What the strongest evidence says about low-cost toys
The most direct evidence comes from a 2025 experiment where 60 children (average age about 5 years) played alone with either loose parts (e.g., cardboard, pipes, buttons, sticks) or with traditional toys that have limited uses (like toy percussion instruments). Children showed significantly more STEM behaviors—like building, problem-solving, and experimenting—with the loose parts [1]. This means that a cardboard box or a pile of sticks can actually teach more science and math thinking than a store-bought toy that only does one thing.
Importantly, the study found no credible difference between boys and girls in how much STEM behavior they showed with loose parts [1]. So these low-cost materials work equally well for all children, countering the old idea that certain toys are 'for boys' or 'for girls.'
Why parent involvement matters more than the toy itself
A 2023 study that interviewed 20 families found that parents already pay attention to children's preferences, toy quality, and developmental level when choosing toys [4]. But the same study noted that the games parents play with their children—like ball games, chess, and hide-and-seek—strengthen family bonds, boost self-confidence, and help socialization [4]. This suggests that how you play with your child matters at least as much as what you buy.
The 2025 loose-parts study also found that children's cognitive functioning (especially verbal comprehension) and their home learning environment predicted how much they engaged with STEM behaviors [1]. In other words, a child's ability to benefit from even the best low-cost toy depends partly on the support and conversation they get at home. So a parent who talks with their child while playing with a cardboard box may get better results than one who just hands over an expensive electronic toy.
What to avoid: fidget toys and gender stereotypes
Not all low-cost toys are backed by science. A 2022 review of fidget toys found that there is currently not enough evidence to support their use in classrooms for improving attention or learning [5]. The authors note that fidget toys are often marketed as universal educational supports without a scientific basis [5]. So while a fidget spinner is cheap, it may not deliver the benefits parents hope for.
Another important finding comes from a 2023 study of 2- to 4-year-olds: children start using gender to predict what toys other kids will like as early as age 3, and boys show this tendency more strongly [3]. The study also found that parents' own behavioral expectations contributed to this gender-based reasoning [3]. This means that even with low-cost toys, parents should be aware that their own comments and expectations can steer children toward or away from certain types of play. The good news is that the loose-parts study showed no gender difference in STEM play, suggesting that simple, open-ended materials can help break down these stereotypes [1].
About These Sources
This answer is built on 5 studies (4 peer-reviewed, 1 preprint) — published from 2022 to 2025, 1 from 2024 or later, 1 in Q1–Q2 journals — selected as the most relevant from 6 studies that passed quality screening, drawn from 46 papers retrieved from a database of over 500 million.
Sources used in this answer
Loose parts play encourages spontaneous science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) behaviours.
In a within-subjects experiment with 60 children (average age ~5 years), children showed significantly more STEM behaviors when playing with loose parts (e.g., cardboard, sticks) than with traditional toys with limited uses; no gender difference was found, and children's cognitive functioning and home environment predicted engagement.
Cool Kids' Toys For Kids Of All Ages on Online Toys Shop
This article (a non-academic source) lists general toy-buying tips (age group, safety, child's needs) and suggests musical toys, board games, and outdoor equipment, but provides no original data or systematic evidence.
Gender‐based reasoning about novel toys: The role of child and parental factors
In a study of 2- to 4-year-olds, children showed gender-centric reasoning about novel toys from age 3 (especially boys), and this was predicted by children's categorization skills and parents' behavioral expectations.
Parents' Roles in Children's Games and Toys
In interviews with 20 families, parents reported choosing toys based on children's preferences, quality, and developmental level, and believed that games like ball games and chess strengthen family bonds and boost self-confidence.
Evaluating the Evidence for Fidget Toys in the Classroom
A review of existing literature found insufficient evidence to support the use of fidget toys in classrooms for improving attention, behavior, or learning, and cautions against their marketing as universal educational supports.