Please include one or more keywords about the matching age group so that the list is easily searchable, like: TODDLER (for 1-2yo), PRESCHOOL1 (3-4), PRESCHOOL2 (~5-6), SCHOOL1 (~7-10), SCHOOL2 (~11-14), TEEN (15+).
General advice, but particularly for HN ;-): Everyone likes to exaggerate how smart their kid is. Please don't get them something beyond their grasp just to boost your own ego. Everyone ends up disappointed and the kid might think that $thing is boring, forever. If you're willing to sit with them and really help them with it that's different but even if you are, don't make it so hard that it's a chore.
I can relate to this! For my 22nd birthday my parents to me one of these because I constantly tried to solve my cousins. Trying to solve the whole thing is easily one of the most addictive yet infuriating non-digital toys I have ever played with. Still who’s using it more than a year later!
I've been noodling on a toy idea as well since I haven't seen it in the market yet (there are close toys though) - would love to see an actual building set where there are big holes in standard distances in blocks and other shapes that can be "screwed" together with an electric driver (toy). Starting with basic blocks that represent a 2x4, literally anything can be built from there.
after age 9 or so (past 7 years or so).. every single toy I've seen in every catalogue of toys.. a waste of money. even if it's something they like, it will be opened then cast to the side while attention is focused on phone / computer (that's where to fun games are, and friends to talk with are)
yugioh cards have been a thing - but that is mainly because a group formed at the school.. this could be pokemon or similar... DnD gained some traction for a bit, but fades if group meetups are not consistent from my experience.
It is a bit more expensive but they use that all the time. And every kid that comes here spends time playing with that thing.
Lego, gets used all the time. Sets get built properly kept and played with for a while then go into the general lego pool for creative play
Physical books (Beastquest series for the boy, Roald Dahl, Harry Potter)
Android Tablets, they've had for a year and held up well, used regularly, too regularly. They don't have any other technology and use maybe 1hr a day. I was programming my vic 20 at 6/7 and taking apart electronics.
Craft stuff, paper glue, coloured pencils, paints etc gets used every day
Old skool board games: Monopoly, Draughts, Chess, Snakes and Ladders get used a lot.
- Magna Tiles (TODDLER, PRESCHOOL1)
- Marble Maze (PRESCHOOL1)
- Lego Duplo (everyone loves these!)
- Stomp rocket (TODDLER, PRESCHOOL1)
- Books (PRESCHOOL2): Ivy & Bean, Zoey and Sassafras, but anything really depending on the kid
But it's the perfect gift for anyone at any age.
I parented my way through it, and it all worked out fine.
A dedicated laptop signals “go do whatever you want with it anytime you want” also, where a shared one signals “we own this and we tell you when to use it”
The world and the Internet is a different place now. Pedophiles and predators run rampant. It's just not possible to keep a child safe without being a total buzzkill.
And there are surely going to be people who believe being a buzzkill is necessary or even your responsibility as a parent to curb the content your child is allowed to see. I have no objections to that way of parenting. But my opinion does not change:
I can not recommend giving a child access to the internet from a young age. It worked back then. It does not work today. Especially since apps like TikTok completely ruin young minds, imho.
If they are unable to understand, you have identified a problem you need to work on. If they understand but do not have self control, block it at DNS and work on self-discipline. By the time they can circumvent your controls, they will likely be ready to make good decisions.
