Psychology Prof Tells How to Make Fun, Inexpensive Toys

by KYW's Lynne Adkins

As the economy worsens parents may need to close the purse strings this holiday season.

Toys don't have to be expensive to be fun and put a gleam in a child's eye. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek (above), a psychology professor at Temple University says go back to basics -- inexpensive playthings that are 90 percent child, 10 percent toy:

"We can build so many things when we just have a good set of construction toys, artistic toys where we're building things or making things from paints, from crayons, from jewelry, these are all arts and crafts toys."

Kids don't need the latest electronics; a ball is cheaper and gives your child exercise and never forget the power of an empty cardboard box, which can become a rocket ship, a boat, or a fort with a little imagination.