Buy Toys For All Ages

Buying toys for children can be fun but it can also be baffling if you do not know what you are looking for. A year’s difference in age can make a huge difference in the types of games, musical instruments or other amusements appropriate for a child. This guide will help direct you to the toys that are best for the age of child you are purchasing for. But you’ll also want to check with the parents or even ask the children themselves before you buy.

Toys

Toys for Kids Up To Age 1

This is an easy age to buys toys for. The infant-toddler section of the toy store will have all of the toys for this age group in one section. The toys should be labeled 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months and 9-12 months. Some may just have a general birth-and-up label. It is acceptable to buy a gift at the current age of the child or the next age group up. You will not want to buy in a higher age group because if the child can’t play with it their parents may take it personally. Simple musical toys such as bells and rattles are enjoyed in this group. Toys in this age group will include brightly colored rattles, toys that blink, light up and make lots of noise. Stuffed, soft and smooth toys are always popular because at this age, a lot of learning is sensory. 0-3 month items may include lots of black-and-white colored toys. For more ideas, see our Buying The Right Toy For Your Toddler. Warnings: Never buy a toy that is labeled 3+ for a child under three. Never buy something that is smaller than the diameter of a toilet paper roll for a child under 3; these items can become choking hazards.

Toddler Toys

Toys for Kids Aged 2-3

The 2-to-3-year-olds will start to play with more toys. This age likes cars, trains, planes and things that move. Other popular items are dolls and doll accessories, blocks and building toys. Simple puzzles are enjoyed by this group, as are musical instruments such as bongo drums. Low-to-the-ground, easy-to-climb-on rolling toys are popular with this group. But remember those warnings in the preceding paragraph about what not to buy for a child under 3.

Dolls

Toys for Kids Aged 4-6

Children are taking in so much information at this age. They start to explore science and  enjoy toys such as dinosaurs, space ships and animals. This age group starts to play with more advanced building blocks, which are smaller in size and more difficult to put together or take apart. Musical instruments such as bells, guitars and drums are very popular in this group. Bicycles, Big Wheels and easy-to-ride toys begin their popularity with this group of kids. More advanced puzzles and games are enjoyed by this group. Both girls and boys enjoy dressing up in their favorite costumes. Action figures and dollhouses become very popular.

Toy Animals

Toys for Kids Aged 7-10

This age group opens up many more toy opportunities as they are now more trustworthy around toys that are difficult or easily broken. They are now reading and can play more advanced and difficult games. This age group may be taking musical lessons, but still enjoy toy musical instruments such as a kazoo or harmonica. Physical toys such as mountain bikes, moon boots, unicycles and pogo sticks become popular in this age group. Children in this age group enjoy science kits, magic kits, more advanced building blocks and other toys that can make tall buildings.

Hand-held games

Toys for Kids Aged 10-12

This age group is now open to endless possibilities of video games, software, difficult building toys and advanced board games. Physical toys such as scooters, motorcycles and go carts begin to become popular at this age. But electronic hand-held toys are very popular in this group – so are cellphones and iPods. Serious bicycles, skateboards and snowboards are also popular – edging out of the “toy” category into sports equipment.

Snowboards

Toys for Kids Aged 13 and up

This group is now playing with much more grown-up toys, which may include skateboards, adult bicycles and even more advanced video games. This age group is very difficult to buy for unless you know the interests of the child. They have a tendency to like what they already think they like. It is best to find out some of the interests of the child before purchasing in for this age group. It is always a good idea to check with the parents to see if your gift is acceptable and appropriate. Some parents do not want toys that shoot,  nor do they want products that contain makeup for girls.

Buying safe toys

Make sure that they toys you buy are not only age appropriate but also family appropriate. A family that has children under 3 may not want their older children to have dangerous, possible choking hazard toys such as large marbles. Good luck with your toy buying efforts, try to find out what the child likes before heading out to see the possibilities. Watch out for the warnings of children under 3, otherwise shopping for toys should be a fun and enjoyable outing. You may not want to take the child with you, as this sometimes makes it more difficult. However, if you really do not know what to get them, may be they can help you pick something out. Children of all ages love something new, unique and that they have never seen before.