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Playing with Toys Helps Kids to Grow

Toys are, at least on the surface, fun and entertaining distractions for children, but there is, of course, much more to it than that. While anyone with kids knows that a child can have fun with their imagination alone, there are a range of toys out there that help children with learning and development, physically, mentally, creatively and socially. Playing with toys also gives children an outlet for their imagination to flourish and a means of discovering and expressing their identity. And of course, you don´t want to spend the world promoting your children. So, lets take also a look on how to find cheap kids toys.

Toys and Games for Kids – Fun and Learning

It seems that toys are as old as humanity itself and early examples of children's toys have been unearthed from archaeological sites of ancient cultures the whole world over. They played an important and central part of the rite of passage for girls in Ancient Greece who, on the eve of their wedding night, would sacrifice their dolls to the gods in order to enter womanhood.

Toys, as we know them today, really began to take shape during the Enlightenment period as social attitudes towards childhood changed. Throughout the 19th century, toys took on a more educational focus, and as the middle class grew, as did demand for kid's toys and with it, the industrial methods of toy manufacture.

The various technological developments throughout the 20th century saw enormous developments in toy manufacture. The invention of new materials that could be used in toy production, such as plastic, made toys more affordable and they became ubiquitous in homes throughout the West. As the century progressed, ever closer global integration has made toys such as

Lego, Barbie and Action Man household names across the planet, and as technology continues to develop, it's certain that toys will go with it.

Different Types of Children's Toys

• Action figures – Poseable figurines, usually made from plastic and based on popular characters from films, books, television or video games.

• Antique and second-hand toys –From valuable collectibles to antiques to ubiquitous household toys and games that are gathering dust in an attic, there is a whole world of toys available that fall into this category.

• Arts & crafts and educational toys –Toys that are designed and marketed as having an educational or creative value for children.

• Baby, toddler & pre-school toys –Toys specifically aimed at 0-4 year olds. Usually, these toys have a more overt developmental focus.

• Building sets and blocks – From wooden bricks to Lego, these kinds of toy help children to test their motor and spatial skills, hand-eye coordination, divergent thinking and social skills.

• Dolls, stuffed animals and dress up – From rag dolls to teddy bears to fancy dress, they teach children to nurture and let them play "grown-ups" at the same time.

• Electronics and computer games –A firm favourite that needs no introduction. Video games are great for testing reflexes, lateral thinking and puzzle solving, but it's easy for a child to spend too long in front of them.

• Games and puzzles – Great for helping develop strategy and forward thinking, these toys are much more about exercising the brain than the body.

• Toy kitchen sets –Replica kitchenettes. Traditionally aimed at girls, though it's good to teach boys to cook too.

• Toy vehicles –Miniature replicas of vehicles. Traditionally a boy's toy, though girls enjoy them too. Some toy vehicles are big enough for a child to sit in and play at being "driver".

• Outdoor toys – From bicycles to trampolines to paddling pools, these toys help keep kids active and fit, as well as having social benefits.

Hot Wheels Cars

Toys for Children of Different Age Groups

There have been countless numbers of studies into the subject of child development. Most research points to various milestones that children meet at different ages, and as parents, you will want to get toys that are age appropriate to help your child grow socially, physically and mentally. Here is a brief breakdown of the recommendations made by child development experts, based on a child's age and what will help them to develop.

• 0-6 months old – Babies benefit greatly from toys, helping them learn to use their senses of sight, sound and touch to discover the world around them. Top toy suggestions for this age group include hanging mobiles, stuffed animals, activity quilts and rattles.

• 6 months to 1 year old –By this age, infants are mastering their motor skills, allowing them to play and interact with toys in exciting new ways. Toys that move or show cause and effect are fun for kids this age, such as balls, pop-up toys, busy boxes and simple shape sorters.

• 1-2 years old –In their second year, kids tend to explore their surroundings more, fuelled by a heady mix of wonder and curiosity. It's at this age that they begin imitating adults, and toys like musical instruments, play vehicles, pop-up books and pretend household items (phones, workbenches, kitchens etc.) are a great idea.

• 2-3 years old –Older toddlers enjoy testing the physical skills they've just learned, and the third year usually sees the imagination come out to play in a much bigger way. It's the right age to put their skills to work with puzzles, blocks and basic arts and crafts.

• 3-6 years old –Kid start playing more actively with each other at this age and acting out adult roles by dressing up in costumes and playing out "real life" scenarios. Recommended toys for this age group include simple board games, play scenes, puzzles and props for make-believe.

• 6-9 years old –Toys that require elements of skill and strategy are great for children of school-age. At this age, kids are always seeking new experiences and information. Magic kits, action figures, science sets and board games are perfect for this stage of development.

