What educational toys do kids actually enjoy playing with?

Oh lots. Children can make toys out of anything. Anything that helps them use their imagination is good. Most enjoy "hands on" so dress up, animals, kitchen play, dolls, cars and trucks, musical instruments, books, train sets, etc. You name it. As children grow older their tastes change of course. But like I said, anything that helps them develop their imagination and stretch their minds is great. Remember, children are individual. What one child grabs onto, another may not be too interested. But if you watch their tastes and what they like to do, you will know what they might enjoy. A toddler may like a ball, or a push toy, a 3 year old may like to play with dolls, or cars, a 5 year old may like something a little more challenging.

TEN STEPS TO FUN AND SAFE PLAY

1. When shopping for toys, keep in mind the child's age, interests and abilities.
2. Read toy or packaging labels for age ranges and safety warnings.
3. Be especially careful when choosing toys for children under three. Select toys that are free of small pieces (or pieces that separate or can be broken off), are lightweight, have no sharp edges or points and are non-toxic.
4. At home, read instructions for assembly and use. Keep product literature in case of future questions and complete warranty cards.
5. Remove and discard all packaging from a toy before giving it to a baby or small child.
6. Consider the home environment in which a child will play with a toy and younger children who may be there. A toy intended for an older child may be dangerous in the hands of a younger one.
7. Supervise children when they play and set good examples of safe play.
8. Remind caregivers, including grandparents, of play-related safety concerns.
9. Choose a safe storage place for toys.
10. Check toys at least every three months to determine their safety. Make any repairs immediately or throw away damaged toys.

EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE
Toys inspire feelings of ownership in children. This sense of possessiveness presents a perfect opportunity for adults to teach children that care must be given to valued belongings. At an early age, children can be taught to store their toys properly in a place selected by you. This prevents toys from being lost, stolen or damaged. In addition, it may prevent falls and keep younger children away from toys intended for older ones. It is especially important to keep toys off staircases to avoid falls.

If a storage chest is used, be sure it has a removable lid or a spring-loaded support that allows the lid to remain securely open. Also, check for smooth, finished edges, air holes to prevent suffocation and hinge-line clearances to prevent pinched fingers.

Other good options for storing and organizing toys are large, stackable plastic bins, smooth-edged baskets or sturdy, open shelves.

The Joy of Play

Play is universal. Children of every culture engage in play; anthropologists have found evidence of toys dating as far back as there is record of human life. Though play differs from culture to culture, generation to generation, it is clearly an instinctual, essential part of growing up. While play has existed since ancient times, only recently have we come to appreciate its importance to a child's development. Too often, we dismiss playtime as simply entertainment for our children. Yet, experts consider play to be a child's work. Truly, there is no more constructive pastime for a child. While play is the essential joy of youth, it is also the primary way in which children learn about themselves, others and their world. Through play, children develop the physical, mental, social, emotional and creative skills needed for life. Given the many benefits of play, parents and caregivers naturally want to make the most of it for their children - to choose appropriate toys, encourage positive play experiences and, above all, ensure safe play. This booklet will help you do that.

The Importance of Play

Play has an undeniable influence on every aspect of a child's development, laying the foundation for reading, writing, mathematical reasoning and creativity. Through play children develop: physical (gross-motor) skills, as a child at play learns to reach, crawl, walk, run, climb, jump, throw, catch and balance fine-motor skills (the use of hands and fingers), as he or she handles playthings mental skills, through play that encourages problem solving and demonstrates cause and effect language skills, which blossom as a child interacts with others and uses words for favorite playthings and activities social skills, which are mastered by learning to follow directions, cooperate, take turns, abide by the rules and share emotional skills, as children experience pleasure, bond with others, and work through feelings during role-play self-esteem, so crucial to one's long-term happiness and success, enhanced when children achieve goals through play creativity and imagination; when a child pretends to be a doctor, a teacher, a parent, or a firefighter, he or she learns that life is full of possibilities and opportunities Perhaps most important of all, play is fun. Years later, when we recall our childhood, it is the happy times spent playing with special people that we remember most fondly.

Parents: The First Playmates

It has been said that parents are their child's first playmates. Not only do parents have an important role in choosing appropriate toys for their children, but also research shows that children who play regularly with their parents enjoy the greatest developmental benefits. For children fortunate enough to have grandparents and other extended family members who live nearby, playtime with these special adults also can be enriching. Observe your child, take his or her lead, and offer new ways to play and have fun. Too often, parents think they are too busy to play with their child. Yet, children grow up while we're washing dishes and opening mail. Sometimes life can wait.

Toy Selection

As you shop, consider that children of all ages need a well-balanced assortment of toys to contribute to their development and pleasure -- ones for active play, manipulative play, make-believe play and creative play. Study your child, know what his or her interests and abilities are, and read labels to help you make the right selections.

