'Tis the season of twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the ever-growing wish lists of children. In the rush to find the perfect gifts, it's all too easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of popular, flashy toys that promise instant gratification. However, this Christmas, I encourage you to think outside of the brightly colored, flashy box. Instead of focusing on expensive, trending toys, consider the value of open-ended, developmentally appropriate toys and experiences that will nurture your child’s creativity, curiosity and learning throughout the year and maybe even for years to come.
The Problem with Trendy Toys:
In today's consumer-driven culture, flashy and expensive toys often dominate the holiday wish lists. From the latest electronic gadgets to licensed character merchandise, these items may provide instant entertainment but often lack the staying power that truly benefits children's development.
The more that a toy does or entertains, the less thinking and problem solving the child does. Battery operated toys often require very little from the child to elicit an action, sound or lights.
Licensed character merchandise, often from a popular movie, tv show or game, comes with a preconceived story or idea of who they are and what they do. This often limits how your child will play with the characters.
I am not suggesting that you get rid of all of these kinds of toys or totally ignore your child’s wish list. I do suggest that you consider the play value for the cost and make intentional decisions. Consider a balance of these items with the more open-ended toys and experiences that will foster fun, creativity and learning.
This is a good time to draw your child’s attention to the influence of advertising and peer pressure. I digress, that is a topic or tangent for another time.
Why Open-Ended Toys Matter for Child Development
Selecting toys for children can be a daunting task. With countless options available in the market, it's essential to make thoughtful choices that not only entertain but also support your child's development.
Open-ended toys;
Encourage Creativity: Open-ended toys, such as building blocks, art supplies, and simple wooden toys, allow children to use their imagination to create and explore. These toys don't prescribe a specific way to play, enabling kids to come up with their own stories, designs, and solutions.
Promote Problem-Solving Skills: When children engage with open-ended toys, they develop problem-solving skills as they figure out how pieces fit together or how to build a structure. They make decisions about what to do with the toys and can try out a variety of options. This type of play nurtures cognitive development and critical thinking.
Have Lasting Value: Unlike trendy toys that quickly lose their appeal, open-ended toys can grow with your child. They provide enduring entertainment and educational value, making them a more sustainable investment.
Holiday Gift Guide
Here are some ideas to get you started, I am sure you can come up with many more.
Art materials and Creative Supplies - For young children consider open-ended art materials that nurture creativity, plain paper instead of coloring books or pre-printed pictures, a variety of loose materials rather than a kit that makes something specific. Be creative when choosing items, clipboards with paper and writing materials, chalk for outside, string, ribbon, jewels, corks, bingo dabbers, etc.
Side note: Crayons are better than markers for developing the strength and muscles needed for writing because you have to press harder to make a mark. Both are great fun!
Books - My adage is that you can never have too many books. Personalized books with pictures of the child along with people and things that are familiar to them promote language, storytelling and connection. A grandparent could make a book about a special vacation or day that you spent together. This can be done digitally and printed or you can simply buy a little photo album and add pictures.
I also love the idea of a magazine subscription. Children love getting mail with their name on it and they have a surprise each month. There are many options available for different ages and interests.
Theme Kits - You can create a theme kit for pretend play depending on the child’s interest. The Dollar Store or your local discount store is great for materials at a reasonable cost.
An office kit could include; clipboard, pens, pencils, stikki notes, notepads, ruler, stapler (depending on age of child), hole punch. Add an old keyboard and phone if you have them laying around.
A baking kit could include; muffin tin, measuring cups, whisk, large spoons, plastic bowl, oven mitts.
Last year, I made a sensory kit for my 6 month old granddaughter. All items were from the Dollar Store and none of them would be considered toys. They have provided hours of exploration and fun.
Use your imagination and have fun with it.
Building Blocks and Materials
Nothing better or more versatile than plain wooden blocks. Really young children may carry them and pile them, then start making towers and knocking them down. Eventually, they will be making a city or creating their own world. They can add materials like people and animal figures, vehicles, pieces of fabric, the possibilities are endless.
Lego and other brick style blocks provide hours of fun and creativity. A random assortment of blocks provide more opportunities for creativity and problem solving than kits that make something specific. You can extend the play by adding other materials; fabric, feathers, string, ribbon etc. Encourage them to be creative and use the building materials in different ways.
STEM Kits - There are a variety of kits available for different ages that will encourage children to explore and experiment with science, technology, engineering and math concepts in a hands on, concrete manner.
Collections and Interests - You can start or add to a collection of something a child has expressed an interest in such as, rocks, fossils, shells, themed cards, figures.
Mindfulness/Calming activities - I am not generally a fan of flash cards but there are some card sets that promote yoga, mindfulness and calming activities that I really like. Children can explore them on their own or better yet parents and children can use them together. I think it’s very beneficial to introduce children to mindfulness and calming strategies in a fun, play focused manner and these card sets can help do that.
Journals are a great gift idea, either a simple notebook or a journal with prompts. Writing is a very therapeutic method of expression for children and adults and is a good habit to start. Young children can draw pictures of how they feel or their experiences while older children can use words or drawings. There are journals specific to growth mindset, gratitude or artistic expression. Find one that suits the particular developmental stage and interests of your child. Add a unique pen or drawing materials.
Experiences - Last but definitely not least give the gift of an experience and your attention. This could be tickets for a movie, adventure park or local attraction. It could be something to do together, a spa day or sporting event. Or it could be sharing a skill.
If you are a woodworker, give the child some materials and a day with you to make something.
Or a day of baking a favorite family recipe, or a knitting lesson. Get creative! There is no greater gift than your time and attention. Make memories that will last a lifetime.
Conclusion
This Christmas, resist the temptation to splurge on popular but often short-lived toys. Instead, prioritize open-ended, developmentally appropriate toys that spark creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction. These toys offer lasting value, nurturing your child's growth and imagination for years to come. By making thoughtful choices, you can truly make this holiday season a time of growth and discovery for your children.
I hope this gives you some ideas for the children on your gift list. Share any additional ideas in the comments. Let's help each other complete our shopping with fun and creativity, without breaking the bank.
~R.M. Couse~
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