This time of the year blogs are full of gift giving ideas for kids from the latest, greatest electronics, to digital toys, or to the latest fad or trend toy. We tend to like simpler and practical toys for kids, so I thought I would share a different perspective and ideas with you the next few days.
When it comes to gifts for kids, I like ones that will engage, educate, and cultivate kids' interests. I think too many people go for the expensive, electronic route and ignore the tried and true toys that have stood the test of time. So here are some of the alternatives to the latest and greatest toys out there.
Infant - 2 Years Old
Birth to 5 months old: Stacking Action Blocks - These brightly colored blocks have ABC's and numbers on them. They make sounds and are stackable. These blocks will engage the baby's fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. While Fisher-Price has an age of 6 months and up, these blocks are listed in their toys for birth to 5 months.
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| Pic via Fisher-Price |
6 months to 1 years old: Butterfly Shape Sorter - A brightly colored butterfly with chunky shapes to sort. This is a fun way to introduce colors and shapes to kids. It is for developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving and thinking skills.
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| Pic via Fisher-Price |
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| Pic via Fisher-Price |
2 To 5 Years Old
2 years old to 3 years old: Lego Duplo My First Farm - Duplo's big chunky blocks are just the right size to start teaching construction skills. The first farm set is also a fun way to learn about farm animals, the noises they make, and the food they can produce. Duplo blocks also engage motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills, and spatial concept skills.
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| Pic via Legos.com |
3 years old to 5 years old: Lego Duplo All-In-One-Box-Of-Fun - This is a box of different size Duplo blocks with other items such as a wagon base, window features, a boy, and a puppy. This set allows the kids to create their own designs and use their imagination.
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| Pic via Legos.com |
I know most of these toys are not flashy, electronic, or cool, but they all have skills that can be gleaned from playing with them. All of these toys would be suitable for boys and girls. They are also toys that stimulate child/parent interaction and play. All of them appeal to the teacher in me.
So if you have a special kid in your life, why not go a different route this year and try something new. Who knows toys like these might surprise that kid and you with how much fun they can be.
Living life simply and looking for simple things to fill it with!
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