Children love to play; and the toys make playtime fun and engaging. Child development experts say that toys promote positive learning even when they entertain. Therefore, toys can be learning aids that improve various skills in your child. That said, not choosing the right toys for your child is detrimental. In fact, you should always consider age-appropriate toys and games when shopping. How do you know which toy is best for your child? The following guide sheds more light.

Main categories of toys available in the market

vehicles

Self-themed toys are some of the most popular. Kids can play with all kinds of miniature vehicles, including buses, cars, trucks, and more. Consider this, every second, up to 8 Hot Wheels are sold. This is a brand of toy vehicles.

Puzzle

There are simple and complex puzzles that suit different ages. These toys are known to spark creativity and stimulate critical thinking. Rubik’s cube is one of the most popular puzzles created by a Hungarian toy manufacturer. Today, puzzles have gone to another level.

dolls

These are some of the oldest toys. They are much loved by girls because they are made to look like miniature babies. Plastic and fabric are the main materials used to create dolls. They are not only used by children; there are people who collect them as a souvenir or to decorate their spaces. Some people attribute spiritual significance to dolls.

Building games

These are separate pieces that can be put together to form a different model. These models could be cars, houses, and even spaceships. These toys are great for kids who like to be challenged. They are interactive and spark the imagination. There are adults who also enjoy wearing these sets for fun.

digital toys

These are some of the most common toys today. This is because they are equipped with digital technology. They are very interactive and keep children on their toes. They incorporate virtual elements in which children can learn and access unique entertainment.

Toys that encourage physical activity

More traditional toys in this category include balls, jump ropes, hoops, spinning tops, Frisbees, foot bags, and many others. These toys make physical activity possible. Tricycles and bicycles for children will also promote the activity; making them great items to play with.

Ideal toys for various ages.

0 to 12 months

A newborn baby is happy observing his new environment. However, by the time they reach three months, they will be interested in touching on various items. Most likely, toys at this age end up in the mouth. In this sense, you must maintain maximum hygiene with toys. They love colorful and textured toys that look fun. Also, they love toys that make various sounds, such as crinkling and squeaking. These are the best options for this age group.

-Rattles
– Crib mobiles that come in bold colors
– Small dolls or stuffed animals that are fluffy
– Floor gyms
– Balls of cloth that are small
– Unbreakable mirrors
– Activity boards

1 to 2 years

This is a very curious age. Due to their enhanced motor skills, your child will want something more responsive. They may begin to interact with toys like the ones listed below;

– Bath toys such as rubber ducks and boats
– Stacking Rings
– Cups and nested boxes
– Toys that can be pushed or pulled
– Musical toys such as drums, pianos and tambourines
– Vehicles like colorful buses along with minifigures of humans.

2 to 3 years

This is a great age to introduce useful toys. Your child will want something that he can fully explore. They like phones and devices that fully interact. Toys that engage your whole child are exciting and below is a list;

– Tricycles and other riding toys
– Toy mobile phones and toy kitchen sets
– Flashy musical instruments
– Larger dolls and stuffed animals.
– Puzzles and construction toys.

4 to 5 years

This is a relatively mature age when more challenging toys are needed. It is an ideal time to have educational toys that stimulate their mind even more. The best options include;

– All kinds of soccer balls, basketball
– Bicycles with training wheels
– More complex puzzles
– Action figures
– Barbie dolls
– Arts and crafts kits.
– Electronic toys and touch-pads
– Costumes to dress up
– Table games

The benefits of buying children’s toys online

A wide variety of toys.

Shopping online will give you access to a wide range of toys for your children. Your local physical store may not even have the capacity to stock the various options available online. In this way, you can easily get the ideal toys for your children. From dolls to stuffed animals and musical instruments; You have many options to choose from.

it is very convenient

Buying toys online is certainly convenient. At the click of a button, the correct product will be delivered to you. For busy parents and guardians who don’t have time, this is a great way to kill two birds with one stone.

You get cheaper toys

Buying online will save you money. This is because you can select the best prices that suit your budget. Also, you can compare the prices of various online sellers to get the best deal. Online, you can also buy directly from manufacturers; which will naturally save you money.

You get high quality toys.

Because you can read user reviews and product specifications, you will be able to choose high-quality toys. Knowing the various components of the toy and the materials used in it will help you make a decision on the preferred quality.

You can buy toys abroad.

If you like a certain type of toy from a specific country, shopping online will break physical boundaries. In this way, your child can enjoy the most suitable toy from almost anywhere in the world.

Top tips for buying children’s toys online

Buy age-appropriate toys for your child

This is the most important purchase consideration. This is because you want to stimulate and entertain your child in the most effective way. Toys that are not age appropriate can even be dangerous for your child. So take your time when searching online and filter by the age you want to buy for.

Be very careful about the size of the toy.

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the actual size of a toy online. It is imperative to request this information from your online seller if they do not provide it to you. Buy sizes that are first and foremost safe. Second, buy sizes that you think give you good value for money. For example, if you are buying a stuffed animal, confirm that it is larger than your fist; making assumptions can lead to disappointment.

Consider battery needs

Many electronic toys will run on batteries. In many cases, you will need to purchase these batteries separately. To do this, consider your budget needs. Also, find out where to buy compatible batteries for toys. Buying batteries in bulk is the best way to keep your child happy. Otherwise, you will have to deal with the hassle of buying individual units.

Know the shipping details

From return policies to shipping fees and shipping time, please inquire accordingly. Your online retailer should charge a reasonable fee for shipping. If the toy is broken or not what you were looking for, you must return it within a short period of time. The duration of the shipment will give you an idea of ​​when you will receive the package.

Read user reviews online

See what others have to say about the toy. Were many users excited or was the toy a big disappointment? Avoid common pitfalls by getting first-hand information from real customers. This is one of the merits of buying toys online; you get eye-opening comments.

Did you know this about toys?

– Toys are some of China’s most important export items. In fact, they make up to 70% of all the toys in the world.

– The largest toy market globally is the Americas with 41%, followed by Europe with 29%, Asia and Oceania accounting for 30% of the total toy market, while Africa lags far behind with a share of only the 1 %.

– Mr. Potato Head is the first toy to be advertised on television and the oldest toy in history is a stick.

– Did you know that Lego was not the original name? The first and original name was Automatic Binding Bricks.

– In 2012, a toy arrived at the International Space Station, courtesy of an American astronaut. This toy was the Red Bird from Angry Birds.