| If you put an advertisement of toys in front of any | | | | older toddlers) and purses with unique closures. |
| toddler they will point to a hundred toys which interest | | | | Puzzles are one of those toys that children of all ages |
| them. Much like me at the dinner table, children's eyes | | | | have a lot of fun putting together. Often I've found |
| are bigger than their stomachs, so to speak. It's easy | | | | myself just as interested in building the puzzles with |
| to find a toy which will amuse children. It's also easy to | | | | children. There are large puzzle piece sets for younger |
| spend a lot of money on different toys. However, it is | | | | toddlers, with 25 extremely large pieces, and smaller |
| always better for your budget to shop for toys much | | | | piece puzzles as they get older. Puzzles are a great |
| like you shop for clothing. In other words, buy toys | | | | way to develop motor skills, creativity, problem solving, |
| which will be used for a long period of time, are useful, | | | | and pattern awareness. You can even have special |
| and wear well. So while it is easy to shop for toddler | | | | puzzles made that teach your children unique things. |
| toys, allowing them to choose toys may not be the | | | | For example, you could take a picture of the local |
| best option. In this article we'll explore some budget | | | | flowers in your area and teach children about those |
| friendly toys for parents in which children both enjoy, | | | | special properties. Locally we have blueberry bushes |
| and from which they also learn important skills. | | | | and wild strawberry plants and I like to make puzzles |
| Older toddlers can benefit from dress up clothes | | | | based on those and other edible plants nearby. |
| bought at flea markets, from 'lots' on eBay and even | | | | Children really enjoy any toy from old dolls to new |
| from your closets. Clothes with buttons, zippers, and | | | | Legos. There aren't many wrong choices a parent can |
| Velcro are perfect for young hands to develop | | | | make. Just keep in mind that children from age 0-4 like |
| dexterity and learn valuable problem solving techniques. | | | | to put almost everything in their mouths; and that |
| For smaller children, age 1-3, small buttons are a poor | | | | smaller pieces, buttons, eyes, and doll hair, can get |
| choice as they often put them in their mouths and can | | | | stuck in their throats. Other things to watch out for are |
| swallow and choke on the buttons, however, using | | | | toxic paint, and smaller cut out toys that children can |
| Velcro, zippers and snaps can help them just as easily. | | | | get their hands stuck inside. Use dolls with painted |
| Old clothes and dress up clothes are relatively cheap | | | | eyes, and no hair to avoid problems with children under |
| toys in which any child can benefit from using. Don't | | | | the age of 3. |
| forget to include old shoes with buckles, laces (for | | | | |