The toy has undergone an important evolution over the last forty years, becoming increasingly more complex. But the materials have also changed, with plastic taking over wood and metal. What does not change is the ability of toys to make children dream, developing their imagination < a i=6>and allowing them to grow by learning. A crucial aspect in choosing a game is the safety factor. But price also plays a key role. In the spirit of these two elements, we have selected the most beautiful and safest toys.
How to choose a toy
We have summarized the basic considerations before purchasing in four key points. Let’s see them together:
The issue of safety – A body of European laws written specifically for toys protection children from potentially dangerous products, imposing strict rules on manufacturers. To choose in complete safety, therefore, it is a good idea to check the presence of the CE marking on the label which guarantees the toy’s compliance with the law. It is also very important that the instructions are clear, exhaustive and in Italian.
Age ranges – Another element to check carefully is the reference age of the children’s games. Mandatory by law, this information must be visible at a glance on the packaging. Only through products that are suitable for children’s ages, games offer maximum fun and learning.
For her, for him or for both – Promoting the freedom of choice of the little ones is fundamental. It is also true, however, that some differences between games for children and toys for girls are inevitable. Let’s think, for example, of the product lines that a brand like LEGO dedicates to him (LEGO Ninjago…). Then, halfway there are unisex toys, including puzzles and board games.LEGO Frozen, LEGO Friends…) and to her (LEGO Marvel,
Educational games – Generally speaking, a game that is educational is always preferable, i.e. one that encourages children to think and learn new things. Choosing it taking into account the age of the children is even more important in this case because it avoids potential frustrations.create connections, experiment,
How much does a toy cost?
The main purpose of toys is to entertain children in complete safety. The quality of the product is guaranteed by European standards which impose quite strict rules on manufacturers. In this sense, both thechildren’s games cheaper and the more expensive ones, having to comply with this regulation to be put up for sale, they will be safe. If the brand is reliable and the purchase was made at a trustedtoy store online, also , there are no risks related to counterfeiting. The question of price, in addition to the construction aspects we have talked about, plays a fundamental role in the choice phase. And to meet the broadest needs, we have indulged ourselves in searching for and selecting the best toys around, dividing them based on cost. The first band is the most economical and provides for a maximum spending ceiling set at 20 euros. Included in the 20/40 euro range, however, is the second. While the third contains elaborate toys whose price varies between 40 and 60 euros. The fourth band then goes even higher, picking up the games in the interval 60/80 euro . Once the threshold of 80 euros has been exceeded, finally, thelast opens. range, i.e. the research field for the most complex and expensive products.
(Data updated in November 2023 and subject to change over time)
Within 20 euros
We open our selection with the most convenient toys, low cost gifts for little gifts under the tree. Modeling clay never goes out of fashion. And the Play-Doh Kitchen Creations are sets full of surprises and accessories . Pizza, tacos, sandwiches, sushi and many other delicacies come to life in the hands of children. Recommended age: 3+. Among the games for girls aged 4 and up, construction games are also very popular. And the box Lego Friends The Ice Cream Van is a tasty experience in the company of 2 cute mini-dolls. Consisting of 84 bricks, it also includes a cute puppy to cuddle. Turning towards unisex proposals, here comes the Ravensburger 3D Globe, an evocative three-dimensional puzzle which combines fun and educational intent. Perfect for the 6+ age group, it is also available in the illuminated variantNight Edition. Equally engaging is theVegetable Garden in Serra Clementoni: a box that reveals everything you need to grow flowers and flowers at home seedlings. Suitable for ages 7 and up, it’s a taste of science in a playful way. And we conclude with a stimulating and immersive board game. Thinkfun Rush Hour is a colorful puzzle game starring toy cars that have to be moved to clear the parking lot. Also available in the Travel and Deluxe variants, it offers 40 different challenges. Reference age: 8 years or older.