• 9-12 years old –During the pre-teen years, children begin to start hobbies and develop life-long interests. Electronic games, strategy board games (chess, dominoes, backgammon etc.), model kits and musical instruments are a few recommendations for this age group.

Toys for Boys and Girls

Toys are an important factor in defining a child's perception of gender roles. If parents buy a girl dolls, kitchenettes, make-up, pink princess dresses and high heeled shoes, they are giving a specific set of messages. If in turn, they buy a boy action figures, chemistry sets, toy cars and building blocks, they send another set of messages. Children learn through play and to some degree, the toys with which they play determine the skills and roles they learn.

In recent years, shifting social attitudes, as well as a growing awareness of the issues surrounding gender identity and gender stereotyping have made this distinction less rigid. Much research has been done on the subject of kid's toys and gender-stereotyping, and a general consensus appears to be emerging that, for a child to develop in a more holistic fashion, it's good for them to have access to both traditionally "masculine" and "feminine" toys. On a practical level, it's great for learning and development, after all, a boy becomes a man, and a grown man shouldn't be afraid of the kitchen in this day and age. But it also plays an important part in social development and contributes to a deeper understanding of the oft-remarked-upon gap between the sexes.

LEGO: Inspire Imagination

Materials and Toy Safety

Over the years, toys have been made from a variety of different materials, from the early days of wood, cloth and metal, to the pervasive plastic of modern times. Whatever a toy is made from, the most important factor for parents must be that it's safe for their child. Kids have a habit of putting things in their mouth, so it's imperative that their toys are not poisonous or harmful to a child's development.

In recent years, there have been mounting concerns about toxic chemicals used in toy manufacture, especially in those toys that are made in China. Around 85% of the world's toys come from China, and despite the Chinese government introducing regulation of the country's toy industry in 2007, there have been several high-profile toy recalls since then covered in the media, leading many parent groups to claim that Chinese regulation does not go far enough and is also not sufficiently enforced. In 2011, research carried out by Greenpeace found that around 30% of Chinese-made toys contain heavy metals and 10% contain excessive traces of lead.

Toys produced in the European Union must adhere to very strict regulations about what can and can't be used in their manufacture. The EU's Toy Safety Directive spells out a list of requirements that toys must comply with before they can be released onto the market and marketed as being safe for children. All EU-made products that comply with the Directive receive a CE Mark, a compulsory requirement and one that many parents look for in the toys that they buy for their children.

Good Toys: 6 Things to Look for

Both research and experience place an emphasis on five factors to thinking about when choosing a toy for your child.

1. Price –Does it fit your budget? Is it a good offer?

2. Design – Is the toy easy to use and understand? Is it visually interesting? Has it been well thought out in terms of its design?

3. Play worth – Does it teach a new skill? Foster a child's creativity and hold their interest?

4. Quality – Is the toy safe? Is it durable? Does it have a CE Mark? Is it soft, especially for very young children?

5. Values – Does it promote environmental, social or community awareness?

6. Appropriateness – Does it fit the age, abilities and interests of your child?

If the answer to all these questions is a yes, then you can go ahead and buy it in the knowledge that it's the right kind of toy for your child.

Who's Who in the Toy World

If you're looking for a big-name brand toy, but you're stuck for ideas, here's a few of the biggest names in children's toys to give you some inspiration.

• Playmobil: This German company have been a household name since the 1970s when their now instantly recognisable product first hit the market.

• MGA Entertainment: Not a household name in itself until the word "Bratz" is mentioned.

• Hasbro: Founded in 1923 by the Hassenfeld Brothers (Has-bro), they have brought the world Transformers, My Little Pony, Action Man and Play Doh.

• Mattel: Founded in 1945, Mattel are one of the world's best-known toy companies, making favourites like Barbie, Fisher Price, WWE figurines and the card game Uno.

• LEGO: These little bricks from Denmark have been part of the world since 1949. Loved by kids and adults alike, it's fun and creative and in 2015, LEGO surpassed Mattel to become the biggest toy brand in the world.

Saving Big on Toy Purchases with These Tricks

Put very generally, the best time to buy toys or, at least, the one that causes the least damage to your wallet, is in the run up to Christmas. Black Friday usually marks the beginning of the period where you can find the best offers on cheap toys up to the January Sales after the Christmas rush. Big merchants like Toys R Us, Hamley's and Smyths Toys are hosting moreover toy sales throughout the year. And of course, you don't have to navigate through the crowded high streets to find bargain toys, the best places to find cheap toys online are e.g. ELC or Argos.

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