Age-appropriate Toys for Your Toddler

What type of toy would be best suitable and appropriate for your toddler? There is too important factors to consider.

1. Safety.

The toy should not have any small parts which could be a choking hazard. If your child is under 3 you should not get any toys which have the required warning stating that it includes small parts and is only for children 3 and older. Even if your child is 3 or 4 you should watch them closely while playing with these type of toys! Be on a look out for any recalls, they are very common in kids toys.

2. Is It Any Fun?

You want your toddler to actually PLAY with the toy so remember that something you might find fun and educational does not necessarily be fun for your toddler! It is always a good idea to look around in the playground or daycare and ask other parents or teachers what toys are most popular among the children.

You can also read some parenting magazines for new "hot" toys which are recommended. There is the obvious balls, trucks, cars, dolls and stuffed animals. Anything that makes noise! Books, it is never too early to start reading. Something your child can ride on. Rocking horses are always popular!

Even younger toddlers will enjoy making projects so crayons and paints are fun, especially the finger paints! Buy some colorful papers and create something together and hang it on the wall!

Even young toddlers will enjoy their favorite movies, so some DVDs or VHS tapes are in order! Music is plenty of fun, my kids love their keyboards and xylophones. Even the drums if you can take the noise! There is some very popular music designed to younger toddlers, if your child can walk she can dance too! Make it a costume party, even little ones love dressing up!

I am amazed how easily my own 3-year-old learned to navigate with a mouse and she loves playing games and solving puzzles and coloring on the computer. We also print out plenty coloring pages and craft projects online. There is many websites designed just for little ones to play on.

You can even look for a laptop designed for a toddler! Returning back to the music, microphone and the karaoke machine are plenty fun even for the youngest children.

Be creative! Go outside and collect some rocks and pine cones and study different things around you. My children are just happy to see an ant or a ladybug and arrange their rock gardens. With the little ones you need to supervise so they don't put everything in their mouth!

Have you ever seen a toddler in the sled going down the hill? Or in the beach digging the sand with a shovel? They love it! Teach them how to blow bubbles and they will be entertained for hours!

I hope I gave you some ideas of what your children might enjoy to play with, but remember in the end the people interaction is very important so set up play dates or take your toddler to the park to play with other kids if she does not go to the daycare or meet kids otherwise!