Why Renting Toys is the Best Option for Parents

Toys can often represent a major expenditure for parents. From growing out of them to simply losing interest, many toys are destined to only maintain a child’s interest for a matter of months, sometimes even weeks. With renting toys, you're able to constantly introduce different varieties to your child, without fear of overloading your space or spending a ton.

Thinking of trying out toy rentals?

Your kids will never be bored at home

The family room is cluttered up, toys are overflowing from their bins everywhere in your house. The worst thing of all is your child seems bored! How can that be? It could be that they've used a toy enough that it’s no longer a novelty, and now they’re looking for something else to stimulate their mind. You can take steps to ensure that your child’s creative juices don’t dwindle away along with the excitement of the toys. One of those steps is to rent toys. You get to offer them a variety of options to keep them excited and return the toys once they're through. The anticipation of having new toys each month will definitely keep them on their toes!

It helps you declutter the house

With toys, we think that more is better. But really, it is just overwhelming. Studies show that kids spend more time playing with fewer toys than when they have a lot of options. Having a house chock full of toys is certainly not doing the kids—or the parents—any favours. Think about the hours you spend just organizing everything! Renting toys means you're not adding loads of clutter to your house, nor are you getting rid of things and having them put to waste.

It lessens negative environmental impact

By embracing a more ‘borrow-centric’ culture, we can reduce the environmental impact of key industries through lowering demand for items with a short utility lifespan and shifting emphasis from buying to sharing. And since it’s the youngest generation who will have to live with our current-day decisions, toys seem a pretty good place to start, don't you think? Holding true to our stand, we'd also like to emphasize that majority of the KIDDOS Toys Club partner brands are those that produce toys made with sustainable materials and advocate concern for a greener world.

Subscribe to a monthly toy bag at KIDDOS Toys Club!

Here's how it works: Sign up for a monthly plan and then leave it to the pros to curate bags based on your child's age and stage. Receive a bag every month, then return an old one! Get started today!

Types of Toys that can Boost Toddlers' Attention Span

Improving a child’s attention span is not easy. It requires plenty of practice, hard work, and dealing with underlying conditions which may contribute to why they don't have focus in the first place. There are many ways to address this but we believe that toys have great power to assist with this process!

Here are some toys that can boost toddlers' attention span

Sensory toys

Sensory toys help stimulate a child’s senses. That stimulation all goes on inside the brain and is closely related to tons of other skills that your child needs to grow into a fully functional adult. These are the motor skills like writing, cutting, and zipping their coat. Also, sensory toys can help give a child the sensations they want. When kids are busy trying to get the sensations they like, it distracts their brain from everything else it needs to be doing. That’s why when kids get the sensations they need through sensory activities and toys, it helps them do everything they need to do.

Dress-up materials

It seems that the art of putting on the dress ups and then acting out when wearing them motivates even the most distracted child to pay attention. It has several other benefits too--kids create situations and scenes and act out social events when they play dress-up. They're able to test out new ideas and behaviors in a comfortable environment. Dress-up encourages creative thinking and communication skills. It also helps kids practice language development and their social skills. It could be as simple as Mom’s old high-heeled shoes, a Superman cape or a Princess dress: any child’s costume is simply magic!

Art supplies

Concentrating on an art project for long periods develops focus and longer attention spans for kids. Time-dependent projects, like waiting for paint and glue to dry, encourage patience, which is tough for most kids. Not only that, mastering skills, completing art projects, and learning to express themselves in new ways all help them gain confidence and perseverance. These things also help kids come up with positive emotional responses to stressful situations.

Puzzles

A puzzle teaches young children about the concept of a 'whole' and that each piece is a fraction of the bigger picture. In order to get to the result they want, they'll understand that they need to hone their concentration skills. Completing a puzzle also helps them with goal-setting, patience, and gaining a sense of achievement, which will stand children in good stead for school.
What kind of toys are you getting for your kids to help boost their concentration?

