do you only buy age appropriate toys?

mavilabride4evah · December 2010

DD received a toy on Christmas that is for 3+ (she's 18 months). It is pretty obvious why. The little dog has beady eyes that can easily pop out if she were to bite on it hard enough. The leash is super long. I would say it could wrap around her neck 4 or 5 times. Clearly not something for an 18 month old to play with.

I got on this conversation with FI and we both agreed that I'm the more strict one when it comes to age appropriate things. He's ok with buying toys in the 2+ or 3+ range since she rarely plays alone. I'm the one that doesn't like it because I figure if it has a restriction, it's for a reason. Granted, she does have a doll that is 2+ but it's because it crawls on the ground. He got pretty annoyed since he wanted to buy her a tunnel but it was 3+ and I said no.

How strict are you with age appropriate toys?

JingleBeIIe · December 2010

For us it depends on the toy. I've seen some toys rated for like 6 months and it made me pissed when DS was too small for it still, and I have others that are rated for like 2 years or something that he loves playing with. Small parts are a no in our house though. DS still puts everything in his mouth.

dragon_chica · December 2010

I'm not too strict although I wouldn't go out buying toys that are for 3+! We did get her a play kitchen for Xmas even though it said 2+. Keep in mind that a lot of times toys have a specific age rec due to the fact that the toy involves pretend play, which developmentally doesn't typically happen until 2+. I try to inspect the toy before deciding if it would be ok for DD to use.

rebus82 · December 2010

B has always had a lot of older-aged toys. We don't buy stuff with small parts or that are overly complicated, but he has a lot of 2+, 3+, and even some older toys (like his laptop). Most of them are just for older kids because of their complexity, not because of safety. It really depends on the toy though.

Our niece is six months older and she's always gotten older-aged toys as well. We can gauge B with a lot of her toys and see how he does. She got a tunnel for Christmas and B went ape-*** for it tonight, so we'll probably be getting him one too. I don't know what the age-range was, but I could see how it might be a 3+ toy, but I don't think it would be remotely dangerous for him with supervision.

Baby428 · December 2010

I'm not too strict nor is DH. IF DD plays with toys that are for older children we just keep N eye on her when she is playing.

leslie13510 · December 2010

I'm probably not strict enough, but honestly they don't put things in their mouths anymore (except play food LOL), and they're never really alone long enough to do anything like wrap a leash around their neck and strangle themselves with it.

They probably got more 3+ toys this Christmas than ones marked for their age.

Like their train set. I mean yeah I guess they could technically chew off the wheels and choke on them, but they don't do things like that. The only other reason I could see that it would be 3+ is because that's probably about the age they would be able to put the tracks together and operate it completely by themselves. No big deal since that's a toy I help them with.

They also got pop up tents, a Sing-a-ma-jig, rolling backpacks, a dinosaur train, etc... all marked 3+ and for reasons that I can't figure out. Maybe the manufacturer is worried that a screw holding in the batteries will fall out and they'll swallow it? I don't know.

Anyway, I know what my kids are and aren't capable of, and what they are and aren't likely to do with toys, so I just go with that instead of the official age marked on the box.

jessloveschase08 · December 2010

dragon_chica:
I'm not too strict although I wouldn't go out buying toys that are for 3+! We did get her a play kitchen for Xmas even though it said 2+. Keep in mind that a lot of times toys have a specific age rec due to the fact that the toy involves pretend play, which developmentally doesn't typically happen until 2+. I try to inspect the toy before deciding if it would be ok for DD to use.

This.

Christina79 · December 2010

It depends on the toy, but I usually go up to the next age range. Right now DD plays well with 18+ month toys.

She got a couple Melissa and Doug toys that are 3+ that I will not let her play with yet, even supervised. It's pretty obvious that they could be choking hazards so I put them up.

JennifernKevin4ever · December 2010

Not all of DS toys are age appropriate. I think it all depends on the toy and the child. DS has been around older children toys his whole life. I work for a day care and we have toys for different age groups. I just keep an eye on him just like any toy. The only things I don't allow him to play with is toys with small parts or with strings.

in my life · December 2010

She got TONS of 3+ gifts this year. We got her the Melissa and Doug play kitchen, which is 3+...honestly I still haven't figured out why b/c I can't find any obvious choking hazards. She also got a pillow pet that has beady eyes, but she never tries biting or pulling them so it doesn't worry me too much. But, she never plays alone so those things don't bother me too much.

Baby428 · December 2010

Off the topic of the post.... just wanted to thank you, mavila, for sticking up for me in the "ugg" post!

I can't believe how much that post blew up! Have a good night!

dragon_chica · December 2010

in my life:
She got TONS of 3+ gifts this year. We got her the Melissa and Doug play kitchen, which is 3+...honestly I still haven't figured out why b/c I can't find any obvious choking hazards. She also got a pillow pet that has beady eyes, but she never tries biting or pulling them so it doesn't worry me too much. But, she never plays alone so those things don't bother me too much.

Probably because play kitchens are typically used by children to do pretend play and most kids aren't developmentally able to do that until that age. That hasn't stopped me from getting DD one since she loves putting and taking things out of the fridge and drinking from her cup. But obviously we can't have conversations about what she's going to make today and she's unable to reach the microwave.

mavilabride4evah · December 2010

Missy-no problem!

Dragon, I honestly didn't think about the developmental issue lol. It makes sense now (duh). We saw a food set that I wanted to get her. All the pieces seemed big enough that she couldn't choke on it but it was 3+ and I had no idea why. Your reason is probably why.

