Toy 1

-Principle that toy is based on: Balance and building

-Description: This is a balancing toy where you add weighted pieces to each side of the bar. The objective is to make sure the top part (shaped like a "v") does not fall off/go out of balance. This helps children learn about problem solving because they need to think about the position they will put the pieces to prevent it from going out of balance).

-Construction Cost/Durability/Safety: I expect the construction cost to be low, such as less than $1.50, because I believe the best material to use would be wood (price estimate was determined from google search of cost of wood), which would also make it very durable and last for a significant period of time. This toy is also based on a very old toy from a museum, which had a similar structure, and it was made of wood, thus attesting to the feasibility and cheapness. The toy should be safe for children above 3, as the weighted pieces are small and may be a choking hazard for younger children.

What I learned: I think an important part of children's toys is the ability to interact and problem solve. Interaction is important because children, in my experience, don't like just sitting and listening or watching. I also have learned problem solving should play a larger role in children's toys since it helps them mentally prepare for school. I think it's generally more fun too for children to do something that actively engages their minds, rather than just perform a low cognitive task.