Kaleidoscope Toys Top Ten Toys

(With an extra bonus)

WOODEN BLOCKS

(AGES 2 AND UP)

INTERACTIVE – they are just expensive pieces of lumber until a child picks one up

OPEN-ENDED – from stacking to building, there’s no wrong way to play

CREATIVE – with endless possibilities for play, the child’s imagination creates the toy

BONUS – quality blocks last forever and will be enjoyed by your grandchildren just as much as your children

PUPPETS

(ALL AGES)

INTERACTIVE – the puppet doesn’t work until you put your hand inside and move it

OPEN-ENDED – you give it the voice, the actions and the directions

CREATIVE – develops fantasy and role play skills

BONUS – puppets are great for families of multiple ages; your 9-yr old will even play with your 2-yr old

LEGO®

(AGES 5 TO 12)

INTERACTIVE – teaches fine motor skills through building and following directions

OPEN-ENDED – you can build the model shown or make up your own creations

CREATIVE – combines both creative building and creative role playing in one toy

BONUS – every time you buy a new Lego® set you make the “old” Lego® new again

DRESS-UP CLOTHES

(ALL AGES)

INTERACTIVE – without a child inside, dress-up clothes are just glorified rags

OPEN-ENDED – role-play has no structure other than what child develops on his/her own

CREATIVE – with each costume the child creates whole new worlds of make-believe

BONUS – probably one of the easiest toys to make or get

SCIENCE KITS

(AGES 5 AND UP)

INTERACTIVE – challenging fun while following the instructions included

OPEN-ENDED – they are after all Experiments. So experiment!

CREATIVE – follow the directions, then see what else you can do to get different results

BONUS – these are skills that the child will use all the way through college

WOODEN TRAINS

(AGES 3 TO 10)

INTERACTIVE – skip the battery-operated trains, the manual trains make this toy fun

OPEN-ENDED – you can be the track builder, engineer, passenger on a ride, or just the storyteller

CREATIVE – different elements of creativity from layout design to role playing

BONUS – offers progressive skills as each age group “plays” differently

PLAYMOBIL®

(AGES 4 TO 10)

INTERACTIVE – many moveable parts and accessories that require manual operation

OPEN-ENDED – although limited in what you build, there is no limit to how you play

CREATIVE – develops imagination through role playing

BONUS – quality and attention to detail keep child’s interest in the toy for long time

DOLLS

(AGES 3 TO 10)

INTERACTIVE – rule of thumb: the less it does by itself, the more a doll is loved

OPEN-ENDED – some dolls are the child’s baby, some her friend, and some her dream

CREATIVE – a doll’s life is only limited by the mind of the child who plays with it

BONUS – watching your child’s interaction with dolls helps you reinforce positive behavior patterns

CARS and TRUCKS

(AGES 3 AND UP)

INTERACTIVE –no motors necessary, just an active child and lots of vroom, vroom

OPEN-ENDED – some cars drive, some talk, some line up by color, others by style

CREATIVE – no end to the designs, no end to the uses, no end to the creativity

BONUS – new cars are cheap enough that kids can buy with their own allowance which helps teach

fiscal responsibility

ARTS and CRAFT KITS

(AGES 3 AND UP)

INTERACTIVE –gives you both the means and motivation to do the activities described

OPEN-ENDED –teaches the skills, how you use those skills is up to you

CREATIVE – many activities are skills where the design is of your own creation

BONUS – they are great for older children and even adults, and the skills last a lifetime

BOARD GAMES

(AGES 3 AND UP)

INTERACTIVE – it’s hard to play most games by yourself

OPEN-ENDED –don’t like the rules given? Change them to fit the age and group you are playing with

CREATIVE – combines logic thinking, strategy, memory and interaction for a creative good time

BONUS – Uses the brain so builds up skills that you will use daily no matter the age