AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — The holiday shopping season is here, bringing with it the hustle and bustle of searching for the perfect gift. When it comes to children, it is important to buy toys and gifts that are not only safe but also appropriate for the child’s age and development. That is why many organizations recognize December as National Safe Toys and Gifts Month.

Age Is Important

Silvia Vilches is an Alabama Extension early childhood development specialist at Auburn University whose focus area is children up to 5 years old. She said age is the first thing people should consider when buying for a child.

“You always want to pay attention to any safety recommendations out there for the age that you are buying for,” Vilches said. “In terms of child health, remember that the younger the child, the more likely they are to put their toys in their mouth, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Just make sure those items are safe.”

Many toys come with their own safety guidelines that often include an age recommendation for that product. Toys designed for younger children will often have the age recommendation listed on the outside packaging, making it easier for shoppers to select age-appropriate toys. There are some larger toys where people may not think to stop and consider if they are age appropriate, such as tricycles and bicycles. Just like smaller toys, Vilches said it is equally important to consider age when buying ride-on toys.

“It is not a good idea to buy a child an oversized ride-on toy, thinking that they will grow into it,” Vilches said. “If you give them something that is not the right size for their body, they will have a harder time controlling it, and that means that they are not as safe.”

Vilches said children 10 years old and younger have limited peripheral vision. Even with an appropriate-sized toy, people should make sure the child’s surroundings are safe when riding it. For example, people may set up a barrier at the end of the driveway to make sure their child doesn’t accidentally run into the street.

Boost Imagination

Age is not the only factor to consider when choosing gifts. For younger children, Vilches said people should consider buying items that will help in that child’s development.

“Generally, what you don’t want to do is pick a toy that is too narrow in what it does, such as a dollhouse with all premade elements,” Vilches said. “Instead, buy toys that they can assemble, because that sparks their imagination and helps them practice their fine motor dexterity.”

Simple toys like building blocks offer endless possibilities for a child. One day, they can build a house; the next day, they can build a tall tower. These simple toys can also be paired with other smaller toys and stickers to add variety.

“Remember that a child’s interest passes really quickly when they are younger, so what’s fun for a week might not be fun next month,” Vilches said. “Buying toys that let children use their imagination will potentially hold their interest for a longer time.”

Books are also great gift options for children to help with development. Vilches recommends buying books that have bright colors and simple pictures that people can point to and talk about with their child.

“Books are really great because they introduce language and conversation, enhancing a child’s comprehension as you talk to them about the pictures,” Vilches said.

Testing and Recalls

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, all toys intended for children 12 years old and younger must undergo testing and certification to ensure they are compliant with the applicable children’s product safety regulations. However, there are times where toys and other items are recalled because of safety concerns. The Consumer Product Safety Commission provides a searchable database for consumers that lists recalls and product safety warnings. People can find that at cpsc.gov/Recalls.

More Information

From child development to nutrition, Alabama Extension’s Human Sciences team has many resources for families. Visit aces.edu or contact your county Extension office to connect with an agent in your area.