Toys Today Are Crazy
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
How does a Grandma know what to buy in the way of toys today? There are a ridiculous amount of choices. And who know a Transformer from a hmmmm….. I don’t even know. My kids are long grown. I don’t watch television so I don’t have an obvious way of figuring out what is popular. Or do I?
I went to Google.com and typed in “how to buy a toy for a baby”. There were some good choices there for information and some obvious “go here to buy toys from us” options. I’m in internet marketing so I don’t really mind that too much but it wasn’t what I was looking for.
Here then are some good options for information:
Parenting.com
Parenting.com has an article on Baby Toy Buying Guide. Their subheading is Find the most entertaining, age-appropriate and safest toys for your infant. It is a relatively short article and does cover babies through approximately 6 months of age.
BabyCenter.com
BabyCenter.com has an article called Toys for Newborns. This article covers:
- Hand-held toys
- MP3 player or music box
- Mobile
- Unbreakable mirror
- Soft books with high-contrast patterns
- Sensory toys
- Sock and wrist rattles
- Wind chimes
ConsumerReports.org
Consumer Reports has a Toy Buying Guide broken down by age from birth to six years old, specifically Newborns to 3 months old, 4 months to 10 months old, 9 months to 1 year old, 1 to 3 years old, and 4 to 6 years old. The first part of each age section highlights the abilities of a child at that particular stage. This is followed by a list of suggested toys. They list the top 3 major brands of toys and follow it with an alphabetical list of other toy brands. The same report also discusses:
- Shopping tips
- Are high-tech toys worth it?
- Safety tips
- Keep toys intended for older children away from your baby
- Do your own safety check
- Toy chests
- Soft toys and mobiles
- Toy safety standards
- Playroom safety
- Organize the room
- Make organizing fun
- Beware of hinged lids
- Make toys accessible
- Don’t put your young child’s toys and games on high shelves or ledges
Just For Fun
BabyCenter.com has a page called Lullaby lyrics: A primer. It has links to other pages on their site with the lyrics to “your favorite classic lullabies and other soothing songs suitable for bedtime.” Do you remember all the words to Itsy-Bitsy Spider or Hush, Little Baby. You’ll find the list here How Does That Song Go?
Specialty Toys
Here’s another thought. When you are trying to figure out what gift to give your grandchild, consider that the big box stores do not necessarily carry the best toys. When your grandchild reaches the age where they can build things using stuff like Legos, there may be some better options.
Consider this article by Jenn Choi called Parents are buying their kids all the wrong toys. She lists some specialty toys as opposed to mainstream toys. In her blog Jenn discusses:
- Multitasking early
- Toys are not us
- Ask not what your toy can do for you, and
- How to fight boredom
Jenn makes some interesting points. How easy is it for you to get down on the floor and just start playing with their toys? Think the kiddos will join you? Yeppers.
Toys for Both Boys and Girls
Casey Mullins blogged about The 20 Best Gender-Neutral Toys for Toddlers one year ago. Her points were valid then and they are valid now. Why do toys have to be pink if they are for girls? Why can’t a boy play with a doll or girls with tools? You will like many of her suggestions. I know I do. There are some I wouldn’t mind playing with today. The inner child never grows, don’t ya know?
I’d love to play with the kids and use our imaginations with Play Silks. You can buy a set for yourself at Amazon.com. I’ve put a link in right here for you. Once there you can explore for what suits you best.
I always loved trains as a child but wouldn’t you know it, only my brother got a train set. I like the idea of a Train Table. In my imagination, I can see a train set up in such a way that it travels around the entire house about 6 inches from the ceiling. Wouldn’t that be cool?
Okay, so I guess I’m actually promoting toys for Grandmas who are still in touch with their inner child. Buy what you would like to play with and that is age appropriate for your grandchildren. Then you can really enjoy play time with them.
What toy will you buy and enjoy with them?
Cathy it is confusing for us parents and grandparents alike to keep up with all the new toys and gadgets that come out each year. Thanks for guiding us through this maze.
You’re welcome, Patricia. I know I only touched the surface on this topic by sticking to the babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Hopefully it does make it a bit easier for some Grandmas (& Grandpas too).
Yes! I hope so because even thought I don’t have children of my own I still do babysitting from time to time and these are good things to know.
Thanks, Patricia. I know. I have great grandbabies in the this age group now. Always something new to learn about.
Hi Cathy. Thanks for this resourceful article. We are planning to start a family as soon as we get married with my fiancee. This article gave me ideas of what’s out there for babies and what to look out for and exactly what to buy coz I can tell you right now I had no idea. I’m definitely gonna visit these sights to get more ideas.
I’m glad I could help, Vincent. Lots to learn and lots to enjoy.
great sites. Will definitely G+ this for all my parents/grandparents i network with.
Thanks Stephanie. There is definitely some good info there.
I think it’s definitely important for parents to do their own safety check on toys you buy.
I find it fascinating which toys our little 1 year old prefers over others. When they sing songs to her, that’s always a bonus… I find now she is drawn to books a lot too.
Great advice here, we use a lot of those websites for reference.
Thanks Layla. I was kinda of thinking of you and your precious little ones when I wrote this. I could just imagine B enjoying her toys.
Thanks Cathy for another great share and fab resources. I remember friends of ours who always bought our kids the most noisy toys ever – think it was as torture for us parents! LOL! x
Emily,
Sometimes I think people just don’t think it through. They get the newest, shiniest toys possible.
Toys in my house collect dust, until other peoples kids show up, dad has way too much other interesting stuff around, some of which they are not supposed to play with. With the exception of Lego or Board Games my boys do not play with toys. Great Share Cathy!
Hey Trishaly,
I understand you live out in the country, so I bet dad has lots of other interesting stuff for sure. Not playing with toys is often true of kids when they get past the pre-school age.
Wow thanks for the recources Cathy great post! We are just about to welcome our first born into the family so I’ll book mark this for sure 🙂 Love and Light to you!
Trina,
Glad I could help. Oh, and Congrats on the new one to come. Much love and light to you as well.
Great share Cathy I just love how you bring us back to reality when it comes to life.
Elaine,
Just trying to put my two cents in, hoping it makes a difference for some folks. 🙂
hey Cathy, my children are now past toddler stages not yet teenagers and are into techie stuff rather than toys. So I do get a lil confused as well. Thanks for the resources!
Julie,
I understand. Last year when we had my two daughters and their families together, one of the said, “Mom. Look up.” As I scanned the room, I realized that every single person there was on some type of electronic device! Every Single One! Me included. Definite sign of the times.
Well our ‘little one’ just turned 21 years old, and he still plays with toys lol! But seriously, I love this post because it makes for a great resource for parents and also a reminder to be more aware of what your children are playing with, taking time to do the research is best.
Thanks Lynn.
It still amazes me how many folks don’t do any research.
love these resources, thanks cathy
You are welcome, Sheena.