Made For Play
Explore child development through play, find inspiration for your next DIY project, and discover tips for selecting the perfect toys for your little ones.
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Super Bowl Ideas for Kids
Whether your crew consists of little football fanatics or kiddos who could care less about the final score, Super Bowl Sunday should be fun for everyone! To give your Super Bowl party the official “fun for the whole family” stamp of approval, check out these seven kid-friendly Super Bowl ideas and get everyone hyped for game day. 1. Super Bowl Bingo A Bingo Card and some fun, simple prizes are a great way to keep older kids interested in the game – even if football isn’t usually their thing. You can find plenty of free printable Super Bowl-themed Bingo cards. If your kiddo is especially football-adverse, they even have a few Bingo cards just for the Super Bowl commercials. 2. The Puppy Bowl Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl is a kid favorite every year, and it’s as adorable as it sounds. Basically, you’re treated to hours of adorable puppies romping, playing, and snoozing on a miniature football field. Featuring only adoptable shelter pups plus a kitten halftime show, what’s not to love? If your little animal lover needs a break from the football madness in the living room, tune into the Puppy Bowl on another TV or stream it through the new Discovery+ app. 3. Face Painting Even if your family’s team didn’t make it to the big game, we have a feeling the kids won’t mind getting in the spirit with some face painting anyway. You’ll need red, gold, and white for the Kansas City Chiefs and red, black, and orange for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 4. Paper Football Origami Remember those little paper footballs you made in elementary school? They make an easy on-theme activity for game day that can keep kids entertained for hours. After teaching the kids how to fold them, let them decorate them, and flick away! You’ll probably see a few cross the screen during the game, but hey, at least they’re having fun, right? 5. A Football Themed Craft Station Set up your craft table with a few low-maintenance, football-themed crafts to keep the littles entertained. Tailor your ideas according to the ages of the kids who will be at the party. Preschoolers will enjoy threading and stuffing their own paper footballs, and kids of any age love decorating and waving team pennants or cheering into their DIY megaphones. 6. Mascot Dress Up Both Super Bowl teams make for fun, easy dress up options this year! The Kansas City Chiefs’ mascot is the famous KC Wolf, while the Buccaneers’ mascot is the swashbuckling Captain Fear. A few inexpensive headbands, some gray and pink felt, and hot glue are all you need to DIY some cute wolf ears. For an even cheaper option, modify these paper cat ears from paper-and-glue.com. For pirate-themed dress up, have kids create their own paper pirate hats and order these felt eye patches on Amazon for under $5! 7. Snack Duty Super Bowl Sunday is just as much about food as it is about football. When it comes to Super Bowl snacks for kids, you can’t go wrong with anything that lets them choose toppings and make their own treat. Popcorn bowls, trail mix, and nachos all make for great build-your-own snack bars, but we especially love the idea of an ice cream sundae bar complete with all the toppings. All together now: Go Team!
Buying Guide: Toddler Beds
Move over, crib. Twin-sized bed, wait your turn. Toddler bed? It’s your time to shine. If your little snoozer is looking kind of crammed in their crib or has learned the art of escape, it’s time to make the switch. Our checklist will help you pick a toddler bed that lasts, looks great, and helps your kiddo get a great night’s sleep! Size A toddler bed should help your little one safely explore their newfound independence and feel secure as they transition out of their crib. A bed frame that’s low to the ground keeps even the youngest toddlers safe as they climb in and out of bed. While some cribs can transition into toddler beds, they tend to be higher off the ground than regular toddler beds. Investing in a lower toddler bed might be worth it, especially if your child is under two years of age when they switch. Railings Toddlers are notoriously wiggly sleepers and don’t always have the spatial awareness to keep themselves from falling out of bed. Look for railings that’ll keep your little one safely in bed through the night. For most toddlers, a short partial railing near the headboard does the trick. If you’ve got an extra-wiggly sleeper, you may want to look for rails that come farther down the bed. Mattress size Before you make your pick, make sure that your new toddler bed is compatible with your current crib mattress! Bonus tip: don’t forget to flip the crib mattress to the toddler side if you haven’t already. It’s softer than the extra-firm infant side. Construction Sure, a toddler bed only has to last a few years, but it has to survive the toddler years. Whatever your toddler dishes out, you need a bed that can take it and still keeps them safe night after night. This probably isn’t the time to order from an unknown company on Amazon – especially if you plan to pass the bed down to younger siblings. A brand’s overall reputation and parent reviews are great ways to make sure you’re getting a quality product. Design Never underestimate the power of a cool racecar bed. Whatever your little one is into from princesses to firetrucks, choosing a fun, themed bed can make them more excited about their “big kid” bed. Of course, simple classic designs have their advantages too. They probably look more similar to their crib, which might be comforting for your kiddo. They’re classy and cute, and they’re usually gender-neutral enough to work for any kid’s room. Whatever you’re looking for, KidKraft’s line of toddler beds is time-tested, affordable, and pretty adorable if we say so ourselves. From clean and modern to whimsical and fun, we’ve got a bed that’s perfect for your toddler.
