Kids love playing and get fascinated with new games. The more you buy, the higher the excitement. But before giving in to their whims, take a step back and think. Getting trendy games may seem the best way to keep up with the changing times. But doing it excessively proves counterproductive. You lose the learning benefits that come with playtime. Having too many options confuses children.
Their attention gets divided, and they have a cluttered play environment. Streamline their playtime by reducing the number of games and categorising well. You need not have a lot to keep them entertained. Fewer options offering qualitative learning are better than having multiple games. Consider capturing every developmental area with a limited spectrum of toys for kids. Consider these categories while planning:
Functional
These toys require kids to manipulate them to get a result. The entire process is stimulating and leads to growth in different areas. Some examples include construction games, puzzles, beads, blocks, brainteasers, playdough, etc. They develop fine motor skills and teach problem-solving. There is an element of challenge that keeps them engaged, and they learn to stay focused.
Pretend play
Some toys act as novelty gifts. They add no functionality to the playtime. But this is what makes them helpful. Such games encourage unstructured play where children use their imagination. In this category, a toy store includes dolls, tent houses, costumes, puppets, vehicles, action figures, plushies, etc. They might not do much by themselves, but they encourage creativity. Kids engage with them to play pretend and create realistic scenarios.
Educational
Almost all toys promote learning in varied ways. But some games are specifically targeted toward learning. They are made to teach concepts easily. Examples include special-skill toys, activity cards, board games, mixed reality toys, puzzles, science kits, etc. You should buy them based on your child’s developmental stage.
Creative
Almost every kid is creatively blessed. It is just about tapping into their imagination. If you do this at a young age, there is scope to explore their interests. Their inclination may lie in arts, music, sports, dance, etc. Introducing them to creative toys is an excellent way to explore the same. If you see potential, you may encourage them to embrace their talent. Also, giving them new toys during their growth stages lets them adapt to creative activities.
Activity
Learning is not limited to brain development. Children should develop critical bodily functions. They do this naturally as they are innately active. But you may accelerate their growth through activity games. These include outdoors toys, ride-on vehicles, blocks, sports equipment, etc.