Have you even noticed the concentration shown by a boy who builds home using building blocks? Haven’t you noticed excitement shown by small babies when they play with toys giving sound? His eyes would be eagerly observing its colours, shape and reasons why it produces sound.
Never assume that toys are just for play and entertainment. For some persons, toys are just stoppers of kids’ cry. If he cries give him a toy. He will remain quiet till he feels bored with it. Then exchange it with another toy.

A small baby listening to the sound produced by his toy, a child watching the monkey playing when it’s given key, a boy who tries to join parts to form a bird or animal toy; all these things give a lot of lessons to kids along with amusement. While he is playing with toys he develops his brain and mind also. Unique skills to solve problems, emotional and intellectual development, motor skills, identifying their tastes – toys help to grow all these capabilities of kids.

A kid starts learning through toys

A kid knows the world and begins to learn about it through toys and different plays associated with it. To identify sensation of touch, sound, odour, tastes, colour and shapes and for better eye-hand co-ordination toys help them a lot. Toys give them brain exercises and help them to improve their memory too. So, toys play a significant part in the mental and intellectual growth and development of a kid.
But to get full benefits of toys, you need to choose toys according to their age and parents should show interest in playing along with them. Through toys it’s also possible to teach them new things and when you spare a little time to play with your kid you are giving him a lot of things as gift including your time, knowledge and of course, love. Also choose safety toys suiting his age. Never gift small kids with small toys or those with pointed or sharp edges. Small kids may put toys in their mouth and swallow. Also keep his toys clean.

What are those safety measures?

Kid may be of any age. But while choosing a toy for him be aware of its dangers and alerts. More than 1.6 lakh cases are registered every year related to toys and its dangers. Swallowing small parts of toys, tying neck with threads and cutting body parts with sharp edges are most common. So, while taking a toy in your hand from a shop think twice before purchase. Kids may throw toys in anger. So they should not be too heavy or break into dangerous parts.
Colours are also danger. If they place toys in mouth low quality colours may go inside. So choose toys of good quality which assures safety to your kid. So, never purchase low cost plastic toys. While buying stuffed toys its threads and wool should never cause them allergy. Choose teddy bears with fur of good quality only.
Electronic toys with big voice are really irritating. Kindly avoid them while choosing for your kid. Kids may place those toys near his ears causing problems to his ear drum. Even if remote chances are there for the breaking of minute accessories associated with a toy, kindly avoid them. If you purchase toys keeping his age in mind, chances of dangers are remote. Also it’s better to assist your kids while they are playing with toys.

Toys for kids below 3 months

Kids observe everything around from the time they are born and eager to know everything. Different colours, shapes and light raise his enthusiasm and after 3 months he tries to touch everything around. It’s the time when his vision begins to grow. He observes everything that’s within 3 feet radius. Till he reaches 4 months black and white toys and red coloured toys are most suitable as his colour visuals have just started developing.
But his ears develop well at this age and hence musical toys grab his attention easily. You can tie such toys in his cradle that rotates or produce sound. But never place toys in his cradle. While binding toys also you should take extra care. Its parts should never fall down on his face or body as he may swallow it.

For kids between 4 months and 7 months

Now he stretches his hands forward to catch objects around and may start creeping. He sits when he reaches 6 or 7 months. He will put whatever he gets in his mouth and he is eager to know the source of sound.
Musical toys, musical rings that can be held in the hands, non-toxic plastic toys, water filled plastic toys etc are most suited at this age. Edges should be smooth as kid will place those toys in his mouth. Unbreakable mirrors are good. He can view his face through it.

For kids between 8 months and one year

Kid will be crawling all around and a little mischievous too. Now he is able to take things by coordinating his thumb with other fingers. He wishes to play alone at this age and may not like if we try to help him. He may even throw his toys in anger. So parents need to take extra care.
Figures that rise up with the switch on of buttons and dog’s house are best suited for this age. He loves hide and seek and may love to play ball with less bounces. Balls help to develop his eye-hand co-ordination a lot as well as the proper functioning of his fingers and arms. He may also find interest in placing things in an orderly manner.
Rings of different sizes and colours should be there in their collection. They begin to enjoy the company of dolls at this age.

Age group one to two

Now he can sit without help and begins to walk a few steps with support. He may try to climb steps and he begins to understand what we teach him. Kids love to play roles of different animals or professionals at this age. Doctor kit, kitchen kit, dolls, teddy bear etc should be a part of their toy collection. Now they begin to play with balls of small bounces. He develops motor skills at this age and bouncing balls helps him a lot to develop this skill.
Kids will love building blocks and rings. They can be given toys floating on water and animal toys. Kids can play with these toys in bath tub, but under the supervision of an adult. Never leave your kid near water alone.
Buy a few picture books for him and teach him new words. Girls love to play with toys assuming different roles while boys may be interested in playing with car and bike toys. Gift him crayons and scribbles. Let them draw a few pictures according to their creativity and imagination. 

Three to five years

Pre-school age- kid begins to understand a few more things. Now he may be a little more interested in learning the mechanism of toys and he loves to play with kids of his age. Bouncing balls at this age helps to develop his motor skills better. Picture books, story books, jigsaw puzzles, colouring books, drawing books, clay modeling – give them all. Teach them how to cut pictures using small scissors and ask them to paste in activity book. Allow him to learn through his mistakes. When he learns alone, he feels more self confidence and self respect. You need to give small assistance only. Let him make models of clay with different colours. Now 1000’s of such models are available as you tube videos. You can get online tutorials too.
Now you can give him complex building blocks suitable to his age. Mechanical toys like train, trucks and cars may be boys’ choices. Tent houses are best for kids at this age. As they are a little bit expensive you can prepare at your home itself. Cover a table with a few bed sheets to make a tent and arrange toys beneath it. If a lot of kids are present it’s better to develop their imaginations.
If your kid is interested in sports roller skating is best at this age. Basket ball court of small types can be fixed in your courtyard also.

Six to ten years

Now kids are grown up and they never like to play alone. They give preference to their friends now. Team plays are best for this age group. Know his tastes and develop his skills at this age. If he is interested in drawing and painting promote him well at this age. If your kid loves singing or dancing, arrange special classes for her. Allow them to learn musical instruments from the age of 6. Keyboard is the simple starter. Piano and guitar are the next steps. Studying music notes in piano helps him to learn Mathematics better because both are deeply co-related.
Video game addicts are not good. Instead of developing creativity they just make kids obese and computer addicts. Just keep them in limit. Yet they are good for fun and a little bit learning too. But take care of their eyes. Instead of computer games give them picture books and story books. Sports, music, chess, board games etc are best for this group. Allow him to mingle with his friends so that he can learn a lot through plays.
Give him science toys, binoculars, telescope and Rubik cube at this age. If your kid is interested in sports, basket ball, cycling, foot ball, shuttle etc are best. It gives him good exercise too.
Though he loves to play with his friends most, his parents should be his best friends with whom he shares even silly things. So, parents should be patient to see even the silly mistakes and funny things done by their children. A kid can build blocks alone and he can paint a picture according to his imagination and creativity. Yet if you are present along with him, his mind develops faster.