Favorite Outdoor Toys for Toddlers

[Jo123ABC]

I have to agree with this, after a 6yr old was suspended from Kindergarten, for making a gun out of Legos and pointing it at a classmate.
Zero tolerance at school, means no gun play at my day Care Care

Hmm, never thought of this either. We have random toy guns like water guns, police pistol, dart guns though I discourage them from pointing at each other. I tell them to get the bad guys instead. I'm 30. I'm from a conservative, pro-gun, pro-hunting, "four seasons playground" where outdoor recreation is life. My favorite games growing up were cowboys and Indians and cops and robbers... Often on horseback in the arena or pasture. I started riding at 3. We had those toy guns that shot false rounds just to make the "pop" noise and smell smokey. I grew up with hunting and guns around. I've never shot anyone nor have any of the people I played with nor anyone I know. I disagree with your statement about them not knowing the difference. If they don't know the difference it's because no one taught them. Just like they wouldn't know the difference between a potty and a toy bucket unless someone teaches them. My opinion. Anyway that being said, it's a sensitive topic that some parents disagree with, so you're right. Probably not a game for the daycare kids. Though I'd let my own kids play it

[Alwaysgreener]

Hmm, never thought of this either. We have random toy guns like water guns, police pistol, dart guns though I discourage them from pointing at each other. I tell them to get the bad guys instead. I'm 30. I'm from a conservative, pro-gun, pro-hunting, "four seasons playground" where outdoor recreation is life. My favorite games growing up were cowboys and Indians and cops and robbers... Often on horseback in the arena or pasture. I started riding at 3. We had those toy guns that shot false rounds just to make the "pop" noise and smell smokey. I grew up with hunting and guns around. I've never shot anyone nor have any of the people I played with nor anyone I know. I disagree with your statement about them not knowing the difference. If they don't know the difference it's because no one taught them. Just like they wouldn't know the difference between a potty and a toy bucket unless someone teaches them. My opinion. Anyway that being said, it's a sensitive topic that some parents disagree with, so you're right. Probably not a game for the daycare kids. Though I'd let my own kids play it

You right kids that are taught the difference may know the difference. But we are talking about toddlers ages 1-4 that have not been taught the difference. They are still learning big from small, real from pretend and how to share, I am no expert but I don't feel that a child that just learned to walk or working on how to use the toilet is ready to know the difference between real and toy guns.

Plus I have seen plenty toy guns that look real. (Just think of how many humans have been shot because the gun or object they had looked like a real gun)

To anyone that still disagrees with me:
If that isn't enough reason to not have guns in daycare, consider the child (could be a foster child or just one that lives in a bad situation) that had been traumatized by use of a gun. (By having one pointed at him or seen someone get shot) He needs to feel safe while in daycare and seeing a gun or hearing the sound of a pop gun may not help him feel safe.

Again I am all for the right to bear arms but during business hours, safety, security, and the health of the children come first.

[Jo123ABC]

You right kids that are taught the difference may know the difference. But we are talking about toddlers ages 1-4 that have not been taught the difference. They are still learning big from small, real from pretend and how to share, I am no expert but I don't feel that a child that just learned to walk or working on how to use the toilet is ready to know the difference between real and toy guns.

Plus I have seen plenty toy guns that look real. (Just think of how many humans have been shot because the gun or object they had looked like a real gun)

To anyone that still disagrees with me:
If that isn't enough reason to not have guns in daycare, consider the child (could be a foster child or just one that lives in a bad situation) that had been traumatized by use of a gun. (By having one pointed at him or seen someone get shot) He needs to feel safe while in daycare and seeing a gun or hearing the sound of a pop gun may not help him feel safe.

Again I am all for the right to bear arms but during business hours, safety, security, and the health of the children come first.

A child from a traumatic background is a bit different. I'm no professional in working with traumatized children though I have taken special education classes and have some tools under my belt if put in that situation. Obviously I would adjust my care to a child's needs just as I would not allow peanuts or strawberries f there were allergies. At this point, I don't have kids with allergies, so they can have peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches to their hearts content (kwim?)

Anyway, are my kids, who play cops and robbers, squirt each other with squirt guns, and shoot apples with foam darts going to be a problem to society when they grow up in your opinion? If you don't think so, why are you making a big deal out of laser tag?

[Alwaysgreener]

A child from a traumatic background is a bit different. I'm no professional in working with traumatized children though I have taken special education classes and have some tools under my belt if put in that situation. Obviously I would adjust my care to a child's needs just as I would not allow peanuts or strawberries f there were allergies. At this point, I don't have kids with allergies, so they can have peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches to their hearts content (kwim?)

Anyway, are my kids, who play cops and robbers, squirt each other with squirt guns, and shoot apples with foam darts going to be a problem to society when they grow up in your opinion? If you don't think so, why are you making a big deal out of laser tag?

No I have no opinion on kids that play cops and robbers (my brothers played it, although one of the two went to jail for attempted murder, so..) other than I would personally not teach kids to play it.

Here is why I don't encourage that type of play, when I was in high school I interned at a preschool and I started to teach kids how to play cops and robbers. The teacher pulled me to the side and told me not to encourage negative behavior, such as robbing or hurting others. Since then I discourage that kind of play. I have only had one child, that I termed for bullying me (by him and dcm) that tried to play finger guns in my care. I want to make it clear, I don't agree with any child playing with guns in a day care, not just when playing laser tag with guns but any gun play including but not limited to finger guns or making guns.

Just like using spray bottles instead of squirt guns, a provider could use flashlight instead of laser guns for laser tag. Be creative.


(Again I am pro the right to bare arms, just against guns play in daycare.)

[Blackcat31]

I don’t ban gun play for many reasons

I restrict certain types of play but not overall gun play.

I believe strongly in education not eradication.
Blanket censorship creates a difficult environment that often ends up with the opposite results.

[Jo123ABC]

I don’t ban gun play for many reasons

I restrict certain types of play but not overall gun play.

I believe strongly in education not eradication.
Blanket censorship creates a difficult environment that often ends up with the opposite results.

Yes!!! This! happyface