I have always found that picking out toys for toddlers is so so much fun. Other people find it extremely difficult and I am not here to argue either way. You may not be having deep conversations with your child that is from 1 to 3 years old, but they do "talk" in their own unique way. What I can honestly say is that it's extremely fun to shop for them and pick out gifts that make them smile and giggle.
Have you ever noticed how toddlers learn to play with their toys? It's usually by seeing, touching, or tasting them. As a parent, you probably don't want to hear that. Although I don't encourage tasting toys, it's going to happen. Toy manufacturers purposely make the toys large enough so that they cannot go in a toddlers mouth and choke them. Roll with this and you will learn what type of gift your toddler wants.
Toddlers are excellent at communicating with their body language. It comes natural for them. More out of survival than anything else. If you pay close enough attention to your toddler, you will be able to understand more from him or her than you do from a teenager who has the ability to talk but only grunts!
If you really want to test this method out, bring your toddlers to the mall or a nearby Walmart. They will show you exactly what they want without making an verbal cues. Don't be surprised if they start making a mess because ownership is not really in their make up yet. About the only thing that is important to them is what they holding at the moment-don't take this too literal. It's just that a child thinks that what ever they are playing with is theirs. I have found a fair number of toys ending up in our stroller when we returned home from a shopping trip that we did not pay for. We are not shoplifters. We even ended up with toys from other kids strollers! It's just that our kids had quick hands.
When our 2 boys were toddlers, we would always take note of what our kids played with at church, play dates with other kids, and what they gravitated towards when we were shopping. Our kids always acted so surprised when they opened their gifts at Christmas. Trust me, we are not that smart. While you may still believe in writing a letter to Santa Claus, I prefer to use the time tested method and have my kids tell me what they want.
My wife and I never claim to be expert parents. We are not even trail blazers. We are the worlds best copiers! I usually read product reviews at Amazon written by other parents before I purchase a brand new item. The reviews are real. Many of them are totally unhappy about a certain toy. Amazon includes the good, bad, and ugly! If you are planning on spending hundreds of dollars on toys and don't have the time or patience for "hands on" product demos, then borrow some one elses experience! I have to admit, that is little risk in doing this method. You can always return a gift if it's a dud.
Free shipping and deep discounts are a huge benefit to shopping online at major retailers like Amazon or Walmart. If buy more than $25, shipping is usually included.
Additionally, most have a 100% satisfaction guarantee with certain restrictions. What I mean is if your toddler really hates the gift and it's not broken, chewed on, or full of sticky candy, then you most likely can return the product. If the toy looks used and ready for the scrap pile, then you own it and most likely your toddler was thrilled with it. I never said that toddlers were perfect!
Have you forgot the time tested classic wood toys for Christmas? When I was a young child, my favorite toy to play with when visiting our aunt and uncle's house was a wood gum ball machine. The balls were made from wood as well as most of the machine. The top that held the wood gum balls was plastic. The colors and functions of wood toys are so impressive. Most have an educational bend to them and will actually teach your child.
This is what I suggest for the classic wood toys for toddlers:
Colored stacking rings. One of my favorites! Place the rings in the appropriate order down the cone.
Colored Magnetic Stacking Train. Your kids will build the train and take it apart hundreds of times! Toddlers just go nuts over magnets. They almost think it's a magic trick. Mix and match the blocks around and stack them in creative ways - toddlers love to experiment with the repelling and attracting magnets.
Given time, I could write a book on this subject. However, it's more fun to watch and interact with your own kids. Every parent has a story to tell that is unique to their family. Just remember to spend quality time with kids and be really interested in what they are doing. This will gain you more mileage in parenting than any other gift. - 30443
Have you ever noticed how toddlers learn to play with their toys? It's usually by seeing, touching, or tasting them. As a parent, you probably don't want to hear that. Although I don't encourage tasting toys, it's going to happen. Toy manufacturers purposely make the toys large enough so that they cannot go in a toddlers mouth and choke them. Roll with this and you will learn what type of gift your toddler wants.
Toddlers are excellent at communicating with their body language. It comes natural for them. More out of survival than anything else. If you pay close enough attention to your toddler, you will be able to understand more from him or her than you do from a teenager who has the ability to talk but only grunts!
If you really want to test this method out, bring your toddlers to the mall or a nearby Walmart. They will show you exactly what they want without making an verbal cues. Don't be surprised if they start making a mess because ownership is not really in their make up yet. About the only thing that is important to them is what they holding at the moment-don't take this too literal. It's just that a child thinks that what ever they are playing with is theirs. I have found a fair number of toys ending up in our stroller when we returned home from a shopping trip that we did not pay for. We are not shoplifters. We even ended up with toys from other kids strollers! It's just that our kids had quick hands.
When our 2 boys were toddlers, we would always take note of what our kids played with at church, play dates with other kids, and what they gravitated towards when we were shopping. Our kids always acted so surprised when they opened their gifts at Christmas. Trust me, we are not that smart. While you may still believe in writing a letter to Santa Claus, I prefer to use the time tested method and have my kids tell me what they want.
My wife and I never claim to be expert parents. We are not even trail blazers. We are the worlds best copiers! I usually read product reviews at Amazon written by other parents before I purchase a brand new item. The reviews are real. Many of them are totally unhappy about a certain toy. Amazon includes the good, bad, and ugly! If you are planning on spending hundreds of dollars on toys and don't have the time or patience for "hands on" product demos, then borrow some one elses experience! I have to admit, that is little risk in doing this method. You can always return a gift if it's a dud.
Free shipping and deep discounts are a huge benefit to shopping online at major retailers like Amazon or Walmart. If buy more than $25, shipping is usually included.
Additionally, most have a 100% satisfaction guarantee with certain restrictions. What I mean is if your toddler really hates the gift and it's not broken, chewed on, or full of sticky candy, then you most likely can return the product. If the toy looks used and ready for the scrap pile, then you own it and most likely your toddler was thrilled with it. I never said that toddlers were perfect!
Have you forgot the time tested classic wood toys for Christmas? When I was a young child, my favorite toy to play with when visiting our aunt and uncle's house was a wood gum ball machine. The balls were made from wood as well as most of the machine. The top that held the wood gum balls was plastic. The colors and functions of wood toys are so impressive. Most have an educational bend to them and will actually teach your child.
This is what I suggest for the classic wood toys for toddlers:
Colored stacking rings. One of my favorites! Place the rings in the appropriate order down the cone.
Colored Magnetic Stacking Train. Your kids will build the train and take it apart hundreds of times! Toddlers just go nuts over magnets. They almost think it's a magic trick. Mix and match the blocks around and stack them in creative ways - toddlers love to experiment with the repelling and attracting magnets.
Given time, I could write a book on this subject. However, it's more fun to watch and interact with your own kids. Every parent has a story to tell that is unique to their family. Just remember to spend quality time with kids and be really interested in what they are doing. This will gain you more mileage in parenting than any other gift. - 30443
About the Author:
James Perris has excellent product reviews on Christmas toys for toddlers. He lives in the Bay Area with his wife and 2 boys. To get the best deals on Christmas toys for toddlers, visit his online site today!
