Why are there so few toys for 2+

[BastetBaby]

There's lots for 0-1 and 1-2. There's loads for 3+.

But it's like a toy desert for 2-3!

I'm letting my 2 year old play with 3+ toys because the younger ones are just too boring for her now.

I guess it's because making toys for under 3 is expensive as the toys have to pass extra tests, so toy makers just don't bother. But it feels so unfair on all the 2 year olds out there!

Yes, I noticed the same when my eldest was that age. It was tricky to find gifts for friends’ 2nd birthday parties as well!
I assume it’s as you say, 3+ seems to be the legally required label if they haven’t tested it. I was quite anxious about it all to begin with, but ended up just doing my own assessments and judging what I thought would be safe. Now I have a 1 year old and let him play with a lot of toys that are labelled 3+

Wait until you have a second child, they will gravitate towards the older toys including Lego no matter what!

I always thought it was about safety, not suitability. 👀

I think it is a safety thing insofar as toys for under 3's legally have to pass stricter safety tests. Toy companies have to pay for these safety tests which means that making toys for under 3's is more expensive for the toy companies. It's easier for them to make a toy, skip the strict safety tests, and stick a 3+ label on it. Or sometimes is because of choking hazards (e.g. puzzles).

I'm a super anxious mum so worry about giving my daughter 3+ toys, but she's so bored with the younger toys. (She loves puzzles incidentally!) I'm just judging it case by case... Wondered if other did the same... Seems like you do!

I don't think I've ever looked at the 'age' on a toy, if it looks like something my child would like and I judge it age appropriate I buy it

I just bought whatever I thought she would enjoy playing with rather than looking at the ages. There are many toys that don’t have any small parts.

I can't say I've come across this as an issue

(Although I would point out a lot of toys say 18+ on them)