Giving Educational Toys

Toys that provide educational value as well as fun are generally more valuable to children and will benefit them better in the long run. If a gift proves to be practical and useful to the recipient, we as gift givers also get a special sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, knowing that we gave a good present that should serve its purpose fully. Lots of educational toys abound in shopping malls and on the Internet, and selecting the appropriate toys for your children can prove to be a chore if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Here are some helpful hints and tips to guide you in looking for the best educational toys for your toddler:

Let them puzzle it out – Puzzles are always favorites of children, whether 2 years old or 13. If your child is 2 years old or below, then alphabet puzzles and similar items would be best, as well as numbers, colors, or shapes-related puzzles. Audio and time-related puzzles work best for children between 3 to 5 years old. Older kids will prefer puzzles related to word forming, maps, space, and math.

Arts and Crafts – Develop your child’s creativity by giving them arts and crafts kits and supplies. Things like clay, drawing and coloring books, colored pens and pencils, painting sets, and even a basic children’s digital camera will work wonders. These gifts will allow them to use and develop their knowledge, imagination, and coordination.

Books – Books are never out of style, and the selection of children’s books that are available today keep getting better and better. They are just filled to the brim with valuable information and are arranged in a way that will be sure to provide your kids with hours and hours of reading pleasure and fun, while getting the knowledge that will later on prove to be invaluable. There are children’s books about science, math, reading, grammar, colors, shapes, etc. Older kids will also love inspirational biographies of famous historical figures.

CDs and DVDs – Another favorite gift item for children that’s sure to be a hit is a CD or DVD filled with lots of fun and knowledge. Easy-to-follow and catchy songs, audio storybooks, rhymes, and much more can be found in these multimedia marvels for children. They can even start learning a second language, or know all sorts of fun and interesting trivia.

Block Them – Countless blocks of all sizes, shapes, and colors are easily found in your local shopping mall, toy store, or in specialty shops on the World Wide Web. Blocks are actually the first educational toys, and probably also the first to be played with by your children even when he or she is still a baby. They are invaluable for teaching kids all about the alphabet, colors, shapes, and numbers. Of course, blocks are also important tools for developing a child’s imagination, allowing him or her to freely build and stack according to his own whims and designs.

Board Games – There are plenty of great board games for children of all ages to play and learn with. Aside from providing them hours of fun and entertainment while learning, board games are also a great way for parents and children to spend quality time together. Parents can teach their kids all about fair play, following the rules, how to create strategies for winning, etc.

Choosing The Right Infant Toy For Your Child

Toys have been a perennial thing in each person’s life. Every individual passes the phase of having toys and enjoy playing with it. Toys need not to be expensive and complex, as long as the enjoyment is there then its fine having a simple one. There are also toys that are not bought; they can just be made from household things. Imagination and creativity is the key in making and creating a homemade toy.

But there are times when parents find the right toy for their infant. The toy should be soft so that the infant would not be harmed. Several toy makers are always coming up with new designs to cater to the infinite needs an infant has. But of course there are several factors that need to be considered before purchasing an infant toy.

First thing to consider is its size. The toy should not be small because the infant may swallow it thus making him choke. It should also be not that large so that the infant would not have a hard time in handling it.

Second thing that should be kept in mind is toy material. Is the toy made of plastic or cotton; or other substances that is used in making it? Individuals should see to it that the material used in making the toy would not be harmful to the health of the infant.

Thirdly, the toy’s color should also be thought of. Though children may not know what color they are seeing, it is best that they are exposed already to different colors. This exposure helps their mind develop that sense of color distinction at an early age.

Fourthly, the purpose of the infant toy should also be considered. Buying toys because of its functionality enables the infant to learn and discover new things with these. There are toys made to strengthen the grip of an infant and the like.

Fifth, look at the age group the toy is intended for. You wouldn’t buy a toy that says for ages three and up would you? Of course you want the toy to be right for the age of your child.

Sixth, asking and talking to other parents about the toys for their infants can also be helpful. Since their child is older than yours, perhaps they can share some ideas on what to toy to buy or give to your infant.

