Toys that Stimulate Young Imaginations

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DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 30, 1996 -- With school back in session, it's time to hit the toys again. That's right, toys. With all the cramming of little minds that goes on at school and even many preschools, your children need plenty of time to play, breathe and just use those fresh imaginations. Some toys are much better at encouraging this type of play than others. Parent alert: toys that are loads of fun can still be part of the total learning experience. You really can accomplish both learning and play if you follow some simple suggestions and don't get too heavy-handed in pushing for skills.

ASTRA(SM), the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, has compiled a list of the top toys for stimulating the imagination and there's not a flash card in the bunch. (It's not that ASTRA has anything against flash cards.) It's just that ASTRA's more than 500 members have more imaginative ways to stimulate your child's young mind. Whether you have a budding builder of two or a master artist of twelve, there is a toy that's just right to spark new ideas and to foster that lovely gift called curiosity.

In developing a top ten list of toys to stimulate children's imaginations, ASTRA members drew from experts and even from bright minds in history: Einstein was fascinated by a pocket compass at age five. Frank Lloyd Wright grew up playing with blocks. Even Benjamin Franklin got that kite idea from somewhere! ASTRA's toy panel also drew from developmental experts who learned, as an example, that strong contrasting patterns and varied textures are more stimulating for babies than flat objects and muted pastels. But mostly, ASTRA members drew from their countless hours and years of experience with the real experts: kids. Toys stocked or made by ASTRA members are child tested for safety, quality and play value and then hand selected by specialty retailers who are dedicated to providing products that are creative and have lasting value.

Some of the toys that stimulate complex brain waves are the simplest. Basic wooden blocks and other building sets come up again and again as ideal toys. Children who use them can build anything from simple toy towers to elaborate kingdoms, outer space worlds, underwater cities and more. For older children, Interstar Master Builder Set by International Playthings or the Giant Set by K'Nex are recommended. If you have a future architect or just want your younger child to picture more than her own room's walls, choose blocks. Sets are available for all ages at specialty retailers from bright wooden ones for toddlers to highly intricate sets that will challenge most parents.

Costumes and dress-up accessories provide year-round fun and practically insist upon great imagination. Your child can be a medieval princess locked in the tallest castle, a brave cowgirl or a rodeo rider on the range, all within the space of five minutes. With a few simple items, your child can direct a whole cast of family and friends or retreat to a world of his own. Puppets such as Folkman Puppets are whimsical and another wonderful way to encourage make-believe while building storytelling confidence.

You can't believe they don't know California is on the ocean? USA Map Puzzles by Small World Toys help your child's sense of geography while developing pattern discernment skills. My World Quilt by Curiosity Kits encourages children to think beyond their own neighborhood in a fresh, simple way. Totem Carving by Creativity for Kids is a great craft-oriented toy that enhances learning about American Indians.

There are too many great paints, pastel crayons, finger paints and art kits for ASTRA to name in its top ten list but they urge you to remember the value of art for both self-expression and encouraging imaginative flights of fancy set to one-of-a-kind illustrations. While beautiful and creative art supplies and crafts abound, don't forget the importance of one quality pad of artist's heavy paper to tell your children that all their drawings are keepers in your book.

For grade school children, Buried Treasure, Egyptian Dig by Educational Insights is a wonderful way to enhance that familiar class unit on ancient ruins. Be daring and unlock the mysteries even before they get to that chapter in school. Toys and games like Survival or Extinction by Latz Chance Games or Chronology by Great American Puzzle help children use their minds to weave a path through history and see into the future.

If these toys sound too tame for your future scientist, try the Alien Slime Lab by Educational Insights. There's a hidden bonus in this last toy selection: slime is very "cool" this year. Imagine that -- your choice of toys can not only be smart, but also hip.

* Toys can be purchased or ordered from ASTRA specialty toy retailers.

CONTACT: Joanne Henry, 612-344-1011 (Direct) or Lois Bjorlie, 612-344-1017 (Direct), both of Neuger Henry Bartkowski for American Specialty Toy Retailing Association