Childcare centres are banning toy guns and fake weapons to stop kids playing violent “warlike” games.

Some centres even go so far to ban mock pirate swords, SUPERHERO costumes, bows and arrows and even Lego weapons, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Their investigation reveals the Australian Childcare Alliance of NSW will survey 1600 centres for policies of this nature.

Games like “cops and robbers” could also be banned from the playground.

Some parents fear the restrictions hinder a child’s imagination and play.

Experts have also disputed claims such toys lead to detrimental changes in a child’s conduct.

Child psychologist Dr Justin Coulson has told the Daily Telegraph, “the current evidence suggests playing with toy guns has no measurable impact on a child’s attitudes or behaviours.”

He added, “even if we were to ban guns, kids will find other things to use if they want to play a goodie versus baddies’ game.

Comments on the discussion include:

– “I work in childcare and the children make guns or swords out of anything they can find! I honestly don’t see the harm, it’s just play to them there isn’t always some deep and meaningful reasoning behind it.”

– ” Absolutely a load of rubbish. When I was a child we had toy guns, rifles and bows and arrows. We played cops and robbers, cowboys and Indians. Mum used to buy us caps for our cap guns once a week. We were very active and healthy children because we played outside. Not one of us have a criminal change against us. Totally good citizens.”

– ” Stop protecting children from the real world… teach them to respect people and the guns wont be an issue.”

– “Actually, words are more damaging than toy weapons, so let’s ban talking, writing or any interaction at all. ”

– “Toy weapons yes, but lego and superhero costumes are going a bit far.”

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