Making sure of the health and welfare of a child is always the priority of a parent. So in keeping the things stated, your infant will be ensured of having a safe yet enjoyable toy. The aforementioned tips are only a few of the many things that parents should consider in buying an infant toy. They can always do some more research and keep their options open until they find the most suitable toy for their child.

Toys are educational and at the same time enjoyable, it is up to you on which toys you think have both. Expensive toys does not necessarily mean a high quality toy, there are less expensive ones that have the same purpose. Infant toys should also be kept clean at all times since it is the nature of the infant to suck on things he grasps.

Top Ten Outside Toys For Kids Under Twelve

If you are a parent then you are likely to know that summertime can be a difficult time. Parents of children under the age of twelve are constantly dealing with children who are bored. There are only so many activities a child can do inside. That is why it is important for children to play outside during the summer.

Playing outside in the summertime is fun, but many children can easily become bored without a few outdoor summer toys. If you are the parent of a child who is younger than twelve, you have a number of options when it comes to buying outdoor toys. Below is a list and small summary of ten of the most popular outside toys for children under the age of twelve.

(1) Sand and Water Activity Tables

Sand and water activity tables are tables that allow children to play in the sand or in the water almost at the same time. Most tables are divided into two sections. A large number of companies make sand and water activity tables; therefore, you can purchase a wide variety of different table designs. Most sand and water tables are designed for children aged three and up.

Average Price: $45 - $75

(2) Outdoor Water Sprinklers

For years now, outdoor water sprinklers have been how many children without pool access have stayed cool during the summertime. Outdoor water sprinklers come in all different styles. Traditional sprinkler systems can be purchased; however, large beach balls, plastic animals, and other popular cartoon characters can be used as a sprinkler system. All outdoor water sprinklers require water hookup through a garden hose.

Average Price: $5 - $30

(3) Water Guns

Similar to the above mentioned water sprinklers, water guns are a fun way for children without a pool to stay cool. Water guns come in all different shapes, sizes, and styles. You can purchase a water gun that fits into the palm or your hand or you can get one that is so big it is about waist tall. Large water guns tend to have more force when it comes to dispensing the water. This means that most large water guns are not safe for children under the age of five.

Average Price: $10 - $20

(4) Slip and Slide Water Toys

Slip and slides are known as small water slides. They have been a popular outdoor summer toy for children under the age of twelve for years now. Slip and slides work best on a hill, but with running water a child can have fun even on a flat surface. Many slip and slides are sold with a sprinkler system or a miniature wading pool for extra fun.

Average Price: $10 - $25

(5) Inflatable Water Slides

Until recently, the above mentioned slip and slide water toys were the only water slides designed for home use without a pool. Now large water slides are being sold online and in department stores across the country. These slides are inflatable and they can go as high as ten feet in the air. They come with a miniature pool at the bottom. Due to their large size, most water slides are designed for children over the age of four or five.

Average Price: $200 - $300

(6) Sandboxes

Currently, sandboxes sit in millions of backyards all across the country. When filled with sand, sandboxes offer hours of fun for the whole family. Sandboxes can come in a traditional box size or they can come as large plastic animals. Large plastic turtles and crabs are most popular with children under the age of five.

Average Price: $45 - $100

(7) Teeter Totters

Many parents and children mistakenly believe that teeter totters are only meant for the park. The truth is that there are a large number of teeter totters that are designed for backyards of all sizes. Large teeter totters can often be hooked into the ground; therefore, making it safe for older children or adults to use. Smaller teeter totters that are transportable and designed for children under the age of 10 can also be purchased.

Average Price: $40 - $80

(8) Grill and Grill Accessories

Toy grills are becoming one of the most popular outdoors toys to hit the market. A large number of companies make these grills; therefore, there is a large selection of different styles at most retail stores. The grills can come in all different sizes with talking pieces, plastic food, and other grill accessories. These toy grills allow children to feel like a grownup while they cook right alongside their parents.

Average Price: $20 - $60

(9) Children's Wheelbarrow and Garden Accessories

A children's wheelbarrow can be used for a number of fun outdoor activities. Children can use a wheelbarrow to move their toys or help their parents in the garden. Most wheelbarrows can be purchased with additional garden accessories for extra fun. Children's wheelbarrows come in all different shapes and sizes; therefore, children of all ages can have fun with this great outdoor toy.

