When shopping for toys, you surely want to find things that your kids enjoy, but that also provide some sort of educational value as well. But, if you are unaware of all of the options these days, you may be stymied when it comes time to buy. Keep reading to get your footing fast.
Look for toys that you already know your child will enjoy. Expand an existing collection or add a favorite toy that your child has played with at a friends house. Purchase toys that fit into activities your child enjoys. Also introduce new toys that will allow your child to discover new ways to have fun.
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.
When purchasing toys for children, read the labels and warnings. These provide important information that help keep your children safe when using the products. No matter how the toy looks, little kids shouldn’t play with big kid toys.
You may be able to save money on toys by following a company on Twitter or by “friending” a company on their Facebook page. Some businesses may offer discounts, free shipping and special promotional offers. These are quick and easy options for saving money on toys offered by popular retailers.
Before buying at your local toy store, be sure to check the prices out online. Frequently, online pricing is better when it comes to the toy your child is hoping and praying for. If you take the time to check, you could save yourself a bundle. You never know what sales will crop up online!
Introduce your young child to music by giving him toy instruments that he can play on. A toys piano with large, colorful keys is always a favorite. Your child can experiment with making up his own tunes. Many toy instruments come with a play along option so your child can listen to the music and play at the same time.
Puzzles are great in helping a child learn problem solving skills. A toddler can start off with a simple 5-piece puzzle. He starts to develop an eye in how things can fit together. As he improves his skill, give him a 10-piece puzzle. As he masters one level, challenge him with another.
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.
Games are great for teaching kids valuable skills. They can learn basic math skills from a popular board game like Monopoly. It also boosts their number sense. They can improve their computational accuracy and speed and problem solving skills by playing classic games, such as Yahtzee and Connect Four.
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.
The best way to allow your child to have fun is to give him a safe toy which he can explore on his own. Something like Play-doh needs no instructions. It is a wonderful toy that can spark your child’s creativity. Give him a ball of Play-doh, and you will be amazed at what he can create with it.
Careful with any toy that makes a lot of noise. This is not only for your sanity, it’s also for your child’s safety. If a toy that’s loud is held up to a child’s ear that could create serious damage. Be sure you know what you are buying before you buy it.
Spark your child’s creativity by buying a puppet theater. The folks at HABA have created the perfect puppet theater for your child to make their puppet show come alive. For added playtime, this theater transforms into a store front with counters allowing your child a totally different play time experience.
The suggested range of age listed on the packaging of a toy is a valuable guideline. The age range is there for a reason. Young children should not play with toys that are meant for older children. Also, older children won’t play with toys that are meant for much younger kids.
Do not feel bad if you do not have a lot of money to spend on toys for your child. You can always take regular household items and use them to keep your children entertained. Pot and pans can double as a drum set while old clothes can be used to play dress up. Be creative and your child will not notice the lack of funds.
As with many other items, try going with higher quality toys for your children. It is true that these toys do cost more money. However, they are usually made better than the cheaper toys. You can also buy fewer of these toys since they will not need to be replaced as often.
Most parents are interested in buying toys with an educational component as well as the ability to entertain their kids. If you are like-minded, you need to be armed with knowledge before you shop. Keep the above material handy, and you will never again be at a loss when you enter the toy store.
