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A guide to Choosing Childrens Toys

Choosing childrens' toys at the toy and game shop

Choosing the right toy can be hard -- there are thousands of options available! The thing to remember here is that toys can be fun and that they can also be educational -- but they won't be either if the child in question doesn't like the toy chosen!

The key factors when choosing childrens' toys are:

The age of the child

The types of toys they like playing with/toys on offer for their age range

Safety

What the parents think!

The age of the child

Most toys come with age guidelines that tell the purchaser how suitable the toy will be for a particular age. So, for example, a toy marked 8+ will not be suitable for a 4 year old. It may not be dangerous for them (although this is an issue to think about with all toy purchases) but it will certainly have been designed for an older child so a younger child simply won't like it or may get frustrated if they cannot play with it properly.

Children develop at different rates, however, so not all children will fit into the given age guidelines at any given time. A mature 4 year old, for example, may well be ready for a toy marked 5+. The best way to assess this is to check with the parents before making a purchase as they know their child best.

Toy types

It's also worth checking with the parents to see what kinds of toys the child likes to play with and -- indeed -- what they already own. For example, it may seem like a good idea to buy an older child an MP3 player. But, if they already own one then it's a wasted gift. And, a boy that likes outdoor games and sports but hates painting and drawing would far prefer a cricket set to a painting set. Children develop very specific ideas about their likes/dislikes at an early age so remember they will also be able to give some guidance here on which toys they would like (as long as the parents agree!). Let's take a look at some popular toys by age range:

Babies -- babies like toys that are brightly coloured, tactile and noisy and everything goes in their mouths! Look for rattles, noisy toys, musical toys, baby gyms, activity mats, soft toys and cloth books, mobiles and bath toys here.

Toddlers -- toddlers can get around more and like toys that are a bit more challenging. Look for toys that stack or sort, toys that can be moved around (push/pull toys and walkers), musical toys, books, simple puzzles and games, musical instruments and music CDs, balls, tricycles and three-wheeled scooters and outdoor toys such as swings, slides and sand and water tables.

Pre-school -- as children get older they start to use the physical skills they have developed for more imaginative play. Look for dressing up and role play toys, outdoor toys, creative sets, castles, cars, books, vehicles, train sets, kitchens, dolls houses and dolls, animal sets, telephones and puppets. At this age slightly more complex games and puzzles are also a good option as they teach children how to share and how to take turns.

Infant school -- by this stage children will have clear ideas on what they like to do. They are more adept at managing their bodies so may become more active and start to enjoy specific sports and outdoor activities. Look for sports games, bikes, scooters and outdoor toys and games. Creative sets become more interesting to many children at this age if they allow them to make or build something. Games are also a good option and many children will start to play more complex board games. Look for the child's hobbies as well - budding scientists will enjoy science kits and budding superheroes will enjoy action figures. Books remain a good choice at this age as well. Peer pressure here will also probably see the first demands for video games and other kinds of related equipment.

Junior school -- children tend to have developed their core interest at this stage so work to that. Look for sports toys and games, creative kits, video games, music and computer related toys, model/construction kits, science sets, games, puzzles and books. Children at this age often like making collections so look at trading cards and other collections that they can build up as they go along. For the best chance of success at this age be guided by the likes and dislikes of the child.

Teenagers -- teenagers tend to have more adult likes and dislikes although many will further develop areas of interest from earlier years such as a love for creative sets, reading, science kits and sports games. Branding is often an important issue to teenagers and the wrong brand may well be ignored in the fight to fit in with the crowd. Video games, mobile phones computer related stuff and MP3 players are usually popular at this age.

Safety

Safety is a vital thing to think about -- especially when buying toys for younger children. Babies and younger kids can choke on small parts and hurt themselves on hard or sharp edges. So, think about age guidelines and look for safety guidelines. These include The British Standards Kite Mark, the Lion Mark and the CE or EN ratings.

Parental approval

Parents do have a part to play in their child's choice of toys so do check with them first before making a decision here. Parents of a teenager may well be more than happy for their child to receive an MP3 player as a gift. But, parents of a 3 year old may not be so pleased on the basis that they don't want their child to damage their hearing with prolonged use of headphones -- even if the MP3 player has been designed for use by that age.

Conclusion

Take into account the child's age, preferences and developmental stage and factor in safety concerns and any issues/input its parents may have.