According to the Toy Association, U.S. toy sales increased by 16% in 2020 to $25.1 billion, an all-time high for the industry.
With this increase in buying, parents need to know which options are best for their kids. The buying process for parents can be confusing because buying toys is not like buying other products.
Here are the factors you should consider when buying toys for toddlers.
1. Skill Level
When buying education toys for toddlers, you should consider the skill level needed to play with them. The age range for a toy is only an estimate of what skills are appropriate for children at that age.
Parents need to be aware of how difficult it will be for their children to use different toys and games. If your child does not have the required skills or abilities, buying that specific toy may frustrate them instead of helping foster new skills.
Parents can learn more about which type of toys best fit their kids’ needs by asking other parents who’ve bought similar items. Parents also need to know where online resources like YouTube videos can be helpful.
2. Material
The material used in toys can be a major factor when buying them. Toys are not required to have labels with information on what they’re made of, but parents still need this information to know which options are safe children’s toys.
Parents should always look for toys that do not contain hazardous materials like lead or phthalates, both of which pose serious health risks if ingested by young kids. Parents also need to read product descriptions and check online resources to learn about any potential hazards related to the toy’s materials before buying it.
You’ll want to buy products that comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Retailers who violate the law by buying and selling hazardous toys can face serious consequences.
3. Age Appropriateness
The age appropriateness of a toy or game is essential because failure to buy age-appropriate toys can lead to frustration and other problems. If you buy a baby doll when they’re only 20 months old, then it may end up sitting in their room untouched until they get older.
Children’s play patterns change as they get older, and buying toys that don’t match your child’s current level of development is a bad idea.
Are you looking for interesting toddler toys? Check out this collection of owl beanie babies.
4. Developmental Benefits
While buying toys for children should be about fun, buying items that also help foster skills is a good idea. Parents need to know which type of toy will best help their child grow and develop new abilities or improve existing ones.
For example, buying building blocks can encourage construction play, while buying board games can teach problem-solving.
5. Parent-Child Interaction
Parents should buy toys that encourage parent and child interaction. Buying items like play kitchens and dolls can help parents spend time with their kids while buying things like puzzles and board games will give them the chance to engage in fun activities together. Not only does this improve your bond, but it also helps develop skills such as problem-solving or hand-eye coordination.
Buying Toys for Toddlers Simplified
While buying toys for toddlers is something all parents need to do, buying ones that meet these factors can make a big difference. As long as you understand what options are available and how they work, finding safe and beneficial products becomes easier than ever before.
We hope you now know what to look out for when buying toys online. For more informative articles, keep following our articles.