Look for sturdy toys such as stitched dolls, wooden blocks, and puzzles with heavy pieces. Provide play and playthings that offer new experiences. Store toys where your child can get to them easily and without help. Keep parts stored together (an end of the day task) so you don’t lose any parts. Consider if you are buying something that will require special care or arrangements. Keep safety in mind. A good rule of thumb for children ages 3 and under is to avoid anything that can fit through a toilet-paper tube. Tell your child why you selected a particular gift/toy. Make children responsible for cleaning up after play, helping them so it becomes part of the play. Remember that paying a lot for a toy doesn’t mean you will get high play-value. Suggested ages on toy boxes are fairly reliable, and buying something more advanced will not speed up that timetable. Consider toys that require pretend play and imagination such as hats, dish sets, children’s tools, and dolls.
Avoid overwhelming a child with more than one or two new gifts/toys at a time. Never make comparisons to other family members’ gifts. Toy boxes encourage dumping and lost pieces.
Playthings from around the House Infants
People and lots of attention Common household items to look at and listen to Toddlers Cans Large spoons and spatulas Kitchen pots and lids Milk and egg cartons Shoes Bright scarves Empty boxes Purses to empty and fill
Books with large pictures Kitchen utensils for water and dirt play Hats Shoes Old clothing Pencils and pens Sponges Vegetable brushes Cards Large boxes to crawl through Pouring and measuring tools Real hammers with large-head nails
Jars to collect insects Mud, sand, and water Junk jewelry for pretend play Cards Flashlight Garden tools Wheelbarrow Paper punch Large needle, thread, and fabric
Worthwhile Things to Buy If you want to purchase toys or to give a gift to your child, the following suggestions can help to assure that your purchases will be appropriate, long lasting, and fun: Babies
Soft, squeezable animals and dolls Mobile Music box Basket of baby books Soft ball Spinning top
Child-sized table and chair Doll bottle Finger puppets Toy mop and broom Nesting cups Push-and-pull toys Rhythm instruments Balls of various sizes Soft plastic toys Soft dolls without buttons or eyes Sturdy books Plastic keys Play telephone Music boxes Toy camera Broomstick horse Step stool Playhouse
Picture storybooks Balls Dolls Art supplies Small garden tools Plastic tea and cooking sets Three-wheel riding toys Wagon Cars Wooden unit blocks Plastic lunch box Toy telephone 20- to 30-piece puzzles Electric toothbrush Trucks for dumping sand and dirt
Backpack Kites Butterfly net Jump rope Tape recorder Two-wheel bicycle and safety helmet Lunch box Board games Skates Yo-yo Gyroscope Picture dictionary Puzzles of the USA and the world Tap shoes Easel Art supplies Play kitchen Tool bench Cars and trucks Lego table Brio train Doctor kit Ant farm Bird feeder Croquet set Frisbee Construction sets
