Children’s toys have long entertained youngsters around the globe. In every society, the items are to be found wherever children are. As well as helping boys and girls pass the time, such objects can also encourage them to learn about the world around them and to develop greater spatial awareness and co-ordination.
In addition, kids’ toys are a great way for infants to get used to sharing possessions and to waiting their turn.
However, it is not only children who are fascinated by such toys. Adults too find them interesting. This is why they form the basis of many museum exhibitions around the globe.
One example of this is the Long Island Children’s Museum, which has put on a new display that explores the inside world of toys, the New Hyde Park Illustrated News reports.
Also, the items on display provide visitors with an incentive to explore science. For example, people are invited to explore how an Etch A Sketch works and what is inside a Jack-in-the-Box.
Recommending the exhibition to parents, the publication stated: “If you’ve been wondering how to stop your toddler’s push toy from making such an infernal racket, you’ll love Toys: The Inside Story. It lets visitors look inside common toys while exploring the basics of pulleys, cams, gears, linkages and circuits. The exhibit consists of 12 components that allow for hands-on exploration and experimentation.”
The display also enables people to examine the inner workings of classic children’s toys such as Operation and Hungry Hippo. In addition, newer offerings are not left out, with Hokey Pokey Elmo featuring alongside some of the more seasoned products.
Meanwhile, in the What’s Inside? section, visitors are able to look in detail at popular toys such as Mr Machine, while the Gears at Play area illustrates the effects of gear ratios as people figure out how to make the ballerina and carousel spin faster or slower.
Those lucky enough to be able to make it to the museum before the display comes to an end on January 7th will not have to pay extra to see the exhibition. Fees are included in the cost of entering the building and babies under the age of one get in free.
Meanwhile, people keen to visit an exhibition of kids’ toys while enjoying a stay in Scotland may wish to visit the Edinburgh Museum of Childhood. Established in 1955, the facility has been a popular attraction in the city ever since.
It is designed to appeal to all ages and encourages adults to look back on their own childhoods and remember the games they used to play and the toys they used to have.
The toys in the building range in date from the 1950s until the present and different events and exhibitions are held in order to ensure a constant flow of visitors.
According to those responsible for the attraction, which is based in the centre of the city, it is not only the chance to have a good time but it is also educational in a fun way.