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GoodToKnow
GoodToKnow
Lifestyle
Joanne Lewsley

Active toys vs passive toys - who really knows the difference? Well, a toy expert does and we get the low down on all the benefits (plus the 6 best buys)

Child with black hair playing with wooden blocks.

Your kids probably have an array of both active and passive toys - but what does that actually mean? And, can both types of toys play a part in our kids’ healthy mental and physical development? Let's ask the expert...

The more the toy does, the less your child has to do, and the less the toy does, the more your child has to do. Active toys, such as outdoor toys, encourage physical activity, while others, such as construction sets or play dough, encourage problem-solving, creativity, and imagination. Passive toys (think tablets, iPads, and those activity boards that sing and light up at the push of a button) may have lots of educational value, but they may not stimulate the same level of interaction and creativity as active toys. Toys for babies around 6 months old can be largely passive but are still valuable for your baby's development. Some of the best toys of 2023 are active or passive, and sometimes, they’re both.

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