BUYING TOYS IS A SERIOUS BUSINESS

 

Play has been considered the work of a child and in many ways play prepares children for life. In turn, toys are the building blocks of children’s play, and parents are the usual suppliers of toys for children. Toy play between parents and children makes up a large proportion of parent-child interaction. ​​Kids can have a lot of fun playing with their toys. However, it's important to keep in mind that safety should always come first. Each year thousands of children are injured by toys. Most injuries from toys are minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises. However, toys can cause serious injury or even death. This happens when toys are dangerous or used in the wrong way. It's also important to look out for button batteries or lithium coin batteries, high-powered magnets or other small objects that children might be tempted to put in their mouths, noses or ears.

 

Recently I had a patient who is a ranking officer in Funskool Toys, the largest toy manufacturer in India. We started talking about toys and he had such interesting stories to tell. The invention of toys in India took place during the Indus Valley Civilization, approximately 8,000 years ago. The original toys comprised whistle-shaped parrots, toy monkeys with long hands to slide down a rope or stick and miniature farm carts. All these toys were made from natural materials such as bamboo sticks, hay, and natural clay like soil, rocks, and fibre cloth. However, today, the advent of progressive technology and mechanism has stimulated companies to produce fresh and inventive toys.

 

The Indian toy sector is expanding on the shoulder of a growing young population, rising disposable incomes, and a slew of innovations for the junior population base. The industry stands on the cusp of significant opportunities in every toy segment such as electronic toys, puzzles, construction and building toys, dolls, ride-ons, sports and outdoor play toys, infant/pre-school toys, and activity toys. A very large unorganized sector harbours some outstandingly talented toy manufacturers, who are simply waiting to be discovered by the world.

Some iconic toys

Toys have a very old history and over the years a few of them have acquired iconic status. Mr. Potatohead was the first mass marketed toy on television and soon he was joined by Mrs. Potatohead. 100 million pieces were sold in 30 countries. Slinky was a steel spring coil that had a life of its own. An unique combination of simple and complexity, it mesmerized the children with its dynamics. G.I. Joe started as a military toy which later on became an adventure loving guy. With its own comic strips and TV shows it was a hit. Toy robot Transformers came in 28 different types and there was a frenzy to possess each and every one of them. They fired the imagination of the kids and they could do anything!

Yo-yo is a toy which traces its history to ancient China and every kid has played with it. They could keep on improving their skills and even become professionals. 45 million pieces are sold every year and it has even gone into outer space! NERF balls always impress the kids because they make them emulate their professional idols in sports. Super soaker water gun is a fun toy everywhere and in India it is particularly popular during the Holi festival. Play-doh is a low tech play thing which is a scented and multi-coloured putty like dough with which kids create their imaginary structures. 3 billion cans of Play-doh have been sold till date!

If one Rubik’s Cube has more than 43 quintillion possibilities and millions of Rubik’s Cubes are sold and solved every year, for the last 50 years! There are websites, clubs, championships held regularly and people are still reinventing ways to solve the mystery. Hot Wheels miniaturized care and introduced speed, style and design along with those iconic orange racing tracks. 4 billion pieces were sold and they have enamored three generation of kids now.

Barbie is a doll who has remained relevant for 63 years now and inspired three generation of girls by empowering them in their growing years. 500 dolls are sold every minute and she is everything – a President, an astronaut, a scientist, a doctor, a soldier, a banker………you name it. Her outfits can be purchased separately and so can be her boyfriend, Ken. In 1968 we had a black Barbie, and she is loved by 3 successive generations now.

Lego comes from the Greek word Legos, which means word or thought or rational divine intelligence. The Lego pieces, 400 billion sold worldwide, are a challenge to our intelligence, have countless possibilities, limited only by the child’s imagination. Till Lego had its own factory the moulded luggage manufacturer Samsonite manufactured the Lego pieces. They later introduced wheels and made Lego mobile. LEGO's enduring popularity and iconic status can be attributed to its timeless appeal, commitment to quality, endless creative possibilities, and its ability to bring joy and imagination to people of all ages. The LEGO Group was founded in Denmark in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen and has been appreciated by 3 generations now. 