About Labels on Products:

Labels on toy packages take some of the guesswork out of choosing safe, appropriate toys. Child development experts agree that while each child is unique and develops at his or her own pace, there are certain stages that are fairly predictable. For example, children generally sit up unsupported in the middle of the first year and take their first steps in the early half of the second year. These averages help toymakers design and label playthings that will be safe for and appealing to children of a specific age group.

Toys are labeled based on four

criteria: the safety aspects of the
toy; the physical capabilities of
the child (ability to manipulate
the toy); the cognitive abilities of
the child (understanding how to
use the toy); and the child's
interests.

The most common safety label warns against choking hazards. Any toy or game manufactured for children ages three to six is required to carry such a warning if the toy contains small parts, small balls, marbles or a balloon. Such toys are not intended for children under three or any child who is still mouthing objects. Other common labels to look for include "flame retardant/flame resistant" on fabric products, "surface or machine washable" on stuffed toys and dolls and "UL Listed” (for Underwriters Laboratories) on electrically operated toys.

Some manufacturers add other safety warnings to the package and/or instructions advising parents that special care should be taken. Toys that would have cautionary labels might include: science toy sets with toxic chemicals, craft kits with sharp or breakable items and crib gyms and mobiles, which should be removed when a baby reaches five months of age or begins to push up on hands and knees. In our competitive society, it might be tempting to buy a toy for a young child that is intended for an older child. This is not advisable. The age label has been thoughtfully assigned based on many factors including safety. If a child is given a toy that is too advanced, he or she may become frustrated or be exposed to a safety risk. While labels help consumers narrow down their choices, no package label can tell you exactly which toy is right for your child. Use labels as a guide, but always keep in mind the maturity, skill level and interest of the child when making toy purchases. Be especially careful when selecting toys for children under three: Avoid those with small parts that could be swallowed, aspirated into the child's airway or inserted into the nose or ears Check that the eyes and noses of stuffed animals and dolls are securely fastened and that seams are well sewn Choose rattles, teething rings and squeeze toys that are too large, even in their most compressed state, to become lodged in a baby's throat. Avoid latex balloons, which present a choking and suffocation hazard Select unbreakable toys that are lightweight, washable and free of sharp corners, rough edges or strings

An Age by Age Guideto Buying Toys

Based on child development research, the following guide will help in your selection of toys for various age groups. Some playthings are recommended for more than one age category, as children of different ages often enjoy the same toy, each playing with it at his or her own level.

Birth to 6 Months

Abilities and Interests Experts agree that even babies benefit from toys. Infants use their senses to learn about their world. For the first few months of life, babies are unable to grasp objects with their hands, but enjoy exploring with their ears and eyes. Therefore, toys that make noise or feature high-contrast, black-and-white or brightly colored images are especially appealing to newborns and young infants. Once infants can reach for objects, they enjoy toys that are textured and safe for mouthing. Remember, to avoid dangerous entanglement, toys never should be hung or attached to a crib, playpen, stroller, infant seat or around a child’s neck with elastic, string or ribbon.

Toy Suggestions

Crib gyms*
Floor gyms
Activity quilts
Mobiles*
Safety mirrors
Teething toys
Large, interlocking rings or keys
Cloth toys
Soft dolls
Stuffed animals (with short pile fabric)
Musical and chime toys
Rattles
*Remove when baby is five months old or is able to
push up on hands and knees.

6 Months to 1 Year

Abilities and Interests In the second half of the first year, infants master the motor skills that enable them to play with toys in new and exciting ways. When babies can sit up, they enjoy playthings they can manipulate - to bang, drop, stack, put in and take out and open and shut. Once they can crawl, “cruise” (walk while holding onto furniture) and walk, they enjoy things that move along with them. Toys that show cause and effect are also thrilling at this age.

Toy Suggestions

Balls (1 3/4 inches and larger)
Push-pull toys
Busy boxes
Nesting and stacking toys
Simple shape sorters
Pop-up toys
Soft blocks
Bath toys
Teething toys
Large, interlocking rings or keys
Soft dolls
Stuffed animals (with short pile fabric)
Simple musical instruments
Rattles


1 to 2 Years

Abilities and Interests In the second year of life, children are explorers. Fueled by curiosity and wonder, toddlers also possess the physical skills that make it easy for them to play and learn. A busy toddler needs toys for physical play - walking, climbing, pushing and riding - and ones that encourage experimentation and manipulation. At this age, children imitate adults and enjoy props that help them master life skills.

