Educational Toys

In the quest of building your child's intellect, you will not need to purchase a wide array of toys to meet the needs of your child. While there are many excellent educational toys on the market, there are also many items already in your home that can be successfully used as teaching aids. Through the creative use of items commonly found in and around your home, you and your children will find many opportunities to play and learn together. Any of the following items (or dozens you and your child will think of on your own) can be used as “toys” depending on your child’s age and developmental stage: plastic cups, wooden or metal spoons, pans, shoes, brushes, uncooked pasta, washcloths, soap and water, calculators, rocks, boxes, newspaper, squirt bottles, magnets, dirt, trees, paper plates, mops, blankets, lids, sponges, and blocks of wood. The possibilities for play and learning are endless! Be sure that any items you use are age-appropriate and safe for your child to handle, whack, twist, or otherwise manipulate to the utmost limit. For very young children, avoid anything with small parts, parts that could break off or anything that could entangle a child.


If you are considering purchasing some play items to supplement the host of items already available in your home, here are a few simple suggestions that have proven to be worth the money for the long haul: a sandbox, a swing set, a white board and set of colored dry erase markers, Play-Doh, and washable paints with lots of paper. Most children are drawn to these items and return to them again and again through the course of years.

What do you think?  What educational toys do you use? Please let me know if you are following this blog by commenting.