Kids & Family
Toys And Games That Will Make Kids Put Down The Tablet
Electronic toys and devices can be causing more harm than good to our little ones. Check out some alternatives that your kids will love.
In today's digitally fueled world, it's only natural for kiddos to constantly be reaching for a smartphone or tablet. Instead of playing make-believe and interacting with others, they would rather be glued to a screen. But can this be harmful to our kids?
Well, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it certainly can. In its 2019 study, Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children in the Digital Era, the AAP explains that not only are electronics reducing and delaying cognitive, language and fine-motor skills in children, they're also limiting interactions between parent and child.
"Electronic toys by themselves will not provide children with the interaction and parental engagement that are critical for the healthy development," the AAP study says. "Furthermore, virtual toys are increasingly designed to emulate and even replace physical toys. This potentially increases known risks of electronic media exposure, such as the promotion of aggressive behavior and obesity."
Find out what's happening in DealTownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
On a brighter note, the study also suggests five types of traditional toys that are essential to the healthy development of a child: symbolic, fine-motor, art, language and gross-motor. "High-quality toys in each of these categories can facilitate caregiver-child interactions, peer play and the growth of imagination," the AAP article says.
So we've decided to round up a list of traditional toys that will help engage children and make them put down the screens and tablet. Here are our picks:
Find out what's happening in DealTownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Symbolic/cognitive
Being imaginative and playing make-believe are an essential part of play for a child. "Pretending through toy characters and associated toy objects can promote the use of words and narratives to imitate, describe and cope with actual circumstances and feelings," the AAP says.
Whether they want to play with their favorite actions figure and dolls or pretend to be a world-class baker or an animal-loving veterinarian, plenty of toys are on the market that will promote imaginative play.
L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. Candylicious Fashion Doll, $26.88
Melissa & Doug Examine & Treat Pet Vet Play Set, $24.86
Fine-motor/adaptive/manipulative
Puzzles, building block and shapes can provide hours of fun and educational learning for children. "Problem-solving through play with the 'traditional favorites,' such as blocks and puzzles, can support fine-motor skills and language and cognitive development, and predicts both spatial and early mathematics skills."
While LEGOs are the most popular and intricate building blocks, younger children will love to play with a giant fire truck puzzle or a colorful wooden building blocks set.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Building Blocks Set, $17.99
LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box, $27.99
Art
Allow your child to get in touch with their creative side with the help of artsy toys and crafts. Some great picks include objects they can create with their hands using materials such as clay and Play-Doh. Some other options are coloring books and markers, an art easel or a flower growing kit that they can design with paint.
Dan&Darci Paint & Plant Flower Growing Kit, $19.99
Large Aqua Drawing Mat for Kids, $19.98
Language/concepts
Toys that promote a rich language experience are essential to a child as they grow up. And toys and games such as card games and board games will also help parents be more involved in playtime. Games such as Pictionary will promote tons of fun while allowing kids to draw and better understand words and phrases. Card games will also help children to understand concepts and quick-thinking skills.
Mattel Games: The Official Pictionary, $19.99
Alphabet Puzzle - Premium ABC Wooden Peg Puzzle, $9.99
Gross motor/physical
According to the AAP study,"The use of toys in physical activity has the potential to facilitate gross motor development together with self-regulation and peer interaction because of the negotiations regarding rules that typically take place."
Some examples of toys that can help enhance gross motor skills are games that include balls, large toy cars, tricycles and push and pull toys.
Costzon Ride On Truck, $219.99
Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set, $34.99
All prices and savings listed in this post are as of publication and could change. Patch may earn a commission on products purchased.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.