Guide to Toys and Games

Start them right with plush toys

Everyone remembers a favorite stuffed animal companion, be it a bear, rabbit or other plush toy. Specialty manufacturers cater to the market of retail and wholesale plush toys with teddy bears and other fuzzy animal buddies.

I recommend: Burton and Burton offers the total gift experience in wholesale plush toys with a searchable online catalog. Vermont Teddy Bear Company makes custom teddy bears for new babies and expectant mothers, and a line of fuzzy-wuzzy gifts for the grown-up girl. Nancy’s Plush Toys goes a step further with cats, dogs, rabbits and even sea turtles and Arctic wolves. Binkley Custom Products supplies the wholesale toy business with custom-made plush toys.

Choose toys and games appropriate to the child

Children's interests become more sophisticated as they age. Young children prefer simple toys, while older children prefer toys and games that challenge their minds and tie in with their other interests.

I recommend: Fun Express offers yo-yos, toy springs and other novelties for the young child, while Esco Imports has continued to expand its novelties line since 1946. Hobbymega.com sells radio-controlled wholesale toys, while MITECH Trading offers wholesale games for older kids and adults.

Get personal with gifts for children

While they often "play pretend," children also have a strong sense of their own identity and like to create "their" space through what they play and how they play, as well as branding it with personalized items.

I recommend: For That Occasion offers personalized stuffed animals, backpacks, children’s furniture, scrubs for the future doctor, and a chef cooking kit for the next Rachael Ray or Emeril Lagasse. 2Blockheads.com offers a line of handcrafted, personalized gifts for children that include books with the child’s name and age, original songs with the child participating in exciting adventures, clocks to help teach time and name trains with the cars between the engine and caboose spelling out the child’s name.

Choose toys and games that educate and entertain

Children learn in different ways. Educational toys and games teach new information and reinforce lessons already taught.

I recommend: Galison’s Mudpuppy division offers award-winning wholesale toys and games that have passed stringent safety tests. Arts and Minds promotes creativity in children and adults of all ages with educational toys and games for home, school, preschool and daycare center. Learning Express offers educational toys, games, crafts and quality gifts for children at its more than 100 nationwide locations. The Toy Connection also offers a line of educational toys and teacher aids.

Shop online for unique toys and games and advice on what to buy

The Internet has leveled and expanded the market for retailers and wholesalers of toys and games, with an explosion of choice that has led consumers to turn elsewhere on the Web to learn where and what to buy as children's gifts.

I recommend: Grand River Toys and Fairhaven Toy Garden each offer a comprehensive, searchable selection of games, toys and other gifts for children on their websites, and a choice of shipping options and reasonable return policies. Creative Kids at Home maintains a set of links to unique gifts for children organized by common areas of interest. For older children and adults, American Mensa awards the best games its Mensa Select seal at its an annual Mind Games competition.