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Choosing
Baby Toys
and Children’s Toys
Sometimes, choosing just the right toys for kids can seem quite overwhelming. There are so many toys to choose from and we are
constantly bombarded with ads for the latest gadget or licensed product.
At peanutgallery.com.au
they believe toys which foster children’s creativity, encourage use of
their imaginations and build confidence in their own abilities will be
treasured by both children and their parents alike. Here are some tips
they have put together to help when choosing toys for kids:
Choose Age Appropriate
Baby Toys
We have all made the mistake of buying
baby toys which we like the look of
but which are just too advanced for the baby or child. Often, the result
of this is that the child becomes disinterested in the toy due to the
fact it is beyond their capabilities. By the time they are
developmentally ready for the toy, due to a negative experience with it
to start with, they may still be reluctant to embrace it. Most toys have
an age recommendation which makes choosing easier, particularly when
buying for someone else’s child. Peanut Gallery has a “help me choose”
gift selector which lists various age groups to assist with choosing the
right age appropriate children’s gifts.
Choose Toys in the Child’s Areas of Interest
There is little point buying dolls for little girls who would rather
play with toy trucks or tool sets for little boys who would be happier
painting. Most children exhibit clear messages indicating the types of
play which most appeal to them. If, for example, your child enjoys role
playing and making up stories, toys such as farms, dolls houses and home
corner toys are likely to be popular. If your child finds it difficult
to engage in imaginative play but prefers active play, then toys such as
quoits, bowling and musical instruments may be better suited. Peanut
Gallery’s gifts are divided into categories to help their customers
choose just the right toy for their child’s area of interest. These
categories are also included in the “help me choose” gift selector to
help customers choose toys by both age and category.
Choose Gifts Fit for the Purpose Intended
This may sound obvious however often we have a fairly good idea of how
children’s toys will be used and, even if this is not how we would like
them to be used, we still go ahead and buy them. For example, there is
little point buying a mechanical tool kit requiring batteries if there
is a strong likelihood the tool kit will end up in the sand pit within
days. If this is likely to be the case, it is preferable to choose a
tool set which is designed for outdoor use. Similarly, if you have
wooden floor boards and don’t like the idea of your child scooting
around on a plastic ride-on which is likely to scratch the floor, then
choose a ride-on with rubber wheels which is less likely to cause
damage. If we don’t consider the likely usage the toy will get (within
reason!) and it turns out to be undesirable, it is fairly likely the
gift will be put in a cupboard and not used.
Choose Unlicensed Toys for Babies and Young Children
Once kids get older, it is very difficult to avoid buying the latest
character based toys since kids are much more aware of, and exposed to,
branding. For young children, however, we believe it is much better to
buy toys which are not dominated by known characters. This allows
children to form their own opinions, develop their own characters and
story lines and basically build their own creativity without having
preconceived ideas placed upon them through their toys.
Choose Quality
Baby Toys
Which Will Last
It is sometimes tempting to choose lots of gifts from $2 shops rather
than one quality toy because it feels like you are getting more for your
money. Many cheap, plastic
baby toys simply do not last, however, and some
can even be dangerous. Choosing quality
baby toys
designed to stand the test of time often results in better value since
they can be played with many times over and passed on to younger
siblings.
Note: The tips expressed herein are provided by Peanut Gallery and
intended to be a guide only.
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