Editing Toy (section)

==Types==
[[File:Lincoln Logs sawmill.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Lincoln Logs]] have been a popular construction type toy in the U.S. since the 1920s.]]{{More citations needed section|date=May 2022}}

===Construction sets===
{{Main|Construction set}}

The Greek philosopher [[Plato]] wrote that the future [[architect]] should play at building houses as a child.<ref name=Hils>Karl Hils, ''The Toy – Its Value, Construction and Use'', Edmund Ward Ltd., London, 1959.</ref> A [[construction set]] is a collection of separate pieces that can be joined to create [[Scale model|models]]. Popular models include cars, [[spacecraft|spaceships]], and houses. The things that are built are sometimes used as toys once completed, but generally speaking, the object is to build things of one's own design, and old models often are broken up with the pieces reused in new models.

The oldest and perhaps most common construction toy is a set of simple wooden [[Toy block|blocks]], which are often painted in bright colors and given to babies and toddlers. Construction sets such as [[Lego]] bricks and [[Lincoln Logs]] are designed for slightly older children and have been quite popular in the last century.
Construction sets appeal to children (and adults) who like to work with their hands, puzzle solvers, and imaginative sorts.

Some other examples include [[Bayko]], Konstruk-Tubes, [[K'Nex]], [[Erector Set]]s, [[Tinkertoy]]s, and [[Meccano]], and generic construction toys such as [[Neodymium magnet toys]].

===Dolls and miniatures===
{{main|doll}}
[[File:Child and Doll.jpg|thumb|left|A girl and her [[doll]] in the 1900s]]

A [[doll]] is a model of a human (often a baby), a humanoid (like [[Bert and Ernie]]), or an animal. Modern dolls are often made of cloth or plastic. Other materials that are, or have been, used in the manufacture of dolls include [[Husk|cornhusks]], [[bone]], [[Rock (geology)|stone]], wood, [[porcelain]] (sometimes called china), [[Bisque doll|bisque]], [[celluloid]], [[wax]], and even apples. Often, people will make dolls out of whatever materials are available to them.

Sometimes intended as decorations, keepsakes, or [[collectible]]s for older children and adults, most dolls are intended as toys for children, usually girls, to play with. Dolls have been found in [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] tombs that date to as early as 2000 BCE.<ref name="Maspero"/>

Dolls are usually miniatures, but baby dolls may be of true size and weight. A doll or [[stuffed animal]] of soft material is sometimes called a [[plush toy]] or [[Stuffed toy|plushie]]. A popular toy of this type is the [[Teddy Bear]].
[[File:3 Humfrey hug-a-bears.jpeg|thumb|upright|300px|Teddy Bears]]
A distinction is often made between dolls and [[action figure]]s, which are generally of plastic or semi-metallic construction and poseable to some extent, and often are merchandising from television shows or films which feature the characters. Modern action figures, such as [[Action Man]], are often marketed towards boys, whereas dolls are often marketed towards girls.

[[Toy soldiers]], perhaps a precursor to modern [[action figures]], have been a popular toy for centuries. They allow children to act out battles, often with toy military equipment and a castle or fort. Miniature animal figures are also widespread, with children perhaps acting out farm activities with animals and equipment centered on a toy farm.

===Vehicles===
[[File:Knatterboot.jpg|thumb|left|A [[pop pop boat|toy boat]]]]
{{main|Vehicle}}

Children have played with miniature versions of vehicles since ancient times, with toy two-wheeled [[cart]]s being depicted on [[Pottery of Ancient Greece|ancient Greek vases]].<ref name=Hils/> [[Wind-up toy]]s have also played a part in the advancement of toy vehicles. Modern equivalents include toy [[motor vehicle|cars]] such as those produced by [[Matchbox (toy company)|Matchbox]] or [[Hot Wheels]], miniature aircraft, toy boats, [[military vehicle]]s, and [[toy train|trains]]. Examples of the latter range from wooden sets for younger children such as [[BRIO]] to more complicated realistic [[Rail transport modeling|train models]] like those produced by [[Lionel Corporation|Lionel]], [[Doepke Toys|Doepke]] and [[Hornby Railways|Hornby]]. Larger die-cast vehicles, 1:18 scale, have become popular toys; these vehicles are produced with a great attention to detail.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}}

===Puzzles===
{{main|Puzzle}}
[[File:Rubik's cube.svg|upright|thumb|A Rubik's Cube]]
A puzzle is a [[Problem solving|problem]] or enigma that challenges ingenuity. Solutions to puzzles may require recognizing [[pattern]]s and creating a particular order. People with a high [[inductive reasoning aptitude]] may be better at solving these puzzles than others. Puzzles based on the process of inquiry and discovery to complete may be solved faster by those with good [[Deductive reasoning|deduction]] skills. A popular puzzle toy is the [[Rubik's Cube]], invented by Hungarian [[Ernő Rubik]] in 1974. Popularized in the 1980s, solving the cube requires planning and problem-solving skills and involves algorithms.

