• Choose a tool set that really works.wrench image by Edsweb from Fotolia.com
  
  If your child likes to play mechanic, a number of sets of toy mechanic's tools are available, all with different pros and cons. Some older tool sets are collectibles. Whether you're looking for plastic play tools for a toddler or a real, working child-size tool kit for an older child, you have a number of tool sets to choose from.
  
  

What to Look for in a Toy Tool Set

• Look for a child's tool set that contains many of the items found in adult tool kits.tool-set image by AGITA LEIMANE from Fotolia.com
  
  Since there have been mechanics, there have been toy tool sets for small children to emulate mechanics. If your child is interested in using toy tools, look for a set that comes in a package for easy cleanup. A toy hammer, wrenches, pliers, screwdriver and a saw are all essentials in a small mechanic's tool kit.
  
  

Pros and Cons of Plastic Tool Sets

• Children are less likely to get hurt with plastic tools.boy with tool image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com
  
  Plastic tool sets are readily available. From hammering activities for toddlers to complete tool sets for preschool-age children, toy tool sets are found in most toy and retail stores. Plastic tools are either solid or filled with air. If they are filled with air, they are ideal for toddlers. Solid plastic tools are more appropriate for older children who like to actually use the tools since the tools do not bend as easily as air-filled plastic. Plastic tools are not nearly as realistic and usable as metal and wood tools, however. If you choose a durable brand of plastic tools, the tools will last for a long time, although they may not become a heirloom like a good set of toy wood or metal tools.
  
  

Pros and Cons of Metal and Wood Tool Sets

• Oils will stain wood but not metal.antique oil can image by studio vision1 from Fotolia.com
  
  Metal and wood tool sets last for many years. They can become family collectibles, passed on from generation to generation.
  
  Metal tools are an excellent option. They last a long time and do not stain. Ensure that the metal does not have rough parts or sharp cutting edges if the set is for young children. Supervise older children with tools like pliers and wire cutters. Even if the tools are toys, they still have the potential to cut. See that metal tools are made out of stainless steel so that they do not rust and so they are not too heavy for the smallest hands.
  
  Wood is a favorite for those who are looking for lightweight but durable toy mechanics' tools. Wood gives the toys a natural feel. If your child actually uses the tools to work with soil, oil and grease, tools that incorporate wood easily become stained, especially if they are unvarnished. Inspect these tools for splinters upon occasion. If you are a woodworker, it is also possible to create your own wooden tools for a child.