We Have Tested These 5 Outdoor Toys… But Which Ones Actually Work?
In today’s fast-paced world, teaching children the value of household tasks is more important than ever. Helping out with chores from an early age not only instills a sense of responsibility and self-reliance in children but also teaches them valuable life skills that they will carry with them into adulthood. However, getting kids to do chores can often be a challenge, which is why it’s crucial to make it a fun and engaging experience. In this blog post, we’ll look at the Top 5 toys that will grab children’s attention while teaching them valuable skills.
Learning self-reliance & responsibility starts at an early age
Learning household chores instills a sense of responsibility and self-reliance in children. It can also have positive effects on a child’s self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. When children are able to complete tasks and contribute to the household successfully, it can boost their confidence and sense of pride in their abilities. Teaching kids how to do chores is not just good for them, but it’s great for parents too! When kids help out with household tasks, parents can have some relief from their never-ending to-do lists. It also creates a fun way for families to spend time together and teaches kids the importance of teamwork.
No Game – No Gain
But how do you engage kids in such seemingly boring activities? You make them interesting! There’s a wide range of toys that simulate household tasks. By making them seem like a game, these toys get children excited about doing housework. Studies have shown that kids learn better when they’re having a good time! So why not put that to the test when it comes to household tasks? When kids are having fun while doing chores, they’re more likely to remember how to do them and even want to do them again! So, take a look at the Top 5 toys that will get kids excited about learning practical skills!
1. First Place: GROWGO Mud Kitchen & Grocery Store
- Skill range: amazing
- Price range: $$$
- Is it realistic? very
- Is it sustainable? yes
If you talk about skill range, nothing beats a good mud kitchen. Especially this one from GROWGO – since it has real running water, tons of realistic details, and versatile use! Cooking, mixing, measuring, cleaning – these are just a few examples of practical skills. This toy even develops social skills and encourages teamwork as it doubles as a pretend-play grocery store or a restaurant. Not to mention all the benefits of getting kids to spend time outside and interact with nature. Yes, it’s one of the pricier choices, but this toy grows with the kid and can be used throughout their childhood, 1-7 years being the prime time. In retrospect, that’s more than affordable! Plus, it’s wooden and sustainable, which is very important in our book. Even the packaging is environment-friendly as it transforms into a bug hotel. Stay till the end for more details on this one.
By far, GROWGO 2-in-1 Mud Kitchen or Grocery Store is the most efficient new toy on the market for this summer.
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2. Second Place: Melissa & Doug Wooden Project Workbench
- Skill range: great
- Price range: $$$
- Is it realistic? yes
- Is it sustainable? yes
A close second to the first one, this is yet another workstation. It teaches kids how to use different tools and trains their little fingers to do small tasks. The variety of tools is amazing, and all the ways kids can construct their own pieces greatly improve creative thinking and problem-solving skills. The station is made of wood, nice-looking, and sustainable, without all that cheap plastic. It’s another pricy toy, but well worth it, as it offers so much for the child’s development. However, it does come second in a couple of areas. The versatility of learned skills is a bit lower. Plus, the GROWGO mud kitchen’s running water and opportunity to get dirty (in a good way!) and truly feel all materials beat other toys in the realism department.
3. Third Place: LA·LA · LLAMA Toddler Busy Board
- Skill range: moderate
- Price range: $
- Is it realistic? very
- Is it sustainable? partly
You may ask, what dressing up has to do with household tasks? Well, every parent who had to dress up their kids while running late for work may answer: EVERYTHING. Taking care of oneself is also a responsibility that has to be taught. This busy board offers all kinds of buckles and buttons that develop sensory and fine motor skills. The materials are nice to touch, and the colors are visually appealing to kids. This toy may not have the greatest range of skills, but those skills are crucial. Plus, it’s affordable and can be a great gift for baby showers!
4. Fourth Place: Constructive Playthings 6-in-1 Power Gardening Toy Set
- Skill range: limited
- Price range: $$
- Is it realistic? yes
- Is it sustainable? no
6 pieces in 1 set, this toy will keep your kid’s attention. The best part is that these toys make realistic action & sound effects, simulating the real thing and being very entertaining for children. However, all toys are about gardening hardware, lacking a creative spark. Also, they’re all plastic, so the set gets a no from us regarding sustainability. But we wanted to include this set for a great reason: it gets kids to play outside! We can definitely clap for that.
5. Fifth Place: SpringFlower Flower Garden Building Kit
- Skill range: limited
- Price range: $$
- Is it realistic? no
- Is it sustainable? no
This toy gets a go because it’s a doorway to getting kids interested in real gardening. All made of plastic and not all that realistic, this toy comes in last place. However, its vibrant colors will definitely grab the attention of the little ones, and many combination options will nurture their creativity. If your tiny human isn’t a green thumb just yet, after playing with this set, they might be!
The incredible versatility of the GROWGO mud kitchen
Considering everything listed here, the mud kitchen & grocery store from GROWGO tops them all.
First, it’s wonderfully versatile in the skills it fosters.
- By gathering ingredients, kids interact and learn about nature.
- By mixing water and sand, kids learn about textures.
- Different ratios make different results, and kids can experiment.
- “Baking” mud pies is a very creative process!
- Running water is the best feature! The tap is realistic, and kids learn to clean up after themselves.
- The kitchen stand includes other great features, such as a realistic oven door and a real bell.
- The blackboards encourage kids to write and draw.
- “Selling” their creations is a different game in itself, developing social skills.
- They can even turn it into a lemonade stand!
- Plus, the packaging is actually a craft project! It turns into a bug hotel, so kids can get creative while building it and then learn lots about nature while observing.
It’s a toy that will suit any child, whether a toddler or an older kid. The fact that this mud kitchen grows with the kid and can also be used by siblings of different ages completely sold it!
GROWGO, you get the seal of approval!
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Laura Johnson
The GROWGO mud kitchen has been a game-changer for my grandkids! It encourages them to spend more time outdoors and enjoy the sunshine while having fun with imaginative play.
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