Gift ideas by age | Holiday

Age recommendations on toys can be helpful because they offer guidelines on safety, needs and interests.

Suggestions From Toy Insider:

0-2 years: For this age, consider toys that stimulate their minds, bodies and all five senses. Toys should encourage experimentation with colors, shapes, sounds, and textures. By providing opportunities for eye-hand coordination, motor skills, language recognition and nurturing, parents are providing children with early development skills.

3-5 years: Select toys that encourage imagination and creative activities, along with role playing and pretend play. Provide opportunities for active play. Social and emotional skills are emerging, so music, arts and crafts, teamwork and language skills are important to build self esteem.

6-8 years: Grade schoolers are expanding their world into a broader community of schoolmates and teammates. Toys and games can help develop an appreciation for science, the arts, strategic and mind-stimulating activities, and spending time with family and friends. Kidsafe websites present an approach to playing that also teaches basic computer skills and computer etiquette.

9+ years: Online or in person, socializing is a key activity for this age group, but they still enjoy playing games, being creative and being active. Parents and caregivers are still key role models for this age group, so remain present and involved in their passions.