There are many different types of puzzles; for example, a [[maze]] is a type of [[tour puzzle]]. Other categories include: [[construction puzzle]]s, [[stick puzzle]]s, [[tiling puzzle]]s, [[disentanglement puzzle]]s, [[sliding puzzle]]s, [[logic puzzle]]s, [[picture puzzle]]s, [[lock puzzle]]s, and [[mechanical puzzle]]s.

===Collectibles===

{{Main|Collectible}}

Some toys, such as [[Beanie Baby|Beanie Babies]], attract large numbers of enthusiasts, eventually becoming [[collectible]]s. Other toys, such as [[Boyds Bears]] are marketed to adults as collectibles. Some people spend large sums of money in an effort to acquire larger and more complete collections. The record for a single [[Pez dispenser]] at an auction, for example, is US$1100.<ref name="Brown">{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Patricia Leigh|date=23 April 1995|title=New Auction Gems: Common Folks; Venerable Houses Woo Unstuffy Buyers With Unstuffy Stuff|page=37|work=The New York Times|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F6061EF93B5D0C708EDDAD0894DD494D81|url-status=dead|access-date=11 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515173948/https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F6061EF93B5D0C708EDDAD0894DD494D81|archive-date=15 May 2007}}</ref>

===Promotional merchandise===

[[File:John Deere toy tractor.jpg|thumb|right|This toy tractor also serves as an advertisement for [[John Deere]].]]
Many successful films, television programs, books and sport teams have official merchandise, which often includes related toys. Some notable examples are ''[[Star Wars]]'' (a space fantasy franchise) and [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], an English [[association football|football]] club.

Likewise, many successful children's films, television series, books or franchises extend their marketing campaign to [[fast food]] chains by including small toys of fictional characters or the series' associated symbols in a sealed plastic bag within their [[kids' meal]]s. One famous example is the [[Happy Meal]] from [[McDonald's]].<ref name="Bishop">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3oVKAAAAIBAJ&pg=6140,5493787|title=Fast food meals for kids come under fire|last=Bishop|first=Pete|date=20 March 1990|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref>

Promotional toys can fall into any of the other toy categories; for example, they can be dolls or action figures based on the characters of movies or professional athletes, or they can be balls, yo-yos, or [[lunch box]]es with logos on them. Sometimes they are given away for free as a form of advertising. [[Model aircraft]] are often toys that are used by airlines to promote their brand, just as [[Die cast toy|toy cars and trucks]] and [[model train]]s are used by trucking, railroad and other companies as well. Many food manufacturers run promotions where a toy is included with the main product as a [[Prize (marketing)|prize]]. Toys are also used as [[Premium (marketing)|premiums]], where consumers redeem [[Proof of purchase|proofs of purchase]] from a product and pay shipping and handling fees to get the toy.  Some people go to great lengths to collect these sorts of promotional toys.

===Digital toys===

Digital toys are toys that incorporate some form of interactive digital technology.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/27/business/tech-toys-that-can-make-the-video-screen-passe.html|title=Tech Toys That Go Beyond the Screen|first=Farhad|last=Manjoo|date=26 November 2014|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Examples of digital toys include [[virtual pets]] and [[handheld electronic games]]. Among the earliest digital toys are [[Mattel Auto Race]] and the [[Little Professor]], both released in 1976. The concept of using technology in a way that bridges the digital with the physical world, providing unique interactive experiences for the user, has also been referred to as ''[[phygital]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://phygitalien.com/what-is-phygital/ |title=What is Phygital? |website=phygitalien.com |access-date=9 December 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216182145/http://phygitalien.com/what-is-phygital/ |archive-date=16 December 2014 }}</ref>

===Physical activity===
{{Main|Physical activity}}
[[File:Jakarta old football.jpg|thumb|A boy from [[Jakarta]] with his ball. [[Ball game]]s are good exercise, and are popular worldwide.]]

A large amount of toys are part of active play. These include traditional toys such as [[Hoop rolling|hoops]], [[Spinning top|top]]s, [[jump rope]]s, and [[ball]]s, as well as more modern toys like [[Frisbee]]s, [[foot bag]]s, [[fidget toy]]s, [[astrojax]], and [[Myachi]].

Playing with these sorts of toys allows children to exercise, building strong bones and muscles and aiding in [[physical fitness]]. Throwing and catching balls and Frisbees can improve [[Eye–hand coordination|hand–eye coordination]]. Jumping rope, (also known as skipping) and playing with foot bags can improve balance.