subject: Why Buy Challenging Toys As Gifts For Kids? [print this page] No matter the reason, kids love being given toys as gifts. They always have a long list of toys they'd love to have. The only problem is how many of the toys really don't challenge the child at all, intellectually, physically or otherwise.
I'm a big believer in buying toys for kids that they'll enjoy and will challenge them. That they don't know they want that toy yet is just a bonus. It's great seeing a child discover just how amazing a toy they never heard of really is.
Finding these toys is a bit more challenging at times. Take something like Capsela, which isn't even made anymore. You pretty much have to buy it on eBay or find it at a garage sale or thrift store by chance.
Kids don't know to ask for it. Every child I've introduced to Capsela has loved it, even if they don't understand what they're doing as they build with it.
I think it's great. It's not advertised, no popular television characters are printed on the box or the toy itself, and it can be used to build many different things. Build it just right, and it even moves.
You can also shop for toys that will challenge kids physically. A bike, scooter, skateboard, inline skates, whatever. They may not remember to ask for them, but if there's a good place for these to be used, they'll probably get some very good use. Then you've hauled another child happily from the television and computer screens and gotten them to play outside more.
The problem I have with a lot of popular toys is that they don't challenge the kids. There's a set way to play and too little room for creativity.
Some kids get creative anyhow, which is wonderful. But it's better yet to give them toys that encourage that creativity.
How do you find these toys that are fun yet challenging? Think back to your own childhood. What were the best toys? Many are still available now.
You can also wander the toy store or websites and see which toys you wish you could have played with or wouldn't mind playing with now. From there you can decide which are most likely to be enjoyed by the child you're shopping for.
That's key. The gifts you give aren't going to be enjoyed if you don't consider who you're giving them to, or at least not as much. Age ranges on the box are a fair guide, but consider if the child you're shopping for too. A child who has never built something with toys before will not be ready for a challenging construction toy. Something simpler may work better.
While I'm not a fan of excessively branded toys, it's not always the worst thing. If that's what it takes to make a challenging toy interesting, so be it. Just don't buy toys that won't challenge your kids just because they have a favorite character.
Don't forget the most enjoyable part of giving toys to children - playing along with them. Who says kids get to have all the fun?
by: Stephanie Foster
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