Toys, as everyone knows, are associated with children playing, however it is fairly common for adults, as well as some animals to play with toys. Many items are produced to be used as toys, but however, goods or services produced for other reasons are also sometimes used as toys.

A small child might pick up an everyday item and ‘fly’ it around and pretend its an aeroplane, or an animal might be found playing with a ball of string, swiping at it, chasing it, or throwing it up in the air. Some toys are made specifically as collectibles and aren’t supposed to be used as play items.

Where the toy originates from goes back to the dawn of civilisation. Toys such as baby dolls, fighting men, animals and models of adult tools, like a toy hammer, are often found at archaeological sites. It is not fully understood where the word “toy” came from, but it’s believed that it started being used in the 14th century.

In terms of growing up and gaining real world skills, toys and play are vitally important. Young children use play and toys to help their body’s development, to explore relationships, practise real world skills and overall, discover their identity.

Adults use toys to explore their practical skills, develop social relationships, to bring back childhood memories and to decorate their homes along with a few other reasons. In fact, toys and play at a young age do have a huge impact on the way we turn out as people.

Child Development: Toys, like playing in itself, have multiple purposes in humans and animals. They allow us to learn whilst being entertained. Toys stimulate the mind to think and they help in the acquisition of mental and physical skills we need later in life.

Possibly on of the simplest toys a child can have is a set of wooden blocks. They may be the simplest, but they are one of the most effective toys for developing children’s mind power. Research shows that a simple set of wooden block can help children’s basic maths and science skills and their hand-eye co-ordination. Other toys such as marbles and balls serve similar purposes.

One way in which toys can influence the development of children’s minds involves clay-modelling toys like play-dough and their home-made alternatives. Professionals have demonstrated how such toys have a positive effect on the physical, mental, emotional and social development of young children.