 

Ten toy buying tips

Here are tips to help you choose safe and appropriate toys for your child.

1.      Read the label. Warning labels give important information about how to use a toy and what ages the toy is safe for. Be sure to show your child how to use the toy the right way.

2.      Think LARGE. Make sure all toys and parts are larger than your child's mouth to prevent choking.

3.      Avoid toys that shoot objects into the air. They can cause serious eye injuries or choking.

4.      Avoid toys that are loud to prevent damage to your child's hearing.

5.      Look for stuffed toys that are well made. Make sure all the parts are on tight and seams and edges are secure. It should also be machine washable. Take off any loose ribbons or strings to avoid strangulation. Avoid toys that have small bean-like pellets or stuffing that can cause choking or suffocation if swallowed.

6.      Buy plastic toys that are sturdy. Toys made from thin plastic may break easily into sharp pieces.

7.      Avoid toys with toxic materials that could cause poisoning. Make sure the label says "nontoxic."

8.      Avoid hobby kits and chemistry sets for any child younger than 12 years. They can cause fires or explosions and may contain dangerous chemicals. Make sure your older child knows how to safely handle these kinds of toys.

9.      ​Electric toys should be "UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Approved or have BIS Certification - ISI mark (in India)." Check the label to be sure. Toys that heat up are all right for children older than 8 years when used with an adult. Toys must also bear the “ISI Mark,” provided by the license from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), to be sold in India. No person or entity is permitted to manufacture, import, sell, or distribute, store, hire, lease or exhibit for sale toys that do not conform to the BIS standards or do not possess the ISI Mark.

10. Be careful when buying crib toys. Soft objects, loose bedding, or any objects that could increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation should be kept out of the crib. Any hanging crib toy (mobiles, crib gyms) should be out of your baby's reach and must be removed when your baby first begins to push up on their hands and knees, or when the baby is 5 months old—whichever comes first. These toys can strangle a baby.

 

Toys should be age appropriate

Children love toys, but as parents, when we purchase toys for them, we want to ensure they will play with them for a long time and not get bored after a day. Additionally, it's important that the toy is not only fun but also aids in the child's development and is age-appropriate.

While age recommendations are listed on toy packaging, they do not always match the reality or individual development of each child. So, whether you want to buy toys for your children that will truly be worthwhile and suitable for them, or you are looking for a gift for another child and want to make sure it will be used and beneficial, here is a guide to buying children's gifts by age.    

Toys for Infants – Ages 0-12 Month

In the first three months, the baby can only look at their surroundings, and since their vision is blurred, they see bright colors and items with bold patterns better. The toys don’t have to be black and white as long as there is a sharp contrast between the colors. As the baby grows, they will need more toys that stimulate their other senses. Many toys encourage interaction, like toys that make sounds when pressed or shaken, or those with textured bumps in different formations. Soft dolls that can be cuddled are also good. Babies at this age often put their toys in their mouths and love teethers that help them deal with the pain of growing teeth.  

Recommended Toys:

·        Mobiles with different patterns and bright colors

·        Rattles

·        Simple unbreakable mirrors

·        Soft dolls with smiling faces (preferably colorful and washable)

·        Small, soft fabric balls

 

Toys for One-Year-Olds

At one year old, children are fascinated by anything that has a cause and effect, and they enjoy playing with toys that react to their actions and help them sharpen their motor skills. Such toys can sometimes come in two parts, like a hammer used to activate the toy or to hit a toy that produces sounds.   Some toys for this age group recite the names of letters, shapes, or numbers when buttons are pressed, but at this age, the baby is still too young to learn all of these. However, babies still enjoy the interaction with these toys because they make sounds and expose them to language and words, which is certainly beneficial.

