Strike-A-Ball - Discovery Toys. This toy is a fun, rewarding way for babies and toddlers to develop their hand-eye coordination and explore cause and effect relationships. Four brightly colored, safety-sized balls sit waiting for the sturdy mallet to pound them down the color coded holes into a short series of ramps and openings. A good way for youngsters to hammer out their aggressive feelings and frustrations.
Aqua Play - Battat and other manufacturers. Although this seems expensive compared to most toys, this is a piece of educational equipment that will be every child's water play fantasy. A large, sturdy plastic water canal and harbor system that comes with locks, pumps, dams, harbor cranes, waterwheels and ramps. There is lots to do and learn about, including water energy and movement, pumping, water levels, and basic physics.
Brio-Mec - Brio International. A younger, more pre-school friendly version of the classic erector set idea, Brio-Mec is entire product line of creative possibilities. A division of Brio toys, Brio-Mec offers children a huge selection of working tools, cogs, screws, nails, and connector parts. Kids can imagine, plan and create helicopters, bulldozers, airplanes and much more. You are able to purchase almost exactly the pieces, parts and tools you want with the way Brio-Mec is packaged and sold.This toy line is a wonderful tool for learning about building, planning, calculation, mechanics, engineering and even teamwork.
Marble Runs / Mazes - Battat, T.C. Timber, Discovery Toys. Adults can seldom resist marble runs, let alone curious youngsters. They excite and thrill children while providing hands-on experiences with gravity, motion, speed, cause/effect, action/reaction, strategic construction and problem solving, to just name a few. Some of the best out there are made by Battat. This company offers transparent construction pieces to allow the builder to watch the marble make it's way through his creation when it is complete. The sets range from basic ones such as Tube Trax with ramps, bridges, and cylinders to Deluxe Tube Trax with spiraling cylinders, cranks, levers, spinning wheels and launch pads. Another great line of marble runs is made by T.C. Timber. The Musical Marble Run is a simpler version than the others but is made of quality wood and has built-in xylophone bars to add beautiful musical notes to the fun. The user can vary the rhythm of the tune by placing the balls closer together or farther apart. The Motion Machine is also a unique variation on the theme with a tipping lower bar. The large marbles or balls are set in motion seemingly on their own. The Ball Tilt is yet another fun filled T.C. Timber product that could be perfectly at home in a learning classroom. Hardwood blocks with grooves and holes can be combined to make a variety of marble pathways that end with the marble ringing the bell to signal success. All the above toys are invaluable for teaching math, science, music and building skills!
Darda Race Car Systems - Darda. An exciting combination of construction, imagination, science and speed, Darda racetracks will capture the attention of pre-schoolers and mesmerize them for years to come. These kid driven, world famous race cars don't require keys, electricity or batteries to reach their trademark speeds of 600 scale miles per hour. Children can witness first hand the principles of gravity, inertia, trajectory and centrifugal force while these friction driven race cars speed through the loops, twists and spiraling towers children construct themselves. The entire system is modular, so that the assorted sets or separately sold pieces are all compatible.
Magnetic Blocks - Battat. Playing with blocks can take on a whole new twist when the blocks are magnetic! These colorful, multi-shaped blocks can be put together to make buildings, vehicles and even robots. The rounded pieces will make wheels that really move. Best of all, they stay together until pulled apart. In addition to learning about magnetic force, imaginations will really shift into high gear with all the possible building combinations.
Gears, Gears, Gears - Learning Resources. Learn how geared machinery works with the toy series that was co-created by the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago. Each of the many set choices is packed with pieces featuring plastic meshing gears, pulleys, pillars, cranks, connectors and interlocking plates. Little mechanics put the parts together in endless vertical and horizontal configurations. An excellent choice for exploring science, math, problem solving.
Geo Fraction Board - The Grand River Toy Company. This solid, brightly colored wooden toy set has many layers of learning fun. The wood base has nine geometric shaped holes that hold blocks that come in whole, half, and thirds combinations. The user challenges her problem solving skills as well as learning about shapes, forms and fractions. Very visually and tactically appealing, a fun toy for children of all ages.
These items are just a small sampling of items that can keep your youngster happily engaged, challenged, and provided with hours of education disguised as fun. The real pleasure in finding and providing your youngster with items like the ones above is that they are multi-dimensional, versatile, and open-ended. They are much less likely to wind up on a shelf or bottom of a toy box, and more likely to be used by your child in ways that will surprise you both. The intellectual development and self-confidence that comes from challenging play cannot be matched by any other educational experience your child is exposed to. Never are young children more open and receptive to learning then when in the midst of free, unrestricted, self-directed playtime.
Patricia J. Pearlman is the author of "Playing Smart - Toys Your Child Can Learn From." She received her degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois. She has worked in the day care field, both as a teacher and administrator, and has also worked as a private tutor. Patricia currently lives in Largo, Florida with her husband Mike, and son Edward, who will soon celebrate his second birthday.