Why online toy stores are better than traditional toy stores

From board games to burger deliveries, everything can be bought online now. Unlike some markets which have suffered in 2020, the online toy market has risen to the challenge, offering access to the world's best toys. Step aside brick and mortar toy stores, online stores are the best way to buy your kids the newest Frozen puzzle or Star Wars lightsaber. Here's why:

1. Kids love touching stuff in toy stores - That doesn't work in 2020

In today's climate of social distancing and endless hand sanitising, kid's toy stores are a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. While you may be able to control your little one's roaming fingers with a warning of 'look but don't touch,' many other parents can't. This means their kids' grubby hands have fondled every plush toy and pressed every button on the baby Yoda toy your child had their eye on.

Stay safe and eliminate the risk of spreading nasties by buying your kid's toys online. It's not worth the risk, especially in 2020.

2. Online toy stores offer more competitive pricing

Your local toy store has huge overheads making even basic toys like a Play-doh set double the price of an online toy store. When the purse strings are tight, paying $20 for a few lumps of coloured dough seems excessive, right?

Expensive toys become affordable online too. If your kid loves toy sets like Barbie playsets , buying these sets for an affordable price from a brick and mortar store is near impossible. Online toy stores, particularly those who operate from warehouses, have fewer overheads so they can offer more expensive toys at affordable prices.

3. Online toy stores get access to better toys first

Has your kid got a hankering for the new Kindi Kid doll or the brand new Hot Wheels loop track ? If you have to wait for a brick and mortar toy store to order this new toy, your little one will be bouncing off the walls with frustration by the time it arrives several days or several weeks later. Or worse, they'll have lost interest in the toy you've spent all your hard-earned cash ordering for them.

And due to the immense competition and proximity of online toy stores to one another in the online arena, compared to physical stores, online toy stores a just a click away from one another (or seconds apart). Whereas with a physical store, you could drive your car several kilometers or even 100's of kilometers just to visit one. And by the time its taken you to drive from toy shop to another, you could have visited countless online toy stores and made your toy purchase from the comfort of home or your workplace.

There is no doubt that the future of shopping in Australia, and around the world, can be found right here on the internet. The technology is advancing quicker than ever, services are improving, deliveries are made to your door faster, prices couldn't be better and the convenience of doing your toy shopping from anywhere in the world, and at a time that suits you, is unmatched and totally addictive.

So, explore your favourite online toy store with your little one today, for a more laid back and rewarding shopping experience that you'll want to do more, and more often. So, what are you waiting for? Get clicking!

3 Tips to choose the right toys from an online store

Bounce, jiggle, educate or draw, when it comes to kids toys the options are endless. With so many online products, it can be hard for parents to know where to start. Luckily, there are a few tips to help make buying a toy for your little one quick and easy.

While no parent wants a whole toy box full of cars, your kids will use their new toy much more if it’s inline with their interests. Instead of going down the classic route though, think outside the box.

For example, if they love ponies, instead of a stuffed plush pony, consider horse-themed stationary, a stamp set or puzzle. If your kid is more interested in plastic figurines, a cute plastic horse set  is the ultimate toy. Plastic figurines of their favourite interest are perfect for those kids who love to blend their toys together when they play (think plastic horses vs. transformer wars).

As a grown up it can be hard to know where to start looking for a great kid’s toy. The best news is, you don’t have to be inventive. Simply enter your little one’s interests into the search bar and see what pops up.

If you know your little one loves one specific niche, like ‘race cars,’ enter it in the search bar. If they’re more interested in a certain brand of toy, type that into the search bar instead. Common options include Crayola, Lego and Bratz.

The best part about the search bar option is you don’t have to know anything about the latest and greatest toys. Great online toy stores do the work for you, so all you need to do is click the best and brightest new toy in the search results.

If your kid has a favourite movie or TV show, look for online toys based on the film or show. With so many kid’s movies getting revamped, redone and re-released, they’ll stay enthralled with the toy with each new release.

Pro tip: We know toys, and if you’re not into kids movies but your little one is, in 2020 they’re probably loving:

• Star Wars
• Trolls
• Frozen (and Frozen 2)
• And Marvel

Choosing age-appropriate toys for your kids can help them enjoy the toy more, plus keep them safe. The age recommendations consider brain development to ensure the concept of the toy isn’t over your little one’s head. Plus, the recommendations also consider your kid’s safety, making sure there are no little parts or pieces that can be pulled and eaten or inhaled.

Toys such as dolls, Barbies and some toy cars may have parts that aren’t explicitly designed to be removed, but can be pulled off. Toys with small moving parts shouldn’t be bought for little kids younger than three, as they can be pulled apart and eaten or swallowed. If there is no age recommendation on the box, ask the online toy store’s support line to see if the toy is safe for your kid’s age group.

If your kids are struggling to sleep, choose a toy that benefits the whole family thanks to its soothing, comforting design. You know babies love mobiles, but older kids love soothing toys too. Infamous for making beloved teddies, Gund now makes gorgeous plush toys that release soothing sounds and lights to ease restless littlies. If your kids are a bit older, a retro lava lamp can add a relaxing glow to their bedroom.

Choosing the right toys for your children from an online store doesn’t have to be harder than taking kids to a brick and mortar store. Use the tips above and you can’t go wrong. Your little one will love their new treasure.