Picking toys for your child: Common misconceptions you may not know about

There's a saying: "Buy the right one, not the expensive one."

Most people psychologically believe that the more expensive something is, the better it is.

While it's true that, undeniably, toys priced slightly higher tend to be of slightly better quality compared to their cheaper counterparts, that doesn’t mean all more expensive toys are automatically better.

When choosing toys for children, we should select them based on the child’s age and personality traits.

Since I’m not sure how old your child is right now, I can still offer you some helpful advice.

Here are a few guidelines to follow when choosing toys:

1/ Choose toy types suitable for the child's age

If you have younger children, it’s best to avoid buying toys like beaded items, paints, crayons, and anything else that could pose a safety risk. For instance, children aged 8 months to 1 year are particularly sensitive to their hands and mouths—this is when they’re most likely to put small objects, such as beads or paint, into their mouths. Small beads can easily be swallowed, while paints and crayons may be accidentally ingested or even get into their eyes, posing serious risks to their health and safety.

2/ Ensure the toy's materials and safety meet the standards.

Many children play with toys made of plastic, and plastic comes in many different types. It’s not advisable for mothers to buy toys from street vendors for their kids—not because low-priced toys are necessarily bad, but because many of these toys are sold unpackaged, and some even lack information like the manufacturer or production date. Without proper certification and clear labeling of the manufacturer, it’s a serious concern whether these toys are safe or suitable for children to use.

Especially with plastic toys—those without a manufacturer—are very likely made from recycled, used plastics. Such plastics often contain lead levels that far exceed safety standards, posing significant health risks to children.

Many children are hyperactive, refuse to eat, and often end up chewing on their fingers or other unusual objects—all of which can be attributed to excessive lead exposure. A significant contributing factor is children’s prolonged exposure to toys that contain dangerously high levels of lead.

3/ Don't buy your child toys that are unoriginal and rigid.

Many children love toys that glow, or those that come to life with a simple switch—running, singing, and even walking around.

However, as individuals, we don’t recommend parents buying these kinds of toys for their children. These toys—designed to run, light up, and even sing as soon as batteries are inserted—are actually quite detrimental to a child’s brain development and overall growth.

Because playing with these toys doesn’t require kids to think at all—it’s incredibly effortless for them. All they have to do is flip the switch and watch as the toy “sings,” “dances,” or even “moves forward” and “backward” on its own—no need for kids to lift a finger or engage their minds. So, what’s the point of buying such toys in the first place? Are they simply meant to provide kids with some harmless fun?