(10) Bubbles

Bubbles have always been considered fun outside toys, but the creation of additional bubble toys have made them even more fun. In addition to traditional bubbles, there are now bubble-making machines. These machines can often produce hundred of bubbles in just a few minutes. There are also machines that can be used to create huge bubbles. In addition to bubble-making machines, there are also other bubble accessories that can create unique bubble shapes and much more.

Average Price: $5 - $20

All of the toys mentioned above are the top ten most popular outside toys for children under the age of twelve. The good news is that almost all of these toys are reasonably priced and great for backyards of just about any size. Why let your child suffer through a boring summer when a large number of fun outdoor toys are all within your reach?

By Cathy Franklen

Keeping The Kids Entertained Through Summer With Outdoor Toys

When the kids are at home throughout the summer, you may be wondering how you can keep them entertained. The great thing about summer time is that the weather is nice and it gives kids the opportunity to play outdoors. One way that you can keep them entertained is to purchase some nice outdoor toys that the kids can play with this summer. They'll enjoy themselves and you won't have to worry about trying to entertain them every few minutes. Here is a look at a few great outdoor toys that you may want to purchase for your children.

Swing Sets

If you want your kids to have a great time outdoors this summer, one way that you can entertain them is with a nice swing set. There are all different kinds of swing set systems that are available today. You can find some that only offer the swings, while there are others that offer slides for kids to play on as well. Some sets have multiple slides, some even come with mini play houses attached to them. The swing set you choose will probably depend on the number of kids you have as well as the money you have to spend on the set.

Sandpits

Kids love playing in the dirt. Why not get them a nice sandpit that they can enjoy. Sandpits are relatively inexpensive to purchase and your kids can have hours of fun in the backyard. There are sandpits that come in cool shapes, such as in the shape of a turtle. Some sand pits are actually off the ground and covered with umbrellas to make sure your kids don't get to much sun while they are enjoying their time playing in the dirt. The sand usually isn't very expensive either, and you can purchase a few buckets and shovels, and your kids are set for hours of fun outdoors.

Climbing Sets

Climbing sets are another type of outdoor toy that many kids enjoy. Do you have kids that love to climb all over the place, why not purchase them a climbing set for the backyard. Usually these sets come with bars to climb across, swinging bars to swing and climb on, and more. Just make sure that kids are careful when they use this equipment. It may be a good idea for you to watch them to make sure they are safe.

Water Toys

Water toys for the outdoors are a huge hit with kids during the summer time. There are all kinds of different toys that use water. Consider some fun water guns for kids to play with. Small pools can be fun, and there are even fun sprinkler systems for kids that can be used right in the backyard. It is a wonderful way for them to cool off and enjoy themselves.

If you are going to purchase these toys for your children to enjoy this summer, try purchasing online. You can find many great deals online and it's easy to shop too. It allows you to carefully look through the toys available to find the best ones for your kids and the best prices as well.

Educational Toys: Making Kids Smart By Having Fun

Kids are like sponges. They absorb. But the similarity ends there. While sponges absorb, they shrink and disintegrate before long. Kids, on the other hand, soak up day to day experiences and when the right mindsets are instilled, they continually thrive. That’s why it’s important for parents like you to carefully select the toys they play with. Associating fun and play with learning is a fundamental aspect of every child’s growth. And one of the best ways to make this happen is through educational toys.

It All Starts at Home

The home front is crucial to a child’s development. This is where curiosity is first explored. This is where a child learns about colors, shapes, and sounds, what Yes and No mean, and that asking “why” can almost always generate an explanation. The first lessons brought about by childhood generally come from the people around the household. That’s why all activities of your kid should be carefully selected. The right books, appropriate TV programs, and educational toys can supplement and enhance your child’s learning process, making the early stages of learning easier and enjoyable.

