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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Our Top Wooden Train Set Picks For Kids
A quality wooden train set is such a classic toy that it’s hard to go wrong. But finding the perfect wooden train set for your kids may take a bit of internet sleuthing. You’ll want a set that’s aligned with your little ones’ interests and skill levels and fits into your space and budget. To spare you the work, we’ve compiled our favorite toy train picks for every age, budget, and home in this list! Best Budget Pick: Figure 8 Train Set At under $30, the Figure 8 Train Set is a budget-friendly pick that can grow with your child and your budget. Toddlers and preschoolers will have everything they need to start their love of trains and creative, constructive play. The simple design is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who are new to train and track building. When they’re ready for more, this set makes a great addition to any other KidKraft train set. Best Starter Set: Bucket Top Mountain Train Set At $50, the Bucket Top Mountain Train Set is another affordable intro to the world of trains and buildings. Preschoolers will find plenty to do with this mountainside train adventure. From perfecting fine motor skills necessary to assemble tracks to exploring imaginative play with helicopter rescues and cascading waterfalls. When they’re ready to add to the adventure, combine it with the KidKraft train expansion pack or any other KidKraft train set. Best Space Saver: Building Bricks Play N Store Table Love the idea of a train table for your train enthusiast but not sure if you have space? Our Play N Store Table is the perfect choice with 200+ building bricks that offer endless creative possibilities for your little builders. Even better? If you need to clear up room, but your little one’s creations aren’t exactly finished, the storage bins can keep them safe until its time to play again. Best for Imaginative Play: Ride Around Town Train Set & Table The Ride Around Town features four different scenes ranging from farm to town to busy airport. With so many different places to visit, it’s the perfect backdrop to inspire all of your little one’s make believe adventures. Best for Dino Lovers: Adventure Tracks Dino World If your little ones two great loves are trains and dinosaurs, trust us, you’re not alone. Kids like yours were the inspiration for our Adventure Tracks: Dino World train sets. Toddlers and preschoolers can start off with small tracks like the Stego Loop, a dino-themed figure 8. Older kids can jump right into the spiraling tracks of Volcano Escape. Or simply add a few Prehistoric Pals to your kiddos current train set. For the Dino obsessed, we have the perfect solution. The Adventure Tracks Dino World Rumble & Roar Complete Set includes it all. With 76 pieces, your little paleontologist will have endless pretend play possibilities. Best Train Table for Easy Assembly: Adventure Town Railway Train Set & Table with EZ Kraft Assembly Hate assembling furniture? We get it. While all of our train tables can be assembled quickly, the Adventure Town Railway Train Set & Table is complete with EZ Kraft Assembly, making it our easiest train table to assemble. You can go from unboxing to playtime in just five minutes – no tools required. Most importantly, the 120 piece train set will delight your little train lover as they build and conduct through their own mini city. Best for Experienced Train Track Builders: Airport Express Train Set & Table If you have a long time train lover in the family, they’ll love the challenge and detail of the Airport Express Train Set. This set 91-piece set features elevated and spiraling tracks and all the excitement of a real airport –landing strips, airplanes, a control tower, and a helipad just to name a few. Want to see more before you commit? Check out our full selection of toy train sets and train tables – we know you’ll find something you and your kids will love for years to come!