Dreamy Nights, Peaceful Sleep: Crafting the Perfect Toddler Bedtime Routine
Bedtime with your toddler doesn’t have to be a struggle – no, really. If you’ve ever wondered how to get your toddler to sleep, a bedtime routine that’s consistent and customized for you and your littles can make a world of difference. Here are our tips to help your toddler fall asleep and enjoy every step along the way… well, almost every step. Choose activities you both enjoy You always hear that bedtime should be calming for your little one. But it’s just as important that you enjoy the bedtime routine too. If you find it taxing and stressful, your toddler is sure to pick up on your energy. If you genuinely enjoy it, they’ll feel your calm and happiness instead.Are you so tired of reading Goodnight, Moon every night? Swap it out for something fresh. Is it always a fight to get your little one into PJs? Try meditating before bedtime so you can stay calm even if they’re on the verge of a tantrum. Still can’t get into it? Try keeping a gratitude journal for a couple of weeks to help you focus on all there is to love about this time. Whatever you have to do, do it. You deserve to love this time too! Time it right to cut down on toddler bedtime struggles Consistent bedtimes are game-changers for toddler sleep. Your child will be less resistant to bedtime when they know what to expect each evening and when to expect it. Plus, you’ll help regulate their circadian rhythms, so they’ll naturally begin to feel tired around bedtime each evening. Consistency helps them enjoy their bedtime routine more and get better sleep –– which is a win for everyone.Most experts recommend a bedtime between 7-8:30 pm for toddlers. This lines up with their natural wake time to give them the recommended 11-12 hours of nighttime sleep. You can find the bedtime sweet spot for your kiddo by observing their behavior before bedtime and upon waking up in the morning. Overtired kids often get extra hyper, cranky, clumsy, and sleepy before bed and may wake up too early; these guys could benefit from an earlier bedtime. Signs that bedtime is too early include not being sleepy at all during bedtime, fighting sleep for more than thirty minutes after being tucked in, and rising too early. Try moving bedtime in 15 minute increments until you find the right fit. Do the not-so-fun parts first Even with perfect timing and a perfectly zen parent, there are bound to be a few aspects of bedtime your kiddo isn’t so crazy about. Brushing teeth, changing diapers, washing hair, and drying off (BRRRR!) are all common culprits. As much as you can, try to do the activities your child doesn’t love first and then cozy up for the fun parts! Common toddler bedtime routine activities Pick, choose, and change the order until you find the perfect routine for your toddler! Pre-bedtime milk or snack Asking for a snack before bed isn’t always a stalling tactic. Toddlers have tiny tummies, and many nutritionists recommend offering a cup of milk, a healthy snack, or a nursing session before bed to keep them full through the night. Teeth brushing It’s a must, but most toddlers don’t love it. To make it a little more fun, try new toothpaste flavors, give them a second toothbrush to hold, let them have a turn to brush, or even let them brush your teeth. If you can, enlist a second person for distractions like patty cake or silly faces. Bath time Fun fact: warm baths cause our core body temperature to drop, which is a circadian signal for sleep. Baths are a calming activity for many kids, but that doesn’t mean they work for everyone. If your toddler dislikes baths or seems to get too energetic, don’t feel pressure to include them in your bedtime routine. Lotion and/ or massage The transition from bath to PJs can be tough. A calming massage with a favorite scent can be a great way to recenter. Quiet Play A few minutes of quiet play with blocks, puzzles, or similar toys are especially helpful for kids who tend to get hyper after baths! Toddler bedtime stories We think every toddler can benefit from a few bedtime stories each night. It’s relaxing, fun, predictable, and great for bonding – all the elements of a good bedtime routine activity. Plus, it’s one way to make sure you always work reading into your day. Songs, prayers, snuggles, etc. Before you lay them down in their crib or toddler bed, wind down with one last sweet song, kiss, snuggle, prayer… you get the idea. Younger toddlers will benefit from the signal that it’s almost time to say goodnight!Goodnight and sleep tight! We hope these tips help you create a blissful bedtime routine for your toddler and enjoy peaceful nights together!
