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Living in Hong Kong, you often don’t have acres of space to store never-ending boxes of toys – but Narguess has advice for the square-footage challenged among us, too. She says, “One of our best-selling items is a magnetic wall map – it doesn’t take up any foor space. It is a lovely, big, colourful map with magnetic pieces that stick onto each continent. It’s educational, is great for lots of ages, and it looks nice – I think it’s especially popular here because Hong Kong kids travel a lot and are very open to the world. Another suggestion is to buy toys that come in their own storage box or basket.”

So, what would she avoid? “One thing you won’t see in our shop is plastic toys – the plastic might not be BPA-free, or may contain PVC. These things aren’t

good for children, especially young children who might put it in their mouths.” Look for toys made from more natural materials.

“I think it’s important to buy things that are built to last. We all like to fnd old toys from our own childhoods and pass them on to our children – perhaps one day our children will like rediscovering their old toys and be proud to pass them on to their own kids.”

When you get a new toy home, is it enough to just open the box and leave the child to their own devices? According to Narguess, the answer is a defnite no. “You can’t just give your child a book and expect them to become a good reader. It takes time to build up their interest. It’s the same with toys. An adult should help the child play, discover, understand and create some fun around the toy. The emotional part of playing is the most important part.”

After that, it’s child’s play.

Ages and stages

Babies (six months to one year)

Babies are discovering their senses – they like to smell, taste, hear, touch and see. Toys can help them learn about size, sound, texture and how things work.

Good toys for babies include: mobiles, rattles, soft cloth books, toys that play a tune or make a noise, pop-up toys and large blocks.

One to three years

Little toddlers love being on the go and exploring, so they like toys that help them be active.

Good toys for this age group include: pushalong items (such as play pushchairs, shopping trolleys, block-flled trolleys), ride-on toys, a sand-pit, bucket and spade, balls, shape sorters, large crayons and paper, soft toys, story books and simple musical instruments such as drums or xylophones. As their skills develop, they may like trains with tracks, cars, dolls and accessories, simple jigsaws and colouring books.

Three to fve years

Between these ages, imagination really comes to the fore, sociability develops, and motor skills improve. Good toys for this age group include: play food, play money and cash register, medical sets, dressing-up costumes, a doll’s house, car garages, knights’ castles, a pretend kitchen, toy phones, bats and balls, a chalkboard, craft supplies, books, jigsaws, simple board games and card games.

Five years-plus

As children reach school age, they may be more infuenced by their peers and classmates, but they can also tackle more complex challenges.

Good toys for this age group include: more complex building blocks and puzzles, craft kits, models to make, books and sports equipment.

The emotional part of playing is the most important part.

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