What do you look for in toys?

[Tillylilly]

Hopefully I am allowed to ask this question. We are looking to start a business selling toys a boutique on line store and would be very grateful to find out what mums and dads look for when buying for their little ones.
I am a mum myself but they are grown up and I now have 2 grandchildren. Things have changed a lot since my girls where little and I want to be able to supply what you want.
I am very 'Earth conscious' and feel that not only that is very important but that when people buy they would want to have some sort of relationship with the people they buy from - would I be right in this?
I would be so grateful for any feed back.
Thank you
X

I look for quality and things that will last. Reviews of products are also useful. I like to find things that are a bit different especially when I shop online.

I look for good quality, sustainable materials and not 'interactive'. I really do try to buy second hand though as it seems more sustainable . I'm not your target market!

Thank you buttercup27.
We are looking for more traditional items, wooden but different too.
It is so hard finding 'different' but we are on the case.

Durability, Can it be used outdoors? since this is where my children predominantly are.

I want fun and simple toys that fire up your imagination. I hate all the plastic tat that only teaches you how to press a button.
Even though I prefer wooden toys my kids have always preferred colourful plastic.

One of the best baby toys we ever had were stackable cups from
Ikea. Now mancala is a favourite amongst minecraft and loom bands.

I don't mind spending some money, but I will not pay ridiculous amounts just because a one eyed woman in Nepal crafted something with her own feet, iykwim.

Agree, well made toys that won't fall apart within a few days, value for money. Wooden toys always seem to go down well, good for pressies

Thanks to all who have answered so far. All responses noted.

If you know of any other mums or dads who would like to comment please tell them to let me know.

Thanks again

I look for things that require a bit of imagination, that are safe (non-toxic, no jammed fingers etc), that are good quality.... I also have an aesthetic requirement - if I have to look at them on the floor I don't want them to be ugly. Hence no plastic tat.

I look for toys that are easy to store, fire up the imagination and encourage independent play. There's a happy medium between beautiful wooden toys (that my son didn't play with) and plastic tat (which he tires of easily). Playmobil and lego are both great (and plastic).

Things that are a little bit different and not available everywhere. But I don't want to pay ££££ more than Amazon prices - I can't afford to.

Definitely no to pinkified and 'for boys' 'for girls' branding.

Great customer service is important too online - reasonable postage, quick delivery, free returns, easy to contact, offer codes for repeat custom.

I look for toys that I know my dds will actually play with. I watch carefully which toys they play with when we are at toddler groups and friends houses. Other than that, toys that are open-ended and that can be played with in lots of different ways, toys that will grow with them etc.

I don't care about aesthetics as much as play value - I.e. Will it occupy them long enough for me to have a cup of tea in peace on many occasions.

No tatty plastic (Lego, Playmobile, Tomy Eggs excluded!)
No voices
Age appropriate
Durable
Captivating