Use your holiday dollars to make sense in the play you provide your family.
When it comes to toys, to paraphrase an old saying, “value is in the eye of the beholder.” No matter how much you pay for a toy, its value is seldom in how much you paid for it. Whether it’s a 98-cent bottle of bubble fluid that keeps a child engaged for half an afternoon, or a Nintendo DS that becomes a child’s constant companion, value is most often determined over time as a child returns to a favorite toy again and again. That’s the kind of toy that fosters active play—versus passive entertainment—and helps deliver all the benefits of play to a developing child.
To have that kind of value, a toy must engage the child’s imagination, allow him or her to express themselves through their interaction with it, be appropriate for the age of the child and reflect the child’s interests. It can be difficult to determine that especially at the holidays because, as we all know, 30-second commercials can make toys seem so attractive to a child they get a prominent place on the wish list. However, like a movie trailer, you sometimes come to find out that the 30 seconds you saw was the best the toy had to offer, and by December 26 it’s all but forgotten.
“Okay, Toy Guy,” I hear you saying. “We get it, but how about putting your mouth where our money is?” My pleasure. Here are some ideas that should deliver a lot of fun—and give you an idea of what to look for. But first, here’s a big hint: think about things kids already love. Adding new Hot Wheels or LEGO, or Littlest Pet Shop pets to an established collection makes all the toys seem new again. And for the family—invest in games. Favorites become many evenings’ entertainment and make for great family time.
For Girls:
Barbie Fashionistas—Mattel $11.95. Mattel has completely revamped Barbie to focus on fashion. Gorgeous dolls, great clothes and tons of opportunity for open-ended play.
Littlest Pet Shop Tube of Pets—Hasbro $6.99. For girls who love collecting and playing with these adorable tiny pets will love getting two more to add to their “family.”
For Boys:
Battle Strikers—MEGA $7.99 and up. Collectible, customizable battling tops. Fun game, and can be shared among kids.
Transfomers Sound Wave Figures—Hasbro $11.99. Transformers fans can add sound to their actions, and they’re easy to transform.
For Both:
Crayon Maker—Crayola $29.99. Make new crayons from used crayons. Talk about value. Plus, the play pattern is fun, easy and engaging.
LEGO Bricks and More Sets—LEGO $29.99. Both boys and girls love LEGO building sets. Pick the ones that intrigue them, and you’ll get years of play out of them—and have them to pass on.
For Families:
Connect 4×4—Hasbro $19.99. The classic game now has a two-sided grid for even more challenge. Harder than you think, but fun for everyone.
Uno—Mattel $4.99 and up. This family favorite has lots of different versions, from basic cards to electronic games. It’s easy to learn and fun to play. (Oh, and if there are preschoolers in the house, check out Uno Moo. Same game play but with animal shapes.)
Of course, this only scratches the surface, but you get the idea. Think about your kids, your family and your budget as you plan. Talk to your kids and see what they’re into. Check online for great deals that can save you lots of money this year. And most of all, remember the most important value of all—sharing something special with the important people in your life. That never has a price tag.
Christopher Byrne is content director for TimetoPlayMag.com. He has three brothers and shared a lot of his toys. It was more fun that way. (He also got extra mileage out of games like Monopoly and Risk because they doubled as contact sports when the inevitable disagreements arose).
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