Is it Age Appropriate? How old is the child in months. Unlike buying for a 4 or 12 year old, under 1’s are significantly different at each month of development. If you don’t know their exact age try guessing higher and they can grow into the toy.

Essentials, from our experience:

Black and White toys for newborn stimulation. For the first 3 months babies can only see things that are high contrast, not the subtleties of colour. They may not be able to hold anything yet, but they love to stare.
Baby Mobile – great for the first 5 months until the baby is able to pull them selves up. Now you can get them with remote controls and various types of music including classical and jazz. You can use the music box after the mobile has been removed.
Musical Toys – by 10 months babies are ready for instruments like drums, shakers, maracas and things that are easy to blow.
Tummy Time Toys – Doctors generally recommend 10-20 minutes a day on baby’s tummy to help strengthen the upper body and neck muscles needed for crawling. There are many great products that encourage this essential activity. It can be hard to find time in a busy schedule, but a Playmat is a lifesaver and a staple now-a-days for the new parent.
Crinkly Sounds – they love it!
Toys that incorporate your photos - Babies love faces and what better way to either introduce or re-enforce the images of friends and family from near or far.
Easy to hold - toys that encourage eye-hand co-ordination
Teethers - especially for 4-12 months. Some can be put in the freezer for extra soothing comfort on irritated gums. See Toy Safety.
Safety Mirrors –Babies love faces, but actual baby faces are even better, especially seeing and exploring their own.
Stacking and Nesting – building is an essential skill though first they’ll enjoy knocking down your towers. Teaches cause and effect.
Board Books – not really a toy but a must-have for daily reading. They’ll love to hear your voice and the rhythm of the story, see bold images and hold the pages (especially touch-feely ones). Of course sharing books with babies is the first building block of establishing a life long love of reading and learning. A great tip is to write an inscription on the first page of a special Board Book. As they are built to last it is sure to be kept in the family for generations of readings.
Building Blocks – surely the best toy ever with endless possibilities for years to come. Find them in wood for around 12 months and up or soft fabric for younger babies.
Toy phone – they sure are realistic today (so perhaps they’ll finally give you back yours)
Toy keys – they want to be just like us, but toy keys are so much safer than the real thing (and so much easier to replace!)
Links – a toy that hooks together into a chain of plastic loops, but really a must-have for keeping toys attached together so they don’t fall out of the stroller or back pack.

Is it Safe?

We only sell toys that we believe are safe for our babies and yours. We do a lot of research on this important topic and make buying decisions based on our findings.

There is a lot of new research in regards to toxins found in some plastic additives like BPA (some with recycling symbol #6 and 7), phthalates and of course lead in paint. Other concerns to be aware of in your selection process are electronic sounds that are too loud for young ear drums, small magnets that can cause disastrous results if swallowed, inferior toy design and pieces that could pose a choking hazard. There is a lot more detail about these issues on our Toy Safety page.

Where will the baby play with the toy?

• On the floor?
• In the crib?
• In the stroller?
• In the backpack?
• In the car seat?
• When you are visiting someone else’s house?
• In the bath? Outside?
• On the Changing Table?
• On the Go – travel?

We have a wonderful selection for each of these different areas to keep babies not only entertained, but growing developmentally. Some toys can be switched up while others are more suited to only one environment. For specific ideas on the above come in for a consultation with a Toyologist.

Does the new baby have siblings?

If this is a gift for someone else’s child and you don’t know what they might already have, then might we suggest a newly released toy. Gift Receipts or Gift Certificates can be helpful too.

A nice idea for families with a new baby in the house is to give the new bigger sibling a gift as well. Making room for a new baby brother or sister can be a difficult adjustment, depending on the age gap. It is so important to help them still feel special with a bit of extra attention. There are books and toys specifically geared to helping kids with this transition. One of our favorite choices are the anatomically correct drinking and wetting dolls named Emma and Paul that come with and can use their own potties by the French designers at Corolle.

What is my Budget?

Whether it is a stocking stuffer under $5 or a very special gift from the whole office or anywhere in between there is a friendly Toyologist ready to prescribe just the right fit at The Village Toy Shop.