Shopping
9 Toys to Avoid Buying for Kids
With so many products on the shelves, and so much room under the tree, you're bound to make a few bad buys. This year, take our tips, avoid the duds, and learn to buy toys they'll love (and play with) for years!
While it may not seem like it when you're stuffing Santa's sack, trying to brainstorm eight days worth of gifts, or reading a long birthday wish list, less can be more when it comes to children's toys. Follow our mom-tested tips, and you'll have a selection of quality playthings instead of ones destined to fall to the bottom of the toy bin.
Just avoid these culprits and you're almost guaranteed shopping success:
Toys too good to be true
An inexpensive cardboard car may seem like a fabulous idea until a four-year-old actually tries to drive it. Through a lot of trial and error, we've found certain toys, like LEGO or MEGA, simply cannot be replaced by cheap, generic versions. Other products where brand and price can make a difference include, racing cars, trains, electronic games, and music players. If a product can't withstand daily play, it isn't worth any price.
Toys with an agenda
We know how much kids love their television shows, but remember that a branded dollhouse, for example, may discourage your children from imagining their own characters and scenarios. A branded board game becomes uninteresting once your kids tire of that cartoon. And how many hard plush characters doing the Macarena do you need? Of course, there are branded products you might feel are worth buying, like a cozy plush friend or a toy that helps with a big hurdle, like potty training or a move.
Related Links
- Article: November 20, 2008: ImagiPLAY Bead Maze Recall
- Advice: Playing with Baby
- Slideshow: 15 Innovative Baby & Toddler Products of 2008!
- Quiz: Are Your Child's Toys Safe?
- Poll: When it comes to buying my kids too many toys, I am...
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