Why are age-appropriate toys so important?

Playing is not only one of children's absolute favorite activities; it also promotes the development and learning processes of your little ones. Toys should therefore challenge, but not overwhelm. Boredom while playing is as demotivating for your little one as failure, which also negatively affects self-confidence.

When choosing toys, it's best to base your choice not only on your child's age, but also on the level of knowledge and development as well as their personal preferences and interests: What comes easily to them, what is difficult? Where can they learn something important? What brings them joy, and what do they enjoy doing?

As a rough guide for you as parents, the age recommendation of the respective toy. However, always pay attention to your child's current developmental stage. Just because your child's friends are already playing with dolls doesn't mean your child is ready yet. Every child is different and develops sometimes faster, sometimes slower.

Children's toys: quality, materials & safety

A particularly important criterion for children's toys is, of course, safety: Above all, babies and toddlers under one year, for example, should not be given small parts, as these are often put into the mouth out of curiosity. As parents, also make sure that you buy toys made of non-toxic materials you buy. For children up to three years, pointed and sharp-edged objects still have no place in the toy box. Invest in quality: toys made of high-quality materials and with good workmanship is not only safer for your child, it also lasts longer – and will certainly be just as well received by a sibling!

Your little one doesn't need something new all the time – an overcrowded toy shelf can even be overwhelming. There are many toys that are durable and varied and can be easily complemented and varied with the help of small extensionsLEGO bricks or the worlds of Playmobil provide opportunities for countless play possibilities, are constantly expandable and offer room for creativity and imagination. For toddlers, for example,

cloth dolls offer a wonderful opportunity to try out early role playfeelings and process experiences. With doll play, they also show you how you as parents interact with them and what kind of care they wish for themselves.Wooden toys are ideal for toddlers, because in their lively naturalness they appeal to all the senses. Pay special attention here to paints, binders and additives – after all, toddlers like to put parts into their mouths. Generally,

plastic toys do not pose health hazards, as long as they are high-quality products. Also for textile toys, quality over quantity – especially cuddly toys, blankets and the like often come into frequent contact with your child's skin and therefore must be safe.Checklist: What makes good children's toys?Good children's toys…

bring children joy.

• is durable and sturdy.

• is of good quality and made from child-appropriate materials.

• is age-appropriate.

• is varied and versatile.

• takes into account children's level of knowledge and development.

• reflects individual interests and preferences.

• promotes cognitive and motor skills, exploration of the world, creativity and social and emotional development.

• leaves room for exploring, discovering and creative play ideas.

• Baby toys from 0 to 5 months

• In the first months of life,

toys really aren't necessary yet

– for your baby everything is new and exciting! Your little one is fully absorbed in exploring their environment and its countless colorful impressions with all the senses. Much more important than toys at this time are closeness, affection and security, on the basis of which your child can discover the world safely and with confidence.Of course, you can still bring your baby joy with a few little things: soft toys and dolls

are a perennial favorite from the very beginning and are often lovingly cherished for years. Music boxes, rattles and mobiles, in their simplicity, can exert a great fascination on your child. Babies are incredibly curious and reach for everything they can get their hands on. Grasping toys

are a wonderful opportunity for them to embark on a sensory journey of discovery. Not only do the hands get used – babies also like to suck and nibble on the grasping toy. HABA's grasping toys come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and variants. Offer your kids a variety of tactile stimuli with different materials: from cuddly fabrics to original material combinations and surface textures. In addition, grasping toys are a great way to promote your child's motor development. 2433

Baby toys from 6 months

From 6 months, babies become increasingly active and curious.They now move by belly-crawling, scooting, or crawlingand in this way explore their surroundings with even greater enthusiasm. Crawling toys encourage your child to test their motor skills and playfully train independent movement and coordination.

At HABA you will find a colorful selection of crawling aids: Whether as a cuddly follow-me dog, a roly-poly giraffe, or a discovery ball — there are plenty of opportunities to play and explore! With the help of building blocks, balls and fun bathtub toys playfully trains your little one's fine motor skills, which is already developing.

Toys for toddlers from 1 year old

From the age of one year, more and more movement comes into play! Toddlers become increasingly dexterous with their hands and also the language development is in full swing. Now offer your kids toys that offer slightly more complex play and learning opportunities. building blocks, stacking cups and the like are still a wonderful way to promote your little one's dexterity.

At the HABA Motor Skills Cube a wide range of abilities are required: Five great play options promote, among other things, your child's fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, while they can play creatively on the integrated toy xylophone. From stacking cubes, animal piano, and a water-play mat, you'll find many other great products that will surely keep your child entertained!

Great toys for 2-year-olds

Playing with other children increasingly takes center stage and your child can learn a lot about the At two years, motor skills continue to develop, so your child gradually more precise and targeted movements can perform. At the same time a sense of community develops and your little one increasingly plays with other children. In this age group it particularly fosters creativity and the language development

of your kids — this can also be encouraged with toys!Children now increasingly pick up paints and pencils and try out wild scribbles and splashes on paper. For this, wax crayons and finger paints work particularly well, as they are easy to handle. Shaping and modeling with play dough is a popular form of play and offers a special tactile appeal. Your little one's dexterity and motor skills can, for example, be exercised on a little tour on our children's balance bike

made of wood in bright rainbow colors.

Children's toys for 3-year-oldsAt preschool age, the interest in interacting with others increases greatly and children look for playmates for shared adventures.pretend play becomes especially popular now

, in which the little ones act out fairy tales, their favorite TV show, or the everyday life of mom and dad.With the play shop /magazine/leisure-creativity/sports-movement/indoor-rompingromping and sporting activities. Our bouncy cushion/magazine/leisure-creativity/sport-movement/movement-games-for-childrenmovement games

together.

Exciting toys for children aged 6 and upToys | Image At 6 years, children gradually enter school agesocial interaction. Role play remains very popular. At this age, interest in certain toys often changes too — school provides many new impressions and stimuli and strong interests in certain topics and connections in the world develop.

Your kids express their creativity through crafting and painting more intensely now. There are also toys for this age that you as parents can use to support your children's development and learning processes. Browse HABA a bit: combinatory skills and technical understanding are required for wooden construction sets, while the magnetic dartboard challenges motor skills. Or how about a walkie-talkie set? This will equip your little one perfectly to set off with their friends on treasure hunt or adventure trip to embark on!