This morning my kids were using a wooden spoon as an oar on the bed along with a few stuffies and blankets for some type of animal rescue. No fancy toys required.
Yes to PLAY! And for books that inspire even more play!
Now I'm curious about the kind of toy marketing that could actually be helpful for parents/toy buyers. For me, I'm all about the "this toy can be more than one thing", which is maybe selfish because I want toys to be able to grow with my children and also morph into whatever kind of play they are interested in at the moment.
I love this question! As I do harp on the downsides of marketing with some frequency. I think I want to know the true functions of a toy but without the emotional promises...that's probably against most marketing principles.
So true about playing in boxes! Also as 1 of 4 children, we found that we often preferred each other's toys, and there would usually be some sort of fight on Christmas Day! Great piece, Kathryn.
Cardboard was less common to come by when I was growing up. Now it seems to be everywhere! A perfect gift for an imaginative kid. Thanks for including my childhood memory.
My 5 year old daughter loves any kind of pretend play- she makes up elaborate stories with her stuffies and various figurines. Her favorite toy right now is the Gabby’s Dollhouse my grandma/mom went in on for her birthday last month. She loves playing with her Gabbycats and Gabby. As Christmas fast approaches I am always keeping in mind how she likes to play so I can help us find her what she would love and so I can facilitate our family looking for what she would really like too.
My close friend/director at work (I’m an infant teacher, and in addition to being the director, he’s an awesome preK teacher so he has been Hannah’s teacher for short stints over the last year when there would be turnover) also got her a Little Golden Book about Taylor Swift and she has loved that book so much. She loves when someone gives her a thoughtful gift!
I have a Gabby fan in my house! The dollhouse is on the Christmas list. I love overhearing the kids when they do their pretend play, such fun stories they make up.
What a fantastic post! These days it seems to be the rule that if a toy has been bought then it absolutely cannot ever be played with 😩
Toy du jour is her old bassinet. Glad I hung onto it 😂
This morning my kids were using a wooden spoon as an oar on the bed along with a few stuffies and blankets for some type of animal rescue. No fancy toys required.
I love your gift guide--it inspired me to think about how my young teenager plays and how to support that!
That is wonderful Tiffany. Yes, teens still play!
Yes to PLAY! And for books that inspire even more play!
Now I'm curious about the kind of toy marketing that could actually be helpful for parents/toy buyers. For me, I'm all about the "this toy can be more than one thing", which is maybe selfish because I want toys to be able to grow with my children and also morph into whatever kind of play they are interested in at the moment.
I love this question! As I do harp on the downsides of marketing with some frequency. I think I want to know the true functions of a toy but without the emotional promises...that's probably against most marketing principles.
Yes, for real: what are we really getting here? Ok, now what about: "WON'T GET DESTROYED IN THE DISHWASHER IF IT GETS BARFED ON!"
Yes! What are the limits and how do you clean it?
So true about playing in boxes! Also as 1 of 4 children, we found that we often preferred each other's toys, and there would usually be some sort of fight on Christmas Day! Great piece, Kathryn.
Thank you, Kylie. My kids love each other's toys as well. The grass is always greener...
Cardboard was less common to come by when I was growing up. Now it seems to be everywhere! A perfect gift for an imaginative kid. Thanks for including my childhood memory.
It's so true. I have very clear memories of building a cat hotel out of an appliance box, it was so special to us...although the cat did not agree.
My 5 year old daughter loves any kind of pretend play- she makes up elaborate stories with her stuffies and various figurines. Her favorite toy right now is the Gabby’s Dollhouse my grandma/mom went in on for her birthday last month. She loves playing with her Gabbycats and Gabby. As Christmas fast approaches I am always keeping in mind how she likes to play so I can help us find her what she would love and so I can facilitate our family looking for what she would really like too.
My close friend/director at work (I’m an infant teacher, and in addition to being the director, he’s an awesome preK teacher so he has been Hannah’s teacher for short stints over the last year when there would be turnover) also got her a Little Golden Book about Taylor Swift and she has loved that book so much. She loves when someone gives her a thoughtful gift!
I have a Gabby fan in my house! The dollhouse is on the Christmas list. I love overhearing the kids when they do their pretend play, such fun stories they make up.