According to a Newsweek article, our country is in a c reativity crisis , that can effect not just children, but even our economy (the Harvard Business Review writes about this as well). There is a remedy: Play Power: How to Turn Around Our Creativity Crisis Choosing thoughtful playthings can help foster this. (Below is a repost from March.) Understanding that meaningful play is helpful for children's development, parents should take into consideration their play things. Toys should promote language and social skills, creativity and physical development. Here are three articles to point you in that direction: Infant-Toddler Play, Toys and Media Action Guide The Increasing Role of Electronic Toys in the Lives of Infants and Toddlers: Should we be concerned? The How and Why of Homemade Toys and Activities