Ho HO ho
The toys.
How many does Santa bring?
How many need batteries?
How many have to be assembled RIGHT away?
How many are returned?
How many are lost and forgotten and never played with?
All questions to think about before making that toy purchase for the
special children in your life.
After 20 years of testing toys, I have a few secrets to share.
1. That "HOT " toy isn't hot for everyone. Make sure that you match toys to a child's
chronological and emotional age level. What this means is that all children learn at their own pace. It's best to buy toys that a child can play with now rather than grow into. Toys are not like clothes and once a child sees a new toy, all they think about is ripping open the packaging to play.
2. Skills. Toys teach. They are meant to teach something but many toys teach more than you think. A simple doll with a cute outfit is fun to hug and hold. But, did you know by changing that outfit on and off again strengthens fine motor skills, hand eye coordination and thinking. Some children love to change dolls outfits over and over again and some just like them the way they are. Regardless, the play value of a doll enhances character and nurturing skills with each play experience.
3. Interest. Kids change their interest in toys constantly. One minute, it's a train set, then Hot Wheels, then the action figure of whatever movie character is on the top of the box office list.
Know the interests of the children you buy for. Nothing is worse than watching a child open a toy with half of a smile because they don't think it will be fun. The easiest way to guage interest is to look at what they already have and play with and either build on the idea of something that is always used (ex: A new LEGO set) or find something that falls into a skill set of a theme they like (ex: A new board game).
4. Craft sets.. Buyer beware. Sometimes craft sets look fun but make something that is not really useful and require lots of other "ingredients." The tip here is to look for value.
Don't spend $20 on an activity set that can make a craft that would otherwise cost a dollar (made). These sets are meant to enhance creative expression and artistic ability.
The best ones are the kind that teach a new skill so kids can learn it. Find sets that teach looming, painting, illustrating and cartooning. Opt out for any that do not list non-toxic ingredients on the package.
5. Frequently visit toytips.com. The site is a free tool to help you navigate the choices of toys and to find the best ones for the loves of your life!
Take a look at some of our suggestions in the December Issue of Metro Parent Magazine, www.milwaukeemoms.com/metroparent/
Happy Holiday Shopping everyone!
-Marianne
How many does Santa bring?
How many need batteries?
How many have to be assembled RIGHT away?
How many are returned?
How many are lost and forgotten and never played with?
All questions to think about before making that toy purchase for the
special children in your life.
After 20 years of testing toys, I have a few secrets to share.
1. That "HOT " toy isn't hot for everyone. Make sure that you match toys to a child's
chronological and emotional age level. What this means is that all children learn at their own pace. It's best to buy toys that a child can play with now rather than grow into. Toys are not like clothes and once a child sees a new toy, all they think about is ripping open the packaging to play.
2. Skills. Toys teach. They are meant to teach something but many toys teach more than you think. A simple doll with a cute outfit is fun to hug and hold. But, did you know by changing that outfit on and off again strengthens fine motor skills, hand eye coordination and thinking. Some children love to change dolls outfits over and over again and some just like them the way they are. Regardless, the play value of a doll enhances character and nurturing skills with each play experience.
3. Interest. Kids change their interest in toys constantly. One minute, it's a train set, then Hot Wheels, then the action figure of whatever movie character is on the top of the box office list.
Know the interests of the children you buy for. Nothing is worse than watching a child open a toy with half of a smile because they don't think it will be fun. The easiest way to guage interest is to look at what they already have and play with and either build on the idea of something that is always used (ex: A new LEGO set) or find something that falls into a skill set of a theme they like (ex: A new board game).
4. Craft sets.. Buyer beware. Sometimes craft sets look fun but make something that is not really useful and require lots of other "ingredients." The tip here is to look for value.
Don't spend $20 on an activity set that can make a craft that would otherwise cost a dollar (made). These sets are meant to enhance creative expression and artistic ability.
The best ones are the kind that teach a new skill so kids can learn it. Find sets that teach looming, painting, illustrating and cartooning. Opt out for any that do not list non-toxic ingredients on the package.
5. Frequently visit toytips.com. The site is a free tool to help you navigate the choices of toys and to find the best ones for the loves of your life!
Take a look at some of our suggestions in the December Issue of Metro Parent Magazine, www.milwaukeemoms.com/metroparent/
Happy Holiday Shopping everyone!
-Marianne
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