Non age-appropriate toys

It's been in my mind for a while... I see people buying toys rated for children over 3 all the time for their 2 year olds...

Chocking risk aside, am I missing something? Don't get me wrong, I'm getting a play kitchen for my two for their birthday too (although I got one rated 2+), but I might wait if I don't think they are ready for it... because I really don't think a 22 month old old will enjoy the toy as much as a 2.5 year old would, and I think it would be a shame if the kids got bored with a toy before they can really enjoy it... Same for train sets, I see some people getting them for their 21 month old... Isn't it too early?

I guess it's hard to imagine. My two still mostly play with blocks, and they still enjoy their Fisher Price tea pot the most when they can press the music button over and over... I can't really see them set up train tracks and let the train run on them for quite a while... or even pretend to cook with a play kitchen. I don't think they are that much delayed either, they scored ok at the EI evaluation... they pretend to drink from empty cups, but that's about it.

Just wondering what's everyone thoughts on it...

 

I don't think you are missing anything, I think people make these decisions based on what they are comfortable with their children having and what they feel their children can play with safely and would probably like. I have bought a couple of things for Christmas that are rated for 3 and over, but they do not have small parts that the kids can choke on.
There are some "younger" toys that my kids love to play with, like their little house, Winnie the Pooh spinning top, anything with shapes.

 

It all depends on your kids and where they are develeopmentally. If you don't think they're ready for a play kitchen, they're probably not. But they might turn that corner in two weeks and suddenly be ready.

All that said, I've never let a 3+ rating stop me since that's a legal rating, not a developmental one. Toys marketed to children under 3 are held to a different liability standard than ones for 3+. Most of the toys I've bought since my girls were 2ish have been rated for 3+ because I think there are better options in that range. We got our girls trains for their birthday at 2, and no, they couldn't really set up the tracks, but they loved watching DH do it. Then they would zoom the little trains all over- usually tearing up the tracks and giggling in the process. Now at 2.5, they set up train track loops and really enjoy building the bridges. They've had a play kitchen since a little before they turned 2 (a present from grandma) and have used it every day since they got it. In the beginning, they liked to turn the water spout handles and open the refrigerator door, but not much else. A few months later they liked stacking plates and cups on the shelves and started pretending to cook us things. Now they're into full scale cooking and will prepare entire imaginary meals for us. I think if you get good quality toys that are aimed at imagination (not just toys that light up and make noise), your kids will grow with them and use them differently at different stages without getting bored.

 

I think it's also longevity that people have in mind. Their kids may not be able to fully use the item, but they may be able to enjoy parts of it. As they get older, they will start to be able to use the item as it's original intention was. Take the train set, for example: the parent was thinking their child could enjoy the train as they know how cars run on the ground. Then at around 3, they could introduce the tracks and not have to buy anything new just so they'd have a working train. I think sometimes those ratings are a little strict, but they are based on if the child can fully use it as it's meant to as opposed to a limited understanding of it's use. That does not mean a child younger than the stated age can't find something about it enjoyable. In some cases, a child might be able to fully play with an item. Those ages are more of an estimate. Just because it says 3+, does not mean the moment that child turns 3, it will be able to play with that toy and understand everything it has to offer.

 

Honestly? I can't think of one time I've ever looked at the age rating on toys, except maybe board or card games. Kids don't develop at the same rates, so why would that rating fit kids across the board?

 

I take safety into consideration (small pieces, things that could be used as weapons ) but otherwise I go with what I think the boys will enjoy or get some concept of. I think they're too young for one of those toddler computers (I think they'd just like the blinky lights, so it's a waste of money for me), but they love music, so I'm buying them some more "advanced" musical instruments that are safe. I think they will get a lot of them right away and they will grow into them as well.

 

i hear you. but i can also tell you that there was a play kitchen at one of our mommy and me classes (as well as one at one of the indoor playgrounds we go to) and my boys LOVE it. and no, they are not advanced in any way, lol. they just have so much fun pushing and pulling things, opening things up, storing stuff, etc..... and, i think it's a toy that will grow w/children as they get more sophiisticated.

as far as the 3 and up thing, i know that's sometimes just a legal issue. but if something has small parts then of course i'd never let it near my kids!

gl, jl

 

I know they can grow into things, but don't they get tired of them? We have to rotate some toys because they just stop playing with them after a while, I just can't really imagine rotating a big toy like a play kitchen. We had to put the laugh and learn home in storage for 3 months for them to get interested in it again.