Best New Toys

Everyone likes to play. Adults enjoy Vegas games online, while children play with toys. It’s a universal need that, psychologists say, helps children to develop a better understanding of their environment. Anthropologists have found toys that date back to prehistoric times including replications of animals, soldiers and infants.

In archaeological sites in both North and South America, Africa, Asia and Europe archaeologists have discovered unifying features of children’s playthings that, regardless of the era and culture, all are designed to allow the children to imitate the world of adults in a fun and imaginative manner.

Types of Toys

From prehistoric times to the 21^stcentury techie toys, children’s playthings have generally involved basic toy-types. These include toys that promote physical activity, vehicles, building and construction materials, dolls and other replicas of humans (including items used when playing with dolls), and soft animals such as teddy bears.

About Toys

The Enlightenment era of the 18^thcentury helped to change attitudes towards children. By seeing children as youngsters on their way towards adulthood, toy developers started to think about ways that toys could be used to promote that move emotionally and intellectually. Puzzles were one of the first toys to hit the market with the goal of advancing childrens’ intellects.  The rocking horse was invented to develop children’s balance (in preparation for riding real horses) and books that were written specifically for children began to hit the bookshelves.

Emphasis on toys that had an educational purpose increased in the 19^thcentury with board games, new types of puzzles and complex mechanical and optics-based boys added to the market. These included kaleidoscopes, magic kits, toy trains and miniature doll hoses.

By the 20^thcentury mass production met goals of providing wholesome toys to children. Some notable 20^thcentury toys included toys with wheels, axles and gears, toys with nuts and bolts to connect different sections (and teach children the rudiments of construction).  Die-cast toys were introduced which allowed families on a budget to acquire playthings for their children and toy soldiers and porcelain dolls became commonplace.

The introduction of plastics made toys cheap and readily available to all. Lego, Fisher Price, Mattel and others flooded the toy store shelves with every imaginable toy – many of which make noises and move, even talk to us.

New Toys for the Young and Not-So-Young

Board game fans will enjoy playing Spring Island which is similar to a Bizzaro-world sequel to The Settlers of Catan. You won’t need to colonize a newfound landmass in Spring Island – instead, you work collaboratively with your friends as the invaded isle’s guardian spirits. The team must rally the native population as they deploy elemental powers to drive the invading settlers off your sacred land.

Spring Island Board Game

Spring Island is rather complex but not too difficult, It’s a great game to build team spirit in which your team – the “sprints” learn new powers while building influence on the game board.

As you move through the game you’ll encounter multiple gameplay levels so you can choose your mode. Even for the easiest modes you’ll need to be clear and intuitive. Your team needs to discover which battles to fight while they collaborate for maximum effect.

Gloomhaven Board Game

Gloomhaven offers over 150 hours of gaming activity along with countless playable characters, rule books, bad guys, tombs and an interactive storyline that brings players into the Gloomhaven neverworld.

The cooperative role-playing game is similar to a combat-focused Dungeons & Dragons. It’s played with cards rather than dice and instead of a game-master there’s a box overlord. There are 100 scenarios but all of them involve the need to sweep through a dungeon and advance the story through choices that open up new locations, deliver loot and deal new cards that modify other character’s abilities.

Each character is unique, playable and engaging. The characters transcend the traditional D&D tropes to bring on board compelling characters, each of which has his/her own abilities and personality. The game’s stages blur the lines between classic fantasy archetypes as the player “retires” on character and switches to another character to keep everyone on their toes.

Little Tykes Construct ‘n Learn Smart Workbench

The Smart Workbench by Little Tykes is the perfect toy for kids whose parents want to see their children actively involved in an educational project. The Smart Workbench is designed to guide children to build their own vehicle. An app uses Bluetooth technology to guide the child as s/he creates any of the three unique vehicles. Alternately, the kids can create their own vehicle using their own design.

The kits includes 9 different tools including a drill, hammer, socket wrench,  pliers, Philips-head screwdriver, screws, wrench, tool hangers and tape measure & level. There’s also an adjustable mobile device holder and each tool has its own sounds. The Bluetooth-enabled Smart vehicle animates the vehicle so that it actually drives. There’s a Little Builder for toddlers and a Big Builder (Preschoolers) modes of play. Depending on the child’s level the game can be played as Blue Prints, Tool Trivia, Fix-it-Fast or Free Play.

FurReal Roarin’ Tyler, the Playful Tiger

Young toddlers and older children will enjoy the FurReal Roaring’Tyler, the Playful Tiger, a twist on the stuffed animal genre of teddy bear boys. The look and feel of Tyler evokes a warm, fuzzy feeling for anyone who wants to give a furry friend a hug.

Tyler also roars back at kids who make sounds in his presence and moves to give the impression of a real live tiger buddy. He responds when the child gives him his play toy and bows playfully as he gives his little roar. The soft fur and moveable back legs makes this a huggable winner.

Goldie Blox

Goldie Blox was designed by an engineer  — a woman — who wanted to make the fireld of engineering more interesting and inviting to young girls. The Goldie Blox sets are designed as construction sets with a mild degree of challenge but they feature “girl” colors of pinks and purples and storylines that have Goldie and her dog Nacho (whose figurines come with the construction tools) as the heroes in construction-related activities.

There are Goldie Blox for young pre-schoolers and older girls, each with its own challenge level. Some of the most popular sets include Parade Post, Zipline, Dunk Tank and Spinning Machine.