Welcome to the Choosing a Toy Guide series. If you haven't already done so, we recommend reading Choosing a Toy Guide - The Basics first. It provides general information about all types of toys. In this section, we discuss Beginners Toys and things to consider when shopping for them.
Beginners Toys - The toys in this section all tend to be smaller and/or simpler than other toys. Although they might be good for a girl looking for her first vibrator, they could also be perfect for a guy experienced in intercourse who is just getting into anal play.
Things to consider:
- Comfort is key! We can't stress this enough. Until you have tried and experienced different toys, you'll never know what is 'best' for you. So when shopping for your first toy, look for one that you are comfortable with, one that looks nice, or one that just catches your eye even if you don't know why. Sexual exploration can be scary at times (even if it's also exciting) so having a toy that you're comfortable with will mean that you'll be more relaxed when you do use it and that means you're more likely to have fun when using it.
- Don't rush yourself. Life isn't a race and trying to force yourself to attempt more than you are comfortable with is a wonderful way to have a horrible time. If you're worried about penetration, get a toy designed for external use. If you do get a toy for penetration, use it externally for a while until you're ready to take the next step. This goes for both vaginal and anal play. Massage the area, pay attention to the whole body, be relaxed, and then go a step further.
- Knowing what you're doing is half the battle. Read the articles in our Learn Section or other reliable sites on the web. Learn about your body and what you intend (hope, desire, want) to do with it. Knowing how to keep yourself safe and protected while still having fun means you can relax and have lots of fun.
- Know your toys. The toys in this section are the beginners toys from many different categories. We highly recommend reading about all the types of toys to help you learn which one might suit you best.
- Know yourself. Just because we called these toys 'beginner' doesn't mean you have to start with them. If there's a toy in another section that makes your palms sweaty and your eyes light up with desire, by all means start with that one!
- Toys for a Woman: These toys are mostly used by women either alone or with a partner.
- Toys for Couples: These toys are the best for using with a partner.
- Toys for a Man: These are toys designed for men. They can be used with a partner or alone.