Toddler toys are perfect for the development of our children. These toys allow them to explore and help aid in their development. There are so many different types of toys that are perfect for your growing toddler. The toys will introduce the fun of play and learning at the same time. I am not an expert in the field of toys for toddlers. I am just a work from home mom who takes my role as a parent very seriously. As we all should. It is an honor and a privilege to have children. So everything matters and is equally important.
I have done the proper research and asked our pediatrician about the "right" toddler toys. I guess there is no right toy exactly. You could say the best toys that will help them to develop. It really is just a matter of my opinion and advice that I would like to share with all of you. These are only suggestions for you to try with your toddler. Always feel free to do your own research. You should always investigate a toy in my opinion, especially for expensive toy purchases. I have some great tips that I like to do before I buy any toddler toys for my son. It's a shame to spend a large amount of money on a toy, only to find out it's not worth the money you spent.
Tips to consider before you purchase Toddler Toys
Research the toy.
You can go online and Google any toy that you may be interested in. You can find ratings and reviews about the product. It is actually quite surprising to read what other parents may have written about the toy. They rate and review the toy after they have purchased it and their toddler played with it. You can find out whether or not it would make a good purchase. Read all the reviews. You will find good and bad about any item but, it still may give you an idea. I researched a toy before I purchased it. Ignoring the reviews, I bought it anyway and the reviews were dead on and I ended up regretting the purchase. So be wise and use the resources available to you.
The Mom Test
What I mean by this is actually go to the store and look at the toy. Feel it, play with it examine it closely. Ask yourself questions about the toy:
- How is the toy made? Is it cheaply made? Is it sturdy and strong?
- Will it break easily?
- What are the age recommendations?
- Is it worth the price?
- Are the parts too small?
- How long are they going to play with it before they outgrow it?
You would be amazed at how you can see toddler toys online and then when you see them in the store they look completely different. This has happened to me more times than I can count. So inspect carefully.
The Toddler Test
Allow your child to look at the toy and see if they even like it. I am guilty of this one. I was famous for buying toys that I thought were so cute and wanted my toddler to enjoy. He didn't even like them or play with them. It sometimes ended up being a waste. Well as you can read from my site, I do not like to waste money. So see if your toddler will even play with the toy in question. Again, you may be pleasantly surprised either way.
Try and get the Best Price
When it comes to toddler toys, I am all about saving money. Well I like to save money in general. You have got to shop around. When you shop online you sometimes get a much better price than in the actual store. You should watch your shipping prices though. Sometimes that can be the breaking factor. You think you are saving money but you come out paying more with the shipping. So be careful. Don't forget about wonderful E-bay and Craigslist. Two great places to find toys at reasonable low prices.
Be sure to go online to different stores and compare prices. Two and three dollars can make a difference when you add it all up. It is important so just take your time and you'll get a great deal. I am the queen of finding bargains and my hubby loves me for it! LOL
If you purchase an expensive toy, make sure your toddler will get the proper use out of it.
The reason for this is that they will outgrow them before you know it. My three year old will refer to some of his old toddler toys as "baby toys". It is so cute but he is right. Shop within reason and think about how long they are going to actually play with the toy. It really doesn't make sense to purchase a $100 toy for 6 months of play. Research a less expensive toy and save the rest of your money. Trust me the cost is not the issue, toddlers will play with boxes and have a blast. You understand where I am going with this. Just decide if the price is worth it and if you are going to get the use out of the toy for the price.
I bet you never thought about all of these factors when considering toddler toys? It's amazing isn't it? When I finally was blessed to become a Mom my perspective on everything changed. I became so picky and concerned about everything pertaining to my son. We want the best for our children. I have also come to the realization that it all matters to me. Even the toys that I buy for him, because to me the picture is bigger and greater than we all know. We want to give them the best within reason, and the best doesn't always mean more expensive. Society gets us all caught up in that garbage.
I want my son to be a well spoken, articulate, and intelligent young man when he grows up. My choices affect him so therefore it is my job to make the best choices, even down to his toys. I will close with a thought. Remember to have FUN with your toddler. You can find great toddler toys that are just that. They will be learning and not even realize it. That is the best part of all. Learning really can be FUN.