As for the tunnel, I'm thinking it's because the ones we saw are a bit flimsy?

dragon_chica · December 2010

mavilabride4evah:
Dragon, I honestly didn't think about the developmental issue lol. It makes sense now (duh). We saw a food set that I wanted to get her. All the pieces seemed big enough that she couldn't choke on it but it was 3+ and I had no idea why. Your reason is probably why.

LOL. I have a degree in child dev. and have been a teacher for 8 years so it's second-nature for me to consider those possibilities. I can already imagine myself saying to DD, "But honey it's not developmentally-appropriate for you so we're not going to buy it."

As for the tunnel if it's just the construction/quality that bothers you then maybe find another more sturdier tunnel.

ZTACRYSTAL · December 2010

dragon_chica:
I'm not too strict although I wouldn't go out buying toys that are for 3+! We did get her a play kitchen for Xmas even though it said 2+. Keep in mind that a lot of times toys have a specific age rec due to the fact that the toy involves pretend play, which developmentally doesn't typically happen until 2+. I try to inspect the toy before deciding if it would be ok for DD to use.

This is what we do. If we think its rated for safety reasons then we tend to not give it to her if it has small parts. If its totally safe, and she wants to play with it we dont stop her. If she is not playing with it correctly, we dont mind. We have started getting her and she got a lot of 2+ things for Christmas (her laptop, a Melissa & Doug Spill & Dump Mailbox, a Ball Pit, etc) and she plays with them well. I think you just have to know your child and what is safe for them.

ZTACRYSTAL · December 2010

dragon_chica:
I'm not too strict although I wouldn't go out buying toys that are for 3+! We did get her a play kitchen for Xmas even though it said 2+. Keep in mind that a lot of times toys have a specific age rec due to the fact that the toy involves pretend play, which developmentally doesn't typically happen until 2+. I try to inspect the toy before deciding if it would be ok for DD to use.

This is what we do. If we think its rated for safety reasons then we tend to not give it to her if it has small parts. If its totally safe, and she wants to play with it we dont stop her. If she is not playing with it correctly, we dont mind. We have started getting her and she got a lot of 2+ things for Christmas (her laptop, a Melissa & Doug Spill & Dump Mailbox, a Ball Pit, etc) and she plays with them well. I think you just have to know your child and what is safe for them.

Ilumine · December 2010

It depends on the toy (nothing that is a choking hazard) though in most cases I actually prefer to buy up.

Most toys can be used outside of their intent, through the majic of childhood imagniation. And as they mature they will develop INTO the intended use of the toy.

A great example is that tunnel you wouldnt buy. The age restriction is for kids to be abel to maneuver in the tunnel without getting stuck, then scared, then possibly tangled up and sufulcate.

As long as you are not going to leave her alone with it, who knows if your LO will even BE afraid, let alone over come her fears at a younger age and just LOVE playing in it. THUS being ahead of the curve.

Payne2B2008 · December 2010

my son has many toys that are older 2+ & 3+ I just watch him as he plays & we don't have anything that is supper small (aka legos or small cars) where he could choke.

I like him to have older toys because then they will last him but he still plays with some "baby" toys .

CalinsBride · December 2010

I buy toys that are not age appropriate if they are on sale, and then I put them away until they are more age appropriate. DS got a little people racetrack from his grandpa rated either 2 or 3+ (I can't rememeber right now), and it isn't age-appropriate for him. He just tries to take it apart, stands on it, etc. So we put it away and will bring it out when he's 2 and try again.

rinny627 · December 2010

Yup. We buy age appropriate toys. Like you said, there are restrictions for a reason. We have toys for him that aren't for his age that we got as gifts, but they're in his closet until he gets to that age. And when I buy him toys, I get age appropriate ones because I have a hard time waiting to give him things I recently bought him.

amandopolis · December 2010

I don't rely on a manufacturer to determine what is age appropriate for my child. As a parent, I know my individual child's needs. She loves her crawling tunnel and play kitchen, even though they are both marked as being for 3+. If anything has small, easily removed pieces, I would not give it to her, since she still puts everything in her mouth. My one concern with the tunnel is that it is collapsible, but she doesn't play with it unless she is supervised.

ryry1977 · December 2010

Depends on the toy. We already have the tunnel and Cedric loves to crawl through it and really only plays with it if we are playing with him. I guess it is a boring toy by yourself...lol. The kitchen set he just got for Christmas is 3+, so are many of his other toys. If they have too small parts or just don't look safe for him, then no we don't get them. If he got any for presents that are not for now we just put them up in his closet for when he is older. But most of his toys are for older...I like him to be able to grown into them. Cedric loves Toy Story and got the Woody doll and remote control Buzz (which is 5+ I think). He also got some lincoln logs (from my mom) which he doesn't even know what it is since I took them right away.

sunnyday016 · December 2010

Most of her toys are age appropriate. She has some puzzles that are 3+, but that's only because they're too difficult for her to do right now. We just tuck them away and will give them to her when she's ready.

chloephoebecali · December 2010

Knowing what my daughter is capable of, I judge on case by case basis. DD doesn't really put stuff in her mouth anymore. She has her share of beady eyed stuffed animals and a pillow pet, but I just won't put them in her crib. She doesn't pry at the eyes. She is also never left alone. Some of her favorite toys were age inappropriate - a fur real dog and a tunnel. I also bought her a Barbie, just because I wanted to. I know she won't fantasy play with it, but I was excited to get her one and she likes to carry it around. Any little pieces that come with toys are removed/put aside. I think each kid is also different when it comes to some of this. My next kid may be completely different. Also, when there is another kid in the picture, it would be impossible to have a home only age appropriate for the youngest. DD is going to have a younger sibling and I am not going to put all of her toys away because they are not age appropriate for the LO. I just have to watch.

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