Is it Better for Kids to Have More or Fewer Toys?

Parents want to give their children everything. After all, how can you resist a cute request of your child having what they desire? But what happens if these cute little requests happen more often? Despite wanting to give your kids everything, one of the greatest gifts you can give is to literally give less...to force decision-making and awareness among all their choices. Yes, it’s not easy to watch your kids struggle with not getting their request granted—but in the end, it does breed gratitude. And there is no question that these lessons are most effective if you start early and consistently through their early years.

Yes, it's better for kids to have fewer toys. And here we'll show you why.

Having fewer toys improves focus

Quality of play is measured by how long a child stays focused on one toy and how they can use their imagination to play with that toy in different ways. Attention plays a huge role at playtime as this keeps a child engaged. On the contrary, distractions can cause a child to lose focus and become disinterested in play as well. Too many toys in the environment or TV playing in the background are some of the significant distractors that can shorten the duration of play with a single toy.

Training for responsibility

When kids have too many toys, they will naturally become more irresponsible and take less care of what they have. Since they have too much options and replacements ready, they will not learn to value what's already available. If you have a child who is constantly damaging their toys, it's a trick to just take a bunch away. They will quickly learn from that.

Shift their focus on reading, writing and arts

Playing with toys is certainly good for a child's learning journey. In fact, it's essential. But you can also take this time to help your child develop a greater love for other interests. Fewer toys allows your children to love books, music, coloring, painting and other potential skills. This will also keep them away from getting used to an unhealthy amount of screen time (we can agree on this one for sure)!

Less arguments with their peers

Sounds counter-intuitive? Hear us out. While some believe that more toys will result in less fighting because there are more options available, we believe that the opposite is true far too often. Siblings argue about toys. And every time a new toy is introduced into the relationship, you give them another reason to establish their “territory” among the others. On the other hand, siblings with fewer toys are forced to share, collaborate, and work together.

An option to do rotations

Having fewer toys accessible at a time helps create an aspect of novelty for a child and sparks their interest and curiosity in their toys since they have not been in their environment for a while. You also spare expenses from always having to buy new things just to keep them interested.

Speaking of which, did you know that you can do toy rotations with us? As you become a member of the KIDDOS Toys Club, your child can receive a bag of new toys which you can then return after a month in exchange of a new bag. This keeps your child engaged without toys having to pile up in the storage!

Tips for Choosing Toys for Babies

Play is children’s work, and toys are their tools. Children can best learn reasoning, concentration, and motor, social and language skills from toys. When choosing toys for a child, consider toys that are developmentally appropriate, that build on skills that the child already has, and provide a few challenges. Think this way: What does your child enjoy playing right now? Give them the tools—the toys—that will help them do and enjoy it better.

Ready to get started with choosing the best toys?

We've listed down some tips to help you find what your babies and young ones will love.

Safety is crucial

It can't be helped--kids will bang, drop, kick, pull, throw, bite, and suck on any toy you give them. To hold up under this kind of treatment, a toy needs to be durable. It is also very likely that kids will chew on their toys at some point, so they should be painted or finished with non-toxic materials. And also to prevent choking, avoid toys that have any parts smaller than two inches in diameter. The toys must easily washable too so that you can keep them relatively clean.

Another thing is to consider the weight of the toy. Avoid a toy that will hurt your child when they drop it or bang it on surfaces. It's also needless to say that playthings with sharp edges or with strings long enough to wrap around a child's neck are not advisable for use.

Make sure it's age-appropriate

An age-appropriate toy encourages or challenges the young ones to use and improve one or more developing skills. A toy that doesn't offer any challenge may bore them. On the other hand, if it's too hard to use, a toy may end them with frustration, and that by the time they develop the skills needed to enjoy a toy they received prematurely, they may have already lost interest in it entirely.

