Choosing a toy should feel simple, but with hundreds of options and opinions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. At Sāaru, we believe toys should do more than entertain. The right toy supports your child’s development, encourages independence, and reflects how they love to play. This guide will help you find toys that fit your child’s age and personality, with practical tips to make confident choices.
Think Beyond Age Labels
Many toys come with age suggestions, but these are just starting points. Development isn’t always linear, and each child explores the world differently. Instead of asking, “What should my 2-year-old play with?” ask, “What is my child interested in right now?” or “What kind of play holds their attention?”
Look for toys that offer flexibility and grow with your child. A wooden play kitchen might be used for pretend baking at age 3 and imaginative restaurant play at 6.
Match Toys to Personality Types
Children approach play in different ways. Some are builders, others are performers, and some are careful observers. We’ve created playful personality types to help you understand what your child might love:
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The Great Pretender: Loves roleplay and mimicking real-life situations. Choose items like toy kitchens, workbenches, costumes, and doll sets.
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The Independent Child: Enjoys figuring things out solo. Learning towers, puzzles, and Montessori-style toys help them explore safely.
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The Little Helper: Thrives when involved in grown-up routines. Toys that mirror household activities or tools, like cleaning sets or mini brooms, are perfect.
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The Tinkerer: Focused, hands-on, and detail-oriented. Consider stacking toys, wooden construction sets, and open-ended building blocks.
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The Explorer: Full of movement and curiosity. Balance boards, climbing frames, and sensory play materials give them space to move and discover.
Children aren’t just one type, and they can flutter between personalities within minutes, but thinking in these terms can help you spot what excites them most.
Choose Open-Ended Over One-Trick Toys
Toys that can be used in multiple ways offer more value and last longer. Think of wooden blocks, play silks, or dollhouses. These items invite imagination rather than dictate outcomes, giving your child control over the story.
Having said this, not all toys need to fit the bill of open-ended, and sometimes you may find your child pretending that a puzzle piece is a piece of pasta. Let them use their imagination to take the lead in play.
Prioritise Safety and Sustainability
Choose toys made from high-quality, non-toxic materials, especially for babies and toddlers. At Sāaru, every product we carry meets strict European safety standards and is chosen with sustainability in mind — from FSC® certified wood to plastic-free packaging.
Make Space for Fewer, Better Toys
You don’t need a toy for every milestone. A few well-chosen items can offer months or years of play. Try rotating toys every few weeks to keep things fresh without overloading your shelves.
Watch what your child keeps coming back to — this often tells you more than any review ever could.
Our Final Word
The best toys aren’t going to be the same ones that your friend's child loves. They’re the ones that your child sparked a connection with and reflect who they are. Whether they love to pretend, tinker, climb, or create, there’s a toy that will support that joy.
