More and more consumers are saying "no toys" this holiday season. As a parent, a teacher, and a toyseller, I naturally have an immediate desire to argue with them. Toys, I want to say, play an important role in child development. They are needed for the growth of cognitive functioning, imagination and creativity, physical abilities, and social skills.
But sometimes those shoppers are grandparents who've been given the "no toys" dictum by parents. They are parents who are revolting against the steady diet of toy ads their kids are fed on TV. Or they are shoppers who have had bad experiences with poor quality toys.
Plus, I'm not going to argue with my customers.
At The Education Station, we prefer to educate rather than argue.
So I have some suggestions for alternatives that can keep this holiday both toy-free and happy:
* Art supplies encourage creativity and can lead to a lifelong love of art. Crayons and paper are a terrific starting point, but there many more options: special papers for origami or sgraffito, fiber art kits for knitting or felting, Wikki Stix, easels and paint -- all unleash the child's inner artist. Spending a few dollars more for quality art supplies will make a big difference in the results and the child's level of satisfaction, so this is a place to go with quality, not quantity.
* Musical instruments may be seen as a special type of art supplies. Children are going to make noises. We figure those noises are more pleasant when they come from real instruments. Wooden rhythm instruments, harmonicas, drums, and bells are excellent choices for young children. Older kids will be excited by a guitar, xylophone, or recorder, along with a book to teach the basics of how to play.
* Building materials like Erector, Zome, or blocks help develop spatial and mathematical skills. They provide hours of quiet engaged play and can be used for science projects, too, so they can't really be called "toys."
* Games and puzzles can encourage 21st century skills in critical thinking while bringing families together. Beautifully designed board games make wonderful gifts for families, while portable spatial puzzles and games challenge kids' brains and give them something fun to do while adults are talking during holiday visits. Physical games encourage fitness and help kids develop social skills, too.
* Books open new worlds to children and to adults. Kids need a steady supply of books, and they can really never have too many. Add onto a child's favorite series, or become that special person who introduced them to the wonderful books that no one else was reading. A book isn't usually the present that kids are most excited about on Christmas morning, but it is often the one that they keep all their lives and pass on to their own children.

These ideas can bring satisfaction to the giver and the recipient, even when the toybox is already too full.