Lessons of Playtime

Playing is every child’s first priority. Playtime may only seem to provide pure entertainment, but it is also an integral part of your child’s mental and emotional growth. While it’s good to provide children opportunities for skill formation, such as music or art classes, it’s also ideal to give them ample time to play. Doing so, would provide the following benefits:

- Personality development
- Awareness of their potentials
- Promote independent thinking
- An avenue for creative thinking and problem solving
- Improvement their motor skills
- Enhance their ability to think and communicate
- Value-formation

Guidance is essential to bring out the best in children. But it doesn’t mean that you should totally organize the whole experience for your child. The important thing is to provide supervision and the appropriate tools for play and let your child take it from there.

Toys that Fit

Giving your child high-quality educational toys will liven up and enhance the process of sensory and learning development. The right toys for the right age needs to be considered too. A rattle wouldn’t capture the interest a five-year-old kid. Here’s a quick guide on what educational toys children may enjoy at a certain age:

Infants – The keywords are soft, safe, and colorful. Vividly colored rattles and squeaky toys will stimulate their sense of touch, sight, and hearing.

1 to 2 years – This is a stage where children start learning how to maneuver the things in their hands. They are also beginning to discover that some things are paired together. Toddlers will enjoy building blocks and toys that will allow them to identify and match shapes.

2 to 3 years – Children are beginning to get more creative at this age. They like role playing with other kids or by themselves. Puzzles, Play Cubes, and educational toys that stir their imagination are the best options.

4 to 5 years – Kids are into creative thinking and decision-making by this age. Educational toys that can help enhance these developments include puzzle games and constructions toys.

As children grow older, they become more independent in their choices of what toys to play with. They usually forego free play for games that involve rules and friends. They learn to be competitive. This is the time where parents’ guidance is most crucial. But if you’ve established the foundation by providing your child with educational toys early on, then you may have a child who’s well-developed emotionally and smart to boot.

Toys - Educational Toys for the Kids

Stroller Toys

The deliberation of purchasing baby Stroller Toys could be very thrilling, particularly once you beat the sores filled with sweet looking things which your baby will like to play with. Nice infant stroller toys even make for wonderful room accessories while they are kept in the open shelves or just when they are lying on kid's room floor. To ensure that you purchase the best feasible baby Stroller Toys remember the following points in mind:

1. Soft- Toys with soft surface, having a soft finish, are what you must be careful for. Make certain there are no uneven edges on the toys which could hurt the kid's skin.

2. Large- You must choose sensibly large toys, with big sub parts. This makes sure that though your baby acquires the toy in his mouth, he is unable to consume it down. Though, do not select for the toys which are very large which the child cannot also take under his grip. Moreover, despite being large they must be as light weighted as feasible, in order that the bay could hold it up with no trouble.

3. Strong- The baby stroller toy must be manufactured superbly, in order that the parts do not remain coming off.

4. Washable- The toys must be easy to clean, as well as if possible also be such that they do not draw too much dust and dirt. The baby will be inclined to take stroller toys in his mouth repeatedly again, as well as there is not much you could do about it. The ultimate way to ensure that it does as little damage to the child's health as feasible is by keeping it dirt free. Washable toys which do not get unclean easily are certainly very significant.

Learning Toys

Kids like video games, however the majority of games have little or no learning value and a lot of even glorify aggression. Therefore it is no shock that parents regularly put severe restrictions on the kinds of games their children can play as well as how frequently and for long they could play them.

That is not to say that all the video games are not good. Many Learning Toy makers as well as kids' book publishers have used the recognition of video games to their benefit and formed learning computer games. Kids find these fun and entertaining and adults like them because they teach kids new things and strengthen what they are education in school.

Pre-school Children Toys:

In this "Information Age", it is becoming all the time more significant for kids to turn out to be contented with computers while they are youthful. Computer games are obtainable for toddlers as young as preschool age. When your child perhaps would not be capable to do typing at that age, you could assist her study how to make use of a mouse. Preschoolers can play the games that facilitate them study the alphabet, shapes, numbers and colors.

Teach a Child to Take Care of His Toys

Children always anticipate playtime. It is one time of the day that children love. Playtime allows them to relax after a tiring day at school. It is a reward after doing their homework or after helping in household chores.

It is a fact that playing games and having fun improves children in many ways. It develops them physically. It gives them the chance to greatly exploit their mental prowess and imagination. Furthermore, when they play with other kids, it allows them to practice friendship, cooperation, sharing, sportsmanship, and camaraderie.

