Toys for children: how to choose and buy at a good price
A toy must suit the age
The best toy isn't the most expensive one but the one that suits the child's age and interests. The pack usually carries an age label, and it is worth following first of all for safety. For toddlers under three, small parts are dangerous, and for older children toys that are too simple get boring fast.
So before buying, ask yourself: how old is the child, what does he or she like and how will they play: alone, with friends or together with adults?
Where to look for your option
For the youngest there are rattles and mobiles, educational toys and bath toys. For creativity and logic there are building sets and craft kits. Girls often like dolls and baby dolls with accessories, boys cars and figures.
For outdoors you will want sand toys and balls. There are also soft toys, masks and play sets, for example a doctor's or kitchen set. For older children look at remote-control toys and models.
What to put in your request
- Type of toy — building set, doll, car, board game, kit.
- Child's age — and gender, if it matters.
- Brand or series — for example a particular set or catalogue number.
- Number of pieces — for building sets and kits.
- Material — plastic, wood, fabric; whether you need hypoallergenic.
- Power — batteries or a rechargeable pack included, for remote-control toys.
- New or used — and whether it must be complete.
- Delivery — city, pickup, deadlines before a festival.
What to look at when comparing
First make sure it is the same model and the same set: boxes that look alike can have a different number of pieces or belong to another series. See whether batteries, a remote and a charger are included. For remote-control models ask about spare parts and the range.
For festival and birthday gifts, be sure to check the delivery date. For original brands, ask for proof of authenticity, because fakes may use weaker materials and lack safety marking. Check that the toy has safety marking and a manual in a language you read.
Used toys are good for big building sets, train sets and dolls, but check carefully that everything is there and clean. For toddlers prefer new ones, and wash used soft toys.
A typical mistake is buying by the picture without checking the age and the number of pieces, or ordering for a festival the day before it.
Think also about what the child will play with in a month. Toys that let them build, invent and change things usually hold interest longer than one simple function. For a gift, ask about packaging too: whether there is a gift box and whether the toy can be sent in branded packaging.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You don't compare dozens of pages by hand. One request describing the toy and the child's age is enough, and sellers reply with offers in the chat: what exactly, the price, how fast they deliver. They see where their offer ranks and compete for your request, so the price often comes out better.
The best offer, judged on what it contains, is shown first, with reviews of the seller next to it. Contacts stay hidden until you choose an offer, and it is free. More on the “How it works” page.