Bring the Fun Home: 8 Exciting Virtual Playdate Ideas for Kids
Remember just a few years ago when virtual playdates were the only playdates happening? Thankfully we’re back to safely playing in person, but virtual playdates still come in handy! Maybe you want to keep your child connected to long-distance family or friends. Or maybe they just miss their local school friends so much over summer break that they can’t wait for the next in-person playdate! Whatever the reason, we’ve got creative ideas to keep the kiddos connected. These 8 virtual playdate ideas are the next best thing to in-person play! Kahoot Quizzes Kahoot is a virtual quiz game that’s a longtime favorite of teachers pretty much everywhere. Find a few fun quizzes based on the kids’ age and interests or make your own! They can play in real-time and compete against each other for the highest score (or just have fun answering questions together). Zoom or Facetime as you play for an extra sense of connection. Art & Tell Set up a video call as the kid’s paint, color, or craft. If parents can coordinate beforehand, you can have the kids work on the same craft at the same time. Try setting everything up on an art easel so the kids can see each other’s progress in real time. They can chat, show off their creations, and get a little creative inspiration from each other’s artwork! Scavenger Hunt Together with the parents of your kiddo’s playmate, create a list of items the kids can hunt for in their homes. Work through the list on a video call with their pal. They’ll love racing around the house to beat their friends back to the computer or phone and showing off their finds! Work Up a Sweat Youtube is full of fun dancing and exercise videos for kids. Set up a picture-and-picture configuration or use multiple devices so that the kids can see the video and each other at the same time. The sillier the dance moves the better! Dress Up & Pretend Have the kids pick out some favorite dress up costumes and let them interact with each other “in character.” Depending on their choice of characters, they can pretend that they’re princesses from different kingdoms using magic mirrors to communicate or firefighters calling each other to coordinate a rescue. Whatever they choose, help them find a way to make the devices and the distance a part of the story! Restaurant Deliveries Play kitchens are a great spot to rest the laptop or phone and to coordinate some joint play! You can try to offer fun ideas to incorporate both the play kitchens and the physical distance. For example, they can pretend that they’re ordering food from a restaurant for delivery. One kiddo cooks and the food is “delivered” to the other house – bonus points if you can use similar pretend food items at both houses! Try Caribu Caribu is THE app for video calls with kids. It has plenty of stories, games, and activities that kids and adults can do together, so video calls feel a little more like playtime and a little less like, well… a video call. It’s free for 60 days, but if social distancing is a long-term thing for you and your kids, investing in an account may be worth it! Parallel Play You know how young toddlers don’t really play with each other so much as next to each other most of the time? That’s called parallel play, and no matter how old your child is, it’s a great approach for virtual playdates. Have kids play with similar types of toys during the video call and let them do their thing. Constructive play toys like blocks, activity table with board, and train sets are perfect for this! They can peek at each other’s creations for inspiration and talk about what they’ve made. So fire up FaceTime and get ready for some fun! Explore our collection of toys and games that make for a perfect virtual playdate.
