Kids toys have come a long way over the years. When my children were babies, we would go into town and pick up all of the toys our neighborhood had to offer. Once they were a little older we would go to garage sales, flea markets, and swap meets to find toys. Nowadays it seems that every mall has multiple toy stores, and the internet is making the task of shopping for kids toys much easier than it used to be. But what should you look for when you buy toys for your kids?
Kids toys should be safe. Don’t be tempted to leave your children unsupervised while you go to the mall. I’ve heard the tragic stories about little children who have died from unattended toys. Children should be kept busy with things that will keep their minds stimulated and their hands busy, such as blocks, building blocks, and Legos. Anything else could cause them injury.
You also need to consider whether or not the toy will be a good fit for your child. It’s important to get toys that are age appropriate. There are some toys that are made specifically for very small children. Others are made for teens. If your child isn’t old enough to use these kinds of toys, they should be restricted from playing with them.
Toys should be checked over periodically. Most toys carry some kind of warranty. If the toy is still under warranty, then it’s certainly still worth checking it over. Always take the warranty along with you when you’re going to do the inspection. That way, if there’s a problem with the toy you won’t have to waste your money on repairs.
Safety should always be your number one priority when it comes to kids toys. There are plenty of toys on the market that are very safe. For example, you can find ladders that come with extension sticks. These are great for older kids who might want to climb up a tree, but they aren’t going to be climbing up a real ladder.
Ladders can come with a non-slip feature. This is especially important if you’re letting your child use it around water. A ladder without this feature is very dangerous.
You’ll also want to consider the construction of the toy. You want to choose one that is made from materials that your child is going to be able to hold on to. Plastic toys tend to be less sturdy than ones made from wood or metal. If you don’t feel comfortable with your child holding on to something that could fall down, don’t buy it. Your kid deserves nothing but the best.
In the end, the most important thing you can do is find kids toys that are fun and educational at the same time. When it comes to your kids, safety should be their number one concern. Remember to double check everything before purchasing any items for your child.
If you do happen to see something that you think may be dangerous for your child, don’t hesitate to stop and inspect it. Don’t wait until a situation arises to get the problem checked out. Kids are curious by nature. They’ll notice things around them that they wouldn’t normally notice. If you feel uncomfortable about what you’re seeing, stop by the toy store immediately and ask the salesperson to return it to you.
For younger children, you can purchase wooden blocks as a game. Stack them one atop the other. If there are two left, the child who placed the last block on the top will have to move all the blocks to the bottom before they can start again. This keeps them busy for a while, which prevents them from attempting to do any damage to the toy. It’s also fun for younger children. They love to see the amazement on their friends’ faces as they try and stack them one over the other.
Another fun idea is to have the children draw on the toys. Have them color the blocks and stick them on the toy. Colorful and unique drawings are sure to make their toy something they’ll treasure.
You know you have a winner if it starts to play with your kids. These toys aren’t just meant to be displayed; they have a lot of play in them. They should be developed and played with for hours on end. A long play session can stimulate the imagination and improve hand-eye coordination. Your children will have a blast playing with whatever it is you have in mind.