From 20 to 40 euros
Giving a successful gift without spending too much is possible. And this section is proof of this. Let’s start with a toy capable of combining style and fun for children aged 12 months and up. The Vespa Primavera Chicco is inspired by the famous scooter and brings its design back into fashion. Robust and rideable, it reveals a rich multimedia laboratory with lights and sounds in the dashboard. For girls aged 3 years or older, then, here is the coveted Barbie Pop Reveal. Offered in a sea of variants, it focuses entirely on the surprise effect and the generous supply of accessories. Dedicated to children, however, is the set Chase at the LEGO City Police Station. Suitable for ages 4+, it features a , it is a title for the whole family available for consoles and PC.women’s football, the definitive football video game, is aimed at children aged 3 years or older. Embellished with an Ultimate Team mode which also opens up to EA Sports FC 24. Recommended age: 6+. Last but not least, it’s a pleasure to look at and display in your bedroom, a three-dimensional puzzle that portrays the majestic monument in great detail. Exciting to build, 3D Colosseum by Ravensburger to catch a dangerous criminal on a motorbike. Rich in details, the box consists of 172 pieces. For little architecture lovers, however, we recommend the high-speed stalking
From 40 to 60 euros
With a larger spending budget, the size of the game grows, as does the fun. And among the most representative subjects for children, Bing’s Big House could not be missing , the place where the bunny most loved by children invites everyone to have tea. Recommended for ages 18 months and up, the set is a riot of accessories and fun. Similar story for the Smoby School Bench, the most comfortable place to play and learn. Designed for boys and girls from 3 years of age, it consists of a comfortable bench and a adjustable blackboardadjustable blackboard a>Recommended age: 7+.hurricane of adrenaline on Nintendo Switch. is a Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a colorful scenario starring the elderly Carl, the young Russell and lots of balloons. Ideal for ages 9 and up, it is structured in almost 600 pieces. And we close this section in style with the latest video game incarnation of the plumber with the moustache. Casa of “Up” is a clear demonstration of this. by LEGO Disney have created an irresistible combination. The evocative set LEGO and Disney cartoonstoy. Always dedicated to the 3+ range, the box reveals an open space full of details and complete with a mezzanine. , it miniaturizes to become a wide-ranging portableCasa Trolley Amicicci which, in the set Cicciobello. Another great timeless classic is the doll
From 60 to 80 euros
We approach the summit crossing a section that holds many surprises, starting with Cicciobello Bua, a timeless icon in the shape of a doll . Interactive and robust, cries and looks for his mother. But with affection and a little needle, everything goes away. Accompanied by a stethoscope and medicines, it is suitable for ages 3 and up. Dedicated to girls aged 5 years or older, the Print Cam Hi-Tech by Barbie is a camera instant designed to immortalize the most beautiful moments. Technologically advanced toy, it is tinged with the unmistakable glamorous style of the doll par excellence. Moving into the boys’ universe, Hot Wheels Ultimate Mega Garage is a big, beautiful and addictive toy. Structured on various floors, it welcomes cars into the parking lots, then launching them into steep dives at full speed. Recommended age: 5+. Moving from one evergreen to another, the world of Harry Potter in LEGO shades emerges. And in the imposing set The Battle of Hogwarts, the little wizard with glasses prepares to challenge the evil Voldemort for the last time. Consisting of 730 pieces, it is aimed at the 9+ age group. Finally, to close this section, we have included another classic: the Bontempi digital keyboard. Equipped with 61 keys, a myriad of sounds and bases to try out, it is the reference instrument for young musicians of all ages.
Over 80 euros
Majestic, colourful, fun: here are the toys at the top of our selection. We start off in the best way with a very rich LEGO Duplo set. Ideal for ages 3 and up, the 3 in 1 Tree House unites children and animals in a natural setting of enormous impact. Structured into 126 pieces, it expands the game possibilities through one main and two alternative subjects. Remaining on generously sized boxes, the VidaXL toy kitchen involves adults and children in the construction of the furniture and the many details included. But there is no shortage of accessories of all kinds to prepare delicious recipes once assembled. Recommended age: 3+. Another big name in the toy sector is Playmobil. And the package Large farm of Playmobil Country is a concentration of fun in which the animals remain the protagonists. Puppies to look after and plants to grow stimulate the commitment and participation of boys and girls aged 4 to 10. Turning towards more challenging toys, here comes Asmodée Descent: Legends of Darkness , expansion of the famous fantasy-colored board game for children aged 14 or over. Embellished with excellently crafted action figures, it offers 16 exciting missions to play alone or with up to 3 companions. Here we are at the end of our review which deserves a worthy conclusion. And Nintendo Switch Lite is the portable console that opens up infinite universes of entertainment . Available in many colors, it is light, robust and equipped with a nice 5.5-inch LCD display.