It needs to stimulate the senses

Toys are tools for fine-tuning skills. If used correctly, a good toy will do something to stimulate a child's senses like touch, sight, sound, or taste, or their developing abilities like hand-eye coordination, gross motor control, fine motor control, etc.

Find something that you will enjoy playing with too!

Your children enjoy playing with you. It's important to fill their childhood memories with happy moments with you. Also, you’ll learn more about how your child thinks and feels by getting on the floor and playing with them.
What kind of toys are you thinking of giving your young ones? Share your plans with us!

Toys that Enhance Learning and Language

Every child is unique in their approach to speaking. As a parent, you can provide them the most conducive environment to get them started. The process of language development and speech starts and home, and these are some fun ways to educate your child to speak, without it becoming a tasking activity. In other words, you can make use of toys to help them find their way around words. Let them learn an important skill while having fun!

Encourage Social Interaction

Children can develop their talking and language skills by frequent social interactions. Choose toys like a play kitchen or a play house that can encourage social interaction. What might look like simple playing with toys can actually teach them a whole range of skills, from problem solving to sharing, resolving conflict, building imagination and creativity and bonding with other children.

Battery-Free

Toys with batteries usually come with sound features but this is not what you want for your child to start talking. You want your kids to be the one to say the words or make the sounds that the toy is making. For instance, when playing with a car toy, you want your kiddo to honk the horn and say" beeeep!" If a great toy comes with sounds and noises, then just ditch the batteries

Open Ended

Open ended toys are great because they are flexible and can be used in a variety of ways, sparking your child to make use of their creativity and imagination, and encouraging them to make use of their verbal skills. These kinds of toys have no beginning, middle, or end, and can also be used over time, regardless of their age.

Developmentally Appropriate

In some cases, it's not ideal to consider your child's age when thinking of toys to get them. Not every child develops the same way. So instead of the age, look at your child's development level. If they are about to become two years old, but functioning at a 6-9 month old, choose a toy more appropriate for a 6-9 month old. That doesn't mean they're lacking in any way. It just means they need some time to obtain skills and as a parent, it's your role to meet them where they are!

What kind of toys are you thinking of getting for your kids?

Benefits of Educational Toys for Kids' Development

Playing with educational toys is the perfect way to develop a child's young mind and to prepare them for the world. As they make their way from blocks to puzzles, your child is building pre-academic and even just basic life skills in a fun way.

Let your child grow and develop essential abilities through educational toys!

Help in boost IQ

Educational toys are designed to increase a child's literacy, hand-eye coordination, memorization, motor skills, and identification skills--in a very fun way. Having these skills developed allows more likelihood for a child's IQ to also increase. While having fun, kids can have more time for more detailed learning and retention of practical skills.

Build up motor development

A child’s motor development is the extent to which they gain control over their movements. This is important because research has shown that children who fall behind in their motor development also experience emotional and cognitive disadvantages. They also become insecure, making it more difficult to develop social contacts and may fall behind in terms of learning. Colors, lights, and sound which are typical features of an educational toy, can attract more attention to a child, making them work their way around how the toy works and allowing them to use their motor skills in the process of playing.

Enhance creativity

Creativity isn’t just about artwork. It can be expressed in a number of ways--and that includes toys. Providing toys that allow your child to get creative, encouraging imagination and learning by doing.

Develop emotional and social traits

Educational toys provide lessons in sharing and cooperation, which are essential for a child's emotional and social skills development. The fact that they're playing with you or one of their peers is already proof that their social interaction levels are increasing. You'll also see your child’s confidence growing when they are able to do something they couldn’t do before (For instance, solving puzzles or building new block forms). Educational toys also allow your child to experiment with roles and situations through pretend play.

Improve concentration

It's only normal for a child to have a short attention span. However, concentration is essential when they start attending school so you will want to slowly help them improve their concentration as early as now. You can do so without forcing them to sit in one corner for hours, much to their dismay. When they play with educational toys, your child can be able to focus on a task for a larger span of time.
Which aspect of your child's growth development do you want to focus on? Have you heard of specific toys that can improve those certain aspects?

