Like with younger children, 10-year old boys need toys that are not only fun, but can educate them and stimulate their development. Though the categories for development are similar across ages, the way toys can fulfill them is very different. Physical, cognitive, and social development is very helpful in the journey of transitioning from children to teens and eventually to adults, so it’s important to pick good, age-appropriate toys.
Picking the Right Toy for a 10-Year-Old Boy
Picking toys that they will like will be more difficult as they have developed interests and preferences and will not just take any toy willingly. You’ll need to find some that will grab his attention and be interesting enough for him to stick to playing with it. Here are the main aspects to consider when choosing which toy to get.
Developmental Benefits
Toys, which are traditionally meant to entertain, are more useful when they develop skills. Whether it’s developing creativity, cognitive skills, logic, strength, agility, or social skills, it’s better than just simply killing boredom. We’ve put together a balanced list of toys that develop a mix of these skills.
Interests
Ten-year-olds have already developed interests and inclinations. Not every toy will be a home run to every child. Some will enjoy outdoor toys more, while others might prefer indoor activities. Some might like building things, while others enjoy artsy projects. It helps to be familiar with what your child enjoys so that when you give him a toy, he will actually play with it. This is especially true today, as children have more options for how to spend their time more than ever. Each toy will be competing for playtime, and it would help if the toy is already suited to what they are interested in.
Durability
Little boys aren’t always used to handling things delicately, and will often throw, hit, push, and pull on their toys. It’s important that toys can withstand these hits and not fall apart at the slightest touch. The child will probably be handling these toys daily, and you don’t want them to be broken after a week or so. It will not only be a waste of your money, but it might break your son’s heart if he can’t play with his new toy anymore.
Recommended Age
Though not as important as with younger age children, age-appropriateness is important in choosing toys for 10-year olds. Toys that are suited for much younger children might be too simplistic for them, while toys that are designed for much older kids might be too complicated. All of the toys in this list are selected to be right for 10-year olds. Every child is different though, and something that might be right for one 10-year old might not be for another.
It might be difficult to find toys that fit all these factors, but we’ve put together a list of twenty, at least a few of which should appeal to any child.