The right toy for an age is found by checking whether the age line on the box matches that band's play: senses and safe exploration at 0–12 months; movement, cause and effect, and imitation at 1–3; imagination and social play at 3–6; skill, strategy, and interest from 6 on.
0–12 months: senses and safe exploration
A piece should be holdable, with mouthing taken into account.
1–3 years: movement, cause and effect, and imitation
The toy should answer the child's own movement or leave room to play at a household task.
3–6 years: imagination and social play
Play should not lock to one ending; it should leave room for a story and for playing side by side.
Age 6 and up: skill, strategy, and interests
What narrows the choice is the subject the child keeps returning to.
Is the age label enough on its own?
No. The same calendar age is not the same skill. A game that is too hard gets left; one that is far too simple gets set aside.
