It’s probably because you wish you had such interesting toys when you were growing up. Or it is perhaps just the desire to get toys that you imagine will help boost your baby’s physical and mental growth. The temptation to buy toys for your little one can be very appealing indeed. But before you go toy shopping for your child you should ask yourself these few questions; consider some of these points:
10 Things to Consider While Buying Toys for Your Baby
1. Does your baby need toys?
Many babies would rather bang on a pot lid with a wooden ladle than so much as look at a toy. They would rather gnaw a frozen carrot stick that go within a foot of a teether. So consider whether the toy you’re considering buying is a good idea or whether something around the house will entertain baby more.
2. Is the toy age appropriate?
Usually the printed age range on the toy is a good indicator, but there is no accounting for baby’s readiness for a given toy.
3. Is the toy child safe?
Belts, stings, small parts, loose bits – watch out for all of these and look out for any printed statutory warnings on the toy.
4. Does the toy have any educative value?
Ideally a toy should help in a child’s development. To begin with, a mobile helps baby focus, then the rattle helps her grasp and then the stacking toys give her the concept of small and big. Toys may be for playing but if it helps in teaching, so much the better.
5. It is loud?
Consider whether you are going to be able to tolerate the noise that a toy makes – believe us, this is a very important factor to consider.
6. Do a mental survey
Does your child already have this toy or something similar? Recall recent gifts, the closet at home and other nooks and crannies before you make a purchase.
7. Does it need batteries?
Some toys have a recurring cost in batteries, recharging and so on. so consider whether you want to keep making additional expenditures.
8. Is it recommended
It is always a good idea to get a toy that is recommended by another parent with kids the same age as yours. Though again, there is no accounting for baby’s personal preferences!
9. Does it encourage creativity?
As toys should encourage development, they should also let a child explore his creative side.
10. Is it going to interest baby?
Do noisy toys interest your child? Does she like things that she can manipulate? Does she like toys that can be played with others? Does she show an interest in stuffed animals or would she rather bang a drum? Take these into account when you go shopping for baby toys.