Now days with all the technology, younger children are becoming more dependent on playing with iPads, Smartphones, E-Readers, video games, and other tech toys that prevent them from being as active as they should be. Here is a list of the best kids toys to get them active and engaged without the need of high tech electronic toys. Each of these toys are designed to help your child become more engaged and encourage mental development.

Kids 1 year and up

For the 1 year and up category you have many different options that encourage the development of young children. Products such as Bright Stars ‘Having a Ball Get Cooking Kitchen’ which encourages recognition of colors, food, and letters by repetition. B. Parum Pum Pum Drum and B. Woofer, Hound Dog Guitar teaches music through many musical instruments which are included with the drum and encourages expression and creativity. The Melissa and Doug Shape Sorting Clock is made for kids who are 3 years or older and is a fun and easy way to teach kids how to tell time and help them master shapes and colors. GoldieBlox are a new and up and coming way to teach little girls from 4 to 9 that they really can be whatever they want to be, including an engineer.

Kids 6 and up

Shopping for kids at this age can be easy and fun since most of the time they can tell you what they want for the holidays. Qwirkle is a game for kids to teach them about strategy and matching, it can also teach basic math skills by keeping score. Perplexus is a game that can teach coordination and challenge the whole family through the use of brain puzzles. Toys and games like these are great for the whole family and can even be fun for play on their own.

Kids 8 and up

A majority of children at this age tell you the things they want as soon as they see them, but if you are looking for something they haven’t asked for yet then here are a few ideas. Elenco Snap Circus Green – Alternative Energy will help your children learn more about new energy sources through the building of numerous different projects. This toy allows your child to make working circuits that light up LEDs through solar cells, windmills, and hand crank.

Conclusion

There are an endless number of toys for kids that will help them learn by doing. It is always best to encourage your child to learn through the use of games and other fun activities as they will learn to enjoy both new things and learning. This can make your job as a parent more enjoyable as well because your kids can spend time with you while having fun learning without realizing they are learning new things. The best thing you can do for your child is buy toys that you can play along with them. This is why games always fall under the best kids toys.