Must Have Kid's Play Kitchen Accessories
Whether your play kitchen has been around for years or it’s making its big debut this holiday season, a few play kitchen accessories can only add to the fun. The right accessories enable imaginative play and roleplay, ensuring that the kids’ kitchen stays a favorite toy for years to come. Here’s our list of must have play kitchen extras to get your littles cooking in their new kitchen or to re-spark new interest in an old favorite! 27-Piece Pastel Cookware Playset First thing’s first: a play kitchen isn’t complete without a set of dishes to enjoy all those yummy make-believe meals. This pretty pastel set cookware set covers all the basics. Your sous-chef will have all they need to serve up everything from pretend mac-and-cheese to high tea. If pink and pastels aren’t their style, opt for the primary colored version instead. Play Foods A close second to a set of play dishes, play foods are the next kids’ kitchen playset to check off your list. A variety pack like the Deluxe Tasty Treats set or the 30-pc Play Food Set is a great place to start. From there, consider adding a special set or two to let them have fun pretending to create their favorite foods. Farmer’s Market Play Pack We love pretend snacking on cupcakes and donuts as much as the next person, but it’s also nice to have some healthy foods in the play pantry to model balanced eating habits. With the Farmer’s Market Play Pack your little one can stock their fridge with apples, carrots, eggs, tomatoes, and some farm-fresh milk and cheese. The digital scale, baskets, and signs are great for playing farmer’s market, so your budding entrepreneur can roleplay selling their harvest as well! Chef’s Hat & Apron Playtime is just more fun when dress up is involved, and kids in adorable tiny chef’s hats make for some truly Insta-worthy pics. The Tasty Treats Chef Accessory Set also comes with an adorable apron in pink gingham or red stripes plus a matching oven mitt, potholder, and baking utensils. The high-quality apron will come in handy for real baking too! Small Kitchen Appliances Realistic accessories make time in the play kitchen that much more engaging and immersive. A couple of small kitchen appliances will give kids more opportunities to roleplay and create fun make-believe treats for the family. Go for ones that line up with your child’s favorite foods or favorite ways to help in the real kitchen. Do they love waiting for their toast to pop up in the morning? This little toaster set will pop pretend bread up just like a real one. Are they mesmerized by the whirl of the blender? A blender and smoothie set is just the thing. Of course, nothing beats baking cookies together. This baking set with mixer, cookies, and rolling pin recreates all the fun. Be sure to check out our range of colors to find the perfect complement to your little one’s kitchen. Modern Metallics Coffee Set Kids of coffee-drinking parents may have another kitchen appliance at the top of their list. Kids love mimicking the things we enjoy, and your morning coffee ritual is no exception. Unfortunately, sharing a real cup isn’t an option unless you want a major caffeine and sugar crash on your hands later. That’s where the Modern Metallics Toaster Set comes in, letting littles play out their own morning rituals. Kids can even fill the reservoir with water to feel just like mom and dad! Want even more ideas? Be sure to browse through our full line of play kitchen accessories! Looking to shop for the perfect play kitchen or pretend play toy by age? Explore our selection for 2-to-4 year olds and 3-to-5 year olds now.
How to Choose The Best Dollhouse for Toddlers
Christmas, birthdays, or just because – dollhouses are always a hit, and it’s easy to get just as excited about them as your kids do. Finding the perfect one, though, can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re shopping for a toddler. You’ll have a few extra factors to consider when it comes to safety and durability, but finding a great dollhouse for your toddling tot doesn’t have to be difficult. To help you out, here is our quick guide to choosing the best dollhouse for toddlers! Durability: Can it take the toddler treatment? To survive through the rough-and-tumble toddler stage and into the school years, that dollhouse needs to be durable and made of high quality materials. Dollhouses made from plastic may be more prone to breaking well before your child reaches school age years. On the other side of the coin, that lovely antique or handmade dollhouse you inherited may be well-made but is likely too delicate to stand up to toddler play. Generally, sturdy wooden dollhouse are the best bet to make it through these slightly destructive but completely adorable years of play. Doll size: Who’s living there? Whether you already have a family of dolls looking for a home, or you’re buying the dolls and the dollhouse all at once, make sure they’re compatible sizes. Dollhouses usually specify what size doll they’re made for, and common sizes include 5”, 12” and 18”. If you think that 12” or 18” dolls are still a bit too big for those adorable chubby toddler hands, then opt for a dollhouse meant for smaller dolls. Safety: Does it have small pieces? We’re