Affordable Playroom Organization Ideas
It’s easy to get Instagram envy from those posts of beautiful, perfectly organized playrooms, but we’ll let you in on two secrets. 1) Those playrooms definitely get messy too. 2) You don’t have to spend a lot to get your kids’ playroom more organized. Try out some of these tips to clear that clutter on the cheap. From the free to the thrifty to the smart buys, here are seven affordable ways to upgrade your playroom organization! Toys that Double as Storage Whether it’s the cabinets in the play kitchen or the baby doll’s crib, make sure to utilize the storage already available in your kids’ toys. Now, we’re not saying the crib should house all your craft supplies, but it’s the perfect spot for baby and her accessories! Furniture that Does Double Duty If you’re investing in some kid-sized furniture for your playroom, make sure it’s working double duty as a storage solution too. Shopping for a table and chair set? Look for one with built-in storage. Want to create a cozy reading nook? Get a seat that can double as book storage. The inverse is also true –– if you’re buying a toy box, go for one that also functions as a bench or a reading nook. You’ll save money and leave more space for “the floor is lava.” Priorities, right? Over-the-Door Shoe Organizers If your playroom has a closet, make use of the back of the door with a hanging shoe organizer. You add almost any small toy, but we especially love it for dolls and their accessories. (Because we all know Barbie has a bad habit of losing her shoes, and her hair gets wild when she’s stuffed into a toy box.) Small Toy Bin Units Don’t get us wrong, we love toy boxes. But small, open toy bin units make a world of difference in keeping the playroom clean. You can separate and organize toys by category, and kids can see what they want without digging through a million other toys first. Removable bins make clean up easier too! With units starting at under $50, these little lifesavers fit into almost any budget. Toy Caddies We’re pretty sure it’s a law of nature that every kid has a favorite set of toys that get carried and scattered all around the house. We can’t tame that tendency (and wouldn’t want to anyway!), but toy caddies with handles can make the transporting a little less messy. Plus, when the kids are done playing, these caddies look tidy and cute anywhere in the playroom. Ribbons for Kids’ Artwork Some thick ribbons, thumbtacks, and clothespins are all you need for a cute and organized display or your little artist's latest masterpieces. Laundry Bags for Puzzle Pieces We don’t know who thought of it first, but using mesh laundry bags to store puzzle pieces is a game-changer. They’re more durable than clear plastic bags, and since they’re still see-through, the kids can find the puzzle they want without dumping the contents of every bag. For more affordable playroom organization ideas, shop all of our cute and kid-friendly storage solutions! Lastly, if you want to shop for kids’ furniture by age, check out our collections for 3-to-5 year olds and 5-to-7 year olds!
Kids Room Organization Ideas: How to Organize Kids Rooms
We firmly believe that a little mess in a kiddo’s room is a sign of a day well spent. But the transition from “a little mess” to “total toy tornado” happens fast. If you’re struggling to keep up with the chaos, we’ve got ideas to tame the most common mess makers in kids’ rooms: clothes, toys, books, and the bed. Clothes The “Too Small” Box Convincing a tiny human to put on pants is hard enough. Having to change them again because those pants were too small is downright grueling. Keep that frustration to a minimum by adding a “Too Small” box to your kiddos closet. When they’ve grown out of something, toss it in the box so it doesn't make its way back into their dresser. When the box is full, it’s time to donate the clothes or pack them away for the next kid! Dresser Dividers Is it just us, or do kids’ clothes come unfolded way too easily? Adding dresser dividers or baskets to their drawers helps you divide shirts, pants, leggings, etc. so you can and the kids can find what you need...even if nothing is folded. Toys Small, open toy bins Big toy chests can be great for large toys and toys that are out of the rotation. But keeping all your little one’s favorite toys (especially the smaller ones) in a large toy box? That’s just asking for a throw-ALL-the-toys-on-the-floor-style mess as your kiddo searches for the one they want. Small, open bins let them see and get exactly what they want without digging through the other toys. No guarantees that they still won’t end up on the floor sometimes, but they’ll be much easier to find and put away! Toy Caddies We’re all about toy rotations for keeping kids’ rooms and playrooms neat and organized. Our secret weapon for super easy toy rotations? Toy caddies with handles! They make swapping out activities fast and easy and look way cuter than plastic bags and bins. Even if rotations aren't’ your thing, caddies are a great