The majority of us find it difficult to buy toys and plush animals for a child, especially if we are not surrounded by any kids on a daily basis. What makes it even harder, is the lack of "guidelines" so to speak or some indication of what to look for in a toy. Even if we go to a store, we rarely have a sales expert that can help. We usually get the general indication of appropriate age safety written on the label of the toy. Therefore, we usually end-up buying the latest toy that is heavily advertised or whatever the sales person shrewdly convinces us that is the must have toy of the season. Therefore, we end up buying just a toy with no real consideration.

So, if you ever felt you were in this situation, here are these five guidelines that will help you decide which stuffed animal best serves your need.

1. Age

Each age has its own stuffed animal. If the kid you have in mind is a toddler, almost any stuffed animal is good. However, as children grow older, they start to develop likings of their own so it is better to ask the parents if there is a specific stuffed animal that they will be interested in. Sometimes, kids love fantasy stuffed toys such as unicorns or they might like a specific jungle toy such as a stuffed lion. So be sure to know the child's likes before you go shopping around.

2. Safety

When considering age, you cannot ignore safety. There are different toys for different ages. The general rule is to make sure that the plush animal you choose does not have small parts that can be easily swollen by a child. Things such as the nose and eyes are to be considered, especially when buying a stuffed animal for a child under 3 years old.

3. Gender

Gender is definitely a deciding factor. The rule here is rather simple. Typically little girls prefer colorful and sweet plush toys. Cute teddy bears, little chipmunks, an adorable plush cat or plush dog would be your best choice. Little boys on the other hand, would rather enjoy a powerful stuffed animal. Stuffed lions, stuffed tigers or a big grizzly bear would be more appropriate for a boy.

4. Quality

The idea of quality is tied to the safety issue mentioned above. Although a child might not appreciate or care, as a matter of fact, if the toy is high quality or not, it is important to pay attention to the type of material used and stitching of the toy. If the toy is poorly built, some parts might come out or get loose very fast and there is the danger of the child swallowing some parts. Also, kids get attached to stuffed animals very fast and it would be a shame for their favorite teddy bear to come to pieces just a few weeks after they received it. So the point is, although some toys might be at a lower price, do not compromise on the quality. There are many high quality stuffed animals out there that come with some really good deals.

5. Purpose

Last, but not least, think about the purpose of the stuffed animal. Is it supposed to be a bed time toy or bring some educational value? Is the toy supposed to feed the child's curiosity about forest or jungle animals? Maybe they are starting to develop a passion for the wild and therefore a mighty stuffed lion or courageous stuffed tiger is the perfect gift. Maybe they are passing through a hard time, so a cute little teddy bear or a sweet stuffed toy pet would be the perfect friend to cheer them up. The main idea is to combine the function of your present to the personality and need of the child. This way, you are sure to make the perfect gift.

And there you have it! Five easy things to keep in mind when choosing a stuffed animal for a kid. When expert advice is not there, do not fall for the witty words of a salesperson. Remember to consider the age and gender of the child, their safety and of course the functionality of the present. This way you are sure to make a phenomenal present without little to no trouble!