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I think much better than one specific silver bullet toy, give kids (or girls specifically) batteries, sensors, LEDs, motors, and a good toolset and see what the

I think much better than one specific silver bullet toy, give kids (or girls specifically) batteries, sensors, LEDs, motors, and a good toolset and see what they build. Not only is it a hell of a lot cheaper (a drillpress you use for several years costs as much as a nice lego set you use for a few months) but it also gives them directly applicable life skills. [Warning: the Surgeon General indicates that anecdotal evidence may be detrimental to your mental health] Of a few little girls I know, this has worked well.

k-mcgrady 12y ago
The only problem with that is that children would have to be very closely supervised working with those things. Most parents give children toys to occupy them while they do something else.
- watwut 12y ago
  Depends on the age of the kid and price of the item. By the time they are able to take advantage of sensors, LEDs, motors and resistor, they are fully able not to harm themselves with it. So it boils down to how expensive stuff you buy. Even younger kids do not have to be very closely supervised when working with real tools if you remove dangerous ones. Three years old can safely play with few screwdrivers, pliers and cardboard box without close supervision.
  - k-mcgrady 12y ago
    True. It was mainly the op's suggestion of a drill press that lead to my supervision comment.