Family Articles

Learning Toys are on a Lot of Kids' Wish Lists This Year

The holiday season is upon us and you know what that means - time to start shopping for presents. You may already know what you're going to get for your spouse, friends and parents, but what about the kids?

While you may be tempted to just run out and pick up one of this year's hottest toys, don't do it!  It will probably quickly end up on a shelf. A gift that nurtures the child's natural creativity and curiosity about the world around them is the way to go.  

Creativity is the ability to see things in a new way, including problems no one else may even realize exist, and then coming up with new, unique, and effective solutions. Children display creativity in all parts of play, but especially in four main areas: art, language, music, and fantasy.  

Rather than spending a lot of time running around town searching for the perfect gift, it's one stop shopping at www.Zeebop.com, a Web site dedicated exclusively to children's toys that encourage creativity.

A child who is a budding Picasso is sure to appreciate a gift that will give them tools of the trade.  Zeebop.com carries a complete line of Alex art supplies, including markers, crayons and colored pencils, as well as craft kits, including one that includes everything you need to make and decorate your own kite.

Toys that encourage children to express their ideas and feelings through music also make great holiday gifts. The little ones will laugh out loud when they hear the wacky music made by the Boomwhackers tuned percussion tubes. The instrument features eight color coded Boomwhackers, a tube holder, mallets, color coded Boomwhackers song book, an Octavator to lower the pitch one octave and instructions.

Puzzles are another educational toy that are fun to do. Wooden, jigsaw and floor puzzles teach spatial, hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills.  

You can also find developmental toys for infants and toddlers on the Zeebop.com Web site, which allows you to shop by brand, manufacturer or theme. Ohio is the only state in which sales tax is charged, and with any order over $75, shipping is free.

Copyright © 2006 ARA Content