Factors To Consider When Buying Toys – It is every child dream to own a toy or two. However, a lot of care should be taken while buying the toys. It is the responsibility of those buying the toys for the children to ensure that they consider factors such as:
Age of the Child
There are toys made for children who are in different age brackets. The reason is to help the children learn the different things in the world in their own little capacities. For example, a child who is two years old may have some barbie dolls with which they comb the hair of the doll and even carry them around.
They can even have some of the best outdoor toys for preschoolers, to help them develop fast.
For a child who is ten, they may prefer having a bicycle or even playing video games. The different toys are well designed for the children. Parents should choose what best suits their children.
Current Trends
With so much going on in the world, it can be hard to find time to give your child the attention they deserve. That’s why many parents are turning to monthly subscription boxes that provide a variety of age-appropriate toys for their children. One such box is the Disney Subscription Box.
Also, Children are more into the toys that are trending. Toys can trend because of a particular show or video game characters. Children really tend to gravitate towards current things.
The current toys make children even love the toys more. The children are able to associate toys with something current. For example, Spiderman when the spiderman movie is released.
Condition of the Toy
It is much easier and cheaper to buy a new toy compared to an old one. The reason for this is for an old toy, it may need constant repair which is expensive. Therefore, it is easier to buy and maintain a new toy.
For example, an old bicycle. It may cost a lot to always take them to the mechanic. It may also really disappoint a child to have a faulty old toy.
The Gender of the Child
It applies to the older children and also the liking of the child. Girls are drawn to dolls while boys are drawn to car toys. It is however important to first know what the child likes. It makes it easier when visiting the shops as one knows what the child wants.
It does not mean that boys aren’t drawn to dolls and girls’ cars. It is just about the general way that children are. Parents however should be conscious of what the child really likes.
The Label of the Toy
Most people do not really read the labels on toys. Labels have a lot of important information that should always be read. Every parent should be encouraged to read the labels intensively.
Prior to purchasing a toy, one should ensure it has a label and read it.The label provides information on how best to use the toy. The parent can now teach the child on how to safely use the toy without causing any harm.
The Material of the Toy
Toys are made of different materials from safe to toxic materials. Children will put the toys in the mount as they are playing them. There is, therefore, need to ensure the toys are made up of safe material.
The toys should not be too heavy for the child to carry or too light as it can breakfast. The material should be one that is light and also a bit sturdy not to break easily. The toy should not also have material that can poison the child.
The Behavior of the Child
The child may also have difficulties reading or spelling and one can buy them toys to help them read. The child can also have a hard time making friends and toys really bring children together. Toys also keep a child in the house for those who spend all time outside.
The behavior of children differs from child to child. If one has a child that is very quick to anger, it is important not to give the child sharp toys. There are also some best sensory toys for infants to help them adjust to the environment. The child may also be in the stage where they put everything in the mouth and therefore parents have to be careful.
The Colour of the Toys
Plain toys may put a child off. There are hardly any plain toys in the market for the children. Children love the bright colors even looking at cartons and children shows.
Children love colorful things and therefore most of the toys are really painted. The toys should have lead free paint as it is not toxic to the children. The parents should therefore ensure they read the description of the toy carefully.
The Loudness of the Toy
Toys especially for toddlers produce some sound. The sole purpose is to keep the children happy. The buyers of such toys should however be very careful when buying those toys.
There are some toys that produce sounds and entertain the children. It is therefore essential to ensure that the toys are not too loud. Very loud toys can damage the Child’s ability to hear and that is harm to the children.
The Toys should be Complete and Compact
One can purchase and notice a part is misplaced. For example, a spiderman figure can have a broken leg. Such parts are a danger to the young ones who may injure themselves.
If the toy is a car, the doors of the car should not be coming off. It is a risk to the child as the child can poke their eyes while playing. The unnecessary removable parts can even be put in the mount by the child causing more harm.
The Method of Storing the Toy
One thing that is ignored is the storage of toys. It is common to find toys everywhere in a house full of children. It is however important to store the toys well for safe use by the children and its across children of ages.
The parents should have a way of storing the toys before purchase. For example, a bicycle left out may rust and not benefit the child. The parents should design a shed or space in the house to store the toys safely.
It is essential to note that some toys if well stored are generational. It always saves on money to get great toys from one’s friends and families. Well stored toys can also be stored and some money gotten off them.
The Hygiene Level of the Toys
One of the ways that children get sick is getting in contact with germs. The children pick the germs as they play and mostly with their toys. If well washed, it can greatly reduce the infections that the children get.
It is essential that toys are easy to clean. A child playing with toys will definitely make the toys dirty which may carry germs. This will help them to also learn to clean important household appliances such like the coffee makers and even blenders as they grow.
The toys can be cleaned with warm water and some disinfectant. The toys should be washed everyday without fail. The toys should also be stored in a clean sanitized area.
Proper Ways of Disposing of the Toys
Sometimes it is inevitable that toys will break. Some are broken and nit in a position to ever get fixed. It is important to therefore have proper disposal mechanisms.
Most of the time, a child will break a toy. The parents should have a way of disposing of the toys away from the children. The parents should ensure they protect the environment as well as protect their children.
If the toys are not disposed of well, the child may find them hurt themselves. The children may also put the toys in their mouths. The children may get really sick from all the germs they have put in their mouths.
Preparation of the Child
Before buying any toy for a child, the child must know how to use the toy. It mostly applies to toys that need some skills for example a toy car. It becomes a smooth ride for a child who knows how to use it.
There is really no need to buy a child a toy they will not use. It is therefore important to weigh if a child will use a toy in the right way. For example, by buying a bicycle, the child should be able to ride or even be ready to learn.
For example, it does not make sense buying a bicycle for a three months baby. It will be a waste of time and resources. The toy bought should be easily utilized by the child.
The Operation of the Particular toy
There are many toys in the world of today. Some of the toys need batteries to operate. Most of them have easy to open battery parts.
Such toys are a menace to the children. The reason for this is that children are able to open the toys are remove the batteries. The child then takes the batteries and put them in the mouth.
The child then gets bad stomachaches, choke and others die. It is important to have a toy easy to operate for the child but hard to figure out. The children should be in a position to open up other parts such as the battery section.
If a child constantly opens up such toys, it is important to keep the toys out of their reach. The parents can invest in other simple toys. The toys should be free of magnets and such batteries.
Conclusion
It is not enough to just buy a child a toy without looking at the factors mentioned above. The safety of a child comes first at all times and even more so when buying toys for the children. The end goal is to have a child who is growing well and playing with safe toys.