Could men with advanced prostate cancer avoid chemotherapy?
Winter hiking: Magical or miserable? Learning Toys For Kids
The art of a heartfelt apology
Seeking fitspiration on social media?
3 ways to create community and counter loneliness
Thinking of trying Dry January? Steps for success
Immune boosts or busts? From IV drips and detoxes to superfoods
After prostate cancer treatment, a new standard of care for rising PSA
Chronic fatigue syndrome is rising
How healthy is sugar alcohol?
This holiday season, as parents, friends, and family set out to buy toys for children on their lists, or donate them to those in need, here are some suggestions for things you shouldn't buy — and those you should.
Not all gifts need to be purchases, of course. Opportunities for play bring joy and sharpen skills children and teens benefit from daily. And for infants and toddlers, responsive games build bonds and encourage healthy development.
Below are 10 tips for choosing safe toys — and using toys safely.
When it comes to toys for children, back to basics is best: simple toys that encourage pretend play, creativity, fine motor skills, language skills, and movement. Think things like dolls, puppets, costumes, train sets, blocks and other building sets, balls, jump ropes, bikes, books — and, of course, all kinds of art supplies. These are the kinds of toys that give the most sustained kind of fun, ones that require imagination and interaction, get kids moving, and help kids in their development.
I particularly suggest three kinds of toys:
Claire McCarthy, MD , Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Could men with advanced prostate cancer avoid chemotherapy?
Winter hiking: Magical or miserable?
The art of a heartfelt apology
Seeking fitspiration on social media?
3 ways to create community and counter loneliness
Thinking of trying Dry January? Steps for success
Immune boosts or busts? From IV drips and detoxes to superfoods
After prostate cancer treatment, a new standard of care for rising PSA
Chronic fatigue syndrome is rising
How healthy is sugar alcohol?
You might also be interested in…
Want to reduce pain in your knees and be more active? Eat smarter and reduce your risk for a heart attack? Improve your flexibility and balance so you don’t fall? Sleep the entire night so you have more energy during the day? Take control of your health right now! In Harvard Health Letter, you’ll find easy remedies and solutions to these common challenges and more.
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!
Please enable cookies to submit
© 2024 Harvard Health Publishing® of The President and Fellows of Harvard College
Do not sell my personal information | Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.
The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School
Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.
Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School
Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss...from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts.
BONUS! Sign up now and get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness
Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.
Magnetic Building Blocks Tiles Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.