What little boy or girl hasn’t dreamed of being the dragon-slayer or perhaps the fierce creature itself? For decades, toy makers have been giving children the opportunity to indulge in fantasy play through the manufacture of a creative variety of dragon toys. Though through the years the toys have become more sophisticated by means of computers, electronics, video games and the like, the basic dragon toy is still a favorite among the younger set. Companies such as Playmobil and Lego have featured dragons and castles in their line of toys for years. But probably the most extensive array of dragon toys for elementary-aged children is manufactured by Mega Bloks. The Canadian-based toy company boasts at least 15 large dragon building kits, nestled in their eggs, just waiting for an excited child to put the pieces together. They also market a variety of other accessories needed for imaginative dragon play such as castles and fortresses. While Mega Bloks dragon toys are of the fierce, Western, fire-breathing variety, younger children can cuddle up with lovable plush creatures designed especially for snuggling. While the Ty Company, of Beanie Baby fame, retired their plush Chinese dragon several years ago, a number of well-known (and not so well-known) stuffed animal manufacturers offer a vast selection of dragons for your child of both the Western and Eastern styles. Replicas of the Shrek dragon and the endearing Cassie, Zak and Wheezie, and Ord of PBS’s Dragon Tales will also delight any young collector of plush animals and puppets. Young children from the Oriental tradition delight in playing with paper dragon toys or kites, especially during the Chinese New Year celebration. Some kites are of a basic design with long, fluttering tales and were once used by the Chinese to scare away enemies. Other modern dragon kites are much more sophisticated, attempting to mirror the image of the winged creature himself. When today’s youth think about toys, the minds of many are drawn to the video game attached to their television. Did you know that the first full-animation laser disc video game involved dragons? Dragon’s Lair premiered in arcades worldwide in 1983 and proceeded to make its mark in the gaming industry. (An original now sits in the Smithsonian Institute.) From the likes of this game and others like it, action figures, a perennial favorite among children, have been produced, allowing for more creative play outside the confines of the video gaming system. Children can create scenarios with Singe the Dragon, Dirk the Daring, and the princess-in-distress, Daphne. Dragons also appear in children’s puzzles, books, trading cards, and much more and it’s easy to see that kids are often equally as mesmerized with the legendary beast as are adult dragon aficionados and, as an added bonus, these toys serve to stimulate the playful imagination of children. Our website features a variety of toys for your child’s enjoyment, be it a soft, cuddly dragon friend, a role-playing action figure, or a variety of other delightful dragon toys. |
