I have to admit I’m tempted to tell my friends and family not to buy any more toys for my daughter this Christmas. With so many already, many of which sit neglected in a corner toy chest, I don’t know where we’ll put another holiday haul. Especially since her birthday is in February, so a supplementary haul isn’t too far off either. That’s a lot of toys for one little girl.

But I don’t want to be a total killjoy, either to my daughter or the people who love her. So instead, I started thinking about the benefits of getting new toys and what kind would be the best choices for my daughter at her age.  She’s just shy of turning 2, but even if your child is older or younger, these shopping tips can help you too.

Why Toys Are Important

Yes, it’s true: you buy your child an expensive toy and he wants to play with the box. But toys are an important learning tool for children. They facilitate the growth of their imagination, especially if you show them how to make their stuffed animals talk and walk or you stack blocks into creative patterns with them. Toys are an attention-grabber, a way to focus your child’s energy into constructive activities. You know all of this already, but when you’re thinking about gaining so much toy inventory, it helps to keep these things in perspective.

Yes, you have plenty of toys now. But your child will need new toys as she grows to new stages of learning.  The rattles and teethers of last year won’t do anything new to further your child’s development, so it might be time to trade them in.  Pack them up for future kids, offer them to a friend with a younger child, or donate them to a charity organization. If you’re not sure where to donate them, check with the Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts website for suggestions.

How to Choose Good Toys

I say “good” here to mean toys that you won’t mind making space for in your home, ones that will actually serve an educational purpose for your child. But I’m not talking about just Baby Einstein stuff. You’d be surprised how many toys can fit into this category.  When considering new toys for your child’s holiday wish list, keep these criteria in mind from Child Toys Guide:

• Age. Pay attention to the ages specified on the box. They’re there for a reason. If you have to decide between a younger or older bracket of ages for a specific toy, go older and hold it aside until you feel your child is ready to give it a try.
• Gender. This one isn’t as important, unless there is something you’re specifically against (i.e. boys playing with dolls) or specifically in favor of (i.e. girls playing with trucks). It sometimes makes a difference in the color of your toy, but I don’t really think that matters much.
• Friends’ toys. If there’s a special toy or type of toys your child always picks up at play group, consider getting one for her too. Capture this interest to help her develop whatever skills the toy encourages.
• Safety. This goes without saying. And the age restrictions on a toy are usually a good indicator of whether the toy is safe for your child to play with.
• Educational. Think about how your child will play with the toy and what skills might be encouraged by doing so.

Types of Toys for Toddlers

The toddler age is full of growth and learning, and the right toys can make these leaps turn into bounds. What to Expect offers nine different types of toys for young toddlers that encourage learning and creativity.  In general terms, these categories include:

• Moving toys. Get your toddler riding, walking, pushing or pulling with lawnmowers and grocery carts.
• Creating. Fat crayons and a coloring book can go a long way with a little learner.
• Music makers. Plastic instruments and toys that teach about different types of sounds or music (learning pianos, guitars, etc.) will get them dancing while they learn.
• Fill and spillers. Toys that can be filled and dumped out are a favorite of most toddlers, but helpful because they’ll teach them how to pick up their toys!
• Sort shapes. There are lots of styles of shape sorters to enjoy, which usually include lots of colors and sounds.
• Manipulating. Toys with switches, buttons, zippers, and other tiny gadgets help build fine motor skills.
• Pretending. Play sets, race tracks, and play kitchens are a great way to help your child learn how to use his imagination.
• Splashing. Tub toys can take the edge off of bath time, if your toddler’s not a fan. But they can also teach about letters, numbers, and concepts like floating and sinking.
• Reading. Board books, especially those with different textures, are great learning tools that double as a way to bond with your son or daughter.

So, keeping these things in mind, getting some new toys to add to your child’s collection isn’t a totally bad thing. If you feel strongly about a certain type of toy, tell friends and family politely what you’d rather see your child receive.  It’s not a guarantee, but if you’re honest and open about what kinds of activities you’d like to encourage, there’s a shot you won’t be overwhelmed with ten giant teddy bears this year.