And most importantly: what should you look for when choosing good toys? I'll tell you what I consider when searching and selecting items for the webshop.
1. My starting point: You can do more with less!
Children need toys. They benefit several aspects of their development. When the toys align with a child's interests and development, it's unnecessary, and often even a nuisance, for children to have a ton of toys around them. A basic selection with a few good items is more than enough.
2. What exactly can they do with it?
You're probably thinking, "Duh...play along, of course." Yes, at first glance, it often seems that way. But how many times have I had my children put it down after five minutes, and I couldn't really think of anything fun they could do with it either? That's why I always consider everything: what it is, what you can do with it, and if anything else is needed. I prefer to buy something complete, or I see what I can buy to complete it. For example, I have a beautiful wooden crane in the webshop that also comes with figures and props to create a really nice, complete game.
3. It stimulates the imagination
What I find most important is whether it sparks the imagination. Toys should actually be made in such a way that children can still give them their own interpretation. Take a doll, for example: if it smiles broadly, it's not really obvious to pretend that the doll is sad. That's why I prefer dolls with a neutral expression, like the beautiful Moulin Roty doll . Animals are often very nice for children, because it doesn't really indicate whether it's a boy or a girl. I personally think this dog from Maileg is really nice for both boys and girls.
4. Can they play with it independently?
To help your child get started, it's good to play together first, so you can show them what you can do with the toys. After that, the idea is for them to continue playing independently. It's helpful if they can actually do this. That's why I check whether they can really play with it themselves and don't necessarily need your help. Of course, this also depends on what your child can do at their age. Often, an age indication is given, but you can always consider how far your own child is ready for something. For example, my daughter was already playing with small dolls when she was 18 months old. Now that she's 2, she also plays beautifully with her large dollhouse, which I regularly blog about. But many children aren't ready for that at that age. We also have this beautiful railway with a train at home, for example, which can keep her entertained for a long time.
5. Is it sustainable?
It's often said that the advantage of wooden toys is their longevity. Now, you might wonder if that's really necessary, because after all, how long does a child play with them? Okay, maybe more children will play with them afterward. But the better plastic toys will survive that too. So why do I mostly have wooden toys? Because I personally prefer wooden toys to plastic. They exude quality and durability and can often withstand a few knocks during playtime better. Now, wooden toys are generally a bit more expensive... That's where the durability comes in handy, as these toys often sell very well secondhand on Marktplaats and flea markets.
6. What do they learn from it?
Now, my basic premise is that children learn from playing. Even if they're not playing with toys for a while, but instead use a toilet paper roll to play pirate (and yes, the toilet paper roll is the toy at that moment 🙂 ), learning is still happening. So, listing off whole lists of things they learn from playing with a toy car, for example (eye-hand coordination, cause-and-effect, free play, etc., etc.) is always a bit much for me. After all, children always learn something, just perhaps more from some things than others.
7. They enjoy it for a long time
So they can also play with it when they're a bit older, or are they done with it by six months? Of course, this is often the case with baby toys, but usually, they're all chewed up by then. But take a balance bike, for example. It's excellent for learning to ride a bike, because they already learn to steer and keep their balance. Some balance bikes can't grow with their child. It's a real shame, because it's quite an investment. That's why I've chosen a beautiful, sturdy wooden balance bike in the scooter style in the webshop. The saddle is adjustable in three positions and can be used from 3 to 6 years old. And an added bonus: in gray, it can be used for either a boy or a girl!
8. Do I want it in my house?
I don't know about you, but sometimes I find toys truly beautiful... and sometimes they're truly hideous. We found a solution for the latter: a large, beautiful white (my son: does everything in our house really have to be white?!) cabinet with doors. Unfortunately, not everything fits in there, so I'm a bit picky about choosing toys that don't go in the cabinet. All the toys in the Skattich webshop have passed this test ;). For example, I personally think the beautiful black piano from New Classic Toys fits perfectly into our minimalist, white (and yet cozy, I think!) interior.
So, now you know what I consider when buying "my" toys. I hope this helps you when you're shopping for toys 🙂