way for kids to transport their favorite toys and projects around the house without losing all those little pieces. Books Raising a reader means keeping tons of books around. Unfortunately, as their library grows, so does the challenge of keeping all those books off the floor and in good condition. We think investing in a good book storage solution is well worth it –– it shows your kiddos that books are important and keeps their room from becoming a paperback obstacle course. Whether you go for a traditional bookshelf, a forward-facing sling, or a multi-purpose shelf, just try to keep it kid-sized so they can find and put away books independently. If a bookshelf isn’t in your budget at the moment, try the rotation method. Keep a few books out in a basket, and store the rest out of reach in a box or bin. Switch them out every week or so until you find a shelf that fits your budget. Bed A perfectly imperfect bed-making routine A neatly made bed gives any bedroom an instant facelift, but we think a kinda sloppy, imperfectly made bed is even better. Why’s that? Because it means your kiddo did it themselves instead of you. Bless. Teach and empower your child to make their bed themselves (or with minimal help), and try to work it into your morning routine. To make it fun, let go of perfection and let them take the lead. A kinda crumpled blanket? It’s fine. A bed decorated with 18 stuffed animals? Just go with it. It will still look better than a totally unmade bed, and the important thing here is building habits that stick. For more on toy rotations and organization, check out our full post on Toy Storage Ideas for Keeping Playtime Mess Free!
Best Toys for Six Year Olds
From graduating kindergarten to losing their first baby teeth, six is a big year for your little one. And their play is changing at this age too. Thanks to growing imaginations and planning skills, they’ll start creating more complex structures with blocks and bricks and immersing themselves in complex pretend play for longer periods of time. Their social play is developing too as they learn to work with their peers and siblings to set the rules for their pretend worlds. At this age, they’ll love toys that allow them to explore their growing art and building skills and toys that support realistic pretend play...especially when there’s room for a friend to play too! Need some inspiration? Our list of best toys for six year olds is sure to have something they’ll love! Best Toy for Pretend Play: KidKraft Alexa 2-in-1 Kitchen & Market Only on Amazon Play kitchens are a classic way for kids to engage in role-playing and develop real-life skills as they play. The KidKraft 2-in-1 Alexa Kitchen & Market takes those real-life skills into the 21st century, letting kids practice responsible technology use with kid-friendly Alexa (parental consent and Amazon Echo dot required). Alexa will guide them to develop real-world skills as they shop and pay for their groceries on the market side and cook on the kitchen side. Even without Alexa, this kitchen offers a wealth of pretend play opportunities with interactive sounds and accessories. They’ll feel like the real deal as they pretend to own their own shop, create a menu, and prepare all their favorite meals. Love the idea of a play kitchen but need a budget-friendly alternative to the Alexa 2-in-1? Check out the KidKraft Boho Bungalow Play Kitchen only at Target. Best Toy for Encouraging a Love of Music: Lil’ Symphony Guitar At six years old, your budding musician is beyond the “hitting and banging” stage of playing with instruments and is likely interested in attempting real music. With Lil’ Symphony Guitar, they can get familiar with the parts of a guitar and practice tuning and strumming. They’ll love that it has the look of a real guitar – just like their favorite musician’s. With strings, tuning knobs, and a realistic neck and body, this toy guitar is as close to “real” as you can get while still being a toy. Best Educational Toy: Building Bricks Play N Store Table While you might not think of building blocks as an educational toy, constructive play is actually highly beneficial for your child’s developing math skills. In fact, how kids play with building blocks as preschoolers have been found to predict their math skills, even well into the high school years. The Building Bricks Play N Store table makes it easy to incorporate constructive play into your kids’ daily routine – without covering your floors in a building brick minefield (ouch!). The table has ample built-in storage, making clean up a breeze.Need an option that takes up less space? The On-the-Go Building Block Set ($24.99) may be tiny, but it holds a surprising number of bricks (100 to be exact!), allowing your kids to get creative anywhere. Best Toy for Arts & Crafts: Create N Play Art Easel Six year olds are nothing if not creative. (I mean where do they come up with those stories, anyway?) And every parent knows they love expressing that creativity in paintings, drawings, and crafts. You may