| Some toys are over hyped and others that I quite | | | | clothes and boots. The money is in the accessories |
| like, are never advertised. When I see new toys or | | | | these days. Unless your kid wants to be an actor I |
| the kid wants something she saw on TV, I usually | | | | would not get around to asking the third question. |
| ask myself "What can this toy be used for" and | | | | The toys I do like are the LEGOS, the MEGA BLOKS |
| "How long will it keep the kid interested." The last | | | | and the PLAYMOBILS that the kids use to build |
| question I sometimes never ask, cause I never get | | | | things. Gone are the days when I was young and |
| that far is "Does the toy teach anything or does it | | | | LEGO was a bucket of bricks that you could make |
| build imagination or some other characteristic." | | | | anything with. The only limit was your imagination. |
| These three questions, hopefully will give me an idea | | | | Nowadays imagination has gone out the door to be |
| about the usefulness and longevity of the new toy. | | | | replaced with an operator's manual so you get all the |
| If the toy passes the first two questions then it is | | | | bricks and accessories in the right place. They are still |
| into the realm of learning. Some toys never make it | | | | fun to do. The finished product is a beautiful crafted |
| this far, they are just ornaments. I don't look at the | | | | masterpiece that usually ends up on top of the piano |
| safety aspect as most toys are safe, but I am | | | | or coffee table until the cat destroys it. |
| careful with little bits and pieces. | | | | So far for my kid the max is three times to redo |
| For the first question I think about what you can do | | | | one. So I would say the novelty wears off after |
| with the toy. Whether you can play alone or with | | | | three attempts. These toys build finishing ability and |
| friends. Can it be used with other toys to do other | | | | teach how to follow a plan. Also they are good for a |
| things, or is it a one hit wonder. | | | | rainy afternoon as they can take some time to finish. |
| As an example we will use the Star Wars Darth | | | | But the downside is they can be very pricey. |
| Vader Mask. This little toy is very popular because of | | | | For these toys the answer to the first questions |
| the film, but I think its usefulness is very limited. You | | | | would be-- the kid can build something. They can see |
| could use it in pretend play but how long will that last. | | | | the finished product and match it with the picture to |
| I would say this type of toy is used for sharing, a | | | | see if it is correct. The next answer would be they |
| sort of play and share toy to see who can come up | | | | can remake it or make there own design. And for |
| with the most outrageous line. It is not really the | | | | the last question I would say the kid should definitely |
| type of toy you could play with by yourself. | | | | learn something while putting the blocks together. |
| For the second question I think this toy would be | | | | Using these three questions I somehow manage to |
| discarded quite early, as there seems to be very little | | | | buy what I consider to be useful toys. Therefore I |
| to keep the kid amused. Once you have said your | | | | am not swamped by the advertising hype or the |
| few lines what do you then. Then again there are all | | | | "Keeping up with the Jones" sort of thing. |
| the accessories to buy to go with the mask, like the | | | | |