The earliest mention of a toy was from 500 BCE, in the form of a kids science games Greek reference to yo-yos. Toys have always been an important part of the human experience, allowing humans to grow, develop, and learn through play.
Modern toys have developed as society and technology have evolved. Your parents most likely thought your toys were very advanced, and you would most likely think the same thing about your children’s toys.
To find the right kind of toy for each particular kid, you must know the different types of children’s toys that are out there. It may surprise you to learn just how many different kinds there are. Also you can prefer Jellycat that is best for your kids as a birthday gift.
Keep reading below to get started on your toy journey.
Table of Contents
Arts and Crafts
There are many different types of arts and crafts toys, but they all surround creating something using art supplies.
You can find chalk, crayons, paints, and pencils, sold as sets or individually. There are reusable compounds that children can mold, such as clay, dough, and sand.
Perhaps the most popular type of arts and craft toy is the supply kits, in which all of the supplies are included to create a specific craft. For example, if the supply kit was designed to make finger puppets, included in the kit would be the felt, glue, yarn, and any added decorations.
These supplies kits can be reusable or for one-time use, depending on the type and what you are creating.
Battling and Action Figures
One of the most classic toys you’ll find is the action figure. Since the beginning of the toy industry, action figures were always popular, especially when combined with the introduction of popular comics.
You’ll find the action figures themselves, as well as their accessories, clothes, tools, and weapons.
Battling toys refers to toys that have an “action-based” play pattern, such as battling and combat. Action figures can be included in this category, but other battling toys don’t necessarily need to be in full body format. They may look more like robots that have combat features.
Construction and Building Toys
Construction and building toys refer to toys that can be taken apart and allow for building in multiple different ways. These include such toys as Magna-Tiles, Legos, and Marble Runs.
Building toys are essential because they allow children to improve their fine motor skills, and they encourage creativity and experimentation.
Trading Cards
Trading cards became popular in a game form in the 1990s, when the game Magic: The Gathering was invented. Since then, many others have kept trading card games alive and well, including Pokemon and Digimon.
There are also sports cards that are highly valuable and collectible, though they are still considered to be in the toy category.
Costume and Dress Up
Costume and dress-up toys are some of the best toys because they promote using your imagination, which can help children develop their personalities, creating dreams and hopes. It also allows them to practice self-care skills, which can encourage independent thinking.
You’ll find a wide range of dress-up toys, from princess and superhero costumes, to nail art, to hair chalk and glitter. Anything worn to play pretend is considered a costume or dress-up toy.
Dolls
Dolls are a very classic type of toy, which also encourages the use of imagination. The oldest doll that was used as a toy was found in 200 BCE and was made from wood, clay, ivory, or rags.
Dolls have transformed throughout history to become what we know of them today. Barbie dolls, made by Mattel, became insanely popular in the 1960s. American Girl dolls came on the scene in the late 1980s, introducing a new type of doll that had a backstory and books to go along with it.
You’ll find baby dolls with bottles and diapers as accessories and fashion dolls that come with clothes and brushes, allowing you to do their hair and makeup.
There are also little doll figurines that come with dollhouses and furniture, such as Polly Pocket, which is also made by Mattel. If you have a doll-lover in your life, you have many choices when it comes to choosing the perfect doll.
Science Toys
Science toys use experiments to help teach children basic scientific properties while allowing them to play and have fun. You can find many different types of science toys, such as chemistry, earth science, astronomy, and archeology.
There are blocks you can buy that contain various rocks and gems, which children will then use a wooden tool to dig out. You can find experiments that allow you to mix together ingredients to make slime at home.
There are make-your-own volcano projects, as well as projects that require you to look at the night sky.
Science toys definitely fit into the category of educational toys, yet they are also a category entirely their own.
Puzzles and Games
Puzzles and board games are essential toys for smart kids, as they teach them how to take turns, as well as help them to develop concentration skills, shape recognition, goal setting, patience, and a sense of achievement.
You can find jigsaw puzzles ranging from 2 pieces to 1000+ pieces, made from wood or cardboard materials. These are great for solo play or for a group activity.
Brainteaser puzzles are a different kind of puzzle, as they require specific problem-solving skills to help challenge the player’s mind. You may find them in two-dimensional or three-dimensional form, and they may include shapes, colors, numbers, or word problems.
You can find many different games, such as card games, electronic handheld or tabletop games, board games, and travel games, which are designed for use on the go and generally have magnetic features.
Infant Toys
Infant toys have their own category because many things included are not found anywhere else.
You will see tons of sensory toys, such as crinkle blankets, rattles, and mirrors. Infant toys have many different textures and are often made from silicone, allowing the baby to suck or chew on them.
Board books and plush books are infant toy staples. While they may not be reading it, their loving parents most likely will be, and they are durable enough to get slobbered on.
Many infant toys have black and white colors, as this is the easiest for babies to see when they are very young.
Musical Toys
Music toys help develop physical skills, such as gross motor skills and fine motor skills. Playing musical toys also helps to develop sensory skills, as the sound of the musical instrument will affect the child that is playing it.
You can find music toys ranging from infants to older kids. For infants, the toy may play the music for them, while the older kids will be able to play with the musical toy themselves.
You can find percussion sets, silicone pianos, baby drum sets, kid ukuleles, and much, much more.
Seasonal Toys
Seasonal toys include toys that children play with outdoors only during certain seasons. This includes such toys as bubbles, outdoor playsets, lawn and gardening toys, playground equipment, pool toys, water guns, kickballs, and so on.
You will often find these types of toys at the front of the store, as they are only on sale for a certain period of time and then will sell out until the following season.
Plush Toys
There is a wide variety of plush toys, such as stuffed animals, puppets, pillows, and plush toys designed for infants.
There are also plush toys that have special features, such as being battery-powered to be able to walk, talk, sing, laugh, and dance. You may also find such toys in a wind-up version.
Bath Toys
Any toys that are specifically designed for the bath fit into this category. This could include bath markers, rubber duckies, boats, dollhouses made for water, bath books, fishing sets, splash toys, floating toys, and more.
Most bath toys have a design to keep water out of their inner makings, preventing mold and bacteria from infiltrating. They are also generally very easy to clean.
Sports Toys
Sports toys include various balls, such as soccer balls, footballs, and kickballs. You can also find scooters and skateboards for children, which may have a power source or may be manual.
Bikes and frisbees also fit into this category. There are also sports toys that come in game form, such as Spikeball.
Explore the Different Types of Children’s Toys
There are so many different types of children’s toys out there today. If you are in the need to find some toys, you won’t have much of a problem. The most crucial factor is choosing toys that are age-appropriate and fit into the child’s personality.
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