What is technical toys?

Wat is technisch speelgoed?

Learning through play with technical toys

Technology plays an increasingly important role in our society, and it's important that children are exposed to engineering and scientific principles from an early age. Engineering toys offer a playful and effective way to develop this knowledge.

For parents and grandparents looking to invest in educational toys , the choice can be overwhelming. What types of technology toys are available? Which toys are suitable for your child or grandchild's age and interests? In this blog post, you'll read:

  • What tech toys are and why they are valuable.
  • How to choose the right toys for each age and developmental stage.
  • The benefits of creative and developmental toys.
  • The best categories of technical and educational toys for children of all ages.

Whether you're a parent looking to spark your child's curiosity or a grandparent looking for a meaningful gift, this guide will help you get started!

The wooden airplane shooter, outside, with a purple airplane held by one hand

What is technical toys?

Technical toys are toys that allow children to experiment, whether with technology, construction, or science . Think of construction kits, programmable robots, magnetic sets, and craft kits that allow children to learn through play.

These types of educational toys help develop:

  • Problem-solving thinking: Children learn to think of solutions step by step when they encounter problems.
  • Creativity and innovation: They come up with their own designs and experiment with structures, what works and what doesn't.
  • Fine motor skills and coordination: By building, assembling and screwing they improve their skills.
  • Logical and spatial insight: It helps in understanding shapes, patterns and structures.
  • Understanding science and technology: Experiments with electricity, gravity, and mechanics make learning tangible.

Technical toys are part of STEAM education ( Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics ), where children learn by doing.

🔗 Want to learn more about the role of technology in education? Read our blog about the shortage of technology and science in primary education .

How do you choose the right technical toys?

Choosing the right educational toys for your child depends on their age, skills, and interests. Good technical toys offer challenges, are developmentally appropriate, and stimulate curiosity. Here are some guidelines for children aged 5 to 9 :

  • Simple construction sets: Toys that allow children to build something step by step, such as gear sets or simple marble runs.
  • Magnetic building toys: Helps with spatial insight and encourages imaginative building.
  • First technology experiments: Science kits such as simple electricity kits or hydropower experiments.
  • Puzzles and brain games: Games that encourage logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • More advanced building sets: Mechanical building kits and other sets with gears and moving parts.
  • Coding Toys: Simple robots or coding games that teach the basics of programming.
  • Science Experiments: From microscopes to chemistry sets, toys that make physics and chemistry tangible.
  • Electronics and Circuits: Basic sets that teach children how current and circuits work.

Please note: Choose toys that can be used independently, but that you as parents or grandparents can also play with together with your child.

Tip: Look for toys that are expandable, so they continue to challenge and grow with your child's development.

Two girls dripping paint with their hands onto the spinning plate of the spinning art

Why are tech toys good for kids?

Many toys are purely for entertainment, but tech toys offer both fun and educational benefits .

  • Encourages critical thinking and problem-solving – Children learn how to troubleshoot mistakes and come up with solutions.
  • Increases perseverance and self-confidence – Technical projects don’t always succeed the first time, which encourages perseverance and creativity.
  • Helps with future-oriented skills – Science and technology are essential skills in the modern world.
  • Reduces screen time – An interactive alternative to television and tablets.

🔗 Also read our blog about screen time for children and discover how tech toys can be a healthy alternative!

Strengthens parent-child interaction – Building and exploring together is a great way to spend time with your child!

For grandparents, tech toys offer a valuable gift that is not only fun but also contributes to their grandchild's development.

Creative toys and developmental toys: a perfect combination

In addition to technical toys , creative and developmental toys are an important addition to a child's development.

Creative toys stimulate imagination and expression.

Developmental toys help with cognitive and motor growth.

the wooden hydraulic arm of Zappiebox with a colored fish on the hook

    Technical toys are an investment in your child's future

    Whether you're a parent looking to encourage technology learning at home, or a grandparent looking for a smart and sustainable gift, tech toys are a great choice.

    It offers children fun, challenge and educational growth.
    It stimulates innovation, creativity and problem-solving thinking.
    It prepares children for a technological future.

    Check out our collection of tech toys here! Click here

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