It's that time of year! With Christmas comes toys! Let's make those toys safe as well as fun!
There are so many choices - you're inundated with options and it can be difficult to know how to choose wisely. So, here we're giving you a few tips to make safe toy shopping a little easier.
There are so many choices - you're inundated with options and it can be difficult to know how to choose wisely. So, here we're giving you a few tips to make safe toy shopping a little easier.
1. FUN and CREATIVE!
Of course - the most important thing is that you want the toy to be FUN! What use is there in giving a toy that the child doesn't want to play with?! Knowing the child's interests helps. Have you noticed the child is particularly responsive to music or likes a particular animal? Then choose a toy with that theme. Toys that are experiential, that stimulate creativity are best. Not only will the child be more compelled to play with it, but will build essential development.
2. AGE-APPROPRIATE
On the subject of development, it's important to choose wisely. While we know the children you're buying for are advanced for their age (aren't they all?!), trust that the toy makers know the appropriate age ranges. Check out this link from the National Association for the Education of Young Children for some great tips on toy choices by age range: http://www.naeyc.org/toys
3. SAFE
Three things to watch for:
Some brands with wonderful toys that are safe as well as fun and creative are listed here. All are available on Amazon.
These all have strong safety statements:
GreenTones - http://www.gogreentones.com/about-us/
Grimms - http://www.grimms.eu/index.php/en/what-we-stand-for
Haba - http://www.habausa.com/safety/
Hape - http://www.hapetoys.com/us/en/cop/company-profile
Hohner - www.hohnerkids.com/safetyfirst.html
For those on a budget, another good choice is Melissa and Doug. Not as strong a safety statement, but a good alternative. http://www.melissaanddoug.com/toysafety
Of course - the most important thing is that you want the toy to be FUN! What use is there in giving a toy that the child doesn't want to play with?! Knowing the child's interests helps. Have you noticed the child is particularly responsive to music or likes a particular animal? Then choose a toy with that theme. Toys that are experiential, that stimulate creativity are best. Not only will the child be more compelled to play with it, but will build essential development.
2. AGE-APPROPRIATE
On the subject of development, it's important to choose wisely. While we know the children you're buying for are advanced for their age (aren't they all?!), trust that the toy makers know the appropriate age ranges. Check out this link from the National Association for the Education of Young Children for some great tips on toy choices by age range: http://www.naeyc.org/toys
3. SAFE
Three things to watch for:
- Quality - Choose a toy that is durable and will hold up with typical kid rough-housing. Make sure it's well constructed, and without risk of breaking into pieces - especially with young children who may ingest a fragment.
- Chemical Safety - Check labels and the toy maker's site for information. The toy should clearly be noted as lead, phthalate and BPA free
- Materials - Select natural materials such as wood (a gold standard), with few, if any, finishes or varnishes. Paper is a great choice as well - we're primarily talking about books - which easily fit all the criteria.
Some brands with wonderful toys that are safe as well as fun and creative are listed here. All are available on Amazon.
These all have strong safety statements:
GreenTones - http://www.gogreentones.com/about-us/
Grimms - http://www.grimms.eu/index.php/en/what-we-stand-for
Haba - http://www.habausa.com/safety/
Hape - http://www.hapetoys.com/us/en/cop/company-profile
Hohner - www.hohnerkids.com/safetyfirst.html
For those on a budget, another good choice is Melissa and Doug. Not as strong a safety statement, but a good alternative. http://www.melissaanddoug.com/toysafety
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