What drives parents choices in toy selection for their children?

Toys play a vital role in a child’s development, serving as learning, exploration, and entertainment tools. The toy selection is not merely about fun and amusement; it significantly impacts a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social growth. Parental involvement in appropriate toy selection is fundamental to a child’s overall development. By employing strategic decision-making, parents can enhance learning experiences and ensure a balanced and healthy play environment for their children. Ultimately, parents are the guiding force in ensuring that toys contribute positively to their child’s growth and well-being. This review aims to address the key factors influencing parental choices in the selection of toys for children. A comprehensive literature search was conducted through databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Research Gate, etc. Both quantitative and qualitative studies were included. The database search yielded 1372 articles and 05 articles were obtained through a manual search. The search was narrowed to articles between 2014 and 2025. A total of 29 studies were included. The most common factors considered by parents were socio-demographic factors, the child’s demographics, safety standards and quality, educational value, the child’s preferences and environmental influences, marketing influences and toy features that contributed to decision-making for toy selection. Toy selection is a vital responsibility for parents influenced by multiple factors. Choosing the right toys supports a child's developmental journey and enhances interaction between parents and children, promoting emotional connection and trust.