I like to give kids some of the simpler, old-fashioned toys. I mean, sure, there are lots of cool new toys from which to choose, and I have a lot of fun shopping for those as well. Still, I think there is something to be said for a pack of building blocks, chalkboard and chalk, blowing bubbles, crayons and coloring books, etc. I love stuff that requires imagination, and I think it's really good for the kiddos. You can also buy more toys when you go old school, since they tend to cost a lot less than many of the newfangled options, so it can be a source of savings as well. I also don't really like seeing little kids glued to a screen of some sort. I like to see them unplug and play with some toys that don't do everything for them, at least some of the time.
With good woodwork skills you can make some neat toys which your kids will have a blast with them. My grandfather built child sized toy car made entirely of wood. It got a pair of pedals that transmits the force to the wheels in order to move. A pretty slick toy for a child.
I agree 100%. There is nothing better than playing with old fashioned toys. My kids loved wooden blocks, wooden train sets, sand toys, water toys, pots and pans, bowing bubbles, sidewalk chalk. They can develop their imagination and creativity when they play this way. They are learning for more than if they were on a piece of technology. For young children it is about learning through doing and exploration. When we put kids in front of screens we take away the joy, fun, risk taking of exploring and learning by doing. We have a generation of kids who don't take risk, lack physical movement skills because they don't play outdoors like kids used. I have seen this in my 20 years of teaching. Children lack creativity for writing or telling stories, they need instant gratification/rewards, they need to be entertained rather than learn that it is the process that is important not necessarily the outcome.
I also love buying simple and old-fashioned toys for my son. We usually buy him wooden puzzles, drawing boards and just any toy that helps enhance his imagination. Of course, he also have these newer toys, remote controlled cars and a kid's laptop. But he loves playing with his puzzles and drawing board, he can be pretty occupied when he's playing with that. I notice that I can leave him with these toys for a while, maybe 30 minutes to an hour. With a gadget, a tablet or an iPad, he'd bug me once in a while if he cannot get it to work. He also has this little tent and we put all his toys in there. He can stay there for a while, usually if I'm cooking and just play. I just check him from time to time to make sure he's okay. Since his cousin is here, they just play pretend in that tent. It's adorable actually, lol. As far as taking him outside, we do that once or twice a day... We usually bring his bike or ball and play with it there. I let him socialise with other kids as well.
The kids in my family are constantly on their iPads and playing video games but we make it a point to train them to play other offline activities as well and they also do it on their own from time to time anyway, thankfully. They like to play with their toys which honestly kind of surprises me because I think if it were me I'd just be playing on a tablet or watching videos all day so I'm glad they still are able to find enjoyment in just playing with toys and using their imagination.
My son and I developed a fascination on simple cardboard automatons we saw on YouTube. We hunted for a few patterns and we are now learning how to build mechanisms to fashion our own moving design. It teaches creativity and this is like the kiddie version of engineering. I'm also thinking of coming up with a more complex design and see if I can incorporate it with other projects I'm interested in.
Well I happen to work with children and it is pretty interesting when it comes to their choice of toys. Anything shiny or that makes noise are the best, but only for so long. That seems to be an issue with the newer toys, and they are too complex for some kids. We do have all sorts of ages so some toys work better for some kids. The older toys, though, always seem to engage everyone. They are simpler, and usually better made, and they have a unique ability to get the kids to work together, which is always a positive.
I like to have the kids outside as much as possible. It gives the kids the exposure to vitamin D and the exercise to help them stay healthy away from the junk food. I take my grand's for walks and bike riding as often as possible. They are not always happy to be doing it but it works out and a good way to make them tired so that they sleep better.
I think many parents think that kids may not like simple toys. But how many times have they bought pricey toys only to find out that the kids are more interested in playing with the cardboard boxes the toys came in? To save money parents ought to buy some simple toys too, see how their kids like them. If they play more with them then buy them more simple toys. If they don't, then learn how to make simpler toys and have the kids help. They'll like them more.
My nephews and nieces are all hi-tech with their tablets and even iPhones for his 6 or 7 year old kid, (since that particular cousin is rich) so when it comes to play time I just see them quiet and preoccupied with playing them. Just recently though, I saw my other nephew assembling an airplane toy while riding inside the car after playing with his tablet, so as long as the toy looks appealing then I think they would be interested in playing them.
