Toys are the best friends of kids but if we do not select the friends with care than they can become the problem for us. Toys are an important part of any child's development so while selecting toys for your kid keep his or her abilities and safety in mind. We usually hear about the toy-related injuries especially choking is very common among the kids from 2-5 years as they cannot resist to put objects in their mouths. So it's important to make sure the toys your child plays with are safe.
How to choose the best toys for any age
Going to purchase toys for your kids than it is very necessary to keep his or her abilities, interest and safety in mind. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind during your toy-shopping.
Best toys for Infants to 1-year-olds: Infants got attracted towards Color, sound, movement and texture of the toys so it is good to buy the toys which has combination of all these qualities. You can buy rattle toys, beads toy, music boxes, Choo Choo Loop Train Toy, squeeze toys and soft washable animals and dolls for your kids.
Toys for 1 to 3-year-olds: Kids of this age are very curious and want to learn new things so it is good to buy the toys which can keep them busy in learning new things such as cloth or plastic books having colorful illustrations, kiddie cars, toy telephones, coloring picture books, construction sets, activity books, musical toys and many more.
Toys for 3 to 5-year-olds: Kids of this age learn many new thing from the school and from their friends also. It is good to select the toys which can enhance their knowledge and help in their study also. You can buy educational book or computers with lots of pictures and activities to do, building blocks, blackboards and chalk, crayons, clay and any other toy which can keep them busy and also help them to learn new things is good choice of toy for them.
Toys for 5 to 9-year-olds: Kids of this age like to explore the things, Imaginations play a key role during this stage of development so they like to play with the toys which become the part of their imaginations such as bicycles, roller skates, table games, electric or windup trains, workbenches with tools and materials, dolls and crafts. Etc.
Toys for 9 to 14-year-olds: This is the age when playing with the toys looks childish , kids of this age like to advance their knowledge so the best toys for them at this age will computers, pc games, microscopes, board games, model kits, sporting goods and many more which help them to enhance their knowledge.
How to choose safe toys for kids
Every year we hear news about the toy-related injuries. So it become very essential to choose safe toys for your kids, here are some guidelines which you should follow while selecting the toys for your kids.
• It is always good to check the information about the toy which you are going to purchase which is written on the toy boxes such as warnings about small parts, breakage, or choking hazards.
• Choose the toys which are made up of flame resistant or flame retardant fabric.
• If you are going to buy the painted toys for your kids than it should be lead-free paint
• Choose the stuffed toys which are washable so that you can keep them free from dirt and germs.
• While purchasing the noise making sounds such as rattles, squeak toys, and musical or electronic toys should not be very loud as the very loud noise can make hearing damages.
• Going to buy bike, scooter, tricycle, or anything that a child can ride on than purchase safety equipment such as a helmet or elbow and knee pads along with it.
• It is good to teach the proper use of toy, if you are buying any toy weapon for them than just make them clear it is meant for playing purpose only and kids should be taught to never point darts, arrows, or guns at anyone.
• Always choose the toys according to the age of kid
• Battery-operated toys should have locked battery cases so that kids cannot pry them open.
• When going to purchase the toys having marbles, coins, balls, and games with balls than be careful, choose do not select the games which has very small balls because they can become lodged in the throat above the windpipe and restrict breathing.
• Electric toys should be labeled UL, meaning they meet safety standards set by Underwriters Laboratories.
• Do not buy very pointed edges toys for small kids as they can hurt themselves badly.
• Crayons and paints should say ASTM D-4236 on the package, which means that they've been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
How to report about unsafe toys
Want to report about the unsafe toy than visit the CPSC website http://www.cpsc.gov/ or call their hotline at (800) 638-CPSC to report about unsafe toy.
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