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Five Best Toys
December 5, 2019
We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take us or spare us.
-Marcel Proust
-Marcel Proust
One of our in-house toy geeks forwarded a list of "The 5 Best Toys of All Time," published, of all places, in the high-tech Wired magazine. Here is the list:
- Stick
- Box
- String
- Cardboard Tubes
- Dirt
Bonnie and I looked over the list and would substitute Ball for Cardboard Tubes. You may find this provides a fun way to start a conversation on children's play in your staff or parent meeting. Share your variations!
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Comments (6)
Displaying All 6 CommentsSarah Lawrence College
Bronxville, NY, United States
Once again you have provided a terrific way to get teachers and parents thinking about the REAL basics! I love this list, and your addition of "ball" is crucial. But how about keeping those cardboard tubes and adding
"sand" to the "dirt"? I also think "blocks" have earned a place on the list: They've been around a long time: Montessori, Froebel and Caroline Pratt among others - not to mention children - would be so happy!
Design4Kids
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Actually, fiberboard tubes, plus balls. They are a great combination toy!
Dr Toy's Guide
San Francisco, Ca, United States
1. Stick
2. Box
3. String
4. Cardboard Tubes
5. Dirt
Basic play values are simplicity, fun, accessible, and not costly. These items stimulate play, activity, creativity, and are good to remember as children make their own discoveries.. Toy memories are strong
And lasting Suggest seeing Smart Play Smart Toys for more information.
We can add to the list
6. Pots and pans
7. Containers
8. Water
9. Ball
10. Jump rope
11. Hula Hoop
12. Stones
13. Sock puppet
14. Wooden spoon
15. Blanket (most recently inducted into national toy hall of fame)
Severna Park, MD, United States
During the busy holiday times it is often easy to forget about what is really important for children. While I appreciate the list of basic toys you shared with us, especially given the proliferation of electronic toys these days, the following list highlights what gifts are best for children any time of the year:
Love
Patience
Discipline
Consistency
Play
I appreciate your daily articles and the opportunity to add my thoughts.
Ellie Martin
4C of Southern Indiana, Inc.
Evansville, IN, United States
I just completed my graduate research, and I asked participants to share their strongest play memories from childhood. 174 people responded, and overwhelmingly the strongest play forms were imaginative using ordinary materials like sticks, dirt, and natural items. Sadly, the younger participants were less likely to share memories of outdoors, but overwhelmingly the toys included in "Wired" are the ones I found in my research. No one I surveyed or interviewed said organized sports, electronic toys, or educational toys. The memories that are the most cherished are the memories that allow creativity and inventiveness.
Videatives, Inc
Amherst, MA, United States
These five objects of play bring to mind certain verbs. For me, the verbs explain their value for play. For example ball - roll, bounce, hit; dirt = sculpt, pile, dig; string = tie, wrap, connect and so forth. Sometimes I wonder why we don't categorize more objects by verbs, particularly play objects.
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