Choosing the perfect gift for kids and shortlisting a couple of toys from a wide range of options can require a little bit of mulling over. Further, the best gifting options today are ones that are not just entertaining but also educational for children. So, to help you make a more informed decision and pick the perfect pastime, here are a few popular types of toys that are suitable for all kids:

Construction toys
Toys that encourage children to create and build are the best educational toys you can find. Examples of such toys include legos, Meccano, magnetic tiles, and Meccano. Construction toys come with instructions that guide the child’s imagination. However, kids could skip the guide and build something based on their creativity.

Role-play toys
Gifting a child role-play toys could help drive their imagination and boost communication skills. Miniature food, dolls, costumes, toy kitchen equipment, and stuffed animals are some of the options that could encourage role-play and also help with a child’s social and emotional development. These are the perfect toys for girls and boys, teaching them how to express emotions and take care of something they love. Additionally, such toys help children understand how the world works by imitating your actions and those of other influential adults in their life.

Movement toys
Under this category, you could look for toys like ride-on cars or trucks, climbing equipment, and rocking balance boards. Movement toys help kids stay active and use their bodies to the fullest. So, buying such toys for them can help support their physical development and keep them moving. The toys are also helpful in building spatial awareness and a sense of balance.

Musical toys
Musical toys are one of the most engaging options for toddlers. The sounds here engage the child’s senses and also improve their social, listening, and communication skills. Musical instruments, percussion, and shakers are some of the most popular toys for boys and girls.

Wooden toys
While wooden toys may fall into other categories on the list, they have become more popular among younger children. Toys made from wood help you maintain a simple aesthetic and are also more sustainable. Further, this option is hygienic and significantly better than plastic or metal toys. A few gifting options from this category include open-ended wooden toys, wooden balance boards, and wooden play food.

Sensory toys
A sensory toy is one that engages more than one sense at a time. As a result, kids could learn more about themselves and the world around them. Sensory toys can help calm children and keep them busy while ensuring they receive sufficient stimulation to regulate their minds and bodies and process daily experiences. If you decide to give a child a sensory toy, consider options like slime, bouncy balls, silk scarves, and stretchy toys.

Cause-and-effect toys
A cause-and-effect toy is something that could help kids improve their hand and eye coordination. An example would be toys with an embedded button that, when pressed, gives a result in the form of a sound or action. Kids could improve their motor skills and rational thinking when they figure out how to press a button and watch as the toy responds. Popular examples include a round stuffed pillow-like toy, which makes a sound when the infant pushes the toy. These sounds could differ from one toy to the next. Some may even light up when the button is pressed.

Character-based toys
Most kids associate themselves with a character they read about in comic books or watch in movies or shows. A few character-based toys include playsets, plush toys, and action figures. This type can help provide a ton of educational benefits. When children play with their favorite characters, they use their imagination and create stories. They may also recite lines spoken by their favorite characters and create scenarios, contributing to better communication and storytelling skills.

Open-ended toys
An open-ended toy, as the name suggests, can be used in various ways. This allows the child to be in charge, experiment with the toy, and think of new ways that they could play with it. An open-ended toy encourages the child to use their imagination and exercise multiple areas of cognitive development, such as problem-solving, creativity, motor skills, and communication. Examples include wooden balance boards, natural small bits, stacking toys, wooden blocks, and clay.

Puzzles
You can find puzzles in all shapes and sizes, with multiple difficulty levels, making them suitable for children across multiple age groups. Puzzles can be made of materials like cloth, plastic, or cardboard. If you are looking for electronic toys, puzzles in a digital format, such as Tetris, could work. Solving a puzzle activates the parts of the brain that involve concentration and fine motor skills like problem-solving, visual skills, and memory. Puzzles may also help improve tactical thinking, social skills, and recognition.