It is easy to get lost in thought about the perfect gift to give to your toddler. What else could they want except toys and they already have a lot of that. It is genuinely difficult to think of gifts to give to your toddler. Even putting so much thought into it will not prove to be very helpful. It is relatively easier to choose gifts for adults than to choose for toddlers.
A lot of parents are worried that they may have exhausted the options they have with the gifts that they can get for their toddler. The toddlers have way too many toys, so when it is their birthday or even a holiday like Christmas, all that is left is to just add to their collection of toys. This would stop impressing the toddlers soon. You want to get them a gift that is special, something that stands out and won’t be an addition to the clutter. So what are the best factors to consider that will help you get the gifts that will stand the test of time?
LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT AND AGE
You can determine the appropriate age bracket for a particular toy by just checking the label on the toy. This will help you know if your toddler falls under the right category. You can determine this when you make use of your own judgment. You may not want to get a balance bicycle for a four-year-old toddler hastily. You have to know at least the toddler involved and how much they have developed regardless of the age bracket. You can also have a look at what material was used to produce the toys in question. It can help you know if it is appropriate for your child.
HAVE THE CHILD IN MIND
What is fun for your toddler? You must understand that what is fun for one toddler may not be fun for the other, and you would be doing your toddler a disservice when you use a general view to buy them a toy. Understand what they enjoy to do. Do they enjoy school? Do they enjoy going to the park, do they enjoy a day at the poolside or do they enjoy any outdoorsy events? You can further narrow it down to places like the museum or library. You can also consider what their favourite animals are. Do your toddlers have a thing for dinosaurs and superheroes? What are their favourite superheroes? You must have considered what your toddler finds interesting.
CAN THE CHILDREN SHARE THE GIFTS?
Children love gifts that they can share. This does not mean a gift that they can split into parts but something that will make them interact with other kids or members of their family. This type of gifts always helps to build and develop the child socially. Gifting a child something like board games or puzzles can be very helpful. They would be grateful for it in a couple of years when they are enjoying themselves with other people. They would also enjoy having a competitive spirit which can be healthy. As an older child, they would enjoy these childhood experience and gifts that built them up.
TOYS THAT CAN HELP CHILDREN LEARN
Children do a lot of learning with their toys even though they do not know this. Most children learn to count, identify things and do a lot of other things with the help of toys. If you are interested in your toddlers learning new stuff, then you can consider a toy that will make them have fun while teaching them. You can get the toddlers toys that teach them how to identify and use numbers and alphabets. Numeracy and literacy should be learned from them early on.
WHAT DO THE PARENTS THINK?
If the gift is not for your toddler, then you must consider getting the opinion and consent of the parents on the appropriate gift to get their child. Of course, no one will know the children better than their own parents. They would know how much their child has developed and what better suits them. The parents of the toddler may disagree with getting the children certain toys because of the background, culture and experiences. To avoid giving an offensive gift or giving a wrong gift totally, you should consult the parents of the toddler.
CONSIDER TOYS THAT LAST LONG
Toddlers will definitely appreciate a gift that they can use for a long time. Some toys can be used for years and are highly prized. These toys can become the best things these toddlers can hold on to even after they exit the toddler stage. Durable and long lifespan gifts can include bicycles, Lego, white or blackboards and other such things. The beauty of these types of toys is that they can be used and handed down to other toddlers as well or preserved for the sake of memory.
THE SAFETY OF THE TODDLER IS IMPORTANT
Remember that these are toddlers that cannot ensure their own safety. They run the risk of ingesting or swallowing certain toys. There toys that are also made with specific materials that are not very safe for the child. It is your duty to get the gifts that are safe for the toddlers. Something to consider when getting safe gifts for a toddler is the size of the toy. Small gifts can cause problems for the child and prove to be hazardous. For example, the toddler can swallow a little toy, and this could lead to suffocation and other things.
You can also consider the material used to produce the toy. Plastic is not the best material to make a toy, and it is best to avoid them. You can also prevent phthalates, BPAs, toxic chemicals or PVC and dyes.
HOW ABOUT A BOOK?
Talk about a durable gift. Books are very durable; they enhance a child’s numeracy and literacy; they are made with suitable materials and are most appropriate. Books seem like the safest gift to give most times. When you are in doubt, you can gift a child a book.
Some ideas of gifts that you can give a toddler can include the following;
Railway Beginner Pack:
This is often produced with beechwood which has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Children between the ages of 18 months and more would appreciate this toy train set. The train set can be enjoyable while still enhancing the coordination of the hand and eye of the child. These toys can also help to stimulate the imagination.
A Small Yoga Mat:
If you notice your toddler likes yoga, then you might be on to something when you get them the thick and soft yoga mats to boost their interests. These small yoga mats can be free of PVC, latex and BPAs too. The beauty of this gift is that it can serve multiple purposes. It can be used as a play mat or for even as an outdoor picnic or camp mat. In a different situation, they can use it to take a nap. These mats can come in varying colours that children will like. It is also very durable.
Yoga is fantastic for kids, and there are some very good YouTube yoga programmes for kids. From our own experience, our son loves Cosmic Kids Yoga, and having his own yoga mat made him feel grown up and very much part of the TV series.
Korxx Brickle – Colour:
These are blocks that are produced with soft corks. They do not do any damage when they fall on the toddlers. They would not feel any pain at all. They also come in very bright colours. The toddlers can create anything with these blocks, so their imagination and creativity are heightened.
Tegu 24 Piece Magnetic Wooden Block Set:
Building blocks are cool, and all but building blocks that connect magnetically will definitely thrill your toddler. It would allow them to create or build anything that they want. They are produced with good wood from Central America. They are covered with lacquer that is non-toxic and safe. They also last for a very long time.
Janod Toys – Round Observation Puzzle – Galloping Horses:
This is a delightful gift for your toddler. They can stay building this puzzle which is made of two hundred and eight pieces that also consists of a horse show. It is not just durable but it portable so they can have it and enjoy it anywhere that they go.
Hape Gourmet Kitchen:
The Hape Gourmet Kitchen will help kids cook a variety of dishes with just a little imagination! Perfect for every little chef and baker, this kitchen features an oven, stovetop, sink, red knobs to turn the burners on and off, and a shelf to hold cooking utensils and ingredients. It encourages children to develop their creative thinking and fine motor skills while practising basic cooking techniques. It is made from wood sourced from environmentally sustainably sourced forests. The durable child-safe paint finish and solid wood construction make this a toy your child will love for years to come.
Eco-Kids Eco Finger Paint:
Show us a kid who doesn’t like to finger paint, and we’ll show you a liar. Kidding! But seriously, who doesn’t love to finger paint? Encourage your budding artist with this paint set, made of all-natural ingredients for your peace of mind.
