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Should toys be educational, or can they just have fun?

Parenting Perspective

Toys do not need to be educational in the traditional sense to support your child’s growth. In fact, some of the most impactful toys are those that allow for open-ended, unstructured play. Through these everyday objects, children rehearse life scenarios, express feelings, and learn to navigate their world.
While educational toys can support specific skills such as literacy or numeracy, they should not replace joyful exploration. Instead, trust in the natural process of discovery. A toy that brings joy, inspires imagination, or invites collaboration is already educational in the deepest sense. When children play freely, they develop problem-solving skills, persistence, and confidence. These foundations are far more critical than early academic performance.
Parents can support this by curating a balanced play environment. Include items that encourage storytelling, movement, construction, and sensory engagement. Avoid overcrowding the play space, and rotate toys regularly to renew interest. Most importantly, protect playtime from being overtaken by performance. Let fun be fun. When children are allowed to delight in play without pressure, they thrive emotionally, intellectually, and socially.

Spiritual Insight

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Mulk (67), Verse 15: ‘It is He who has made for you the Earth subservient, so walk among its paths and eat of His provision…’ This Verse reminds us that the world is a place of wonder, learning, and enjoyment. The invitation to walk, explore, and benefit from creation reflects a Divine endorsement of curiosity and delight. Children, in their natural inclination to play, are already following this call.
It is recorded in Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 4943 that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: ‘Those who do not show mercy to our young ones… are not from us.’ Mercy includes making space for joy. Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ interacted with children through laughter, storytelling, and play, showing that spiritual life is not detached from emotion and fun. Play is not a distraction from growth, but a vessel for it.
When we allow children to play with lightness and freedom, we are not merely entertaining them. We are respecting their developmental needs, and we are modelling a life in which joy and learning coexist. Fun that is rooted in connection, trust, and compassion nurtures both the mind and the soul. It reflects the Prophetic way of raising hearts that are healthy, curious, and spiritually alive.

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