“Hot” Toys Encourage Outdoor Fitness, Self Expression & Discovery
|
|
(HealthNewsDigest.com) – If there’s one thing kids can’t have too much of, it’s creative fun outdoors in the fresh air. When school’s out, children tend to channel their boundless energy into outdoor activities.
Summer is the perfect time for parents and caregivers to re-establish good routines, take advantage of longer, leisurely days and more daylight, and engage in a variety of activities. The Center for Disease Control’s Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans specifies that at a minimum, children should have one hour of physical activity per day focused on moderate-intensity aerobics, and three days a week of vigorous-intensity activity, such as running, biking, swimming or hiking. When kids are physically active they build strong bodies, increase confidence, self-esteem and social skills.
“While summertime is a great time for building strong bodies, it is also an important time to ensure that kid’s minds and imaginations get a workout,” says Reyne Rice, Toy Trend Specialist for the Toy Industry Association, “By providing a balanced slate of activities, both physical and creative, parents will give their kids a variety of experiences to look forward to and enjoy all summer long.” From sidewalk chalk, to science and discovery, outdoor construction sets and bubbles, water toys and ride-ons there is something for every age, hobby and interest.
Self Expression and Creativity
Summer is a great time for kids to express themselves, whether it’s enjoying outdoor crafts or the freedom and joy of playing out their favorite characters in the backyard. “Keeping a few easily accessible themed toy and activity boxes with simple supplies on hand is a good idea for kids who often like to boomerang from one activity to another,” adds Rice. Although some items clear the way for independent creativity, others bring families and friends together on artistic projects such as Alex Friends 4 Ever bracelet making set and Giant Pipe Cleaner Party; Creativity for Kids Sky Diver Paper Airplanes and Tiki Girl Jewelry.
Alfresco artists can create to their heart’s delight with sidewalk chalk and sidewalk crayons, some which create magical 3 D effects, like the ones being seen on the big screen this summer in Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. These super charged coloring tools literally turn driveways, playgrounds and sidewalks into giant coloring books, and when wearing 3D glasses, the colors “pop” at different levels. From chalk to paint, give kids the tools they need to make big and colorful art that – here’s parents’ favorite part — can be easily washed away with water. Suggested products: Crayola 3D Sidewalk Crayons and Chalk.
Parents can also help children document and capture their favorite summertime activities by encouraging photography using a digital camera sized appropriately for smaller hands, such as VTech KidZoom digital camera, Fisher Price Kid Tough, and Crayola Digital Camera by Sakar Electronics.
Let’s Get Physical
Learning to ride a bicycle or scooter for the first time is a major milestone for children, and warmer weather facilitates plenty of time for mastering balance and developing or increasing skill level. Children under the age of eight should ride with adult supervision at all times and wear the proper protective gear including a helmet, elbow and knee pads as well as athletic-style, rubber sole shoes for added traction. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has published a comprehensive set of bicycle safety tips. Visit the CPSC website for tips on how to make sure helmets fit properly and comfortably so that kids will not take them off.
Innovative outdoor toys which help teach kids performance skills, foster balance, hand-eye coordination and independence include: ALEX Little Jumpers Trampoline; Little Kids Ghost Runner Baseball and Junk Ball; Diggin Wobble Deck, an indoor/outdoor electronic balance board; Radio Flyer EZ-Rider, a scooter for younger children, and the Razor Rip Rider 360, a souped-up scooter which allows for resistance-free “drifting” just like the popular motor sport.
Splish Splashing Fun
What would summer be without some pool or beach time to escape the heat? Some of today’s latest innovations make getting wet even more “wild”, and keep kids fully engaged in the activity at hand. Underwater boards take the action of skateboarding underwater; hoops are versatile enough to play in or out of water; and inflatables featuring best-loved characters make pool time extra fun. Examples include: Hasbro Super Soaker Aquashock Hydroblitz, Swimways Subskate board, Maui Toys Catch the Wave hoop, JAKKS Pacific Star Wars Jedi Starfighter inflatable and Star Wars 3D kites.
Science and Discovery, Activating Curiosity
Any adult knows that yard work, is hard work and requires real elbow grease. Kids can play gardener and learn to take ownership of growing and caring for living things such as plants, flowers and insects. Even digging dirt or sand provides hands-on discovery time. Child-size terrariums and observatories such as Creativity for Kids’ Enchanted Fairy Garden and Mini Windowsill Garden can be placed on a porch or outside patio that’s a bit sheltered. Bubbles and bubble toys are a perennial outdoor favorite that can help young scientists learn the basics of aerodynamics. (Remember to rinse bubble toys with water and refill with fresh bubble solution prior to each use to keep impurities out of the mix and maintain bubble solution strength.)Look for: Little Kids Bubble Twister, Gazillion Bubbles Rocket and Miracle Bubbles Light Up Triple Bubble Blaster.
Little explorers will enjoy role playing a scientist with child-sized binoculars by Learning Resources, a bug vacuum or Big Bad Booming Bugs, an insect listening device from Little Kids which tickle the imagination. A magnifying glass such as Terra Kids by HABA or Imperial Toy Garden Panda magnifying glass is a handy tool to make nature bigger than life. Some other examples within this category include Wild Science Eco System Kit; Dora the Explorer Bird Finder Adventure Kit by Backyard Safari; and the Go Diego Go Dessert Garden by Dune and Sprig Dune Bug’s Sand Truck.
Summer Safety, Always a Priority
The toy industry wants every play date to be a safe one, all summer long. Adult supervision during play is crucial, particularly for outdoor activities involving pools, swimming, bikes, tricycles and other ride-ons, etc. Never leave a child alone near the water or a driveway, not even for a moment.
When purchasing toys, parents should closely follow the age appropriate guidelines on toy packaging. Age labeling is a safety precaution and is based on children’s developmental skills and ability at a given age– and the appropriateness of the toy for that age. Age labeling does not pertain to the intelligence of a child, but to small parts so you never want to select toys marked with an age older than the child’s age.
Children are quick and inquisitive. They should never be left alone near water sources (pools, inflatable kiddie pools, beaches, etc.) … not even for a moment. Water toys should be kept out of sight or out of reach when not being used so children are not tempted to play in or near the water alone. Keep water toys away from pool, beach and lake areas so children are not attracted to play near the water alone — and make sure that these, as well as kiddie pools, are inaccessible without constant adult supervision.
Julie Livingston is Senior Director, Public Relations of the Toy Industry Association.
About Toy Industry Association
TIA is the not-for-profit trade association for producers and importers of toys and youth entertainment products sold in North America, representing over 500 companies that account for approximately 85% of domestic toy sales. TIA has a history of leadership in toy safety standards, advocacy on legislative and trade issues, visibility in the media, and philanthropy to children. Visit www.toyassociation.org
For additional information on safe play and tips on toy selection, visit www.toyinfo.org.
Subscribe to our FREE Ezine and be eligible for Health News, discounted products/services and coupons related to your Health. We publish 24/7.
HealthNewsDigest.com