Secrets of a Well Made Toy

By Marianne M. Szymanski, founder and president of Toy Tips, publisher of Toy Tips and Parenting Hints
Magazine and co-author of Toy Tips: A Parent's Essential Guide to Smart Toy Choices (Wiley/Jossey Bass).

Did you ever buy a toy that falls apart easily? The well-engineered toy is a gem amongst the toybox. Finding durable toys that can last for generations takes a little bit of knowledge, a little bit of research and a little bit of luck. Before your holiday toy shopping begins, plan ahead.

You'll find some of the most basic toys are going from the plain design, ex: dolls, heavy solid trucks, slinky's (which contain no electronics) to interactive designs which contain electronic components such as infrared technology, micro-processors, sensors, optics, LED's etc. These devices are delicate and prone to shock. They must be encased in a firm, well-designed outer shell which will protect the toy.

It's better to splurge on quality, a toy is only useful when it is used

Here are a few "toy tips" to take to the toy store:

-For audible toys, speakers should be large enough to provide intelligible output.

-Tilt switches indicate if a toy is laying down or standing up (think a robot toy that walks). Many are made with mercury. Be aware that in the event of breakage, mercury could be exposed and possibly ingested by the child and this could be fatal.

-Video screens should be color not black and white for better resolution.

-Many battery compartments require a manual use of a small jewelers screwdriver (#0 or #1) to open the battery compartment for battery insertion and replacement. Be sure to have one of those on hand- you will need it often. If you don't replace batteries, they can corrode. If a battery-operated toy is not in constant use, it's best to keep the batteries out and put them in as needed. Batteries also contain mercury so if one leaks and is ingested by the child, this can be very dangerous.

Avoid toys made with magnets if there is any possibility a child may put them in their mouth, regardless of age. Two or more magnets ingested inside the digestive track is fatal.

And...remember to play with your kids with all your new finds!