The image of their little tikes happily playing with their colorful toys and gadgets is always a treat for mom and dads. That is why parents are all too eager to pick up nice looking and vibrant colored toys here and there when they see one.

What every parent should think about before buying one, nonetheless, is whether such toy is appropriate for their child's age. An unsuitable and inappropriate toy, no matter how cute and pleasant looking they may be, could cause hazards and threat to a child's safety if the parent's choice for a plaything is not well thought of. Here are some guides and pointers that a parent should keep in mind when shopping for toys for their little angels.

* Babies and infants are not yet equipped with sensibility and common sense. They just have their basic senses and impulses. This is why babies and children under three years of age have a tendency to put whatever they hold inside their mouths. So giving them small objects or toys with small parts can easily be swallowed if the watcher is not paying much attention. This could cause the child to choke and could lead to more danger. This goes the same for little balls, marbles and even balloons which are not inflated.

Make sure that the toys are durable, big and cannot be easily pulled apart. Broken parts can easily get their way to your child's mouth and still pose danger. Aside from the choking risk, one more thing you should also avoid are playthings with sharp points. Your child can easily get cuts or pricks from these.

* Although children from three to six may have gathered some consciousness and rational thoughts does not mean they can be left with any other toy. These kids are yet vulnerable to cuts, scratches and slices from toys with jagged and pointed edges. There is also the risk of toxic poisoning. Make sure to read the fine print on materials particularly paint and crayons as to their toxicity levels. Be always cautious with your choices.

* Older children would ask for more mature toys yet you need to exercise parental authority over their choices. Big toys can mean guns for growing up boys. There is an issue nowadays for letting kids play with guns as much violence has been reported on teenagers and guns. Toy guns could easily get mistaken for real ones so most child experts advise that you get them guns that are brightly colored.

Another popular choice of plaything that most older kids would want to have are bikes. Make sure that the bike is well suited for your child's age and height. He may need to drive with training wheels attached to the back until he gets the confidence and the balance of riding without them. Purchase a bike with a matching helmet for your child's protection and safety. Teach your kid the importance of such helmet so he would learn to always ride his bike wearing it.