{"id":18276,"date":"2014-12-17T11:39:34","date_gmt":"2014-12-17T16:39:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress-367309-1145705.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=18276"},"modified":"2014-12-17T11:39:34","modified_gmt":"2014-12-17T16:39:34","slug":"redesigning-play-time-engineer-creates-toys-trash-educate-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainablog.org\/articles\/redesigning-play-time-engineer-creates-toys-trash-educate-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Redesigning Play Time: How An Engineer Creates Toys From Trash To Educate Children"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The holiday season is prime time for the toy industry<\/a>. The $22 billion empire rakes in big bucks from parents, grandparents and caregivers hoping to find the perfect gifts for their little ones. But after listening to Arvind Gupta\u2019s TED talk<\/a>, I wonder if we, the adults, have forgotten one of the most important purposes of toys: education? The well-respected engineer and toy inventor explains how he and his staff create toys from trash that are dual purpose: entertaining and<\/strong> educational.<\/p>\n

For instance, he shows how matchsticks and an old bicycle valve tube (as pictured above) can be used to teach children geometry and building skills. Then continues by showing how a straw can be transformed into a sprinkler or an instrument. I like Arvind\u2019s toys for a couple of reasons:<\/p>\n

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  1. Children (and their parents) can recreate his designs with little to no money.<\/li>\n
  2. They allow children to be hands-on and have fun while making something unique to their interests.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If you want to see more of Arvind\u2019s inventions, watch his TED talk (embedded below) or check out his Facebook page<\/a> or website<\/a>. Continue reading to learn how to make your kid(s) some handmade toys.<\/p>\n

    DIY Toys from Recycled Materials<\/h3>\n

    I understand we\u2019re all not as creative as toy inventors, but don\u2019t let that stop you from helping your child(ren) get more from their play time. Sometimes things as modest as refiguring a box can be just as fun for kids as playing with the toys inside. With a little bit of imagination and a few tools, a box becomes a castle, dollhouse, spaceship and much more. Or if you want to do even more, check out these ideas to make baby toys from recycled materials<\/a> and other handmade toys to make traveling more fun<\/a>. They can help teach your kiddos fine motor and sensory skills, counting, imaginative play and much more.<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s not my intent to be a Scrooge and try to persuade you not to buy your child\u2019s favorite doll or action figure. Rather, I hope to remind all of the parents (and family members) that they don\u2019t need to spend lots of money on toys to make children to happy. In fact, Arvind\u2019s motto is \u201cthe best thing a child can do with a toy is break it\u201d then create another, even better one than before.<\/p>\n

    Image credit:<\/strong> Aakash Gupte<\/a> via photopin<\/a><\/p>\n

    Arvind Gupta’s TED Talk:<\/h3>\n