Guide To Gifting the Perfect Kids' Toy for Every Age

Buying a gift for a child often proves to be slightly more complicated than we anticipate. Whether you want to buy one for your own kid or you're looking to buy a thoughtful gift for a friend, you want to make sure that the toy you're buying fits the checklist. Read this simple guide with easy recommendations for children of all ages. Happy gifting!

While shapes, colors, and sounds contribute to how much a child can enjoy a wooden toy or a plastic toy, there is more at play. Here are a few key points to keep in mind. A child’s toy needs to be age appropriate and safe to use. This is one of the most important considerations to ensure the child can play safely. All the toys at Flying Tiger meet the highest safety and security standards, so you can rest assured you’re making a safe, durable choice.

Second, a lot of parents also prefer to give their children toys that facilitate learning, instead of promoting distraction. Give it a thought about how the child will use the toy, and whether it will help them learn or improve any skills. Throughout the early years, children continue to develop their sensory and motor abilities.

During these critical stages, it's important to provide them with the right educational toys that target these abilities and their development. Such toys and games should encourage the little ones to approach and practice developmental milestones, like standing, walking, or speaking. As your child grows, you want to provide them with toys that help improve their balance, coordination and physical activity. So, with all these pointers in mind, let’s look at some age appropriate gifting ideas for kids.

For Babies Aged 0-6 Months: Babies at this age can’t see colors clearly, so opt for something with interesting patterns, or a toy that makes soothing sounds, like rattles or rain sticks. Teething rings at this stage can be useful to both the baby and mom, as they help soothe the pain and reduce the baby’s discomfort. Go for toys that are easy to grasp for small, uncoordinated hands, and choose things that have a variety of textures. Once they hit the 3-month mark, you can entertain babies by putting on shows with things like finger puppets and giving them soft toys to play with.

6-12 months: At this stage, it’s important to encourage movement and exploration. Babies older than six months but under a year enjoy playing with cause-and-effect toys – like push and go cars. This is also the perfect stage to start giving children standing push toys to encourage them to explore getting onto their feet and staying vertical. You can also start introducing the baby to plushies and soft toys, as long as these items don’t have any hard or plastic bits that could pose to be as hazardous.

1 to 2 years: At this age, start giving kids walking toys, building blocks, wooden toys on a pull string, and simple 3 to 5-piece puzzles. Since they start using their hands a lot more, touching and feeling objects in their environment gives them a sense of their surroundings, allowing them to understand what’s safe and what’s dangerous. Take a look at squeeze balls or feel and find games that will encourage them to learn the importance of ‘touch and play’.

3 to 5 years: At this point, children start to engage in imaginative play, which is crucial for their cognitive development. Gift children in this age group toys which promote pretend play. This can include themed play sets, costumes, and foam swords and toy weapons. Another good idea is a designated play tent, which can give the child a place to play pretend, while keeping clutter contained. Children aged between 3 and 5 years old can also benefit from story books, construction toys, and activity books with simple puzzles. Introducing them to simple coloring books will help them hone their artistic skills, so consider looking for age appropriate arts and crafts materials for them. Promote motor skills and coordination with soft or rubber balls and catch games. At this age, children can ride a tricycle and play with scaled down sports equipment. It’s also important to provide them with toys that encourage social interactions and expose them to other children, through playgrounds and playdates.

6 to 7 years: At this age, kids would benefit from activities like arts and crafts, which would stimulate their imagination and creativity. Dolls, toys, and small figures can also be lots of fun. Starting from 6 years old, children can also participate in simpler games, including board games and educational games, which can help them develop intellectually and learn how to form strategies. These are also a great way to teach them about teamwork.

Children 8 years and older: From here on out, the choices multiply enormously. This is because most children aged 8 years old or older have already developed their own hobbies and interests. You can ask your child or the child’s parents (in case you’re gifting for a friend’s kids) what toys and games they enjoy, and then pick something that will meet their needs and encourage their interests.

Fostering your child’s development involves more than just setting up activities and handing them toys. It’s important to understand the importance of play for development and work towards contributing to it accordingly. Following these simple tips can help your little one grow in a well-rounded, supportive environment. (And they’re equally applicable for your relatives’ or friends’ children, as you are going to be a part of their life as well!)

Make sure your child’s hobbies and downtime include enriching play that promotes growth and development in different stages. Provide them with toys and activities that are both fun and enriching. Communicate with your child and talk to them a lot to help their social, emotional processing, and language skills. Effective communication plays a pivotal role in cognitive development. Limit screen time to maintain a healthy balance in activities. Too many cartoons or videos without enough physical exercise and social exposure can lead to poor physical health and social skills. Set up playdates and social play to develop your child’s social skills. This way, they can practice cooperation, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Don’t let your kids play unsupervised, especially in younger years. This ensures their safety and allows you to observe and guide them in social situations. Provide age-appropriate toys to support each developmental stage, ensuring playtime is safe, useful and educational.

At Flying Tiger, we understand the unique developmental stages and needs of each child. This is why we provide a range of educational and fun toys and games for children, with multiple options available to suit various age groups and developmental stages. This includes both indoor and outdoor toys, so explore our collection today and we’re sure you’ll find the perfect gift for kids!