This is a question we are often asked by parents, especially around birthdays or Christmas holidays. It' a great question, and there are some general guidelines that can help.

The most likely answer lies in a combination of buying the right toys, getting your kids to ask the right questions and making it a fun experience. As co-founder of Ion Development Dr Matt Spencer says "I spent a lot of time working in professional research labs where I was constantly refining experiments. It's a lot of fun. But I started to realize that the science toys I was given a s a child also provided a good basis for that work. It's also important to gain experience with the sicntific method – to know that when things go differently than you expected it's okay. In fact it's an essential part of science."

We have observed some successful techniques to get kids thinking critically in a scientific way. Whatever toy you choose it's good to ask your children open ended questions such as:

• How do you think that toy works? [develop a theory from an initial observation]
• Are there any examples of other toys or objects that are similar [look for patterns]
• What do you think would happen if we used this toy in a slightly different way [make a prediction] Try it out [perform an experiment]
• Is that what you expected? [confirm a hypothesis] Or, why not? [disproving a hypothesis is valid too]
• Is there anything we could change to make it work? [refine your theory] Try it!

By asking questions like these you are helping your kids understand the scientific method: propose a hypothesis or theory, envisage and perform an experiment that can test your hypothesis, compare the results to those that you predicted, refine and repeat your experiment if necessary, or modify your hypothesis. Practicing this disciplined way of reasoning is one of the most important concepts you as a parent can teach your kids.

It's also important to choose a toy that sparks their mind. As Dr. Spencer says "When a kid is engaged, the learning opportunity is enhanced".

Think about your child's activities, and looks for toys that are in their general area of interest:

1. For the more mechanically inclined children there are micro controllers, fuel cell cars, and workshop kits in the area of physics.
2. Girls interested in the science of perfume may be interested in chemistry.
3. For kids interested in dinosaurs try an excavation kit or a fossil toy in paleontology.
4. Plants and animals provide an endless playground. Try a root view kit, or microscope related to biology.

Most important of all: have fun and show an interest in your kid's ideas. "I am constantly amazed at how young minds perceive the world in a fresh way. It's really fun to see a kid come up with an idea, and I always try to let them know it's a great idea" says Dr Spencer.