How to Choose Safe Toys for Kids

Toys are an important part of kid's childhood. Not only do they keep your kiddos entertained, but they are also designed to help in childhood development. That is why parents should be extra careful when it comes to choosing toys. There had been several toy-related injuries treated in various hospitals around the world. Most of these injuries happen when parents do not give age-appropriate toys to their children.

Most toy manufacturers follow safety guidelines for their products. However, not all do this safety protocols. Thus, it would be best that you make the right decision. Here are some tips on how to choose safe toys for kids.

Check the design and materials.

Avoid pointy toys. When you check the toys, make sure that the materials are made from plush, fabric, or foam. Toys with designs made of spikes, points, or sharp edges are not as safe as those with rounded edges. Small kids might choke with small toys. It is dangerous to have toys with ropes, cords, or long tables.

Opt for age-appropriate materials.

Children at different ages have varying developmental needs. With the current boom of educational toy business, you should be wary and rational when it comes to deciding whether the toy is really meant to be educational. It is true that not all age-appropriate toys can be ‘harmful.’ However, do not believe that some baby toys and kids toys flaunt that their toys can boost the brain development of kids. It is said that the real toys that provide education are not the flashy ones but those toys who have honed creative thinkers for years.

Batteries should be difficult to be removed.

You may find it a hassle when you need to change the batteries. However, you should be grateful that your child will not be able to get the batteries easily. It is a medical emergency if your child swallows a battery.

Why Play Matters

Play is a child’s work.” This adage comes from the early childhood education proponent Maria Montessori. This is the working principle on how she operated preschool education and caring for children. In this fast-changing world, children of kindergarten age often have high academic expectations. The question is whether play still is a significant as it was once thought of?

Here's why play matters.

Improves cognitive skills

When children interact with their peers, the prefrontal cortex develops and boosts connections among the neurons involved in cognitive, emotional, and motor processes. This is a significant process as the prefrontal cortex takes control of impulses and sustains attention. Play supports the development of a wide range of skills. Unstructured play, a game where negotiation of rules and consequences occur, is pivotal in the development of the prefrontal cortex. Play also strengthens thinking and memory. The use of educational toys also can help children in developing cognitive skills.

Enhances interpersonal skills

Play helps children develop skills in socialization. It helps them learn skills on how to handle difficult situations as they grow into adulthood. These interpersonal skills include how to converse and communicate with others effectively and how to share and take turns. Children usually follow rules which means that children do away with deception. If this happens, the dishonest child is isolated from the group while others strengthen their bond. Play also helps in children learning morals and values.

Boosts physical fitness

Research also shows that play improves physical fitness. Children get to benefit when they do outdoor, unstructured play. Play is one of the best ways for children to exercise as childhood obesity is a growing problem. According to CDC, “children should spend at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily which includes exercise, muscle building, and bone strengthening.”

Facilitates emotional well-being

Play boosts children’s creativity, mental flexibility, and empathy. It allows children to process negatives situations and express their interests. Children feel disoriented and at a loss if they feel play is being limited. They feel that they do not control their lives. Children feel their capacity to be independent if they play and find success in games.

Helps them develop skills on learning

O. Fred Donaldson said “Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” Play helps children to develop their social skills, creativity, and their language skills. Children tend to expand their imagination when they feel a sense of adventure.
Parents should encourage their children into play. Through play, children develop language and reasoning skills, encourages autonomous thinking, problem solving and other critical lifelong skills that cannot be taught within the four walls of a classroom.

Your children's safety is our utmost priority. This is why here at KIDDOS Toys Club, we meticulously choose educational toys that are not only fun to play with but are also safe and toxin-free. We only chose from trusted toy brands put their toys through testing and passed international toy safety standards.