5 Tips to Finding the Best Toys for a Child

Toys and playthings are very important to children. This is because they play a major role in shaping the development of a child’s brain. In addition to that, using toys teaches them how to coordinate the movement of their body parts.  As a matter of fact, toys help kids to associate with their surroundings at an early stage. However, most parents and caregivers have been brainwashed to believe that toys only help kids in passing time. When a child gets busy with his playthings, he is basically learning various skills such as problem solving skills and art. These skills can never be taught by parents directly due to the issue of language barrier. On the other hand, buying toys is not as easy as we are made to believe. You can’t just walk into any store and pay for the first toy that you spot. Since new toys are released into the market every other day, it becomes harder for a parent to pick the best toys for a child. Here are some tips that can guide you when shopping for toys for your little one.

1. Consider Age of the Child

Some parents shop for toys like they will be the one to use them. This is actually a huge mistake which amounts to wastage of money.  When hunting for toys, it’s important you consider the age of your child. There is no point in spending your money on a toy that can only be used while standing when your kid is still a crawler. For instance, if your child is below one year, it would be meaningful to settle for toy blocks such as interlocking blocks or bowls that can be used with water or sand. Similarly, if your daughter has just celebrated their first birthday, you should look for the best toys for 1 year old girls, such as dolls, playdough and chunky crayons.

2. Durable is Economical

There is no doubt we are living in harsh economic times. If you are like most parents, you are obviously looking for ways to save money when buying toys. However, you should know that compromising on the quality of toys can be expensive in the long run. Remember, kids don’t know how to handle things with care. The moment they get their hands on the gift you have bought for them, they will throw it around, sit on it and sometimes pee on it. Also don’t forget that the toy will also double as a walking aid. For the sake of avoiding disappointment, you should pick a toy that has a sturdy frame. Such a toy is able to withstand all the punishment that will be thrown at it.

3. Avoid Sophisticated Toys

There are some toys makers that use sophistication as a marketing strategy. As a caring parent, you definitely know that’s not the way to go. If you opt for a sophisticated toy, you will end up confusing your child. Ideally, you should pick a toy that your child can relate with. Remember, the toy is not an accessory. It’s specifically meant for helping them learn while getting entertained at the same time. For instance, most kids appreciate toy phones simply because they see their parents using real devices every day.

4. Opt for Toys that Offer Variations

By now you know it’s not easy to retain the attention of a child on one thing for a long time. Apart from helping a child learn, a toy also makes them get carried away so that the parent can enjoy doing his stuff with minimal interruptions. In fact, research shows that a child can easily get bored by doing the same thing every day. You must therefore pick a toy that comes with variations. In other words, the child should be able to use the toy in different ways. For instance, Lego bricks can be used for making a house, a railway or a car among many other things.

5. Buy Toys that Promote Creativity

Like stated earlier in the article, toys are supposed to help kids learn. But if you opt for toys that are in a permanent state, the child will not be able to exercise his creativity. It’s actually recommended you buy toys that push a child to imitate what adults do. For instance, you can buy dolls that need to be dressed up or kitchen toys. You can also buy finger paint so they can learn how to paint by making drawings on a board.