Buying toys for your kid can, surprisingly, be quite a challenge. As toys are not only something your child has fun with, but something they actually develop important skills from, it can be hard to find the right one. Long gone are the times where boys got little soldiers and girls got dolls; nowadays you want to gift your kid a toy that suits their personality and opens up their mind, stimulating their imagination, challenging and helping them with a healthy development, away from stereotypes. Keep reading to learn how to pick the right toy tailored for your little one’s personality.

No kid fits solely in one category

Even though certain personality traits match certain toys better than others, it’s important to know, no child should be place exclusively in one box or category alone. Humans are incredible complex, and kids even more so. Their brains are like little sponges that absorb anything in their path, so try to give them as many options as possible and understand that evolving or liking new things is only natural, exciting, and challenging.

That way, when the time comes, they’ll be able to make a decision that feels more suitable for them. Plus, as a parent, you know your children better than anyone. Listen to your instincts, keep an open mind, buy them different and as many toys you deemed necessary so they can try out new things; but also take the time to identify your child’s strengths so you can grow them in a positive manner.

1. For active and adventurous kids

Is your kid super active, or do they have lots of energy to burn? Then this category is for your child. Consider gifting your kid a tricycle, bicycle, scooter or anything with wheels for that matter. If the little one is younger that that, a wooden rocking horse (or rabbit!) could be the perfect toy to start working on their balance.

Even if your kid hasn’t shown a keen interest in any of the wheeled artifacts, like the ones mentioned above, that doesn’t mean they won’t like them. It may be because they haven’t really been exposed to them, but as long as you think it suits their personality (restless, needs lots of space, dances around, curious) then you should definitely gift them something that they can be active with.

2. For patient and meticulous kids

If your child is patient, observant, tidy, meticulous and clever, you might want to buy a couple (if not a lot) of puzzles and colouring books. Kids who fall under this category don’t have to be introverts, but rather love to challenge their mind and find solutions to problems. Some might prefer puzzles, while others might lean towards colouring. This could be because a specific personality trait is stronger than another, such as patience or creativity. The great thing about these type of toys is that it’s easy to gradually upgrade their difficulty, so your child is constantly entertained and stimulated.

3. For highly imaginative kids

Highly imaginative kids are those who can play with anything. As long as they have their imagination, they’ll be able to enjoy themselves hours on end, creating their own little world and stories with the toys you give them. Usually, the less defined or specific the toy is, the better. Even if it’s something really abstract, they’ll be able to make a fun game out if it and develop their imagination and logical skills even further. These types of toys are called ‘open-ended’, and can range from wooden artifacts and balls to plastic blocks to pretty much anything they can get their hands on!

4. For sensitive and affectionate kids

Have a little mother or little father in your home? These kids are usually really caring, sensitive, emotionally mature and highly empathetic. If they have younger siblings, they’ll always be looking after them (even if sometimes sibling rivalry gets the best of them), or even if there’s a pet in the house they might show lots of affection towards them. If your child falls primarily under this category, then soft toys are a great idea. Teddy bears, stuffed animals and dolls are examples of what you can give your child to further develop these personality traits.

5. For creative, free-spirited kids

If your child is a little artist, who enjoys music or tunes of any kind, does a dance every now and then, loves drawing, and has highly-developed fine motor skills, then consider getting them rattle jars, music-making toys, a simple drawing pad and crayons, puppets, a microphone, small piano, or fun costumes. Anything that will make your little one unleash their inner performer and break boundaries (in a good way, of course!).

6. For the eager, can’t-wait-to-grow-up kids

If your kids keeps imitating you, continually asks what is it that you do at the office and loves enquiring about the things grown up do in their daily lives, why not show them? Gift them toys that mimic the objects from the real, adult life, so they can have a go themselves. Toy cell phones, keys, laptops, kitchens, child-sized brooms, mops, brushes, etc, are perfect for these eager tiny humans.

Toys can mean the world to your kids, as they are their everyday source of fun and games, but they are also an important part of where they get important skills from, skills that will be useful and crucial for them the rest of their lives.

If you’re re-evaluating your child’s toys, or feel like an upgrade of their play material is due, check the wide array of kid’s toys we’ve got here, guaranteed to suit every child’s personality! Finding the right type of toy for your little ones might require a bit of effort, time and analysis, however it will go a long way towards the healthy development of your child.