With such an array of toys to choose from, it's no wonder that it can sometimes be hard to pin down exactly why kids love the toys they do. For example, a child's love of gross-sounding games could be down to the reactions they elicit from grown-ups, while an obsession with the best dinosaur toys could stem from their other-worldly looks and size, or even just the fact that dinosaurs are everywhere, be it in the toy box, on the telly or kids clothing.
We recently visited the Toy Fair in London and spotted an entire range of toy replica versions of items that grown-ups definitely do not use for fun (think Dyson's cordless vacuum or the iconic Henry vacuum cleaner). As different types of toys encourage different types of play, it got us thinking about why kids seem to enjoy cleaning-based toys so much, when they represent only a chore for adults. To find out more, we took a closer look at some of the options available, including toy vacuums, and spoke to the experts at Casdon, the number one manufacturer of role-play toys in the UK, and to a real-life mum to discover why these types of toys hold such an appeal.
6 cleaning-based toys kids absolutely love
Also available in a Henry version, this Hetty vacuum cleaner not only looks the part, but also has working suction adding a realistic spin to imaginative play.
With a working hand vacuum, bucket, mop, broom, dust pan and brush brush, plus two detergent bottles and a paper debris bag, this kit offers everything little copycat cleaners need.
Let your mini me follow you around while you complete your chores with their own Henry-themed mop and bucket. They can mop until they drop (down for a nap).
Kids will love everything about this Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner replica - from its gentle suction and sound effects to how it changes to a handheld version - just like the real thing.
Another Dyson replica toy, but this one is based on the more substantial Dyson Ball model. It not only encourages movement and development of fine motor skills, but also sparks a child's creativity. What a win.
More than vacuum cleaners, there's also this Joseph Joseph washing up set where little hands can clean their dirty dishes alongside their favourite grown up. Just add warm water and the dirty dishes will be sparkling clean.
Why do kids love cleaning-inspired toys so much?
There are a few reasons why children love playing with cleaning-based toys. Firstly, it's a way for your child to engage in role-play, mimicking the actions they see a grown up do on a regular basis.
Managing Director at cleaning toy manufacturer Casdon, Phil Cassidy says: "We know children love to mirror their parents, carers and grandparents, and what is often considered a chore to many grown-ups appears magical to little ones."
Mum-of-two Charlotte agrees, saying: "I was frantically trying to clean the house before my in-laws arrived and the kids were playing with their toys in the living room. But as soon as they saw I was cleaning, my eldest in particular got all excited and asked if she could help with the dusting - she was having a wail of a time, and then my youngest wanted to join in!"
This is a form of imaginative play and is key for nurturing a child's creativity and narrative skills, as well as boosting their empathy and abstract thinking. “Children develop their sense of independence from an early age – often mimicking what their role models at home do on a daily or weekly basis and making it a natural way to learn through play while also developing those all-important core motor skills,” adds Phil Cassidy from Casdon.
Beyond providing a child with the opportunity to get creative and play-pretend, lots of the toys mentioned above are packed with functions and features that make them particularly appealing to children. Take the Henry and Hetty replica vacuums for example. Not only do they feature the same bright colours and recognisable faces found on the real thing, but the toys also offer working suction functionality (although not as intense as the real vacuum), which adds a sense of realism to play time.
Similarly with the replica Dyson toys, not only will little ones love the realistic sound effects and the ability to suck up lightweight debris, like small bits of shredded paper, but the replica vacuum can also switch from the long handle version to hand-held, just like the real thing.
While encouraging a child's imagination, mini replicas also encourage play between parent and child. While you're doing the chores, encourage your little one to come along - they'll love copying you and being helpful, and you can keep an eye on them while ticking chores off your to-do list.
