Finding Toys That Match the Way They Love to Play
Every child plays differently.
Some children create elaborate stories with dolls and figures. Others race toy cars across the living room while making engine noises. Some are happiest quietly building for an hour, while others carry their favourite soft toy absolutely everywhere.
There is no "right" way to play. In fact, different play styles help children develop different skills, from creativity and communication to problem-solving and emotional confidence.
If you're looking for a gift or simply wondering what toys your child will enjoy most, understanding their natural play style can be a great place to start.
The Storyteller
Does your child love creating characters, acting out adventures, or turning everyday objects into something magical?
These imaginative children thrive on open-ended role play. They'll happily spend hours creating worlds where anything is possible, whether Barbie is running a veterinary clinic, hosting a sleepover, or exploring space.
Great toys for Storytellers include:
- Dolls and playsets
- Career Roleplay
- Fisher-Price Little People
- Doll houses
- Dress Ups and Costumes
- Baby dolls and care sets
Role-play toys encourage creativity, language development, empathy, and social skills as children imagine different situations and perspectives.
The Action Adventurer
You know this child.
They're the one making dinosaur roars, race car noises, explosions, and dramatic sound effects as toys leap across the floor.
Every dinosaur battle is life or death. Every Hot Wheels race is the championship final.
Movement is everything.
These children often love:
- Dinosaur figures
- Jurassic World toys
- Remote-controlled toys
- Hot Wheels cars and tracks
- Monster trucks
- Action figures
- Action battling toys
Action-based imaginative play helps children develop storytelling skills, coordination, confidence, and creativity - all while burning plenty of energy.
The Comfort Collector
Some children form deep connections with their favourite toys.
Whether it's a teddy that comes everywhere, a cuddly bunny tucked into bed each night, or a collection of soft animal friends, these children often find comfort through nurturing play.
These toys often become trusted companions through exciting days, quiet afternoons, big life changes, and bedtime routines.
Comfort play helps children explore emotions, build confidence, and develop caring behaviours.
The Builder
Some children simply love building.
Give them a pile of LEGO bricks and they disappear into a world of concentration.
These children enjoy solving problems, following instructions, experimenting with new ideas, and proudly showing off their finished creation before pulling it apart to build something completely different.
Perfect choices include:
Building toys encourage patience, fine motor skills, creativity, spatial awareness, and problem-solving while giving busy hands something rewarding to focus on. Toyworld offers hundreds of LEGO sets for every age and interest, from beginners through to experienced builders.
The Creator
Markers. Paint. Modelling clay. Craft kits.
If your child is constantly making cards, decorating everything they own, or inventing new masterpieces, they probably have a creative play style.
- DIY Slime kits
- Arts and crafts kits
- Drawing, colouring & painting
- Hobby kits
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Jewellery making kits
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Scrapbooking
Creative play allows children to express themselves, experiment, and develop confidence through making something uniquely their own.
The Explorer
Some children are endlessly curious.
They ask questions, investigate how things work, collect interesting rocks, inspect insects, or become fascinated by animals, space, and science.
These young explorers often enjoy:
- Science & discovery kits
- Brainbox Science Experiment kits
- STEM activities
- National Geographic science kits
These toys encourage curiosity while making learning feel like an adventure.
Remember: Most Children Have More Than One Play Style
Your child probably won't fit neatly into just one category, and that's perfectly normal.
They might spend the morning building a LEGO city, the afternoon racing dinosaurs through it, and finish the day tucking their favourite teddy into bed.
Play styles also change as children grow, discover new interests, and gain confidence.
The best toys are the ones that match your child's interests, encourage their imagination, and make them excited to play.
At Toyworld NZ, you'll find toys for every type of player - from imaginative storytellers and fearless adventurers to creative builders, curious explorers, and cuddly comfort seekers.
Whatever their play styles, there's a toy waiting to spark their next adventure.