Games and toys: choose for the little ones with responsibility
The race for nuclear power, which marked the history of the post-World War II period, also infected the world of toys. It was 1951 when theAtomic energy lab was launched in the United States, a sort of Small chemist< /span> is essential to protect children and, precisely for this reason, this topic constitutes the beating heart of our guide.Buying responsibly with a safer profile. This does not mean that the choice of toys must always be made with a critical spirit, preferring a solid, resistant, educational and above all guaranteed product. children’s games ante litteram but a little more dangerous. The package, in fact, reveals a complete kit also containing samples of polonium, ruthenium, as well as uranium powder. Removed from the market about a year after it went on sale, it was considered by many to be the most dangerous toy of all time. Many cases similar to this have occurred over the years, sometimes giving rise to rather serious accidents. Today, however, things have changed radically and the big brands in the sector protect the little ones through
Current legislation and safety standards
In the 1980s, community policy began to be interested in toy safety. In fact, the first European directive dedicated to the delicate topic dates back to 1988. Modified and updated in 2009 by the European Parliament and Council, it is now adopted by all EU Member States. Many measures are included in the body of legislation which aims to guarantee the safety of children’s games through very stringent rules a> is aimed. Furthermore, the product must always be accompanied by a label and an instruction booklet in Italian that guarantee its quality and correct use. toy. First of all, each package must clearly indicate the age for which the
Read the label
The CE marking, printed on the packaging or label, is the only valid form of guarantee for toys because it certifies compliance with current legislation. For this reason, it must always be clearly visible and legible. Counterfeits, in fact, are quite common and start right here. In addition, the name, the company name and the company nameand theaddress of the manufacturer or importer. The indication of the age group to which it is addressed is also essential and, given the importance of the #39;topic, we decided to talk about it in a separate section.
Clear instructions for safe toys
The label contains general information, applicable to any type of item, from toy train to doll’s house. But to analyze a product in depth, it is even more important to check the quality of the instructions. In the manual, in fact, the information on assembly and assembly must be clear and rigorously in Italian. Furthermore, we suggest that you also pay attention to any recommendations for use. In certain cases, for example, given the presence of particularly minute components, the wording may appear: “Attention. To be used under the supervision of adults“. The same applies in the case of a game that reproduces an adult object or contains chemicals. In any case, with the implementation of shared European legislation, most of the dangers disappear. In particular, theelimination of parts that are too small or have sharp edges is crucial in this direction. But not only that: today very strict regulations are also foreseen for the batteries present in the package. And the same goes for construction materials which must always be certified and never contain toxic substances. Finally, the fabrics are also subjected to rigorous tests, aimed at avoiding their easy flammability.
The age groups
Every age requires the right toys. In fact, to have fun and learn, the child must hold in his hands a product specifically designed for him, built to facilitate his growth and development of cognitive abilities. We are talking about a continuous evolution that accompanies children from the first months of life up to the age of 14. By law, in fact, this is the maximum age limit for which regulatory indications are provided aimed at guaranteeing safety standards for toys. For convenience, we have divided this entire journey into three main age groups. Let’s see them together.
Up to 36 months
The first three years are the most delicate of all and in this phase the choice of children’s games becomes particularly important. Among the main restrictions, two are very strict. First, the diameter of the components of the toys cannot exceed 3.17 cm. And secondly, plastic products must not contain more than 0.05% of phthalates, additives used precisely to make the material very soft. Extending the discussion further, it is essential that toys suitable for the first year of age are particularly simple to manipulate and grasp. This is the case, for example, of the classic rattles to be handled or fixed to the cradle. Once the 12 month threshold has passed, it is possible to introduce creative toys to assemble, such as small wooden puzzles or plastic and animals to mount and push. All without ever forgetting the game par excellence: theball. Finally, in the third year, everything becomes more complex, the number of components increases and more elaborate toys take hold, such as interactive plush toys.Baby RadioAnimal Friends LaptopSing, Play and Dance Armchair
Most popular Clementoni toys 0/36 months:
From 36 months to 8 years
After three years of age, many of the restrictions regarding the materials used and dimensions of the components disappear. The possibilities of choice expand, for example, to tricycles and bicycles to learn to pedal< at i=4>. Puzzles become more structured and more complex constructions are introduced. Furthermore, paper and colours can never be missing to give free rein to children’s imagination and their creative streak. From four years of age onwards, educational games for children represent a valid support for learning to write. As the child grows, then, board games and those based on cards< /span>. And the constructions become more elaborate in terms of the number and shape of the pieces. Especially between 7 and 8 years old.
Over 8 years
Technology, science, history, insights into the animal world. And obviously the inevitable constructions, such as GraviTrax Pro Starter Set by Ravensburger, which allow you to develop logic and creativity. Over the age of 8, play becomes even more educational, .Star Warsinspired by the most popular sagas, including action figures and particularly complex puzzles remain very popular. As well as the magic sets, bicycles are also making their way, to always be used under the supervision of an adult. Scooters, video games. And engaging and multimedia
Toys for him, for her or unisex
If many toy manufacturers in Northern Europe have eliminated gender differences from their catalogues, in our country this goal is still very far away. If anything, the traditional distinctions betweengirls’ toys and boys’ toysremain strong. In both cases, the market is strongly driven by games inspired by cartoon characters. For girls, the world of Disney princesses remains one of the most loved, with the imagery of Frozen leading the way. While boys prefer the universe ofsuperheroes. And even moving within the same sphere, children’s games take on different declinations for him and her. Emblematic is the case of the LEGO constructions of the Disney Princess line dedicated to girls and the LEGO Batman series for children. Among the most popular unisex products, however, puzzles and board games remain highly appreciated. But scientific games, focused on the discovery of the animal and plant world, are no exception.
