Toys that can be used in multiple ways and that invite children to come up with questions to answer through play.She shared some criteria she uses when seeking out great science toys, which we also used in putting together this list: “At the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, we get a lot of wear and tear on our toys and we do not have infinite storage space, so have to be efficient and intentional,” Ochoa says. “Toys that are designed to solve only one problem are less likely to be used more than once,” she says. That is to say, ones that invite multiple ways for kids to interact or that present more complex problems to solve via play. “It’s all about finding the science in what your child is interested in.”įinally, Ochoa’s favorite science toys are the ones that can be used again and again. “With both toys, you can talk about adaptations, habitats, ecosystems, taxonomy, migration,” Ochoa says. One example she shares is how dinosaurs are often marketed toward boys and lumped into science toys, whereas animals like kittens are marketed toward girls but seen more as something to simply play pretend with. “Many toys that are labeled ‘girly’ are not considered science toys, but they absolutely can be,” she says. Ochoa also reminds buyers not to be swayed by gender-based marketing when it comes to children’s toys. Or opt for a magnifying glass in your child’s favorite color to get them excited to use it. If your child is an auditory learner, buy a toy that talks or makes sounds. ![]() For example, “If a child likes to ride their bike, get them some tools so they can test their speed as they ride over different terrains,” Ochoa says. “A toddler might learn that if you leave that light on for a couple of minutes, it starts to feel warm, a middle school student might use the help of an adult to take apart the toy and see how it works.”Ĭonsider your child’s interests when introducing them to science. ![]() “Any toy can be played with scientifically,” she says. Shelsea Ochoa, an educator performer who designs and shares science communication for all ages at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Colorado, reminds us that it’s sometimes less about the toy itself and more about how we play with it.
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