Every baby is unique but understandably your baby is special and naturally you want to give him or her the best. When it comes to choosing toys as baby gifts there are a wealth of options available and you need to be able to find the right toys that will both stimulate and excite your little one.
Wooden toys are remembered with great fondness by parents and grandparents alike because of their versatility and durability. They come in all shapes and sizes and are back in fashion because of their strong educational value and classic look – as such they make great baby gifts.
Choosing Wooden Toys and Baby Gifts
The first thing to remember is be selective – safety should always come first.Check to see if the wooden toys you’re planning to buy has sharp edges which can harm the delicate eyes or skin of young children.
Make sure the toy is sturdy and well built with no removable tiny parts. In their infancy young babies have an oral fixation and use their mouth to explore new things, so ensure the toy they will inevitably put in their mouth is safe.
Use online resources and reviews to hear what other like minded parents are choosing as their top baby gifts and toys, but ultimately decide for yourself whether the points they raise suit you. Remember each baby is individual and you will know your baby best!
These days living spaces are blurred and the toys you choose will often become “part of the furniture!”. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a problem as there are many beautifully designed children’s toys, that are practical, safe AND stylish. For example Brio, a Scandinavian company produce a very stylish Play Gym which would look great in any home.
Be broadminded. Don’t restrict yourself to toys that carry an “educational” label, whilst this is a great place to start be sure to explore toys for their true value. Kids learn in lots of ways and the most important thing is to stimulate your child.
Think about hygiene. Just like when you choose your baby clothes you want to be able to ensure that the toy you buy can be cleaned easily. Whether it’s wipe clean, a quick dust down, or a soak in soapy water, make sure the toy you buy can be cleaned in some way – it will definitely need it at some point.
Playtime is learning time – learn the art of associating the two for your baby. Babies learn a lot from toys as toys are their first prized possession. Wooden toys like building blocks and puzzles provide babies with mental exercise whereas cars, trains, aeroplanes, toddler wobblers and push/pull along animals help build their fine motor skills.
Styles of Wooden Toys
There really is a great variety of wooden toys to choose from. If you have the space, there are some fantastic bigger toys that can open up but are also easy to fold. Beautiful wooden toys like clowns, dolls, mirrors, ships, etc are easy to decorate and are also an easy, safe fun choice of baby gift. Also look out for classic wooden box toys that can provide little mind games – they are a great way to make learning fun at a young age through simple repetition teaching core skills.
