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Toy Shop
Shopping with an online toy shop helps people track down hard-to-find items easily, and avoid the hassles associated with shopping from a bricks-and-mortar store. Orders can be shipped directly to the recipient's doorstep. Online shoppers must read the toy shop's policies about shipping charges and time of delivery. Look for provisions to cancel or modify orders. Make sure you understand the returns policy. Secure transactions and currency and customs issues must be sorted out before you go on a shopping spree. Apart from exclusive online toy shops, departmental stores and large online retailers have a good selection of toys. Most stores also offer toys at discount rates. Discount toy sales may be seasonal.
Toy Manufacturer
Toy manufacturers produce specific types of toys, ranging from action figures, building and construction toys, dolls, die-cast vehicles, to ride-on toys, stuffed animals and plush toys, toy soldiers and the like. Large toy manufacturers like Mattel and Hasbro produce a variety of toys. Many toy manufacturers also produce toys for promotional uses. Promotional toys are given out by fast food chains, or are hidden in cereal boxes or come packaged with DVDs. They are popular with toy collectors and their production runs are limited.
Toy Years
Choosing age-appropriate toys is important while shopping for toys or giving them as gifts. Some playthings are appropriate for various age groups, as children can enjoy them at their own level. Always ensure that the toys you buy are safe to use. Presented below are a few ideas and suggestions for toys appropriate for different ages.
From birth to six months
Though babies can't grasp objects in their hands, they enjoy exploring the world around them with their eyes and ears. The toys should never be hung or attached to a crib, playpen, stroller, and infant seat or around a child's neck with elastic, string or ribbon. Activity quilts, teething toys, large, interlocking keys or rings, soft dolls, musical toys or rattles are appropriate for babies.
From six months to one year
Infants enjoy toys they can manipulate, and once they can crawl or walk, they enjoy things that move along with them. Push-pull toys, nesting and stacking toys, pop-up toys, squeeze or squeaky toys, and pop-up toys are appropriate for this age group.
From one to two years
Younger toddlers are explorers, and enjoy ride-on toys, bath toys, simple shape sorters, play household items, and cardboard picture books. These are toys that provide physical play and encourage experimentation and manipulation.
From two to three years
Older toddlers enjoy toys that encourage active play and have good hand and finger coordination. This the age children begin imaginative play. Appropriate toys for this age group include building blocks and building systems, alphabet and number blocks, hand and finger puppets, play vehicles, non-toxic art supplies, play scenes with figures and accessories and tricycle with helmet.
From three to six years
Children in the preschool age and kindergartners enjoy the world of make-believe and they begin to actively play with each other. Toys suitable for preschoolers and kindergartners are dress-up clothes and accessories, props for make-believe play, non-toxic art supplies, puzzles, simple word and matching games, and storybooks.
From six to nine years
School-age children seek new information and experiences through play, and enjoy games of strategy and skill. Bicycle and helmet, sporting equipment and protective gear, pogo sticks, jump rope, construction toys, action figures, science and magic sets, model and craft kits, board games, tape player and tapes, children's classics and fairy tales are just right for this age.
From nine to twelve years
Preteens enjoy team sports, arts and crafts projects, and begin to develop life-long interests and hobbies. Sporting equipment and protective gear, advanced construction kits, art supplies, playing cards, board games, strategy games, electric trains, musical instruments, books like biography, mystery, adventure, science fiction are some suggestions to start with.
While buying toys, choose reputable traders and toy manufacturers who ensure the safety of the toys they sell and manufacture. Sharp, rough edges and points, hinges and mechanisms that may trap the child's fingers, and small parts that may choke the child are things to look out for while buying toys. Extra careful measures must be taken before buying second-hand toys. Toys must have the name and address of the manufacturer or importer and some safety mark. Do not ignore the warnings from manufacturers about the age-appropriateness of some toys.
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