In this day and age when the market is inundated with new toys every few months, it is important to choose what your children play with very carefully. Most people are clueless as to what is age appropriate for their children. When shopping in the stores for toys, it is important to take a few things into consideration.

The first thing that you need to make sure is that the toy is suitable for your child�s age. All toys on the market today should be labeled with the age recommendations. This is the starting point when choosing toys. It is important that as a parent you are realistic about the abilities and level of your child. For example� some toys have age of suitable for a child 4 and under. However, some children that are over the age of four might not be mature enough to handle the toy. Also consider if your toddler still puts things in their mouth. If this is the case, then you should avoid toys that have smaller pieces that could be a potential choking hazard, even if the toy has your child�s age on it.

The second thing that you should consider is the toy itself. Look carefully at the toy. Does it have smaller parts? Is it too heavy for your child? Is the toy safe? When purchasing a toy for your child, a good rule is to think big. You want to make sure that the toy is bigger than the child�s mouth up to the age of about three. This will help you to avoid the possibility of choking. The best tool is to use a toilet paper roll to see if the toy will fit in there. If it does, then it probably is not safe for your child. If the toy is too big, it might be too heavy and could cause an injury if they fall or if it falls on your child.

You want to make sure that whatever toy you choose that it is very well put together. Make sure all the seams are reinforced. Check the paint to see that it is safe for the child and not peeling. Most toy manufactures use paint that is safe for children, but if in doubt, it is best to contact them. All toys should also be free of anything that your child could pull of and put in their mouth. They should also not have cords any longer than 12 inches as this is a potential strangulation problem. You need to make sure that any toys that are not new (i.e. passed down from older children, purchased at yard sales, or purchased from secondhand stores) are in good condition. Sometimes parts are missing that could potentially cause an injury.

Whatever toys you choose for your children, make sure that it is age and maturity level appropriate. If not, it could lead to potential problems or injuries. As a good parent, we want to protect our children, so make sure to protect them from their toys too.


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Edonna Devnat is an event coordinator who uses her vast knowledge of Baby Shower Ideas to give her clients the best possible event.