| There are a lot of reasons why you might want | | | | if that's a little too complex for your kids at their |
| an animated kind of toy. Something like a tickle | | | | current age, there are also toy instruments, like |
| me Elmo, a bouncing Tigger, or a flashy mobile for | | | | The Wiggles Musical Guitar, which will play catchy |
| the baby. Infants, of course, really enjoy toys | | | | melodies and lyrics at the push of a single button. |
| that make sound, lights, or movement, as this is | | | | For Slightly Older Kids... |
| very helpful to their sensory development. Some | | | | Remote control toys are great for pretty much |
| younger children love toy guitars that can make | | | | any kid between the ages of eight and eighty. |
| songs at the press of a button. Or maybe, you | | | | With technology getting cheaper and cheaper |
| just have a whole bunch of headache medicine | | | | these days, RC toys aren't limited to cars |
| going to waste! | | | | anymore. Today you can get an RC Battle Tank, |
| Whatever the case may be, there are plenty of | | | | a Walking Mini Robosaur, or a Mini Walking Robot, |
| options for these kinds of toys, and it's all a | | | | featuring complex movement. The Robosaur |
| matter of knowing what your kids need, and | | | | actually raises and lowers its head, while many RC |
| what they like... | | | | battle tanks have fully operating turrets, complete |
| For Babies | | | | with sound effects. |
| Again, animated toys are very helpful to a baby's | | | | For Toddlers... |
| sensory development, teaching infants about light, | | | | Children between the ages of two and five are |
| colour, sound, and learning to interacting with the | | | | really focusing on learning how the world around |
| world around them. | | | | them works, how to interact with it, and |
| Mobiles should be an obvious one. These can be | | | | improving their motor skills. For this reason, |
| mounted to the crib or child seat, and provide | | | | interactive toys are a great idea for toddlers. |
| music and movement that keep the child | | | | Toys like the Playskool Busy Ball Popper are a |
| entertained and teach them the basics of | | | | great choice, as they provide both entertainment, |
| observation. | | | | and allow for plenty of interaction, dropping the |
| An interesting toy on the market right now would | | | | balls down the chute, hitting buttons, and watching |
| be the Rainforest 123 Musical Gym, from Fisher | | | | the multicoloured balls make their way up through |
| Price. The Musical Gym provides a soft floor mat, | | | | the toy to be dropped back in again. |
| with a mobile on top and a mirror and ball on the | | | | The important thing is to find the toy that's |
| bottom, for when the baby is laying on his or her | | | | appropriate for your kid's particular stage of |
| stomach. | | | | development. Obviously, what dazzles an infant |
| Musical Toys | | | | may bore a toddler, what entertains a ten year |
| There are actually plenty of real, child sized | | | | old may confuse a six year old. Know where your |
| musical instruments available, including drum kits, | | | | child is at developmentally, and selecting a useful |
| children's electric organs, and all sorts of voice | | | | toy should be child's play. |
| recording and microphone based toys. Of course, | | | | |