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Age-based Guidelines
for Buying
Toys and Gifts
The holiday
season
involves
making holiday
gift lists and
checking them
twice, or even
more frequently
to ensure that
gift-givers fi nd
the best fi t for recipients. While age may only be a
number in certain instances, when it comes to gifting,
age should be a consideration - particularly when kids
are involved.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports
that an estimated 86,000 children treated for toy-related
injuries each year are younger than fi ve. Toy-related
injuries are preventable, and prevention often comes
down to choosing age-appropriate toys for kids.
Toys can be choking hazards when small toys or
those with small pieces are given to children who
are too young to use them safely. Kids are curious
and often put items in their mouths. Choking is the
fourth-leading cause of unintentional death in children
under age fi ve, indicates The Emergency Center. Falls,
eye injuries, drowning, and motor accidents are leading
causes of gift-related injuries. Here’s how to select
age-appropriate gifts.
• Read the packaging carefully. Most toys and other
children’s products will come with an age range recommendation.
While some kids may be mature beyond
their years, it’s best to choose gifts that fall within the
recommended range. This is particularly the case for
infants, toddlers and any child under the age of fi ve.
• Avoid fad gifts. Children often want the latest and
greatest gadgets and toys for gifts even if they are not
the smartest choices for their ages. Resist the urge to
buy something just to be the “cool parent or grandparent,”
especially if it isn’t age-appropriate. Mermaid
tails became popular in recent years, and likely will see
increased presence thanks to the home-viewing release
of a popular live-action mermaid movie. However, they
limit movement and can make swimming more diffi -
cult, potentially increasing risk of drowning.
• Provide safety gear. As children age, they may be
more interested in gifts that appeal to hobbies and
abilities. Scooters, bicycles, skates, and other items are
popular among older children. These gifts should only
be purchased for those with proven ability, and even
then, accompanied with the appropriate safety gear.
This can include helmets, knee pads and eye protection.
• Consider waiting before gifting certain electronics.
Although children may be able to use devices safely,
there are many who advocate for waiting to give
young children smartphones and tablets due to the
consequences of excessive screen time. The American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says
children ages two to fi ve should limit non-educational
screen time to about one hour per weekday and three
hours on weekend days. Children should be encouraged
to pursue healthy habits that limit use of screens, so
gift-givers can look for gifts that help to this end.
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