Construction materials and component dimensions
toys undergo great stress every day, especially when younger children handle them. Curiosity pushes them to explore the various parts, to put them in their mouths, to throw them and drop them. For this reason, solidity and resistance are essential elements for a good product. But the construction materials, in addition to guaranteeing the reliability of children’s games over time, must also protect them health. The same goes for the individual components with which they are made, whose dimensions matter a lot. Let’s take a closer look at these two aspects together.
Construction materials
Wood, metal, plastic, rubber a>toys and, if anything, must always offer easy exit routes. automatic closures. These particular structures, in fact, cannot be equipped withplay tents and the little houses, eyes and nose first and foremost. Not to mention that the internal padding must be very compact and, above all, difficult to remove. Also interesting is the case of the smaller parts whose soft fur covering must always be firm. The same goes for the soft toys should be constructed. An exemplary case is that of children’s games and that the fabrics do not easily catch fire. Furthermore, in the case of metallic materials, particular attention must be paid to verifying the absence of rust at the time of purchase. The reference legislation also contains clear indications on how toxic. are notpaints used, in all its shades of consistency and color, that represents the most widespread raw material. The first step to avoid substandard products is to check the presence of the CE marking. European standards, in fact, ensure that theplastic. Combining the highest standards of robustness and safety is certainly the first, which also boasts a sustainable profile. But it is : here are some of the construction materials used to make fabric,
Component dimensions
As already mentioned, for children up to 36 months, the restrictions relating to the dimensions of the components are very strict. In fact, by bringing objects to their mouths every day, children risk suffocating by swallowing parts that are too small. Therefore, in addition to being few in number, the elements that make up children’s toys must comply with precise standard measurements. In this sense, the diameter of the various elements cannot be less than 3.17 cm.
Most popular wooden toys:
Bontempi Classical wooden guitar with 6 strings 55cm
Smoby School Desk
Headu My First Puzzle Montessori
Playing to grow: practical advice for parents
Pay attention to the age group and the quality of the materials: here are two basic indications on toys which we have explored in depth in specific sections . But we also want to provide some useful general advice to best accompany children’s play, always keeping it safe. To begin with, the toy is subject to wear and tear like all other products. Periodically checking that there are no serious breakages or excessively worn parts is very important. In fact, a broken component, in theory, no longer complies with the safety standards imposed by the parent company at the time of placing it on the market.
In this sense, it would be better to throw away the defective product rather than try to repair it. Even the packaging of toys could prove to be a source of danger for the little ones, especially when faced with enormous boxes into which children could put their head. And again, between children’s gameselectrically powered and battery-powered products, the latter are always preferable, unless There is no parent around to supervise. Finally, it is always best to avoid accessories that could be dangerous if used improperly. In the case of toy rifles, for example, the use of ammunition that is not specially designed can drastically lower safety standards.
Creating a comprehensive toys buying guide in a tabular format involves organizing key information about various types of toys. This guide will be designed to help buyers choose the right toys for different age groups, considering factors such as safety, educational value, and entertainment. Here’s an example of how the guide could be structured:
Toys Buying Guide
| Age Group | Toy Category | Recommended Toys | Safety Tips | Educational Value | Entertainment Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-12 months | Sensory Toys | Soft rattles, textured balls | No small parts, soft materials | Sensory development, motor skills | Stimulates senses, gentle play |
| 1-2 years | Learning Toys | Stacking blocks, simple puzzles | Non-toxic materials, no sharp edges | Hand-eye coordination, problem-solving | Interactive, colorful designs |
| 3-4 years | Pretend Play | Dollhouses, mini kitchens | Sturdy construction, no loose parts | Creativity, role-playing | Encourages imagination, storytelling |
| 5-7 years | Educational | Science kits, math games | Age-appropriate, instructional | Academic skills, curiosity | Fun, engaging learning experience |
| 8-10 years | Outdoor Play | Bicycles, sports equipment | Safety gear, supervision required | Physical fitness, teamwork | Active, social play |
| 11-13 years | Tech Toys | Robotics kits, coding games | Age-appropriate tech, parental guidance | STEM skills, logic | Modern, interactive tech experience |
| 14+ years | Strategy Games | Board games, puzzle games | Safe materials, mental stimulation | Critical thinking, strategy | Challenging, social interaction |
This table covers a wide range of toys suitable for different ages, emphasizing safety, learning, and fun. It can be adjusted and expanded based on specific needs and trends in the toy industry.