Qualities of Good toys

First, I refuse to buy toys that need batteries. When I was young, we made our dolls sing and dance, we didn't wait for them to do it. So many toys are robbing our children of their imaginations and the ability to entertain themselves. Learning toys are good, but I think they will learn just as much if parents take time to sit down and read to them, and spend time playing with them. You can teach them to count while stacking building blocks, for example. Or teach them fractions while measuring out ingredients to make cookies. Plus, you get to spend quality time with them while they are learning!

I usually look for toys that will teach them something and are educational. However now they are older they do like to chose their own things sometimes so I let them have a small amount of money to buy their own. When buying toys for other people I often get books as I know they will learn a lot from them.