Best Toys for Kids Age 8,9,10,11
Top 10 Rated Toys for Kids Age 8,9,10,11 2013
As children advance from the 3rd grade to preparing for middle school, they learn even more complex subjects in school: history, science, social studies, health, etc. We looked for educational toys that not only enhanced the skills kids possess from ages 8 to 12, but made learning and discovering new things fun and entertaining.
Our top 10 toys involve:
1. Fun for the whole family
2. Creativity, imagination, and working out puzzles
3. Social interaction
4. Strategy, logic, and problem solving
5. An advanced appreciation for science, engineering, and creating models
6. Games that encourage competition and teamwork
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Includes 108 wooden tiles, drawstring bag, and instructions |
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4x, 10x, 40x magnification & actual glass optics |
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Includes a hands-on kit and 32-page illustrated book |
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Includes over 60 snap-together pieces and illustrated manual |
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Includes a 7” full-color touchscreen display |
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12” geopolitical globe includes 10,000 questions suitable for 3rd grade and up |
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Includes 9 dice with symbols and pictures on the sides |
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Includes 300 cards, a timer, and a score pad |
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Computer game for Windows Vista/XP, Mac OS X |
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Includes over 1,000 cards |
Educational Toys Buying Guide
Playing Board Games with the Family: The Advantages for Kids
Having a game night is not only a fun, inexpensive way for the family to spend time together, it’s also an opportunity for children to learn important skills. Children young and old benefit from the time you spend together playing cards or board games, much more so than from plugging in to electronic devices or watching TV.
Consider what children learn from these interactive experiences:
- A healthy sense of competition and the importance of teamwork
- Recognizing different shapes, numbers, and words
- Grouping, counting, and sorting items
- Social skills, such as waiting for other players to take their turns
- Fine motor skills, such as handling cards and game pieces
- Problem solving, strategy, and logic
- A chance to improve and excel
- Winning and losing gracefully
Games don’t even have to be specifically educational. Classic games like Jenga foster concentration, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills as players try to extract the pieces of a tower without knocking it over.
Card games require kids to think ahead about their plays, so they learn strategy. With only so many cards in a traditional deck, they also learn about the laws of probability, an advanced concept for children.
Monopoly is a classic board game, but one that takes a long time to play—something difficult for young kids and parents alike. Monopoly Junior uses smaller denominations and takes less time to play, making it more accessible to young kids as they learn the basics of adding, reading, and color recognition.
Many board games have different levels of difficulty, or you can adapt the rules yourself to accommodate younger players. You’ll love seeing brothers and sisters getting along, helping the youngest members with the complicated aspects of the game. For the entertainment it provides the whole family and the benefits to your kids’ cognitive development, consider adding game night to your weekly routine.
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Filed Under: Baby/Kids • Educational Toys Ages 8-12 • Featured
