Educational activities and toys for the summer.
18 Summers and One Childhood: How to Support Your Children in Summer with Educational Toys
Introduction: The Challenge of Family Summer
Summer is approaching, and with it, a mix of emotions in homes: excitement about the holidays, but also stress about the logistics of caring for the little ones...
What are educational toys and why are they so important?
Definition and key benefits
- They encourage creativity and imagination.
- Improve problem solving.
- They stimulate fine and gross motor skills.
- They reinforce values such as cooperation, patience and empathy.
- They help manage emotions and build autonomy.
Stages of development and types of toys
| Age | Recommended toys |
|---|---|
| 1-3 years | Stackable, interlocking, textured, pull-along toys |
| 3-6 years | Symbolic games, constructions, simple puzzles, interactive stories |
| 6-9 years | Science kits, cooperative board games, complex constructions |
| 9-12 years | Robotics, art, strategy and logic games |
Summer: challenges and opportunities
The routine changes… and that affects them
- Fixed time to wake up and go to bed.
- Daily moments for free and guided play.
- Spaces of silence or relaxation.
- Family activities.
Reconciling teleworking with children at home
- Divide the day into blocks: alternate work with shared breaks.
- Treasure Box: With special toys just for your work hours.
- Play areas: by type of activity (reading, art, construction).
- Weekly projects: such as a model, experiment, or journal.
Activities to do with children (or that they can do alone)
If they are with you
- Cooking together: learning measurements and nutrition.
- Free art: the process matters more than the result.
- Storytelling: creating stories with costumes or puppets.
- STEM projects: how to make a volcano or build a bridge.
If they are with the grandparents
- Traditional games: goose, parcheesi, dominoes.
- Recycling crafts: they encourage creativity.
- Symbolic games: kitchens, doctors, shops.
If you go to camp
Talk to them about their days, encourage them to journal, or record short videos.
How to choose quality educational toys
Criteria to take into account
- Recommended age: adjusted to your stage.
- Safe materials: sustainable ones such as wood or PLA.
- Multifunctionality: allowing for different uses.
- Pedagogical value: that it stimulates real skills.
- Durability: resistant and timeless.
Examples of recommended brands and toys
- Micro space: biodegradable, free construction, STEM.
- Lego Education: Robotics and Logical Thinking.
- Smart Games: individual logic games.
- Djeco: artistic design and creativity.
And what about emotions in summer?
Emotional management and family communication
- Naming the emotions: “You are frustrated because…”
- Visual tools: stories, cards, role-playing games.
- Safe spaces: no judgment, active listening.
Games that help express emotions
- “The color monster.”
- Emotion dice.
- Boxes to draw what they feel.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I use educational toys even if my child is at camp?
Yes, you can reinforce learning at home on weekends or during family vacations.
What do I do if my child gets bored with educational toys?
Refresh the play environment, get involved, and explore new ideas. At Micro Espacio, we share game ideas every week.
Are educational toys expensive?
Not always. Many can be created with recycled materials. At Micro Espacio, we design affordable and sustainable options.
Conclusion: 18 summers and a thousand opportunities
Summer is an emotional and educational adventure. You can experience it through chaos or connection. At Micro Espacio, we encourage you to turn every game, every moment, into something meaningful. Because childhood isn't repeated... but it is remembered.
Did you like what you learned?
At Micro Espacio, we design toys that support this intentional parenting approach. Discover our screen-free educational games, designed to unleash your little ones' creativity and strengthen their emotions through play.