| Contrary to popular representations, toys are | | | | cognitive development and help them identify |
| not, and have never been just the domain of | | | | shapes, textures and sizes. Puzzles can also |
| children. In fact, toys have consistently | | | | help in the mental development of growing |
| captured the imagination of the general | | | | children or young adults, teaching them the |
| public and are the companions of adults just | | | | basics of problem solving and sometimes even |
| as much as they are a mainstay in the lives | | | | the principles of certain scientific |
| of children the world over. Of course, the | | | | concepts: for example, Newton's Cradle is a |
| main reason for the enduring nature of toys | | | | desk toy that demonstrates the conversion of |
| is difficult to pin down; however, their | | | | momentum and energy. |
| variety and constantly evolving appearance | | | | |
| and selection means that the value of simple | | | | Toys occupy such a large place in the |
| toys and games as a means by which children | | | | public's imagination that films often |
| and adults can amuse themselves is unlikely | | | | represent toys - otherwise inanimate objects |
| to fall out of date. | | | | - as living beings. Movies like Disney's Toy |
| | | | Story 1 and 2, and 1998's Small Soldiers (in |
| Toys date back thousands of years in our | | | | which missile technology is used to enhance |
| history. For example, many toys, including | | | | toy action figures) portrays toys as being |
| small carts, bird-shaped whistles and toy | | | | 'alive' and taking on a power and force all |
| monkeys were excavated from the ruins of the | | | | of their own. The success of these films |
| Indus Valley civilisation which dated from | | | | demonstrates quite clearly that toys are an |
| 3000 to 1500 BC. Children in Ancient Egypt | | | | obsession not just of the young, but the old |
| often played with dolls made out of stone or | | | | alike. |
| pottery, with wigs and moveable limbs; while | | | | |
| infants in Ancient Greek and Roman | | | | Today's flourishing online trading forums |
| civilisations occupied themselves with bows | | | | means that toy enthusiasts will be able to |
| and arrows, terracotta or wax dolls and early | | | | find a range of toys and games online with |
| yo-yos. | | | | which to buy and sell to a huge variety of |
| | | | users. In fact, many online marketplaces will |
| As technology has developed, today's toys are | | | | provide an opportunity to find rare toys and |
| more likely to be made out of plastic or | | | | games, as well as particular models that may |
| other synthetic materials. But even as the | | | | no longer be manufactured. So toy fans should |
| way toys are produced and what toys can do | | | | be sure to check out the vast world of |
| has advanced, the fact that children play | | | | opportunities that exists for them online: |
| with and can learn from toys has not altered. | | | | after all, toys will always be important - |
| For example, many toys can aid a child's | | | | whether they're for you or your child. |