It is important to choose the right toy for your child not only because it is required in terms of safety but because they learn new skills and show different interests during different stages of development. Giving more advanced toys to a baby or a toddler will lead in to health hazards due to small parts and even frustration as they will not know how to play with it. Here’s a small guide on how to pick an age appropriate toys for your kids.

New born to 6 months

Infant toys should stimulate babies’ senses, reward movement and also encourage self-discovery. These toys should be colourful, have soft sounds and easy to hold. Play mats, rattles and teethers are some of the best toys for new born to 6 months age group. Anything that the babies can grasp, kick or squeeze are considered best for this age group.

6 months to 1 year

This is the age that babies are just about to take their first steps; therefore, parents love to encourage them to use simple walkers at this age. Also cause-and affect toys are key at this age such as simple musical toys like musical wobblers, baby drums etc.

1 to 3 years (Toddler age group)

Toddler toys should encourage coordination, dexterity, imagination and simple problem-solving skills. Toddlers at this age try to experiment on colours, sizes, shapes; they love to explore everything around them. They explore, discover and learn from their environment. Toddlers improve their motor skills and critical thinking skills by learning from their surroundings, hence toys such as stackers, puzzles, colour and shape sorting toys, blocks, activity cubes, pull and push toys and outdoor toys are key at this age. Toddlers also love exploring sounds and rhythms as they play around with music. Echo microphones, percussion sets such as clappers, maracas, shakers, tambourines are some musical toys used at this age.

3 to 5 years (Pre-schoolers)

Pre- schoolers are thrilled to learn melodies and rhythm beats. Simple drum sets, flutes, Ukuleles, small toy guitars are encouraged as musical toys for preschoolers. More advanced puzzles such as number and alphabet puzzles, clock puzzles will help on hand-eye coordination and critical thinking skills.

Roll-playing toys are also important at this age. It allows children to explore a brand-new world encouraging imaginative and creative play. Train and vehicle sets, diecast cars, track sets, kitchen sets, doll houses and furniture sets are some key role playing toys for pre-schoolers.

Kids also love surprise toys (blind packs) as it gives an element of entertainment for them.

This age is also where kids will explore more outdoors and will love their bikes and soft balls

6+ Years

For kids above 6 years and above they seek for more challenging toys such as STEM toys, more complicated construction toys, musical instruments and group games. They want to invent, create and conquer at this age and will look for toys that will demonstrate their personality. Kids around the age of 8- 12 years love playing in groups hence board games are very popular among kids around this age group. They also love collecting things; collectible toys have become a craze for kids above 6 years.

While you look for the age appropriate toy it is also important to look in to certain quality and safety standards of toys. The most recognized safety standards for toys are the European safety standards (EN 71) and the American safety standards (ASTM F963). Most of the products will also carry the CE logo which is the standard certification mark that indicates conformity with health, safety and environmental protection standards for products manufactured to be sold in European Economic Area.