Tips on Buying Toys for Children

Toys play a very important role in the life of a child. Playing with toys teaches children how to share, encourages imagination and fun as well as promoting life skills necessary for children's development. Toys can also be a Fun part of every

We offer some tips to keep in minding when purchasing toys for children for play at home and while travelling.

Click here for On-line Toy Web Sites, Toy Safety Tips and Travel Games

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For more travel tips see PARENT TRAVEL TIPS
CHOOSING TOYS

Check toys for safety concerns. Go to Toy Safety Tips and Holiday Safety Alert - CPSC Announces Recall Round-up of Toys and Children's Products for more information and links to toy safety web sites.

Look for toys that are age appropriate for the child playing with the toy. See Toy Suggestions by Age. Check the label. See Toy Safety Tips.
Comparison Shop - See Links for On-line Toy Web Sites and Kids Travel Products for Toy Suggestions.
Take into account the child's interests, skills and abilities when choosing toys. See Choosing Toys by Age.
Read toy instructions before buying the toy to ensure that instructions are clear and review warnings.
Inspect the toy thoroughly for quality construction, loose pieces or sharp edges. See Toy Safety Tips.
Try to provide children with a variety of toys that encourage different skills. Toys that encourage gross motor skills like reaching, crawling, throwing, catching and physical activity. Small motor skills are promoted by toys that require the use of fingers and hands such as building blocks, colouring with crayons, smaller toys.
Games and toys that require directions, cooperation and rules are important in learning sharing and social skills.
Role-playing toys can offer an opportunity to build self-esteem and skills that help children with emotional skills while also teaching them more about people and communication.
Colouring, reading and craft activities among others will help children advance their reading, creativity and imagination.
Independence can also be bolstered by choosing some toys that children can play with "all by themselves".
Have fun with your child, look for toys that you can play with together. This gives you an opportunity to ensure the child plays with the toy appropriately, that the toy is appropriate for the child and learn more about your child's abilities while having fun.
Do some research. Check out top toy lists. Go to Toy Safety Tips for more information..
Last but definitely not least, look for toys that are just plain fun to play with. Go to On-line Toy Web Sites.

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TOY SUGGESTIONS FOR CHILDREN BY AGE

It is important that the toys you choose for your child or that your child plays with are appropriate for their age, skill level and abilities. We offer some suggestions for choosing toys based on age. Your child's individuality should be taken into account before choosing any toys - Go to On-line Toy Web Sites and Toy Safety tips for more information. Click on the age group or scroll for suggestions.

Birth- 1 year	1 to 3 years	3 to 6 years
6 to 9 years		9 to 12 years

Toy Suggestions for Children Birth to 1 year

Toys for this age group should encourage exploration by babies with their eyes and ears. Toys that are bright and colourful or with pleasant noises offer stimulation. Once babies can grasp, look for textured toys that are safe for mouthing. Older infants (6 months and up) start to manipulate toys with their hands, begin crawling and to pick up and drop toys. Never hang toys on cribs, strollers, infant seat or around child's neck with elastic, string or ribbon. Go to On-line Toy Web Sites. Also see Toy Safety Tips.

Suggestions:

Rattles, Floor Gyms, Activity Quilts, Safety Mirrors, Teething toys, large interlocking plastic rings or keys, cloth toys, Soft Dolls (watch for loose eyes and other parts), musical and chime toys. Older infants will enjoy stuffed animals and soft dolls (watch for loose eyes and other parts), push toys, pull toys, shape sorters and stacking blocks, pop-up toys, rattles, toys that squeak when squeezed.

Toy Suggestions for 1 to 3 year olds

Toddlers are active and interested in exploring the world around them. Toys that offer physical play and coordination help encourage their gross motor skills. Small motor skills are stimulated by puzzles, books, and stacking toys. Interest in role playing toys and music begins to develop. Go to On-line Toy Web Sites. Also see Toy Safety Tips.

Suggestions:

Ride-on Toys, Push Toys, Pull Toys, small climbers, blocks and stacking toys, Sandbox Toys, Puzzles (age appropriate), dolls, vehicles, Play centres and play household items, pop-up books, bath toys, Dolls, Action Figures designed for Toddlers.

Toy Suggestions for 3 to 6 Years

Preschools begin to engage in social play and start to master the skill of make-believe. Children oft-times develop attachments to special toys. Creative and craft oriented materials enhance small motor skills for this age group as well as laying the groundwork for printing skills. Toys that offer more physical skills are popular. Go to Go to On-line Toy Web Sites. Also see Toy Safety Tips.

Suggestions:

Tricycles and bicycles with Helmets. See Bike and Bike Helmet Safety. Backyard playgrounds - See Playground Safety Tips. Construction toys, dolls and stuffed animals, play centres, puppets, puzzles, books, music, action figures, small dolls and dollhouses, arts and crafts.

Toy Suggestions for 6 to 9 Years

Play becomes more challenging for school-age children as games, sports and the grown-up world draw their attention. New experiences allow children to expand their knowledge of the workings of adult life and careers of grown-ups. Science, magic and animal life are areas that begin to interest these children. Go to On-line Toy Web Sites. Also see Toy Safety Tips.

Suggestions:

Sports, games, challenging toys, building kits, craft kits, puzzles, books, music, action figures, electronic games, construction toys.

Toy Suggestions for 9 to 12 Years

Team sports, active play, strategic games, detailed arts and crafts and hobbies grab the attention of preteens. As their interests begin to develop, some preteens may choose to dedicate more of their time to specific activities. Computer and handheld games are popular with this age group. Go to On-line Toy Web Sites. Also see Toy Safety Tips.

Suggestions:

Sports equipment, games, model kits, craft kits, advanced construction, science sets, electronic games, musical instruments, electric train and car sets, books.

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PLAYING WITH TOYS

As parents and caregivers, we can teach our children a great deal about appropriate behaviour and having fun when we play with them. We can learn what our kids like, help them develop special interests and share their world during play.

Ensure that the toys children play with are safe. See Toy Safety Tips.
Choose good quality toys that stimulate learning. Go to On-line Toy Web Sites for links to sites that offer toys.
Set a good example during play and have fun with children.
Supervise children to help them learn how to play safely and courteously with others.
Reinforce safe play at every opportunity.
Teach children to recognize unsafe toys and to inform parents/caregivers of unsafe toys.
Look for toys that stimulate, are age appropriate - see Choosing Toys by Age, On-line Toy Web Sites and check labels.
Create a safe, stimulating play environment. Providing Children with their own space to play fosters a sense of independence and responsibility.
Be aware of Safety concerns for battery operated toys - see Health Canada Advisory - Guidelines to prevent Injuries from Battery Operated Toys

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ON-LINE TOY WEB SITES

Check out these Toy Web Sites for the best prices on popular Toys.

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SAFETY TIPS

Click on the following for safety information about Toys:

TRAVEL SAFETY NEWS:

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All Tips are offered as suggestions only

While we have tried to provide you with a list of suggestions to help parents when travelling with children to keep them safe, unfortunately, we can�t think of everything and it is the responsibility of parents to ensure their children�s safety.

For Toy Safety Tips Click Below:

Health Canada Advisory - Guidelines to prevent Injuries from Battery Operated Toys

For links to great sites to find toys go to:

Kids Travel Products

For Games to Play while travelling, Click Below

See the following sections for specific tips:

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