| Preschoolers are full of energy and curiosity and have | | | | wooden doll accessories, like cradles and highchairs, |
| a natural eagerness to learn. They have mastered | | | | and wooden play sets, like car garages and fire |
| many gross motor skills and are extremely active. By | | | | stations, are all quality toys for pretend play. Props to |
| preschool age, most children have also acquired a | | | | enhance play settings are also important. Play food, |
| strong grasp of language skills and place a great value | | | | dress up clothes, and baby items like blankets and |
| on friendships. Because of their strong imaginations | | | | bottles can help your preschooler expand her |
| and wide range of interests, preschoolers usually most | | | | imaginative play time. |
| enjoy dramatic and creative play, as well as physical | | | | Puppets offer all types of play benefits to |
| activities. | | | | preschoolers. Your child can address frightening |
| The best toys for preschoolers are sturdy and durable, | | | | situations through puppets or can use them as a |
| and not likely to result in jagged or sharp edges if | | | | healthy way to express her anger or frustration over |
| broken. Look for toys that are made of quality, | | | | a recent event. Puppet play also helps preschoolers to |
| nontoxic materials and are appropriate for your | | | | expand their vocabularies and develop social and |
| preschooler's age and skill level. Wooden toys are | | | | emotional skills. Wooden puppet stages are available in |
| extremely durable, safe, and offer hours of | | | | several styles and sizes. Together with a variety of |
| educational, fun play time. | | | | puppets, a puppet stage can provide hours of creative |
| Toys that encourage physical play are great for | | | | fun. |
| preschoolers. The outdoors offer children a number of | | | | During the preschool years, most children begin to |
| sensory learning opportunities so it is important to | | | | enjoy simple board and card games as well. Matching |
| provide your preschooler with a selection of toys | | | | games and games with simple objectives like color |
| designed for outdoor use. Wooden toys like tricycles, | | | | recognition or counting are typically the most enjoyable |
| wagons, and scooters are ideal for preschoolers' | | | | games for preschoolers. Wooden toys [ and games |
| outdoor play. Miniature replicas of adult outdoor tools, | | | | with simple scoring and only basic rules are great for |
| like wheelbarrows and lawnmowers, are also a lot of | | | | teaching preschoolers to share and take turns, as well |
| fun at this age. | | | | as develop fine motor skills and school readiness skills. |
| Most preschoolers have a lot of interest in | | | | Scientific toys and working tools are also good choices |
| constructive play, especially building projects with a | | | | for older preschoolers. Small hammers and |
| finished product or specific goal. Wooden toys like | | | | screwdrivers allow children to practice building skills and |
| blocks and jigsaw puzzles are perfect for | | | | develop more precise hand and eye coordination. Toy |
| preschoolers. Simple models and snap-together toys | | | | microscopes and telescopes invite young children to |
| also provide preschoolers with hours of enjoyable play. | | | | learn by exploring the world around them. Ring toss |
| Preschoolers also need a good selection of toys that | | | | games and wooden toys for beanbag tossing are also |
| encourage dramatic play, or imaginative play. Miniature | | | | fun games that help preschoolers develop hand and |
| appliances, like wooden stoves and refrigerators, | | | | eye coordination, as well as fine and gross motor skills. |