In this day and age one can’t say that we lack options. There might just be an overload of options out there in so many areas,especially children's toys that the task of choosing what is good and right for the child can be quite daunting. The holiday season is upon us, let’s take a look and how we can minimize the “fear” of choosing that gift for the children in your lives.
The best toys for kids aren’t always the fanciest,most expensive,they’re the ones that grab the child’s imagination, creativity and grab their attention. They are a great way to boost a child’s play while supporting their growth and development.
Choose toys that are ‘open-ended’. These are the toys that can be used in lots of different ways. They encourage the use of imagination, creativity, communication and problem-solving skills.
Open-ended toys include:
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Blocks – one day your child uses them to build a tower, and the next day, they might bring the block up to their ears and pretend it’s a phone
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Balls – they’re great to bounce, look at, roll, hold and throw
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Cardboard boxes – your child can pretend these are shop counters, ovens, cars, boats, doll houses and more
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Dress-ups – with some hand-me-down clothes and bits of fabric, the child can become anything or anyone they want
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Crafty bits and pieces – colored paper, stickers, crayons and washable markers can get your child started on a masterpiece.
Do also take into consideration the age range you are shopping for. Sizes of the toys to prevent choking hazards and protect their safety is of high importance.
Ask yourself this when looking at the toys, do you know what the kid’s interests are? What are you trying to encourage in them? That would definitely help narrow down options when buying.
In addition, with regards to safety, make sure that the plastic and material used is BPA-free and toxin-free for kids. Check the certification and toy safety symbols to see if they are certified by FDA, LFGB and EU.
Those are just some suggestions and recommendations when choosing gifts for kids this season. It is in the quality and thought behind it not the amount. Sticking to that would more likely reduce your stress level and hoping kids would also see, appreciate, the gift that they do receive, instead of taking things for granted .
What are your thoughts when choosing toys? Would love to hear your opinion. Comment below.