A police officer might reminisce about the very first toy police car she played with as a youngster … while a professional chef might recall getting his first set of play cookware at Christmas,” said Adrienne Appell, toy trend expert at the Toy Industry Association (TIA). “From basic role-play toys for toddlers to hands-on kits that teach older children skills related to a specific profession or trade, toys open kids up to new worlds and inspire them to explore their talents.”

The following list contains a few examples of the many toys and games that may help kick-start a child’s imagination – and possibly put them on the path toward their future career:

Gigo Line Junior Engineers (Magnote)
This basic engineering set teaches preschoolers shape and color recognition as well as hand-eye coordination.  The kit includes 32 pieces that can be used to build 24 different models – including an airplane, a giraffe and a truck.

GoldieBlox and the Dunk Tank (GoldieBlox)
A construction set and accompanying book series that teaches kids spatial skills, engineering principles and confidence in problem-solving. Comes with three design ideas and unlimited building possibilities; compatible with other toys in the GoldieBlox line.

Snap Circuits Motion Detector (Elenco) 
Older kids can build a working motion detector thanks to the colorful snap circuits that are included in this kit. No soldering is required; the parts easily snap together. Includes an easy-to-read illustrated manual.