all familiar with the warning labels, and we know kids under three shouldn’t play with toys that could pose a choking hazard. Obviously, the dollhouse itself isn’t a choking hazard but small pieces that come with it could be. Check the suggested age range on the dollhouse to make sure it’s considered appropriate for toddlers, or remove all accessories or detachable pieces that could be potential choking hazards. When in doubt, consider anything that your child could fit entirely in their mouth to be a choking hazard. Put it away and save it for when they’re older! Size: How big is a dollhouse? Pictures can be deceiving, and the last thing you want is to end up with a dollhouse twice as big as the space allotted for it. Double check the measurements, and if necessary measure the space it’s meant to fit in to avoid any surprises. Consider what size will work best for your children come playtime. If you plan to upgrade to a larger dollhouse when they get older, you may opt for a smaller dollhouse now. If you plan to keep this dollhouse for years, then don’t let larger sizes scare you – they’ll still enjoy playing with them now, and they’ll grow into them before you know it. Look: What’s your style? Finding a dollhouse that meshes well with your decor is always a bonus, especially if it’s going to be in a common area of the house. You’ll have the best luck with brands that offer a wide variety of colors and styles. Shameless plug time: Not-so-coincidentally, we just happen to meet that description with our collection of artfully-crafted wooden dollhouses that are built to last and look great in your home. The little things: What makes your toddler beam? Last but far from least, what little touches or features would make your toddler extra excited about their new dollhouse? Whether it’s their favorite princess or the chance to decorate it and make it their own, look for those special features or accessories that make the dollhouse perfect for your toddler. Want to explore KidKraft’s selection of dollhouses by age? Discover our dollhouses for 2-to-4-year olds, 3-to-5 year olds, and 5 years and up now.
From Dollhouses to Dreamscapes: Fostering Storytelling and Pretend Play
Remember back when you and your siblings would dress up, set the stage with pretend play toys, and force your parents to watch the play you’d just made up? Or when you and your friends could spend hours acting out elaborate pretend play ideas? Those moments of imaginative play were more than just fun – they’re powerful drivers of kids’ development, including their emotional and social growth and language development. Unfortunately, today’s kids may not get to experience those moments quite as often, with screens and busy schedules eating into playtime. But by making stories and pretend play a priority in your kids’ lives, you can help bring the same magic into their childhood. So, if you're a parent looking to unlock the power of imagination for your littles, read on as we dive into the benefits of pretend play and practical tips for helping your kiddos discover their inner storyteller. The Benefits of Storytelling and Pretend Play Enhanced Creativity and Imagination Imagination is the fuel of pretend play, and cultivating it benefits our kids throughout their lives. Whether they're crafting a daring escape plan for their stuffies or telling you a story about a unicorn-dragon hybrid, they're flexing their creative muscles. This ability to envision and create something out of nothing is the foundation for successful problem-solving and innovative thinking later. Improved Social and Emotional Skills As kids step into different pretend roles, they often act out complex feelings and social dilemmas. They might practice scenarios of friendship, sharing, and empathy, which can help them develop better interpersonal skills. And when they engage in pretend play with peers, they practice social skills like compromise, collaboration, and negotiation as they decide who gets to be the queen or the dragon or who gets to be the chef in charge of the pretend play kitchen. Reduced Stress and Anxiety Believe it or not, those harrowing adventures through the dark forest or outer space can be therapeutic. Pretend play provides an outlet for kids to process their emotions and fears in a safe environment. By taking on different roles, they can explore situations that might be challenging for them in reality – and in their own world, they always come out victorious! This can be particularly helpful in addressing feelings of stress and anxiety, helping them develop resilience and coping mechanisms. Ways to Foster Storytelling and Pretend Play Dirty toys can be a breeding ground for all sorts of unwelcome guests. Dust, allergens, bacteria, and even mold can accumulate on toys that aren't cleaned regularly. These culprits can lead to allergies, respiratory issues, skin irritations, and even more severe infections in some cases. By prioritizing toy hygiene, you're safeguarding your child's well-being. Set Aside Time for Reading, Storytelling, and Pretend Play We get it – our schedules can get ridiculously busy. But dedicating regular time to reading, storytelling, and pretend play can have huge benefits. Keep your bookshelves stocked