When it comes to toys, kids enjoy both sides of the world. They play with the classics that we enjoyed playing and at the same time, explore the new and innovative electronic toys. Of course, kids need to learn the basics such as blocks and puzzles, but the educational value is attached to electronic toys today.
While buying electronic gifts for kids, you do not only want to buy them purely for bells and whistles. You should consider the following aspects –
•Safety
Electric toys should be UL approved, which means must have got inspected for safety and quality. Say you buy a toy gun, make sure they are not hazardous, or dolls do not come with button batteries. Also, avoid high-powered magnets.
•Fun
It should be fun. You do not want your kid to feel like the electronic gifts for kids are not like homework. While looking for a fun toy, know your child’s preference. If your child prefers cooking, they might like a kitchen set. If they are into trucks, they will choose a toy with wheels. The best part is, kids choices are aplenty so that you can select accordingly. Any toy that is colourful, engaging, and interactive, has a fun element attached to it.
•Electronic elements
Are the electronic elements to the toy boosting the game, if not, you are only over-paying for add-ons? The electronic elements should be purposeful. It should not be a throw-in element like sound effects or light. It must be inherited and essential function of the toy.
• Does it complement the child’s other toys?
Electronic toys are not a substitute for building blocks or board books. Those traditional toys help in enhancing the kids motor skills and encourage imaginative play. Electronic ones should not replace them. Like you follow a balanced diet, you need a balance toy box as well. Kids will live on screen in the future, but for now, they need physical and kinetic kind of play. They need different experiences.
•Age-appropriate
If the toy does not sync with its development, it will not be useful for learning and playing. Thankfully, the age ratings listed for most of the electronic toys are precise. If you read the package before buying electronic gifts for kids, the toy explains the skills they teach or works on specific skills for kids of a particular age range.
The best electronic toys you can gift according to the age chart are –
•0-24 months: Parents should be aware that kids do not do much during this phase and benefit playing with parents and traditional toys than screens.
•2 years-plus: The kids of this age sit and feel things. They can do a lot of activities here, like painting, drawing, or early writing.
•3-5 years: These kids rapidly develop so that any electronic toy can build their skills. Building blocks, a toy gun, superheroes toys, etc., work at this age.
•4-7 years: At this point, children want toys that are interactive and engaging. Real science kit or art and craft kits work best.
•7 years-plus: The electronic toys are aplenty at this age. Science, technology, math, and engineering type of toys works.