5 Toys and Games That Are Secretly Educational

5 Toys and Games That Are Secretly Educational
(and you might even have played with them as a kid)

Go Fish - You probably played Go Fish as a kid. I know I did. You can use this deck of cards for pretty much any game where matching is the goal. Joseph, age 6, like playing Memory with it.

What it teaches: matching, memory skills, vocabulary, taking turns

Legos - This one really takes me back! It was one of those toys that you could put in front of a kid and they would spend hours playing with it. And these days they even come in a giant form known as Mega Blox.

What it teaches: logic, spatial reason, teamwork, creativity

Dollhouse - Ah, dollhouse (or the boy equivelent Action Figures) was a lovely way to escape reality and get wrapped up in a fantasy world. It couldn't possibly be educational! Right? Right? Wrong. It can be. When girls play individually they are a stimulating their right brain. When they play with a parent it becomes a unique learning opportunity.

What it teaches: family values, creative thinking, problem solving
Adults can use dolls to teach: Vocabulary, Politeness, Abstract concepts (such as a new baby, step-family member, or adopted child)

House (older kids call it Role-Play) - You've probably heard about the educational benefits of role-play. You don't need an expensive playhouse for this game, either. A group of trees will make a fine house in outdoor weather and haybails or logs make good chairs. Kids can be whoever they feel like at the moment!

What it teaches: Teamwork, Creative Thinking, Social Skills,
What adults can use it to teach: Manners, History, Abstract Concepts, Brainstorming

Cash Register - Cash registers came complete with fake money (and if you were spoiled a toy shopping cart and fake food). A fun way to imitate grown-ups was always to GO SHOPPING for what else? Groceries. You grab your fake food, throw it in the cart behind your beloved baby doll and hope the kid behind the cash register doesn't charge you more play money than you actually have!

What it teaches - Math, Store etiquette, Logic,