Toys generaly
A toy is an object used in play. Toys are usually associated with children and pets, but it is not unusual for adult humans and some non-domesticated animals to play with toys. The origin of toys is prehistoric; dolls representing infants, animals, and soldiers, as well as representations of tools used by adults are readily found at archaeological sites. The origin of the word “toy” is unknown, but it is believed that it was first used in the 14th century.
The earliest toys were made from materials found in nature, such as rocks, sticks, and clay. Thousands of years ago, Egyptian children played with dolls that had wigs and movable limbs which were made from stone, pottery, and wood. In Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, children played with dolls made of wax or terra cotta, sticks, bows and arrows, and yo-yos. When Greek children, especially girls, came of age it was customary for them to sacrifice the toys of their childhood to the gods. On the eve of their wedding, young girls around fourteen would offer their dolls in a temple as a rite of passage into adulthood.
One example of the dramatic ways that toys can influence child development involves clay sculpting toys such as Play-Doh and Silly Putty and their home-made counterparts. Mary Ucci, Educational Director of the Child Study Center of Wellesley College, demonstrates how such toys positively impact the physical development, cognitive development, emotional development, and social development of children.
Types:
1. Dolls, animals, and miniatures
Dolls are usually miniatures, but baby dolls may be of true size and weight. A doll or stuffed animal of soft material is sometimes called a plush toy or plushie. A popular toy of this type is the Teddy Bear.
List of toys: American Girl Doll, Barbie, Brass Key Keepsakes, Bratz, Fulla (doll), Polly Pocket, Raggedy Ann, Saghira, Tygirlz, Pabel
2. Puzzles
A puzzle is a problem or enigma that challenges ingenuity. Solutions to puzzle may require recognizing patterns and creating a particular order. People with a high inductive reasoning aptitude may be better at solving these puzzles than others. Puzzles based on the process of inquiry and discovery to complete may be solved faster by those with good deduction skills.
3. History of mechanical puzzles
With the invention of materials easy to shape such as plastic, the range of puzzle possibilities grew. Rubik’s Cube, arguably the most famous puzzle worldwide, would not be possible without modern polymers.
4. Construction toys
The oldest and, perhaps most common construction toy is a set of simple wooden blocks, which are often painted in bright colors and given to babies and toddlers. Construction sets such as Lego bricks and Lincoln Logs are designed for slightly older children and have been quite popular in the last century. Construction sets appeal to children (and adults) who like to work with their hands, puzzle solvers, and imaginative sorts.
list of toys: Blocks, Construx, Erector Set, fischertechnik, Gami, Plastic Origami, Jovo, K’NEX, Konstruk-Tubes, Lego, Lincoln Logs, Märklin, Meccano, Mega Bloks, Rasti, Stickle bricks, Tinkertoy, Tog’l, Xevoz, Stikfas, Zome
5. Other toys
Action figures
* Playmobil
* Digital pet
* Jumping Jack
* Toy soldier
* B-Daman (Basically an action figure capable of firing marbles)
* xevoz
* Raks
Executive Toys
* Easy Button
* Newton’s cradle
* Pin Art
* Leap frog
Educational toys
* Ant Farm
* Lego Mindstorms
* Lego NXT
* qfix robot kits
* Real World Wonders
Model collecting
* Hotwheels toy cars
* Matchbox cars
* Corgi toy cars
* Dinky toy cars
* MicroMachines
Toy Vehicles
* Radio Controlled Cars
* Radio-controlled aircraft
* Radio-controlled boat
* Slot cars
source : wikipedia.org
