined together to form a distinct model. These models could be cars, houses and even spaceships. These toys are great for children who like to be challenged. They are interactive and spark imagination. There are adults who also enjoy using these sets for fun.
Digital toys
These are some of the most common toys today. This is because they are fitted with digital technology. They are highly interactive keeping children on their toes. They incorporate virtual elements in which children can learn and access unique entertainment.
Toys that promote physical activity
The most traditional toys in this category include balls, jump ropes, hoops, tops, frisbee, foot bags and many others. These toys make physical activity possible. Tricycles and bikes for children will also promote activity; making them great elements for play.
Ideal toys for various ages
0 to 12 months
A newborn baby is just happy observing their new surroundings. However, when they hit three months, they will be keen on touching various items. Toys at this age will most likely end up in the mouth. In this respect, you must maintain top hygiene with toys. They love colored and textured toys that seem amusing. In addition, they adore toys that produce various sounds like crinkling and squeaking sounds. These are the best options for this age group.
- Rattles
- Crib mobiles that come in bright colors
- Small dolls or stuffed animals that are fluffy
- Floor gyms
- Fabric balls that are small
- Unbreakable mirrors
- Activity boards
1 to 2 years
This is a very curious age. Because of their improved motor skills, your child will want something more responsive. They can start to interact with toys such as the ones mentioned below;
- Bath-time toys like rubber ducks and boats
- Stacking rings
- Nesting cups and boxes
- Toys that can be pushed or pulled
- Musical toys such as drums, pianos and tambourines
- Vehicles such as colored buses together with mini figures of humans
2 to 3 years
This is a great age to introduce purposeful toys. Your child will want something that they can fully explore. They like phones and gadgets that fully interact. Toys that engage their whole boy are exciting and below is a list;
- Tricycles and other ride on toys
- Toy mobile phones and play kitchen sets
- Flashy musical instruments
- Bigger dolls and stuffed animals
- Puzzles and construction toys
4 to 5 years
This is a relatively mature age where there is need for more challenging toys. It is an ideal time to have educational toys that stimulate their minds even more. The best options include;
- All manner of balls soccer, basketball
- Bicycles with training wheels
- More complex puzzles
- Action figures
- Barbie dolls
- Art and crafts kits
- Electronic toys and touch-pads
- Costumes to dress up
- Board games
The benefits of buying kid’s toys online
A wide variety of toys
Buying online will give you access to a wide array of toys for your children. You local physical store may not even have the capacity to store the various options available online. This way, you can easily get the ideal toys for your children. From dolls to stuffed animals and musical instruments; you are spoiled for choice.
It is highly convenient
Buying toys online is certainly convenient. With just a click of a button, you will have the right product delivered to you. For busy parents and guardians who do not have time, this is a great method of killing two birds with a single throw.
You access cheaper toys
Buying online will save you money. This is because you can select the best prices that will suit your budget. Also, you can compare the prices from various online sellers to land on the best deal. Online, you can also buy directly from manufacturers; which will naturally save you money.
You get high quality toys
Because you can read user reviews and product specifications, you will be in a position to choose toys that are of high quality. Knowing the various toy components and materials used therein will help you make a decision on preferred quality.
You can buy toys from overseas
If you like a certain toy type from a specific country, buying online will break the physical boundaries. This way, your child can enjoy the most suitable toy sourced from virtually anywhere in the world.
Top tips for buying children’s toys online
Buy toys appropriate for your child’s age
This is the most important buying consideration. This is because you want to stimulate and entertain your child in the most effective way. Toys that are not suitable in terms of age can even be dangerous for your child. Therefore, take time when searching online and filter the age you wish to buy for.
Be extra careful on the toy size
Sometimes, it can be hard to determine the actual size of a toy online. It is imperative to request this information from your online seller if it is not provided. Buy sizes that are first and foremost safe. Secondly, buy sizes that you feel give you value for money. For example, if you are buying a stuffed animal, confirm that it is larger than your fist; making assumptions may lead to disappointment.
Consider the battery needs
Many electronic toys will be powered by batteries. In many instances, you will have to buy these batteries separately. To this end, consider your budget needs. Also, know where to buy compatible batteries for the toys. Buying batteries in bulk is the best way to keep your child happy. Otherwise, you will have to contend with the hassle of buying single units.
Know the shipping details
From the return policies to the shipping fees and shipping time, get informed accordingly. Your online retailer should charge a reasonable fee for shipping. If the toy is broken or is not what you were looking for, you should return it within a short window. The shipping duration will give you an idea as to when you will receive the package.
Read online user reviews
See what others have to say about the toy. Were many users thrilled or was the toy a huge disappointment? Evade common pitfalls by getting first hand information from real customers. This is one of the merits of buying toys online; you get feedback that is eye-opening.
Did you know this about toys?
- Toys are some of the biggest export items by China. In fact, they manufacture up to 70% of all toys in the world.
- The largest toy market globally is America at 41% followed by Europe at 29%, Asia and Oceania represent 30% of the total toy market while Africa is far behind with a share of only 1%.
- Mr. Potato Head is the first ever toy to be advertised on television and the oldest toy in history is a stick.
- Did you know that Lego was not the original name? The first and original name was Automatic Binding Bricks.
- In 2012, a toy made its way to the International Space Station, courtesy of an American astronaut. This toy was the Red Bird of Angry Birds.