Outdoor Toys

Outdoor toys are objects used in play outside the home. Outdoor toys are usually associated with children, but it is not unusual for adults to use outdoor toys such as electric quad bikes, sports equipment and swimming pools. Many products are manufactured to serve as outdoor toys, but items produced for other purposes can also be used as toys. A child may pick up a household item and 'fly' it around pretending that it is an airplane. Some outdoor toys are produced primarily as collector's items and are not intended to be played with.

The origin of toys is prehistoric and they are readily found at archaeological sites. The origin of the word "toy" is unknown, but it is believed that it was first used in the 14th century.

Toys and outdoor toys in general are an important part of the process of learning about the world and growing up. The young use toys and play to discover their identity, learn cause and effect, explore relationships, and practice skills they will need as adults. Toys are more than simple amusement, and they and the ways they are used profoundly influence most aspects of life.

History

As technology changed and civilization progressed, toys and outdoor toys also changed. Whereas ancient toys were made from materials found in nature like stone, wood, and grass - modern outdoor toys are often made from plastic, cloth, and synthetic materials. Ancient Outdoor toys were often made by the parents and family of the children who used them, or by the children themselves. Modern toys, in contrast, are often mass-produced, sold in shops and on the Internet. Popular modern outdoor toys of the last decade include the following:

• Ride-on toys
• Climbing Frames
• Swimming Pools
• Bouncy Castles
• Inflatable Water Slides
• Electric Quad Bikes
• Basketball Hoops
• Swing Sets
• Playhouses

All of these modern products can in someway relate back to outdoor toys many years ago.

Certain indoor and outdoor toys are often perceived as being more acceptable for one gender than the other. It has been noted by researchers that, "Children as young as 18 months display sex-stereotyped toy choices".

Vehicles / Ride on Toys

Children have played with miniature versions of vehicles since ancient times, with toy two-wheeled carts being depicted on ancient Greek vases. Wind up toys have also played a part in the advancement of toy vehicles. Modern equivalents include ride-on toy cars and jeeps powered by electric batteries.

Physical Activity

Nearly all outdoor toys are part of active play. These include traditional toys such as balls, pedal cars, climbing frames and sports activities, Playing with these sorts of toys allows children to exercise, building strong bones and muscles and aiding in physical fitness. Jumping rope, (also known as skipping) and playing with foot bags can improve balance. Throwing and catching balls and Frisbees can improve hand-eye coordination. Outdoor Toys are fantastic alternative to your child playing on a games console.

Child Development

Indoor and outdoor toys, like playing itself, serve multiple purposes in both humans and animals. They provide entertainment while fulfilling an educational role. Outdoor Toys enhance cognitive behaviour and stimulate creativity. They aid in the development of physical and mental skills, which are necessary in later life.

One example of the dramatic ways that toys can influence child development involves clay-sculpting toys such as Play-Doh and Silly Putty and their homemade counterparts. Outdoor Toys for infants often make use of distinctive sounds, bright colours, and unique textures. Through play with toys infants begin to recognize shapes and colours.

Repetition reinforces memory

Educational outdoor toys for school age children often contain a puzzle, problem-solving technique, or mathematical proposition. Often outdoor toys designed for older audiences - such as teenagers or adults - demonstrate advanced concepts.