| so you can buy a useful toy. | | | | |
| | | | The toys I do like are the LEGOS, the MEGA |
| Some toys are over hyped and others that I | | | | BLOKS and the PLAYMOBILS that the kids use to |
| quite like, are never advertised. When I see | | | | build things. Gone are the days when I was |
| new toys or the kid wants something she saw | | | | young and LEGO was a bucket of bricks that |
| on TV, I usually ask myself "What can this | | | | you could make anything with. The only limit |
| toy be used for" and "How long will it keep | | | | was your imagination. |
| the kid interested." The last question I | | | | |
| sometimes never ask, cause I never get that | | | | Nowadays imagination has gone out the door to |
| far is "Does the toy teach anything or does | | | | be replaced with an operator's manual so you |
| it build imagination or some other | | | | get all the bricks and accessories in the |
| characteristic." | | | | right place. They are still fun to do. The |
| | | | finished product is a beautiful crafted |
| These three questions, hopefully will give me | | | | masterpiece that usually ends up on top of |
| an idea about the usefulness and longevity of | | | | the piano or coffee table until the cat |
| the new toy. If the toy passes the first two | | | | destroys it. |
| questions then it is into the realm of | | | | |
| learning. Some toys never make it this far, | | | | So far for my kid the max is three times to |
| they are just ornaments. I don't look at the | | | | redo one. So I would say the novelty wears |
| safety aspect as most toys are safe, but I am | | | | off after three attempts. These toys build |
| careful with little bits and pieces. | | | | finishing ability and teach how to follow a |
| | | | plan. Also they are good for a rainy |
| For the first question I think about what you | | | | afternoon as they can take some time to |
| can do with the toy. Whether you can play | | | | finish. But the downside is they can be very |
| alone or with friends. Can it be used with | | | | pricey. |
| other toys to do other things, or is it a one | | | | |
| hit wonder. | | | | For these toys the answer to the first |
| | | | questions would be-- the kid can build |
| As an example we will use the Star Wars Darth | | | | something. They can see the finished product |
| Vader Mask. This little toy is very popular | | | | and match it with the picture to see if it is |
| because of the film, but I think its | | | | correct. The next answer would be they can |
| usefulness is very limited. You could use it | | | | remake it or make there own design. And for |
| in pretend play but how long will that last. | | | | the last question I would say the kid should |
| I would say this type of toy is used for | | | | definitely learn something while putting the |
| sharing, a sort of play and share toy to see | | | | blocks together. |
| who can come up with the most outrageous | | | | |
| line. It is not really the type of toy you | | | | Using these three questions I somehow manage |
| could play with by yourself. | | | | to buy what I consider to be useful toys. |
| | | | Therefore I am not swamped by the advertising |
| For the second question I think this toy | | | | hype or the "Keeping up with the Jones" sort |
| would be discarded quite early, as there | | | | of thing. |
| seems to be very little to keep the kid | | | | |
| amused. Once you have said your few lines | | | | Article by copyright © Peter Legrove 2006, |
| what do you then. Then again there are all | | | | at |
| the accessories to buy to go with the mask, | | | | |
| like the clothes and boots. The money is in | | | | **You have permission to reprint this |
| the accessories these days. Unless your kid | | | | article. Use it on your website, in your |
| wants to be an actor I would not get around | | | | ezine or newsletter or in any printed form. |
| to asking the third question. | | | | |