Recommended Toys:

·        Ring stacking toys

·        Stacking cups

·        Toys that make noises or have pop-up figures

·        Durable musical instruments that are easy to use like drums

·        Shape sorter toys large toy cars

 

Toys for Toddlers Ages 2-3

At this age, children begin to look for more purpose in their games and have the motor skills needed to complete simple puzzles or build block towers. They start enjoying pretend play and mimic the behavior of people around them, so more advanced, sound-making technological toys are now suitable for them. They will likely still enjoy the toys they liked at one year old, and if you’re looking for a wonderful gift that can keep a child active outside, now is the time to get a ride-on toy. It’s important to ensure that both of the child's feet can be on the ground at all times when riding such a toy.  

Recommended Toys:

·        Pretend play toys (mobile phone, tea set, kitchen, baby stroller

·        Talking dolls (and those that don’t talk)

·        Tricycle or ride-on toy

·        Toy piano

·        Early childhood puzzles (less than 20 pieces)

·        Building sets (large Lego, magnets, etc.        

 

Toys for Children Ages 4-5

At this age, children go through a giant leap in learning abilities, making it a good time to introduce them to educational toys and games that teach language skills and even math, including apps for learning to read and write.   You must choose toys that give positive feedback to the child, like 'Good job, let's try again,' instead of those that give negative feedback or beep when the child makes a mistake. At this age, children also love to imagine they are other people, such as their teachers, characters from movies, professionals, fairy tale characters, and more, so any toy that encourages this is also welcome.

Recommended Toys:

·        Art supplies (craft kits, play dough, etc.)

·        Electronic toys Building sets (Lego, magnets, etc.)

·        More complex puzzles (up to 48 pieces)

·        Action figures (action figures – Spiberman, Superman, Phantom, Barbie, etc.)

·        Costumes Toy cars and related play sets like car parks

·        Board games that do not require reading or complicated rules (Snakes and Ladders)

·        Balls - football, basketball, etc.  

 

Toys for Children Ages 6-7

At this age, children start developing their own interests but are still heavily influenced by their parents, teachers, and classmates. Some children love to conduct scientific experiments at this age – burning carbon paper with sunlight through a convex lens, while others are drawn to arts and crafts, jewelry making, or playing with dolls. Friends become more important to them, and they might start asking for trendy toys they’ve seen others have just because "everyone has one." They also start enjoying video games and sports games, construction games, and board games they can play with friends. Many are also drawn to toys that help them create music, though they may still struggle to play real musical instruments.

Recommended Toys:

·        Basic science kits

·        Toys that encourage curiosity (magnifying glass, telescope)

·        Art and craft supplies

·        Gaming consoles/games for consoles (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox)

·        Tablet Sports equipment

·        Remote control car

·        Action figures (action figures, Barbie, etc.)

·        Building sets (Lego, magnets, etc.)

·        Games that require strategic thinking (checkers, Jenga, even chess)

·        Bike with training wheels or a small scooter

 

Toys for Children Ages 8 and Up

Even before this age, but especially now and later, children love playing outside and riding a scooter, bike, or rollerblades. At the same time, they start developing "adult hobbies," like collecting certain types of items. They usually enjoy crafts and all kinds of competitive games. At these ages, children love any activity that exposes them to mystery and gives them a sense of competence.  Through video games, they can challenge themselves to score more points than they did before, and they also enjoy competing with their.

Recommended Toys:

·        Complex science kits

·        Magic kits

·        Model building kits

·        Craft kits

·        Gaming consoles/games for consoles (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox)

·        Sports equipment – cricket, badminton, hockey

·        More complex board games (Monopoly, Scrabble, etc.)

·        Bike without training wheels or scooter (with parental approval)

Parents’ decisions about toy purchases has a large practical impact on children’s development. By having a solid knowledge base of what types of information parents look for when giving toys to their children (e.g., educational value, safety) and where they try to find this information (e.g., from a pediatrician, online reviews), as well as where parents purchase their toys (e.g., online, in a store, secondhand), it makes toy manufacturers, retailers, and child development professionals aware of the information parents seek and the most efficacious channels for spreading this material. In addition, knowledge about what parents think about a manufacturers’ suggested age can have large consequences on their ability to choose safe toys for their child and avoid hazards.