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Good toys, bad toys

For the sixth year, the Globe is reprinting a holiday toy list put out by Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment. what distinguishes it from others is that it not only suggests toys that stimulate healthy, creative play, but also suggests which toys and toy trends to avoid. For more information, visit the Web site.

 GOOD TOYS

Miles digs a BRIO front-end loader at Bright Horizons.

A Wiggly Giggly ball rattles with amusing sounds.

    
Toys that promote healthy play

Dramatic play toys that helps children work out their own ideas about their experiences. Also consider blocks, dress-up clothes, small animals, and dolls.

Brio Tractor Trailer with Bulldozer made by Brio. $25. Age: 18 months and up.
Groovy Girls & Groovy Boys (Manhattan Toys). Brightly dressed, multicultural fabric dolls. $10-$20. Age 18 months& up.

Manipulative play with small objects develops small muscle control and eye-hand coordination; teaches about relationships between objects, and leads to math and science skills.

  • Brio Builder System (Brio). Starter set and realistic tools. $40.
  • Toolbox ($30) has more tools and carrying case. Ages 3 and up.
  • Jigsaws in a Box (Lights, Camera, Interaction! Inc.). Four small wooden puzzles with 12 to 24 pieces. $10-15. Ages: 3-6.
  • Wiggly Giggly Collection (HandsOnToys, Inc.). Balls and rattles with amusing sounds. $2-$10. Three months to 5 years.

     

    Creative arts toys encourage self-expression and the use of symbols, a vital skill for problem solving and literacy. Also consider finger paint, poster paint, scissors, glue, and markers.

  • Nature Patterns Blocks (T.C. Timber). Blocks in shapes found in the natural world (hexagonals, beehives). $25. Age 3 and up.
  • Kaleida Jewels (Global Toys, Inc.). Sparkly holographic magnets for creating patterns and pictures. $16. Age 3 and up.
  • Clay Faces (Alex). Clay modeling kit with two pounds of clay in 10 colors, 25 cutters, and tools. $15. Age 4 and up.

    Physical play toys promote healthy body awareness and coordination and social interaction. Also consider wheeled toys, balls, bats, jump ropes, and giant chalk.

  • Gripper Bowling Set (Saturnian Inc.). Colorful, soft numbered pins and ball, for us indoors or out. $30. Age 18 months and up.
  • Dart Ball (P.T.S., Inc.). Balls and large inflatable target with Velcro sticking action. $22. Age 4 and up.
  • Colorful Balls (TC Timber). Durable plastic in bright colors and designs. Age 9 months and up.

    Games, especially board games, teach turn taking, rules, strategy, sequencing and cooperation.

  • Hand in Hand/Pillow Pincher/Variland (Selecta Spielzeug). Matching and sorting games. $25-$29. Age 3 and up.
  • Walk in the Woods (Family Pastimes). A board game featuring butterflies, apples, and poison ivy. $14. Age 3-7.

     

    Toys and toy trends to avoid

     BAD TOYS

    Superhero Buttercup: The Powerpuff Girls

    Books that link food to reading.

    		    
    Toys that make electronic technology the focus of play. That controls, dictates and limits play; turns social activities into solitary ones; undermines literacy:

  • Electronic Hand Held Video Games, Candyland, Mr. Potato Head, (Milton Bradley). $20. Age 3 and up.
  • Soft and Smart Puppy Phone (Knowledge Kids Enterpries). A plush dog/phone. $10. Age 9 months and up.

    Toys that hook young children on media:

  • Little Smart Storytime Rymes - Leap Frog (V-Tech). $13. Age 6 months and up.
  • Little People Animal Sounds Farm (Fisher Price). $30. Age 18 months and up.

    Toys that emphasize violent, grotesque and/or sexual images, adding to a focus on antisocial play:

  • WWF Buried Alive (Jakks Pacific). Four action figures, a burial mound with a pop-up casket, etc. $10. Age 4 and up.
  • Bungee Blaster and Double Crossbow (Nerf). $10. Age 6 and up.

    Toys that link play to commercial products, ensuring an easy market for brand-name recognition:

  • Playdoh Fast Food Kits: Taco Bell; Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal Playshop (Hasbro). $10. Age 3 and up.
  • Baby Lego-Disney's Baby Mickey (Primo). $15. Age 6-24 months.

    Toys that lure young girls into pretending to be teenagers, by promoting stereotyped and sexualized behavior, focusing on appearance, and equating self-worth with appearance:

  • Make-Up Mindy (Hasbro), doll with beauty mask, nail polish, and make-up. $20. Age 3 and up.
  • Superhero Buttercup: The Powerpuff Girls (Cartoon Network). A plush doll that says, "Smash! Smash! Right in the kisser!" and "I think they are asking for a hiney whooping!" $15. Age 18 months and up.

    Toys that take the creative play out of classic toys

  • Easy Bake Kitchen with CD Rom Play Set (Interactive). $30. Age 3 and up.
  • WWF Attitude Bears-Al Snow and other WWF figures (Titan Sports). Small stuffed teddy bear holding a several head of a small bear, etc. $13. No age.

    Toys that link play to TV programs, movies and video games rated for teenagers and adults.

  • X-Men Action Figures: Storm, Mystique. Scantily clad action figures. $6. Age 5 and up.
  • Dragon Ball Z Super Glove (MGA Entertainment). $10. Age 5 and up.

    Toys that link play to candy and unhealthy foods, encouraging poor nutrition and tying reading to a reward:

  • Kellogg's Fruit Loops! Counting Fun Book (Barbara Barbier McGrath). $6. Infant and up.
  • Oreo Matchin' Middles (Fisher Price). A game involving cookies. $7. Age 3 and up.

    This story ran on page H05 of the Boston Globe on 11/30/00.
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