What Makes a Great Toy?

In prehistoric times, objects like dull arrowheads or bits of clay may have been given to children as toys to use in play. Experts believe that this was to help prepare kids for hunting with real arrowheads or making usable pottery in adulthood. Some modern-day educational philosophies incorporate making toys and other handicrafts, giving lessons with specific sets of materials that kids use to build, or incorporating imaginative play with toys into academic lessons as key elements of their teaching methods. This leads to the question: Must a toy help kids practice for adulthood or learn an academically useful skill in order for it to be considered a high-quality toy?

Absolutely not. What makes a great toy is its ability to engage kids in a way that empowers them to use it in whatever way they can envision.

When assessing a for-purchase toy’s value, researchers may consider many other factors, including the toy’s capacity to help kids develop in a range of life skills such as problem solving, positive social interaction and creativity. Parents must also assess a toy’s safety for their kid’s age and development. Organizations that publicize toy safety issues and toy recalls include the Consumer Product Safety Commission and organizations like SafeKids.org.

Kids build skills naturally through play. They practice cognitive, emotional and social skills such as creative thinking, verbal and nonverbal communication, spatial and body awareness, empathy, adaptability, choice-making and more. Through toys that promote role play, kids can learn subject-specific vocabulary and practice real-world scenarios to decrease anxiety and boost confidence.