Why Traditional Toys Outlast All the Fads
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As a mother of two, I often find myself literally wading through toys. I recommend ankle boots for this activity, especially if your own children's playroom is as cluttered with plastic gizmos as mine.
The worst part: my kids couldn't give two hoots for most of their toys - all of which they had to have for the holidays. These faddish toys all did their thing like they said they would : they clanged or whistled, transformed into apocalypse-fighting robots or lit up like neon Christmas trees, but my kids are already bored. And I'm still tripping over the plastic carnage.
That's when I realised: most toys on the market are designed to entertain our kids, not help them entertain themselves. What happened to imagination? What happened to toys that kids kept close to their hearts for years on end? In short, I realised, what happened to the kind of toys I grew up with? This is especially important today after all those toys were recalled from China for being contaminated with lead and other toxic substances!
After some research, I found out that many traditional toys are still on the market, but you'll never see an ad for them during an episode of the Powerpuff Girls. I believe that traditional toys are the way to go for disgruntled parents. Here's my list of qualifications:
1. Traditional toys are made of natural materials, so they are built by artisans and craftsmen, not toxic plastic factories.
2. Traditional toys stimulate the imagination, not the "zone-out" button.
3. These toys don't need batteries, electricity, or software patches. What you see is what you get!
If you can think of any more qualifications for a good traditional toy, be sure to comment!
- Benefits of Traditional Toys
More in-depth information about the educational benefit of traditional toys.
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block toys should always be one of the first toys a child plays with. Whether it be soft foam or wood. Blocks make the perfect toys as they teach hand eye coordination, fine motor skills, and problem solving. Kids can get really creative with blocks and build super structures adults wouldn't think of.
PurpleZen 4 years ago
I think another reason that some traditional toys outlast the more recent one is that they are simple. Simple means more versitile.
Simple new toys have lasting value too. But more and more often, new toys aren't simple. Simple isn't exciting, new, or fad-creating.
Also, so many new toys are made in China. Older toys were often made in the US, making them better quality.
Great hub. Looking forward to more.