Spy Gear – Some High-Tech Creative Toys

Some of today’s most celebrated innovators in the many fields of science, engineering and technology and other related areas have been precocious kids once. Think Gates, Jobs, Von Braun and many others. Many kids today, some of whom might just be the next Big Person, are all weaned on thousands of spy and science fiction movies among other things. Most are also into Spy gear.

These are specialty toys sold to kids who understand them and want to use them in their games together with their friends. These days, with the proliferation of online toy stores (aside from the good old neighborhood specialty toy shops), these specialty toys have fans and customers who knew more about them than the average adult.

Spy Movies

Before some of them became more violent and adult-rated, spy movies have been the source of the many fascination associated with gears and devices used by spies and counter-spies in the movies. One series that is still around after earning billions and billions through its fifty-year plus history still has a rabid following among children of certain ages.

These fans (kids and old people) still wait with bated breaths as to what the next device the hero will use in his next encounter with a super-villain who has his own villainous gears to use himself. After the movie run, (these days, even during the movie’s run), toy stores are already stacked with the toy versions of  Spy gear.

Best-sellers / Incarnations

Since the days of Dick Tracy (comics version), the watch became one of the more famous communications device used by the super sleuth in yellow trench coat. Today, the watch has now 8 functions (world time, motion alarm, decoder screen and many more.)

Today’s watch can now tell time even when its dark because it automatically switches to night vision, perfect for using in the dark while spying on enemies, or as versatile as being used at backyard camp-outs.

These days, some versions of the watch are also equipped with built-in spy applications (a lie detector, a bug detector, voice manipulator for voice disguises). Owners can download missions and additional apps from the stores that sell them.

The other versions have an actual 1.5-inch color screen fitted into an 8-inch wrist. Of course, it also tells the real time, even including an alarm.

Pen / Invisible Ink

Today’s incarnation of the good old pen with invisible ink and can write secret messages still does its old work. This time, however, the paper need not be heated or immersed in some mysterious liquid but can simply be read if the writing is put under a special ultra-violet light.

The UV contraption is attached into the pen itself. The pen, as always, will work in any day or night environment.

Car Camera

In line with the times, there are now toy car models that hide a secret camera in them. The surprise is that the camera really works with a fully functional color cam and a DVR recorder.

Today’s Spy gear toys are getting more interesting every time.

Christmas Toys – Options and Traditions

Thinking of what Christmas toys to give your kids this early is actually a good practical strategy. As what usually happens, you may end up frustrated when deciding on it during the thick of the season. Either you get discards or also-runs or none at all because what you had in mind are out of stock.

The actual choices can sometimes be easy, especially if your kids are not shy in telling you what they want. Or, make that clause “insistent enough”. Whether you are sure or not of what you will give, you still need to weigh down some practical pointers to get the best.

The Spirit of Giving

Like some of the other Christian traditions that had been adopted by many other societies, Christmas still means many things. Gift-giving is one revered ritual that is still around because one universal human spirit lives on: that of giving.

Whether Christians or not, the parents giving toys to the kids in time for Christmas should hopefully still have that spirit. The main intention, of course, is making the receiver happy through the gift. Tempered with all the practical considerations, the happiness quotient is still the main objective.

Age Appropriate

In this day and age, there are thousands of categories for toys. There might be some confusion because nowadays some toys (and games, mostly digital) attract both kids and adults. Somewhere along the way, the lines had been successfully blurred by manufacturers who want to capture both markets.

This is not much of a problem for really young children whose preferences have not yet been fully infiltrated by toy marketers. Older children, however, are easily moved by what they see around them: movies, TV, and the Internet. Get the child’s other interests (sports, the arts, music, etc.) and divert their attention with toys along these lines.

Safety Factor

Choosing what Christmas toys to give your children measured on the safety factor scale is not that difficult nowadays. Most manufacturers have thankfully lent a helping hand on these with regards the manufacturing processes, the materials used, and final precaution reminders on the product themselves.

Still, jigsaw puzzles and other toys and games with many small pieces should not be left alone with two-year-olds who might have ideas that they taste better than what they are supposed to do. Sporting toys (soccer, basketball, baseball, etc. and their equipments) have to be weighed against accidents and the like. Bicycling without helmets and pads is still a no-no especially if your kid is not that skilled yet.

Value Formation

Child psychologists assert that toys are the child’s introduction to the world and are vital in preparing them into the adult world later. Their first experiences with toys may last all their lives and provide them with the necessary emotional, mental, and psychological anchors later on.

For older children whose interests are already obvious, a real musical instrument can be a good start to those who are musically-inclined. Art materials and lessons for the artistically-gifted child are really invaluable. The right Christmas toys for each kid can be priceless.

Kids’ Toys – Preparing for Adulthood

In essence, Kids Toys are children’s first introduction to many things that will prepare them, albeit unconsciously, into the world of adults. Toys are some of a child’s first possession, providing their first lessons in ownership and control based on attraction.

When a toy strikes a kid’s fancy, it also stirs their curiosity. Toys mark their first forays into personal discoveries and experimentations. (A ball rolls; things fall on the floor; some have interesting sounds when shaken; certain things taste awful; some are soft, etc.)

Changing tastes

Later, the toys they prefer become more complex, more challenging, more detailed. Balls and stuffed animals are exchanged with toy trucks and talking dolls. These days, electronic toys are making inroads into children’s consciousness as much as role models (fictional superheroes seen in media).

The preferences become detailed, more life-like or representative of things in real life. The children see their adult counterparts (parents, older siblings, neighbors, and strangers) interact with these real things and are subconsciously rated by the children in the satisfaction these real-life stuff can bring in.

First experiences

Toys provide a child’s first experiences which can last all throughout their lives. Later, when their faculties are developing, the toys that have the strongest attractive qualities to them can become the measuring stick that they will use in choosing the things in their adult lives.

The children’s mental, emotional and psychological growth, including their social skills, can spring and develop from these interactions with inanimate objects. Some creative types develop their creativity when they make their own toys (paper planes, spinning tops, slingshots, etc.) based on their needs and later satisfaction.

Environment

With their innate faculties in full swing, children become flexible depending on their natural surroundings. Children who are raised in rural villages provide themselves with whatever things around as their toys. Thus, a river becomes an immense watery toy to romp on. Pet animals also double as live toys to play with.

In urban places like the city and other developed areas, kids’ toys are readily available and the choices are plenty. Knowledgeable parents can help choose their children’s toys appropriate for their ages and temperament, and always with an eye into their further development and growth.

Other considerations

Experts have cautioned on over-dependence of electronic toys to fill up the children’s hunger for more bells and whistles in their toys. The electronic ones are embellished with the latest push-button innovations in terms of pictures, sounds, lights and other entertainment features designed to hook a child’s fancy.

There is also a widespread concern among parents and experts regarding the proliferation of many toys in the market that are outright blatant in depicting anti-social, violent, or militaristic subjects. The argument is that, unsupervised and without positive value re-enforcements from parents, these types of toys could influence the children’s attitude.

Psychologists have long argued that over-saturation with these types of kids’ toys can raise a child’s aggressive and sometimes harmful personality growth. What is disturbing is that these are in the subconscious levels and will appear only later when they become adults.