Think about it. What comes to mind when you think of gifting something to kids? A toy? That's because toys are perhaps the first objects an infant interacts with. And kids' association with toys remains for a long time, till they grow old. Apart from being safe, entertaining, and colourful, toys should also reflect the stages of growth and development of abilities in a child.
Most households already have a wide variety of suitable and secure objects that are easily accessible and free and can be used as playthings, for example, cardboard boxes, plastic bowls and lids, collections of plastic bottle caps, and other playable objects. However, some toys are specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of kids based on their growing age. Today there are countless toys available in the market.
You will also find many fascinating kids toys online. But how do you decide which kids toys online are beneficial?
Toys for three-year-olds (pre-schoolers and kindergarteners)
Toddlers' attention spans are shorter than those of pre-schoolers and kindergarteners. As kids grow older, they begin frequently engaging in a lot of talking and questioning. They enjoy experimenting with various objects and with their still-developing physical abilities. They start having fun playing with their friends but hate to lose. Older pre-schoolers and kindergarteners develop care and empathy; thus, they also start sharing a toy with two or other children.
Best three-year-old games
- Play objects or toys for pretending and construction, such as various blocks for building intricate structures, transportation toys, construction sets, play food, dolls with accessories, dress-up costumes, and toys for sand and water play.
- Toys for problem-solving such as collections of plastic bottle caps, plastic bowls, and lids, keys, shells, counting bears, small colored blocks, snap-together blocks, puzzles (with 12 to 20 pieces), smaller objects to sort by size, shape, color, scent, amount, and other characteristics.
- Materials for art and craft like crayons of varied shapes, markers, paintbrushes, colored construction paper, pre-schooler scissors, chalkboards, chalks, modelling clay, playdough, modeling tools, paste, paper and fabric scraps for collage, and musical instruments like xylophones, maracas, and tambourines.
- Digital 3-year-old games with interactive, kid-friendly software that provides images and spoken instructions. Allowing the kids to choose the software's pace and direction enables them to explore various ideas on different levels. Such digital playing games are available online.
- Sporting toys for 3-year-olds like targets, toss-able objects, tricycles, tunnels, taller climbers with soft material underneath, wagons, wheelbarrows, plastic bats and balls, plastic bowling pins, as well as a playable workshop with a hammer, nails, and saw.
- Picture books with more language and intricate illustrations than picture books for toddlers
- Music on CD and DVD players. Phonographs and cassette recorders are also beneficial. You can also find musical kids toys online.
- Equipment to help them strengthen their large and small muscles. For example, large and small balls for kicking, throwing, and catching.