admin 3. November 2008

Toys usually have an age appropriate sticker place on them to help a parent to decide if this is a toy that would be age appropriate. This sticker is only a starting point for whether this would be a good toy for your child. Every child grows and matures at a different rate. You must consider where your child is at in her developmental stage to really decide if a toy is age appropriate for her. Projectile toys should not be given to a child under the age of 5, however there are 6 year olds who are not ready for this type of toy.

Choking hazards are one of the biggest concerns for toys for children under the age of 3. Toy parts should not be able to completely fit inside of their mouth. A good way to measure this is by trying to fit the piece through a toilette paper roll. If it fits then it is too small for young children.

Buying used toys can be a great way to save money but they can lead to serious safety issues. Many older toys are painted with lead based paints that can be toxic to young children. Older toys can also be worn out and beginning to break. Small parts breaking off of an old toy can lead to a possible choking hazard. Any toys that are handed down or bought used need to be thoroughly inspected before they are handed to a child.

There are a couple lesser know safety concerns for toys. Small magnets in toys can easily be swallowed. When they are swallowed they can end up being attracted to each other and end up twisting the child’s intestines and causing holes to occur. Many toys for children have strings on them for the child to use to pull the toy around with. If the string is longer then 12 inches, children may be able to wrap it around their neck and strangle themselves. The weight of a toy may need to be taken into account. If a toy is too heavy it can easily fall onto a child and cause serious injuries.

Buying toys for children is not as simple as looking for something that is cute and colorful. There are many things that need to be taken into account before a choice is made on what to give a child. Age and developmental stage of children will play a large factor in determining the proper toys for them. A toy should be examined to make sure that it does not pose any safety concerns for your child before it is purchased. This is also true of any toys that your children receive as gifts. Everyone does not realize just what needs to be though about before they give a child a toy. It is up to you to make sure that all toys are screened before your child plays with them. When chosen correctly a toy will delight and captivate your child and leave them with endless enjoyment.