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Choosing Boys Toys

Choosing Boys' Toys

Toys -- whether designed for boys or girls -- all offer children more than just play opportunities. A good toy will allow them to have fun AND it will teach them something specific. Don't, however, think that only 'educational' toys can be educational -- any toy that a child likes will teach them something.

For example, games that encourage boys to be active will help with issues such as physical development, motor skills, sharing and taking turns. Games and puzzles can help develop their mental reasoning skills and books can help them learn about words and numbers. Building a town complete with railway line and traffic to be managed helps their imaginative development. There are even educational benefits to video games!

But, the key thing to remember is that a child has to actually want to play with a toy before he'll see any benefit from it. This can sometimes be harder with boys than girls as boys often focus on a specific type of activity or toy. So, what is the best way to pick the best toy?

Get advice before buying

The quickest and most effective way to assess the right kind of toy to buy for any boy is to talk to him and/or his parents. If the child is old enough he'll have no problem communicating his likes and dislikes and he'll be able to give a lot of detail on what he already owns. Buying a duplicate toy is, after all, a waste of money in the majority of cases.

If keeping the toy purchase a secret is necessary then a visit to the boy's home may work as an alternative. This will help assess what kinds of toys he plays with regularly (and therefore likes) and what he already owns. If the boy has a particular interest then try and buy a toy that taps into this interest. For example, if he likes playing with toy dinosaurs then he may like a dinosaur book, puzzle, colouring book or game. The fact that he already likes dinosaurs will make him more likely to try something new and enjoy it.

As an alternative his parents will be able to give advice and guidance here. It is also really important to check with them before making a purchase in any case. There may be toys out there that the parents don't think their son is ready for or even toys that they don't want him to have.

Popular boys' toys

There are all kinds of choices when it comes to choosing boys' toys. Some current popular options include:

Vehicles and train sets -- many boys love vehicles and train sets. These kinds of toys can give hours of imaginative play and can also be extended to incorporate other toys such as towns, farms, spaceships and people -- building a town around a train station can be a lot of fun!

Ride-ons, trikes and bikes -- a lot of boys have a lot of energy to burn and will get a lot of use out of ride-ons, bikes, trikes and scooters.

Games, puzzles and books -- kids are never too young to play with games and puzzles and to pick up and enjoy a book. There are options here for all age ranges -- these kinds of toys can have a significant effect on their mental reasoning, social skills and literacy abilities as they grow older.

Imaginative toys -- imaginative play helps a child's emotional and social development. Look for dressing up clothes, tents, animals, people and stuffed animals.

Outdoor toys -- playing with outdoor toys can help a boy's physical development and motor skills. Popular choices here include swings, slides, climbing frames, trampolines and paddling pools.

Creative toys -- younger boys will improve their fine motor skills with basic drawing, colouring and painting. There are also all kinds of options for older boys including craft and model kits.

Sports toys -- there are all kinds of sports games available for both the garden and park. These include football, golf, rugby and cricket kits.

Video/electronic games -- these kinds of games are available for babies up to teenagers. They include toys with electronic functions through to standard console and computer games.

Toy suitability

A toy that isn't suitable for the age and developmental stage of a child won't do them any good, they won't have fun with it and it could be potentially dangerous (especially with babies, toddlers and younger children). To avoid problems look for labelling on the toy that sets a recommended age guideline -- a toy may say that it is only suitable for ages 7+ or for 1-3 years, for example.

Not all children will fall exactly in their recommended age range, however. Some may be more advanced in some ways and others may be a little behind at some point. In order to make the right decision talk to the parents again -- they'll be able to tell you where their child stands from a developmental perspective.

It's also vital to make sure that toys come with some guarantee of safety. The British Standards Institute's Kite Mark, the Lion Mark and a CE rating all show that the toy has been tested and has been passed as being suitable for use. Buying toys without these safety marks could be dangerous.

Conclusion

Any child will naturally play more with a toy that they like rather than one they don't really care about. So, try and buy something that fits in with an interest they currently have or that appeals on a similar level. Don't think that buying exactly the same kind of toys that they play with is the only option -- try and think outside the box to make it more interesting for them. Finally, don't forget to check with their parents before buying any toy and to make sure that the toy is suitable for their age/developmental stage and that it has a safety accreditation.