Kids and toys, of course, are important components during playtime. They always offer fun no matter if they are as simple as a ball or a stick or as complex as a remote-controlled walking robot. Each play session is an adventure for children, and they should not be deprived of that.

After playtime is over, however, children should be responsible for taking care for their toys. This is also part of play, to teach the child the responsibility of taking care of things that are his property. It will also teach them how to pick after themselves. Both disciplines should be ingrained in their minds as soon as possible.

1. Remember that you invested in a kid toys. No matter how cheap it is, it still came from your pocket, and you passed the item’s ownership to your child. Therefore, you have to make him realize that his toys are important. So you need to set an example. Take out the toys from their storage space carefully, letting your child see how you do it. Let him see how you clean it and how you handle it. Children follow their parents as examples. Just because it is a toy does not mean you can take it for granted. Explain to the child that you worked hard to buy the toy he wants, so he needs to take good care of it.

2. Toys 4 kids should be kept in their own space. Firmly tell the child to pack away his toys and place them in their proper place after he plays with it. To encourage him further to pick after himself, tell him that the storage space is a “house” for his toys, and everything inside that “house” are special and should be handled with care. Explain this to him in a simple way; simplicity allows a more favorable attitude in a child.

The storage space itself should be kept clean. Assign a cleaning schedule each week wherein the child cleans his own toy cabinet. Be ready to lend him a hand in the chore.

3. You need to give your child a warning if he plays or handles his toys roughly, even tough-looking baby toys. The problem with most parents is that they just let this go, believing that this is natural. Yes, but this should not be allowed to happen. Leaving the child to play that way instills a belief in him that rough play is all right. Remember that he has to take care of his toys.

If the child is particularly resistant, then take the toy away from him, effectively ending his playtime. Tell him that you will give back the toy if she plays nice.

4. Let him share his toys with other playmates, especially those Kids Toys. Then tell him to make sure that his playmates do not play roughly with his toys. This teaches him the value of protecting his own property.

7 Great Wooden Toys for Your Kids

Wooden toys are a time honored pastime for kids of any age. Wooden toys usually come in red oak, cherry, or walnut. Less expensive models may be made of pone or other soft woods.

First, the wooden airplane is a classic. Small wheels to take off and land plus a spinning propeller in the front give this classic all the character it needs. For extra fun, you can buy an unpainted wooden airplane and paint it with your child.

Another favorite is the wooden rocking horse Depending on the size you get these will be good for 12 months old all the way up to 5 year olds. This is one toy you probably will not want your child to play with unmonitored, as accidents are possible.

There's also the ever popular wooden treasure chest. Kids find all kinds of great uses for these, and it can be great fun for boys and girls. There are many different versions of these boxes, such as a toy box, treasure chest, or spindle toy chest. Children love to have a secret place to keep their special chosen treasures.

Lift-out puzzles are another wooden toy that are suitable for many different ages. They can be very educational, as they make your child think about shapes, numbers, colors, and use logic to solve the puzzle. Kids feel like they have accomplished something after playing with these special toys.

Wooden kazoos have to be an all-time favorite, especially of kids who love noise. Best of all, they are cheap for parents to buy. Second of all, it lets your kids get started early with becoming a famous musician. You may not think they are on the road to fame, but just let them play it outside so the neighbors can enjoy the latest and greatest music.

There are always the usual building blocks, stacking bowls, and various other building toys. You can get these blocks in multi-colors or natural wood, or you can even craft your own. These work great to teach basic geometry, architecture, and physics. There's nothing like wooden blocks to bring out the best of your child's imagination.

Last, but not least, wooden train cars are a classic. You can continue to add to your collection of train cars over the years so your child can build his or her own train over the years. Usually these train cars will connect with magnets and they have various wooden tracks you can lay out. There are even bridges, tunnels, mountains and everything else you might be able to think of for your child's wooden train set. Wooden trains never change and are highly durable and can be passed down from one child to another.

These 7 wooden toys are great classics that are fun and durable – unlike many modern toys. We hope that your kids get many years of enjoyment from toys like these.