Buying a good toy is not as simple as pulling something cool off the shelf and tossing it in your cart. Many decisions must be made, even for an individual purchase. Once you read the ideas and advice that come in the following paragraphs, you’ll be in good position to make these decisions.
Always read the warning labels. There are some toys that may present a choking risk, so be on the lookout for these kinds of warnings. Toy packaging has ratings stating recommended age for that particular toy, so you need to pay attention.
If you child is a biter, you need to make sure that the toys you buy for him do not have loose parts. Even if a toy is recommended for a child age three or older, if your older child is a biter, that toy is still not safe for him.
Whether you are looking for the latest in video game consoles or teddy bears, you can find what you are looking for online. Sites, such as Amazon, often offer free shipping and handling for purchases of over 25 dollars. Free shipping and handling can save you quite a bit of money when shopping for multiple gifts.
Be careful of toys that you buy from the dollar stores. Even though they are very cheap, the quality of materials is usually inferior. Sometimes the materials, especially plastics, may even contain toxic chemicals. Invest a little more on high quality toys so you can be sure that they are completely safe.
If you have children of different ages in your family, it is important to teach your older children to keep their toys away from the younger children. They should not let their younger siblings play with toys that have small pieces which can easily come off since these can pose a choking risk.
Take your children along when shopping for their toys. Unless you already know what they want, guessing at which toys they will enjoy will be hit and miss. This will ensure they get something they are sure to enjoy. Additionally, it ensures you’re not wasting your money on any toys that won’t be used.
If any toy you purchase for your child operates by batteries, be sure to remove them when your child is playing with it. You would be surprised at how easy it is for a child to take a battery out of a toy on bite or chew it. Never even give them a chance to do this.
Careful with any toy that makes a lot of noise. This is not only for your sanity, it’s also for your child’s safety. If a toy that’s loud is held up to a child’s ear that could create serious damage. Be sure you know what you are buying before you buy it.
Keep up to date on toy recalls. The person selling the toy may not be aware that the toy could prove to be dangerous. That is why it is up to you to search for this information prior to purchasing it. Search on Google for toys that have been recalled.
Do a bit of research when buying toys used. You should play it safe when buying older, previously owned toys. Try to look them up online or examine them thoroughly before handing them off to a child. Make sure they haven’t been recalled for any reason and don’t have any loose parts.
When using any type of vertical storage for your kids’ toys, place toys that are used the least on the top shelf and the most used ones on the lower ones. If you have children of different ages, put their toys on the bottom shelf where they are easier to access. Make sure the storage unit is secure by attaching it to the wall.
Before you give any a child a toy, check the toy over for removable parts. An assembled or packaged toy might look to be big enough for play as-is. However, many toys come with detachable parts like eyes or noses. These can quickly become choking hazards to your children.
Some time honored toys are perfect for your child. For example, Legos and Lincoln Logs allow youngsters an opportunity to use their imagination to build designs straight from their imagination. Open up a box of these building blocks; then, sit down with your child and build memories and buildings together.
Dispose of any toy that breaks. Put it into the garbage if you can’t recycle it. Donating this toy or putting it on the secondary market is not acceptable. You run the risk of causing harm to another child.
Careful with any toy stuffed animals that have goofy eyes and noses. These pieces are often glued onto the animal or stitched with a few loose stitches. In either case, they can easily be removed by a toddler. When this happens, they become a serious choking hazard for your child.
Regularly inspect your child’s toys for condition. Kids have a tendency to beat up on their possessions. Their playthings can break. Broken pieces can become a serious safety hazard. Examining the toys every so often lets you see any problems.
If your local toy store doesn’t have what you’re looking for, the Internet might. There are plenty of online toy stores who want your business. Oftentimes, discounts are offered to first-time buyers. This saves you both money and time, as your goods are delivered right to your door. Talk about convenient!
When you go to buy a toy, you have to make a series of decisions. Is the toy for a boy, girl or both? What age is the intended child? What can he or she handle safely? What does he or she enjoy? Now that you have read this article, you should be able to handle each of these questions with ease and find the perfect toy, every time.