Toys for 1 to 4 year old kids

Toys are one of the most memorable things in one’s childhood – a rattle for an infant, push toys and stackers for toddlers and puzzles for older kids. Right from birth through the growing years, toys have a great influence on children and aid in their development as well. Here’s a brief guide to buying suitable toys for different age groups.

For the 1 year old toddler
After having mastered the rattles and stackers, this is the time for the little champ to try bigger toys to improve his/her brain development. This is the time babies become more mobile and learn to balance. Some of the best choices in toys are push and pull toys, cars, toy planes, toy phones, toy laptop, and colorful train sets with tracks. Soft and cuddly teddy bears are quite archetypical. Most kids of this age carry teddy bears to bed. You can also start reading to baby from books with colorful pictures.

Toys for 2 year Old Kids
Little ones tend to explore a lot during this time. They can be quite demanding and love to play with other children. Toys that support their new skills are ideal for a two year old. Top toys for this age group are: blocks or ride on toys and sports toys that help in building confidence. As your little boy or girl can now walk and run comfortably, early skates are a good way to develop balance and coordination. Some plush soft toys of well loved characters such as Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Noddy soft toys, and Sesame street characters find themselves in the top toy spot.

For the 3 year old tot
Three-year olds are more mobile and are familiar with the basics of speech. You can read from a pop-up book to the child as reading is more fun and interactive at this age. Kids in this age group like to do things that they see their mommy doing. The little chefs love to mess around the kitchen. Give them a play kitchen and children’s cookbook and watch their imagination at work. Animal toys and dolls are also much loved. A nice assortment of bath toys can make your kid’s bath time more fun too.

Toys for 4 year olds
Kids in this age group get more interactive and their toy preferences change. While little girls love to play with dollhouses and toy kitchen sets, boys go gaga over race cars, dinos, Superman and Batman toys. Outdoor games are a great way to entertain four-year olds. Some of the great toy ideas for this age group are tennis rackets, cricket bats, tricycles and climbing frames. A simple jigsaw is also a good choice. And there are lots more to choose from – educational toys of popular cartoon characters to interactive books and crayons that keep young minds busy and active.

Besides being fun, toys can be an integral part of a child’s physical and mental development. And one to four years is the crucial time for such development. Choose toys that interest your kid and encourage him or her in the developmental stages. Also buy only from stores that emphasize consumer safety standards.