what is the minimum criteria for educational toys for kids between 1-10 years old?

Answer 1

It should spark the imagination so the toy can be picked up by any kid and used in a fun and limitless way. Toys with one function are a waste of money. Most kids just want one of their own so they can see it work then there is no interest in it again.

Answer 2

Some of the basic concerns with all toys are safety issues, such as flammability, swallowable parts, sharp parts, fragility, and so forth. 1-10 years is quite a broad range. A Lego appropriate for a 10 year old is probably not appropriate for a 1 year old because of the lack of motor control and the risk of inhaling it.

Answer 3

Check out this site by playskool:

http://www.hasbro.com/playskool/default.cfm?page=ages

It's on "ages and stages" from 0 months to 3+ years.. what some good toys are and some "play tips"

Here is a very good article on toy selection too:

http://www.parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=9201

..And here is a shorter one (but just as good):

http://www.cmsu.edu/x28021.xml


..Basically, all toys are educational.. they dont have to have letters or numbers on them to be so. The high tech, expensive toys are actually the worst (the ones that perform for your child basically) because the child is not engaged, but just watching. The best ones are simple ones that are open-ended and the child can be creative with.. like blocks.

Answer 4

That is a big age gap
For 1 year old it could be shape and colours, dupo lego is big
4 years old puzzle, memory games, Scrabble, mobo (like lego)
blocks
8-10 contraction toys like mechcony. chess, kite making