How to Choose the Perfect Soft Toy for Your Child

Soft toys are not just toys that children play with but rather a friend, a companion and an important part of a child’s growth. However, given the numbers of options that are available today, making the right selection of the soft toy can be quite challenging. The guide that you are about to read will help you sort the chaff from the wheat and come up with the best soft toy that is safe, educational and emotionally enriching for your child.

1. Consider Your Child's Age

The first and most crucial criterion in selecting a soft toy is age. Different age groups have different needs and preferences:

0-12 Months:

At this stage, babies are experiencing the development of their senses. Select toys that are small, which the child can comfortably grasp and which are made from materials that are not hazardous to young children. Try to use toys with contrasting colour combinations and different textures for stimulating the senses. Do not use small pieces which might prove to be a choke factor to the kids.

1-3 Years:

Children at this age are more active and curious as compared to any other age group. Choose soft toys that will not be easily damaged especially when the child is still young and tends to be a bit drastic with toys. They may be interested in stuffed animals that make sound and other soft toys that can walk or dance and make small cute movements. Make sure that the toy can be washed easily as the children are bound to put it in their mouths.

3-5 Years:

Preschoolers learn new emotions and more advanced skills in how they interact within the social context. Stuffed toys are preferred for make-believe play which may be in the form of dolls or animals. These toys can become part of their playing with dolls or action figures, and may teach them about emotions and attention to others.

5+ Years:

A child above the age of five may prefer to have certain kinds of soft toys such as those in their favourite cartoons or animals they love. Remember the interests and hobbies of the child while buying a toy.

2. Safety First

First of all, it is paramount to consider the safety of the soft toy. A few factors to keep in mind are:

Materials:

Make sure that the material used in the construction of the toy is non-toxic and is not a common allergen. Pure cotton or natural fabrics are good for the skin especially for sensitive skin.

Seams and Construction:

The seams and general build of the toy should be examined. It should be strong enough that it would not break apart when there are actions such as pulling and tugging.

Washability:

Some of the children's toys are prone to dirt and stains, it is therefore important to make sure that the toy you buy is easily washable. As for toys, the most appropriate ones are the ones that can be washed in a washing machine.

Size:

Do not buy toys with small parts or accessories that may be dangerous if ingested by the child. While choosing toys for the children of ages below three, the toys should be bigger in size and not easily bendable.

3. Educational Value

As written above, soft toys can be not only children’s amusement but also educational tools as well. Ensure that you buy toys that do help the kids in their growth and learning.

Language Skills:

It helps when a child talks and spends time with soft toys because it also contributes to their vocabulary. These include toys that you can talk to like stuffed animals with sounds or toys that are accompanied by books.

Social Skills:

Soft toys can be beneficial in teaching children about feelings, people’s interdependence, and interaction. Dolls and animal plushies can be taken during role-playing games that depict empathy and cooperation among children.

Motor Skills:

Products in the soft toy category that have buttons, zippers or Velcro etc can assist in the development of fine motor skills. These toys guide children to use their fingers and hands in certain ways which are required.

4. Emotional Comfort

A soft toy can be that close friend that can help a child to cope with stress or have a feeling of separation anxiety. While selecting a soft toy, ensure that it can easily transform into a security blanket that the child can run to every time he or she needs comforting.

5. Upcycled Soft Toys

One of the most crucial elements of the contemporary world is the consideration of the ecological impacts of the products we use.

With a rapidly rising focus on and demand for sustainability, parents are more likely to opt for environmentally friendly toys for their children. Organic soft toys are ideal for families who are conscious of the impact they create on the environment.

What is an upcycled soft toy? Recycled soft toys are those that designers create from recycled fabric material or any other material that can be recycled from used clothes. These toys are commonly made by hand and thus no two toys are exactly alike.

Benefits of Upcycled Toys:

Apart from being environmentally sustainable, toys that are upcycled can be uniquely crafted and aesthetically appealing. They also impact the kids with knowledge of sustainability and creativity as they learn that things can be recycled. Besides, toys that have been upcycled tend to come with a story, which makes it even more special when you have to give it to your child.

Where to Find Them?

Today it is possible to come across many small businesses and artisans that focus on creating upcycled soft toys. One of the most popular and upcoming brands among them is — SoulSlings. SoulSlings are known for a variety of baby products that are organic and many times upcycled products. Their soft toys are cloth based soft toys that have been upcycled and are ensured that they are made carefully. If you are looking for some good sustainable soft toys then check out SoulSlings! Not only does supporting these businesses benefit the environment but also the economy by assisting in the creation of a circular economy.

Selecting the right soft toy for your child might seem like an easy task. But do not forget that there are some factors that need to be considered, these factors include the age of the child, safety of the toy, educational aspect of the toy, and the psychological aspect of the toy. When you choose an upcycled soft toy from the assortment, you give your child a special and warm-felt friend as well as become a part of a better world initiative. At the end of the day, the best soft toy is the one that will be a source of happiness, comfort, and development in the child’s life.