also notice that at this age, they get a bit more particular about their artwork, attempting to draw more realistic pictures or being extra choosy about their colors. A full-size art easel is a great way to put that creative expression front-and-center, encouraging them to explore and expand their skills. The Create N Play Art Easel lets them do it all – dry erase, chalk, paint, and color – while staying mess-free with built-in storage caddies and paint cups. The Tabletop Easel is another great pick, especially when space is limited. Best Toy for Six Year Old Girls: Charlotte Dollhouse with EZ Kraft Assembly Six year olds are reaching another level with their pretend play as their storylines and “characters” grow more complex, and they’ll appreciate the extra details of a high-quality dollhouse. With beautifully detailed backgrounds and furniture, the Charlotte dollhouse is a hit with kids of all ages but especially school-age girls who love the realistic details it provides for their pretend play. This dollhouse accommodates 12”, the perfect size for your six year old’s Barbies and other favorite dolls. At four feet high, the Charlotte gives them enough room to play with friends and siblings for hours of imaginative play. Best Toy for Six Year Old Boys: Everyday Heroes Play Set 209.99 Dollhouse play is highly beneficial for both boys and girls as they immerse themselves in imaginative play and practice social situations. Unfortunately, boys often face pressure to stop playing with dollhouses once they reach school-age years. The Hometown Heroes Play Set solves that problem, providing all the benefits of dollhouse play while aligning with your little guys’ other interests. Both boys and girls love the Hometown Heroes set, but we’ve found that it’s a huge hit among boys who love all things first responder. The included firefighter and police officer are ready for the call along with their trusty canine side-kicks. Your kids can help them spring into action at a moment’s notice, sliding down the fire pole, or hopping onto the motorcycle, firetruck, or helicopter. When they’re not saving the day, the Hometown Heroes can get ready in this four-story playset with eight different rooms. Want more toy ideas for the six year old in your life? Shop all of our bestsellers for kid-tested toys they’re sure to love! *Prices are correct as of the publication of this article.
Best Toys for Five Year Olds
Five is a year of independence and exploration. Many kids are going to school for the first time, developing their reading skills, and making more friends than ever. As their attention span and love of social play increase, you’ll notice that they can immerse themselves in pretend play for hours, especially when they’ve got a buddy by their side. These kiddos will always be excited about toys that encourage pretend play and line up with their interests – whether that’s the fire station on the corner or the checkout line at the store. Our best toys for five year olds will help them learn about the world around them, play with their pals, and develop that incredible imagination through imaginative play. Best Toy for Pretend Play: Ride Around Town Train Set & Table The Ride Around Town Train Set & Table is great for more than building tracks and pushing trains. With four real-life scenes, kids can learn about the world around them as they play with included characters and animals in a farm setting, a little town, a construction zone, and an airport. No room for a full train table? Opt for the Bucket Top Mountain Train Set. It stores away neatly in the included plastic tote and still provides plenty of inspiration for pretend play with character figurines, helicopters, planes, and a picturesque mountain setting. Best Toy for Five Year Old Girls: KidKraft Disney Princess Dance & Dream Dollhouse Ahh, those fun years of dress up and princesses. It’s a magical time, right? The Disney Princess Dance & Dream dollhouse is a guaranteed hit with any little princess in your life. This magical castle fits 12” dolls, the perfect fit for all of their favorite Disney princesses. Features like the winding golden staircase and grand piano add a little extra magic to playtime, and the rooftop dance floor lets dolls spin and twirl to three different songs. You just might find your little princess dancing along too! Best Toy for Five Year Old Boys: Mega Ramp Racing Set Gas them up, wash them off, and then race to the finish with this deluxe car racing set! The high-speed ramp launches cars into the air, making races exciting and fun whether your little car enthusiast is playing independently or with a friend. But the Mega Ramp Racing is much more than a ramp – the gas station, car wash, and garage with elevator add extra elements to encourage pretend play as your little guy cares for his cars after the big race. Want more toy ideas for the five year old in your life? Shop all of our bestsellers for kid-tested toys they’re sure to love! *Prices are correct as of the publication of this article.
