A simple guide to help you choose the right toy for your child's age and stage. Below you will find a measurement guide, an age-by-age breakdown, and the products that fit best with each stage.
How to Read Our Sizes
Every product page lists the toy's size so you know exactly what arrives. Most measurements follow the L × W × H format (length, width, height). Some toys list a single number when only one dimension matters - the diameter of a rainbow, the height of a stacker, the length of a soft animal.
Inches to Centimetres - Quick Reference
| Inches | Centimetres | About the size of |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 5 cm | A walnut |
| 4 in | 10 cm | A credit card |
| 6 in | 15 cm | An adult hand |
| 8 in | 20 cm | A small dinner plate |
| 12 in | 30 cm | A sheet of A4 paper |
| 18 in | 46 cm | A laptop opened |
Baby · 0 to 12 Months
At this stage babies are learning to grip, focus their eyes, and find comfort in soft textures. We recommend toys that are easy to hold, safe to mouth, and visually gentle. Look for soft, flexible teething toys, slow-moving mobiles, and lightweight items a baby can hold without dropping.
Toddler · 1 to 3 Years
Toddlers love to stack, sort, knock over, and start again. This is the stage where chunky wooden shapes, simple colour patterns, and soft animal companions shine. We recommend pieces that are large enough to grip easily and sturdy enough to survive a drop. Adult supervision is always recommended for sets with smaller pieces.
Preschool · 3 to 5+ Years
Around three years old, children start telling stories with their toys. They want a kitchen to cook in, a house to fill with families, a truck to drive around the rug. This is where detailed playsets, pretend food, and miniature furniture come in. Pieces can be smaller and more detailed - children at this age can handle them confidently.
Tips for Picking the Right Size
- Compare to a hand: For toddlers, pick pieces large enough to fill a small hand. For older children, smaller and more detailed pieces work well.
- Check both units: We list sizes in inches or centimetres. Use the table above to convert, or compare to an everyday object.
- Check the photos: Product images often show the toy held in a hand or next to other objects. That's the fastest way to judge real scale.
A Note on Safety
Age recommendations are guides, not rules - you know your child best. Some toys contain small pieces or movable parts depending on the set. Please use with adult supervision and keep small parts away from children under 3 years where indicated. Always review the product description and images before purchase.
Not Sure Which Size Is Right?
Send us a quick message - we'd love to help you pick the right toy for the right child. Reach us at support@niwini.com.