What are the main factors that determine what toy you buy?

[sjmoroney]

Hi all, i have been given the task of designing a new toy (for any age group) as part of my design course and i thought who better to ask than the experts here on mumsnet, any opinion or information is greatly appreciated,
thank you

I have a six year old and the main factors for me when purchasing a new toy is usually whether my child will be able to use their imagination with it.

I'm not sure if I am making sense but I hope that she will be able to use it for several things and out her own spin on it.

Sorry if that's vague and good luck!

A toy where the child has at least 90% of the 'work' to do. No beeping, no flashing, no voices and, on the whole, no plastic (more breakable/less fixable). The more open ended the better.

If you're looking to buy toys read this and make sure you choose wisely as toys are made out of plastic which contain chemicals and toxins - Eluxe magazine has more on this eluxemagazine.com/magazine/playing-with-fire-the-hidden-dangers-of-toys/

My nieces love Hama beads, and Fusion beads, so when I heard of this new company Simbrix and how they're creating their own take on it I was instantly hooked. Although the company are about to do a Kickstarter campaign I believe that they are the sort of product that has the main factors I'd consider.

They're durable, colourful, and comes with no instructions which means you have to do the work every time you use it.