My son Jack had been quietly playing with his Meccano set when we heard him scream, sweet!

What a cool toy, my friend Dave said, it's a ferris wheel. It's a solar powered ferris wheel, said Jack.

Dave asked me, How did you get him to play with educational toys, my son only wants to play video games. I asked Dave whether he had ever played educational games or built rockets or space toys with his son. I'm not really a hands on guy was his answer. So I proceeded to demonstrate to Dave that educational toys teach skills that all successful adults use in everyday life. I told him that construction toys require imagination and planning. Robots require the use of logic. Strategy games require competitiveness and forethought. And of course crafts require creativity.

I think that's a bit too technical for my son, said Dave. Well, why don't you start with some magic. Most tricks are scientific illusions that require planning and practice. Or how about simply building a plane,train or automobile with him, a real mechanical toy. This way he can see how all the pieces interconnect to achieve a common goal, like a team of components.

My son likes to collect baseball cards, said Dave. Well how about starting a bug collection or rock collection. It just might inspire him to be a geologist or entomologist. Of course you could always get him some anatomy models, so he can be a surgeon like his dad.

About The Author
Ted Moryto is a professional engineer and proprietor of Brain Waves Toys.
http://www.brainwavestoys.com

This article was posted on September 23, 2005

Cranky WindUp

#VALUE!

Cosmojetz WindUp
Price: 11.95
InnovaToys & Gifts

You got served! And by a wind-up toy, no less! And while we're not certain what the whole serving thing is, it seems appropriate when describing Cosmojetz. This little guy attacks the dance floor like a maniac (that's right, we went there)!

Critter WindUp
Price: 11.95
InnovaToys & Gifts

Critter's legs are longer than Tina Turner's and its moves will put any dancer to shame as it taps, shimmies and shakes all over the place! Add him to your already stellar collection of our unique wind-ups for one motley crew of robot insect dancers.

Katita (The Hero) WindUp
Price: 11.95
InnovaToys & Gifts

Need a little excitement? Need to be rescued from your humdrum existence of cubicle life? You need a hero! And that hero is Katita, an amazing wind-up that is sure to shake up your dull life!

Sparklz Windup
Price: 11.95
InnovaToys & Gifts

Not quite a Roman Candle on wheels, Sparklz is still quite an exciting mobile pyrotechnic achievement. Wind him up and watch him go as a trail of sparks flies off from behind!

Spinney WindUp
Price: 11.95
InnovaToys & Gifts

Part of a seemingly endless family of crazy wind-up creatures, Spinney features that unique flair you've come to expect from designer Chico Bicalho. Place him on your desk and watch in amazement as spinney performs a one-man-show like nothing you've ever seen!

Pinticuda WindUp
Price: 12.95
InnovaToys & Gifts

Wind-ups have been around for centuries but not since those first ones came out have there been any quite as unique this. Pinticuda is, at best, a little strange at first blush but once you get to know it and witness its one-of-a-kind performance, you will surely never look at a six-legged creature the same way again!

Awika! WindUp
Price: 12.95
InnovaToys & Gifts

A rough, rugged wind-up, Awika will climb its way over anything in its path (as long as it's not too high). Just wind it up and leave the rest to might Awika. Another one of the fine wind-ups brought to you by Chico Bicalho.

Oahaca Pull String WindUp
Price: 14.95
InnovaToys & Gifts

Are you forced to endure long days sitting behind a bland, boring desk, ruining your eyes by straining to stare at a computer monitor? Then give yourself (and your eyes) a break and stare at something you'll actually enjoy looking at: A wild and wacky wind-up that goes berserk when you pull on his string!

Mxykikker WindUp
Price: 23.95
InnovaToys & Gifts

What has eighteen legs and crawls over everything? No, not you nieces and nephews who you volunteered to sit for while your siblings take a vacation. It's Mxykikker, the weirdest wind-up with the coolest, creepy crawly characteristics you've ever seen.