(NAPSI)—The next time you see kids at play, you may care to consider this observation from child care experts at Montana State University: “Play is important for children’s development. It offers a chance to connect with your child. Play helps your child learn the rules of your family and what is expected of him or her. As children grow, play helps them learn how to act in society.”

Adds educator and author Nancy Schulman, “Everything about play benefits kids. Curiosity, inventiveness, self-esteem and resilience are four things that kids really get through play.”

What they play with can also be important. You may remember some basic kinds of toys from your own childhood you may care to introduce to your kids. Helping parents find innovative ways for their kids to enjoy such classic playthings as collectibles, crafts, vehicles and remote-controlled vehicles are a number of new toys. Here’s a look at a few:

1. Collectibles: Supercute squishies are fun to collect and squeeze. Originating in Japan, this latest toy craze features small, soft foam toys, like a stress ball yet softer and more “kawaii” (the Japanese word for “cute”). They even have a delightful, fruity scent. Your child can play with the dozens of delightful creatures in the Squish-Dee-Lish line. Each is an amusing combination of adorable animals and delightful foods, including a panda on top of pancakes, a sherbet bird, a pear bear, and many more for hours of imaginative play.
2. Crafts: How sweet it is to create tasty gifts for friends and family. Now kids can use a Chocolate Egg Surprise Maker to devise their very own chocolate surprise gifts. It’s easy to use and can be fun for the whole family. Parents and children simply melt the chocolate, mold it, chill it and wrap it in foil. Each kit includes everything you need to make four chocolate surprise eggs. After that, you can use your own chocolate to create many more.
3. Vehicles: Younger kids will take to Real Workin’ Buddies Mr. Dusty. A three-in-one vehicle—Garbage Truck, Street Sweeper and Dump Truck—it works on both carpet and hardwood floors as kids scoop stuff up and dump stuff out while the truck emits over 50 fun sounds and phrases.

Lots of fast fun for older kids is an innovative combination action figure and vehicle in 32 different styles and themes. Each has its on unique performance capabilities for incredible action speed and stunts.

Called the Power Rippers, these toys offer the highest performance of any vehicle in the market. For even more speed, power and accuracy, there’s also a Power Rippers Blaster and a 2-in-1 Competition Set. This includes a Track Set and a Battle Arena. The Track Set has dual loops that can be configured for side-by-side racing or in one long strip. It has a crash zone and a jump at the end of the track and it’s compatible with leading 1/64^th vehicle brands. The Battle Arena allows for spinning, battling and nonstop top action, and the set doubles as a carrying case.

4. Remote Control: Kids can be stoked with the extreme performance of a remote-control skateboard that goes up to 14 mph for an incredible, high-speed experience.

Skateboarding enthusiasts can get even more extreme and launch the toy off jumps for the most air and distance. Parents may be pleased to learn kids can also drift the skateboard when doing high-speed turns without fear of disaster. The XPV Xtreme Performance Skateboard includes a “roll bar” that puts the vehicle back into driving position if it gets knocked over. It comes with one skateboard, one remote control, one rechargeable battery, one USB charging cable, one roll bar, and four wheel adapters.

Learn More

You can find all these items and many more at toy stores and other retailers and online from Jakks Pacific at www.jakks.com, where you can also get additional information.