Top 10 creative toys to promote your child's development.

[AD] Before becoming a parent, there were a lot of things about children I didn’t know. You could perhaps say that statement’s still true three and a half years down the line. One thing I do know however is that kids toys are designed to do a job. Toys like these are imperative for their development in so many ways. Today we'll be focussing on how to boost your child's creativity with these ten creative toys from Wicked Uncle.

_{[Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash]}

What are the benefits of creative play for children?

Creativity is a crucial part of a child's development. There are numerous physical and mental benefits of implementing creative play for your child.

Imaginative development.

Creative play sparks imaginative development as it promotes opportunities for new ideas and problem solving. This could be anything from creating specific role play scenarios to looking for the right size box to make a bed for their dolls from.

Social development.

Creative play is an amazing way to build your child's social skills in a fun and supportive environment. When children engage with creative toys they begin to talk to themselves, run through what they're doing and create role play type scenarios. This therefore leads to them building both their vocabulary and imagination.

Emotional development.

Creative activities provide a safe space for children to express their emotions. Implementing creative play for children from an early age means creative expression will become second nature.

Physical development.

Children express themselves both verbally and non verbally through creative play. This could be as simple as dancing to nursery rhymes or role playing as different animals.

Intellectual development.

You might be surprised to know that creative play can help develop maths and geometry skills from a very early age. Shape sorters, balancing blocks, stacking towers are all great ways to introduce intellectual development.

_{[Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash]}

How to encourage creative development.

Creativity is often seen as one of those 'you've either got it or you haven't' things, when that simply isn't the case. Creativity can come from many different forms and there are numerous ways to encourage it from your child.

Avoid labelling children as either creative or non creative.

Children can take labels ver seriously. Deeming someone as non creative may dampen their spirits and discourage them to explore their creativity.

Allow freedom of ideas.

Children are absolutely full of ideas, and no idea is a bad idea! To dismiss a child's idea is to discredit the creativity behind it. Again this may put them off expressing themselves and leave them to go inwards.

Involve them in your passions.

You may think that involving your child in the things that you like to do might be boring for them, but it really opens up a whole new world for them. Children naturally show curiosity, so show them a little bit of what you're in to. Answer their questions and let their creative juices (and questions) flow.

Keep it simple.

It's often the most simplest of toys (or household objects) that spark the most creativity. Less, can most definitely be more! The less you have to work with, the more creative you need to be.

Ignite the spark.

Sometimes it can be difficult knowing where to start. Perhaps introducing your child to a creative outlet such as the theatre or a particular activity will ignite the spark.

_{[Photo by La-Rel Easter on Unsplash]}

Top 10 creative toys for children.

1. Crazy faces magneti'book.

This funky 82 piece magnetic kit allows children to bring characters to life. The blank face can be decorated using any of the 70 sturdy magnetic facial features. There are 12 different challenge cards to prompt you, but why not throw all rules out the window and come up with somebody totally new with this fun and creative game.

• Buy the crazy faces magneti'book here.

2. Colour your own socks.

Creative toys often leading to your child producing their own mini masterpiece that they're immensely proud of. What better way of showing off your hard work than with a pair of socks as a memento. I know my eldest would be buzzing walking around with these on her feet.

• Buy the colour your own socks here.

3. Giant piano dance mat.

Creativity can come in many forms and this piano dance mat encourages two of them. Creating both music and coming up with dance moves makes this product a double whammy for encouraging creativity.

• Buy the giant piano dance mat here.

4. Glow in the dark fort.

What better way to spark creativity (and for adults to release their inner child) than by fort building. This entertaining set comes with 85 glow in the dark balls and poles that join together to build a fun play space... Whether thats a fort, a tunnel or a castle. Let your children take the reins with this one to express their creativity.

• Buy the glow in the dark fort here.

5. Mighty echo microphone.

This wooden play microphone will release a whole host of creative play scenarios for your child. Kids love to explore rhythm and sound with creative toys and this one is perfect for doing just that.

• Buy the mighty echo microphone here.

_{[Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash]}

6. Play foam.

Messy play isn't for everybody. It's not my favourite type of play, but there's no denying the creativity than it can produce. With this play foam your children can squish it, shape it, create whatever they like from it. And when they're done just squish it back down and start all over again.

• Buy play foam here.

7. Day at the zoo colouring set.

Art is probably the most recognised form of creativity. Why not enjoy hours of fun with this creative colouring pack. The set comes with 10 high quality felt tip pens and a 48 page colouring book featuring all of your little ones favourite zoo animals.

• Buy the colouring set here.

8. Unicorn friendship bracelet kit.

This charming unicorn themed kit contains high quality beads and silver plated charms with a selection of bracelet cords. Using creative knotting techniques these friendship bracelets can be made either to keep or share. My eldest is particularly excited about this one.

• Buy the friendship bracelet kit here.

9. Rock painting.

This hide and seek rock painting set comes with six smooth river stones, quality paints and two paintbrushes. It includes a book containing 48 pages of tips, tricks and step by step crafts for several rock art creations. Again you an either stick by the book, or go free rein on the rocks allowing your child to get totally creative.

• Buy the rock painting kit here

10. Jumbo colouring stickers.

Think colouring, but level 2.0! These jumbo stickers are an amazing way to level up your child's creativity. Stickers include unicorns, floral and forest animal designs for your child to colour in and decorate. These can then be displayed on a 400x500 wall poster or wherever your child wishes.

• Buy the jumbo colouring stickers here.

_{[Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash]}

I hope you've found this article useful in terms of introducing and exploring creative play with your little ones. Let me know in the comments below which one of the creative toys peaked your interest. Do let me know if you go on to purchase one.

^{'This post was featured by Twinkl in their Creativity in Children blog'}