When it comes to toys, most parents agree that their kids have too many.
Often the victims of effective advertising, our children want everything, at least for a week. Then it’s on to the next, leaving the “must have” toy taking up space in the already over-crowded playroom.
While it may take a little getting used to, your child will be best served if he has fewer toys, and if those toys are open-ended toys.
Why Fewer Toys?
Of course the experts have studied this, and with increasing frequency are recommending that having fewer toys will actually serve your child better.
A recent study from the University of Toledo in Ohio concluded that fewer toys can lead to better focus, and more creative and imaginative play. Children presented with fewer toys engage in healthier play that ultimately leads to deeper cognitive development.
The Ohio study focused on toddlers, and found that those presented with four toys as opposed to 16 “played with them in more varied ways and for longer periods of time.”
Why Open-Ended Toys?
Open-ended toys are those that have no one specific purpose. The only limits on how they can be used are your child’s imagination.
One benefit of this type of toy is that there is no wrong answer. Your child can never find herself frustrated at not being able to master or work the toy in the way it was intended.
The benefits of open-ended toys are somewhat obvious. They necessarily spark your child’s creativity as she comes up with different ways to use them on different days and as she gets older.
The open-ended play that is a natural result of such toys encourages problem solving and social development and aids in the development of cognitive skills.
As Colleen D. Multari, LMSW, points out, “The more ways a child can play with a toy, the more he will learn.”
As Multari noted, there’s a reason The Strong (National Museum of Play), honored “the stick” as its toy of the year. As any parent knows, there is truly no limit to the amount and variety of play kids get out of a “simple” stick.
Toys That Will Serve Your Child Best
What toys should you search for if you’re looking to foster your child’s creativity and not have a house bursting at the seams with toys?
You’ll find everything you need and more with this selection.
Blocks and magnetic tiles: These come in all sizes, shapes, colors and styles. They are a great toy for toddlers up through grade school because the possibilities are truly limitless.
Your collection can include a big set of wooden blocks of various shapes, and a set of magnetic tiles that open up some different building possibilities.
They even make magnetic wooden blocks that are fun, but can be pricey. And of course, it’s hard to beat a big can of the traditional Lincoln Logs that we all grew up with.
Dress Up Clothes and Accessories: This can be anything from mom’s old hand me downs to complete costumes purchased for previous Halloween outings. Your child will find fun ways to mix and match anything and everything.
Local thrift stores are also the perfect place to add to your trunk of dress up play clothes.
Play Food and Kitchen Accessories: A wooden kitchen set is perfect if you have the room, but even if not, there are an endless number of food items and kitchen accessories out there that will entertain your children for hours.
The wooden items are best, both for longevity and because they are more true-to-life. The Melissa and Doug toy company has a nice, ever-expanding selection of wooden food items and accessories.
In addition to food, kids enjoy anything where they can mimic adult behavior. Depending on your child’s interests, they make doctor kits, mail carrier kits, and many other professions your child will love to play at being.
Animal Figures: The most popular and realistic looking brand of animal figures available are Schleich. They definitely are quality made and will survive even the roughest play. They do tend to be a little pricey, but are worth it.
You can get cheaper versions too at just about any toy store, or from Amazon and eBay.
Animal figures are also a great learning tool for your child, as they make every animal you could imagine, including some you’ve probably never heard of.
Sensory Tables: Sensory tables are a great place to play with your animals and other smaller toys.
You can buy something designated as a sensory table and fill it with sand, water, rice, and other materials specifically made for sensory play, or you can just make your own from a shoe box or plastic bin.
Colorful kinetic sand is also a popular sensory activity, and can be used in smaller spaces such as the kitchen table with relatively little mess.
Play Silks: Play silks come in a variety of colors and sizes. They’re a great addition to the dress up collection, and can also be used in fort making, dancing, and many other ways that you’ve never thought of but your child will.
Dying your own play silks is also a fun activity. The material dyes easily and works well with natural dyes.
And as opposed to many arts and crafts that are made and discarded the next week, your child will enjoy the silks she made for several years (or at least until they rip while they’re using them as horse reigns!)
Cars and Trucks: In addition to the individual cars and trucks, you can buy sets that include road signs, and even trees, houses, and buildings that allow your child to set up a city to drive through, or create a construction site to play in.
There are also the large carpet-like car mats that can be a nice addition, but certainly aren’t necessary. They provide one place to play with your cars and trucks, but so do window sills and most pieces of furniture.
Toy cars are also nice because they can easily be put into a bag and taken along on a car ride or to a boring adult event where your child needs a distraction.
Simplifying your child’s toy life is at least worth experimenting with. Most people report that they are surprised by the results. Less really can be more.
And fostering your child’s creativity and imagination is something that will serve her well throughout her life.
At KidsPartyCharacters.com, we’ve got you covered when it comes to bringing your child’s imagination to life at her birthday party.
With over 200 characters to choose from, your child will find the perfect party guest for her next birthday. And she and her friends will love the show her character puts on as it has the children singing and engaging in fun games and activities.
See all the characters and packages we have to offer at KidsPartyCharacters.com and by connecting with us on Facebook. It’s never too early to start planning your next party!
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