There are so many different toys and gifts available for preschoolers that it can be very difficult to know what to buy them. Preschoolers are defined as children between the ages of two and four and buying the right gift for this age of the child is really important because the right toy can have great benefits for the child’s development at such a crucial stage. It is vital to buy an age-appropriate gift and that can help the child develop their physical, mental, cognitive, and social skills.
To help confused toy shoppers, this article is a guide to help you buy the right gifts for preschoolers.
1. Don’t Buy Gifts with Small Parts
Perhaps more important than what kind of gifts you should buy for preschoolers is what kind of gifts you shouldn’t buy for them, and the number one rule is to not buy a toy that is small enough to fit in their mouths or that has parts which fit in their mouth. Preschoolers love putting things in their mouths and small toys or toys with small parts can easily be swallowed and choke a child or cause internal problems for them. Look out for warnings on the box like “Contains Small Parts” or “For Children Age 5+” which will alert you that the toy is not for preschoolers.
2. Buy Gifts that will Help the Child to Develop Creativity
It is so important for preschool children to develop their creative skills and one of the best ways to do this is through play. There are so many different gifts that you can buy preschool child-like art supplies, molding clay, and building blocks which can help them to develop creatively. There are great resources online which can tell you about the best toys for each specific age group of children. We found a great range of toys for 4 year old boys which include some great creative toys like a Piano Music Mat so they can make their own music by standing on the different keys and awesome tiles set which they can rearrange into any shapes they like. Toys that have limitless possibilities like tiles, blocks, and musical instruments can dramatically improve children’s creativity as well as their memory and hand-eye coordination. Do your research on online lists to see which toys are recommended for preschool development.
3. Look for Gifts that Stimulate the Child’s Imagination
Preschoolers love toys that allow them to role play things that they have seen adults doing. At this age, toy kitchens, workman’s benches, doctor’s kits, grocery stores, and fireman’s outfits enable the child to act out an unlimited number of roles and scenarios which will help to develop their imagination. Children have diverse and obscure interests in various jobs and roles that they encounter in real life and it is so fun for them to be able to pretend that they are cooking in their own kitchen or fixing something with their toy tools. These kinds of gifts can also play a significant role in developing children’s social skills as they are usually toys that lend themselves well to being played with another child or with a parent. Kids love working in their little shop and selling their items to their parents or their siblings. If you are buying a gift for a preschooler, then look for a toy that allows them to role play and act out their own stories.
4. Preschoolers Love to be Active
Two to four-year-olds are just beginning to get a lot of control over their bodies and so gifts that can allow them to be active are perfect for helping them to develop physically. This age is a time when children’s balance, coordination, speed, and strength all improve dramatically and the right gift can help that development a lot. Look out for any toys and games that involve throwing, hitting, or catching like ball games, mini vehicles that the child can sit on and push along with their feet or target games. Preschoolers absolutely love being active and have incredible stamina and so can play with physical toys all day. These kinds of games are also the most fun for adults to play with children so if you are looking for a gift that you can enjoy with a child then these are a great option.
The preschool years are such an important period in a child’s development and buying the right gift can help that development. Follow this guide and check out some of the fantastic resources online and you will be able to find the perfect gift, no matter what the child’s interests. Make sure that you are buying an age-appropriate gift to ensure it is safe for a preschooler to play with and you can be guaranteed they will have a lot of fun.
