| There are a variety of educational toys available on | | | | jewelry, train tracks, or ant farms, to name a few. |
| the market for children of all ages. Many parents | | | | Other science kits focus on a particular topic, such as |
| think that these activities are intended for classroom | | | | bubbles and foam, or the concept of |
| use, but they can also act as very valuable learning | | | | cause-and-effect. Geology kits provide budding young |
| tools at home. Even regular toys can be turned into | | | | scientists an opportunity to learn about different |
| educational games of some sort, with a little | | | | types of rocks by taking a backyard adventure. |
| creativity and imagination. | | | | Similarly, bug kits allow for outdoor exploration and |
| Educational toys include anything from stickers to | | | | allow children to become familiar with the life cycle of |
| books to science kits. These toys are used to inspire | | | | particular insects through observation and reading. |
| children to learn, using a fun, easy process. Most | | | | Of course, pretend play is always a big hit with kids |
| books focus on a particular subject or aspect, such | | | | of any age. Toys that imitate life, such as kitchen |
| as opposites, the alphabet, or animals. Another | | | | utensils, tools, and dolls, encourage children to |
| popular activity offered at educational toy stores are | | | | express themselves creatively. Role-playing, especially |
| board games, which usually focus on letters and | | | | when dress-up is involved, is one of the most popular |
| numbers, as well as teaching the necessities of | | | | pastimes for kids and requires very little material or |
| sharing and taking turns. Electronic games are also | | | | financial resources. Hats, oversized clothing, and |
| popular because they take all of the "work" out of | | | | sheets that act as capes will help young dreamers |
| working. | | | | become anyone (or anything) they desire. |
| While many educational specialty shops provide | | | | Still, the tried-and-true methods of teaching remain. |
| classroom tools and activities specifically designed for | | | | Such examples are workbooks, posters, and activity |
| teachers, most of the inventory is parent-friendly. For | | | | pads. Even the most seemingly simple task can be |
| example, flash cards are a wonderful way to provide | | | | educational if used properly; it takes a variety of skills |
| a simple lesson at home. Many sets of flash cards | | | | for a child to maneuver his or her way through a |
| can be used in different ways - for regular | | | | paper maze. For parents who are thinking about |
| question-and-answer, memory, and card games. | | | | purchasing a few educational toys to use at home, |
| A science or bug kit is another ideal home-based | | | | the advice of a teacher or educational shop |
| explorers. Custom-designed for a variety of ages, | | | | salesperson may turn out to be an invaluable tool. |
| these kits allow kids to create personalized perfumes, | | | | |