If you are a parent, then you know that every year the news stations come out with a list of the top ten toys for kids for the holiday season. While it is true that some of the toys seem clever and “cool,” I wonder if the toy manufacturers with toys on that list are being granted favor for some other reason. Surely, the objective is to sell more toys, but we all know that those “have to have” toys are often overpriced and are often forgotten within ten minutes of your child having opened the package.
The true test of whether or not a toy should be on the top toy list should be determined based upon how long the toy keeps your child’s attention and on how much your child’s world is expanded by playing with that toy.
Let me use myself as an example for one moment. I have a three year old son. His toy chest is full of motorized cars, dinosaurs and other “boy” toys. His favorite toys, however, are his plastic set of animals that I picked up at the zoo a few months ago. Wearing his ape mask, he lines the toys up along the fireplace hearth and plays for hours. He enjoys pretending that he is an animal. I think imagination is what makes any toy a top toy for kids. The trick is to figure out what most interests the child and then to find a toy that encourages that interest. In my son’s case, he likes animals.
Maybe you have heard reports about the onslaught of childhood obesity across the country. To ensure that your child is getting enough exercise in order to prevent her from becoming a statistic, it is important to purchase toys that encourage physical activity in kids. Some of the all time top toys for kids are outdoor toys. Every kid needs a good quality bike and bike helmet. A child might also enjoy a scooter or skate board. When the weather gets too bad to go outside as it does in many areas of the country in the wintertime, try getting your child into a rousing game of twister. If you have the money, a WII™ or Nintendo™ game can encourage physical activity in the house.
Playing is about imagination and learning in an enjoyable manner. Because kid’s tastes vary according to age as well as gender, it is important to note that any toy can be one of the top toys for kids depending on the kid who plays with it. Don’t feel obligated to run out and buy the new “hot” toy just because the media tells you to. Instead, focus on what your child enjoys and needs and you will not go wrong.