Toy Suggestions

Balls (1 3/4 inches and larger)
Push-pull toys
Ride-on toys (feet-propelled)
Wagons
Backyard gym equipment (infant swing,
small slide, small climbing apparatus)
Nesting and stacking toys
Simple shape sorters
Pop-up toys
Puzzles with knobs (whole-object pieces)
Blocks
Sandbox/sand toys
Wading pool/water toys
Bath toys
Stuffed animals (with short pile fabric)
Dolls
Play vehicles
Kitchen equipment and gadgets
Play household items (telephone, lawn
mower, workbench, shopping cart)
Playhouse
Child-sized table and chairs
Non-toxic art supplies (large crayons and
coloring books, clay, finger-paints)
Musical instruments
Cardboard picture books, pop-up books
Squeeze/squeak toys
Cloth and cardboard picture books

2 to 3 Years

Abilities and Interests Older toddlers love testing their physical skills-- jumping, climbing, and throwing -- and enjoy toys for active play. This age group also possesses good hand and finger coordination and enjoys putting these skills to work with basic arts and crafts, puppets, blocks and simple puzzles. Imaginative play also begins in the third year.

Toy Suggestions

Balls (1 3/4 inches and larger)
Backyard gym equipment (swing, small
slide, small climbing apparatus)
Building blocks and building systems
Blocks with letters and numbers
Wading pool/water toys
Puzzles with knobs (whole-object pieces
that fit into simple scenes)
Dolls that can be bathed, fed and diapered
Dress-up clothes and accessories
Hand/finger puppets
Play household items (telephone, lawn
mower, workbench, shopping cart, kitchen
equipment and gadgets)
Non-toxic art supplies (crayons and coloring
books, clay, finger-paints, sidewalk chalk)
Child-sized table and chairs
Play scenes (e.g., farm, airport) with
figures and accessories
Sandbox/sand toys
Tricycle and helmet
Play vehicles
Wagon
Shape sorters
Playhouse
Storybooks
Stuffed animals

3 to 6 Years

Abilities and Interests After the age of three, children begin to play actively with each other. Preschoolers and kindergartners are masters of make-believe. They like to act out grownup roles and enjoy costumes and props to help them bring their imaginations to life. It is quite common for children this age to develop strong attachments to favorite toys, expressing feelings to a special doll or teddy bear. Materials for arts and crafts are also popular with this age group, which enjoys creating things with their hands.

Toy Suggestions

Tricycle and helmet
Bicycle and helmet
Backyard gym equipment
Construction toys
Lacing and threading sets
Puzzles (10-20 pieces)
Stuffed animals
Dolls and doll clothes
Dress-up clothes and accessories
Props for make-believe play
Play vehicles
Hand/finger puppets
Play scenes with figures and accessories
Cassette/CD player
Non-toxic art supplies (safety scissors,
construction paper, crayons)
Simple board games; word and
matching games
Storybooks

6 to 9 Years

Abilities and Interests School-age children enjoy play that requires strategy and skill. Board games, tabletop sports and classic toys like marbles and kites are favorites. Gradeschoolers also enjoy exploring different kinds of grown-up worlds and like fashion and career dolls and action figures. Children this age seek out new information and experiences through play and enjoy science, craft and magic kits. In addition, this age group possesses the physical skills and coordination to enjoy junior versions of adult sporting equipment.

Toy Suggestions

Complex gym equipment
Bicycle and helmet
Sporting equipment (baseball glove, hockey
stick, tennis racket) and protective gear
Simple swimming equipment
Stilts
Ice or roller skates/in-line skates
and protective gear
Construction toys
Pogo sticks
Jump ropes
Action figures
Paper dolls
Model kits
Craft kits
Magic sets
Science sets
Art supplies
Tabletop sports
Electronic games
Jigsaw puzzles, including
three-dimensional puzzles
Fashion/career dolls
Puppets, marionettes and theaters
Doll houses and furnishings
Video games
Board games
Cassette/CD player
Books (children’s classics, fairytales)

9 to 12 Years

Abilities and Interests Preteenagers begin to develop hobbies and life-long interests and enjoy crafts, model kits, magic sets, advanced construction sets, science kits and sophisticated jigsaw puzzles. Active play finds its expression in team sports. Painting, sculpting, ceramics and other art projects continue to be of interest.

Toy Suggestions

Sports equipment and protective gear
Bicycle and helmet
Ice or roller skates/in-line skates
and protective gear
Advanced construction sets
Jigsaw puzzles, including
three-dimensional puzzles
Puppets, marionettes and theaters
Remote control vehicles
Model kits
Science kits
Magic sets
Craft and handiwork kits
Art supplies
Playing cards
Board games
Chess, checkers, dominoes and
other strategy games
Tabletop sports
Video games
Electronic games
Electric trains
Musical instruments
Books (biography, mystery,
adventure, science fiction)

Safe Play