by visiting the library regularly; read engaging, immersive stories that spark your child’s imagination, and give them opportunities to tell you their own stories or to act them out through play. Whether it's a silly superhero mission or an adventure through the fairy kingdom, these moments allow your child's imagination to flourish and give them the undivided attention they crave. Join In! Don't just be an observer – jump into the world of make-believe alongside your child! Whether you're the sidekick in their superhero escapades or a wizard in their fantasy kingdom, your involvement shows them that their imagination is valued and celebrated! Be the Best Audience We know that you can’t always drop everything to listen to your kiddo’s stories. But try to carve out a few times where you can. For example, maybe after you’ve told a bedtime story to your child, they get to tell you one that they’ve made up themselves. When they do, try to be the most enthusiastic audience they've ever had! Ask questions and show genuine interest. This encouragement boosts their confidence and motivates them to keep dreaming, imagining, and playing! Provide Props for Storytelling and Pretend Play Imagination doesn't need a lot of bells and whistles, but a few props can certainly spark creativity. Dollhouses, dolls or action figures, costumes, building toys, and even old cardboard boxes can become the inspiration for your child's pretend adventures. The key is to offer a variety of items that can be repurposed in multiple ways – who knew an empty paper towel roll could become a magic wand, a pirate’s telescope, and baker’s rolling pin? Or that a dollhouse could become a castle, a rocket ship, a boarding school, and a villain’s lair?For dollhouses, pretend play sets, and more toys that spark imaginative play, shop KidKraft’s full line of open-ended wooden toys. Because “Made for Make Believe” isn’t just our motto – it’s a belief that drives every toy we create.
Stages of Play: How Kids Should Play By Age
We’ve written about types of play before – like imaginative, constructive, and active play to name a few – but many parents wonder if there are stages of play too. As in, “Should my kid play a certain way by the time they reach a certain age?” Of course, all types of play evolve as kids get older (like clumsy toddling turning into full-out sprinting or tiny block towers becoming complex structures). But some of the most noticeable and predictable developments in play happen in social play. In this post, we’re diving into the six recognized stages of social play with peers and when you can expect to see them! Unoccupied Play: Birth to 3 months When your newborn stares at objects with interest, they’re actually playing! Even if they don’t reach for those objects yet, they’re still attempting to figure out the world around them. And when they do start to reach for those objects, you may notice they don’t have any goals in mind yet; they’re likely to simply grab it and release it instead of trying to bring it to their mouth or manipulate it. This stage of play is known as “unoccupied play,” and, as you could probably guess, it doesn’t involve much social interaction at all. This is the shortest lived of all the stages. Independent Play: 2+ Years Independent play starts when a child really starts to engage with toys and objects and isn’t interested in interaction from peers or adults during that time. Instead, they’re focused on their own play. You’ll see their imaginations and focus grow during this type of play. Eventually, they’ll begin using items to represent other items (an important developmental milestone) and developing their own narratives for the play scenario. This stage can begin as early as a few months old, but it really peaks around age 2. Of course, independent play never truly goes away either. Even when kids become social butterflies, they’ll still enjoy playing by themselves occasionally. Onlooker Play: 0 -2 Years Like unoccupied play, onlooker play may not look like actual play to us. In this stage, kids tend to observe other children playing but don’t join in themselves. While you may feel like you need to encourage them to join, it’s perfectly okay for them to observe too. They’re likely enjoying the time, and they’re gaining valuable information about how older kids interact. These moments will help prepare them for more direct social play in the future. Parallel Play: 2 - 3 Years Ever notice how toddler are perfectly content being next to their little buddies… without actually doing anything with them? This is known as parallel play, and it occurs when kids are play near each other but not with each other. They may be working on similar activities or even follow each other around, but they don’t influence each other’s play yet. Associative Play: 3-4 Years This type of play is a step up from parallel play in terms of social interaction. In associative play, kids may talk to each other and influence each other’s activities but aren’t truly playing with the same things at the same time. For example, they might make suggestions for their friend’s play dough sculpture or try to copy it. Associative play is a great chance for kids to practice talking to one another and learning basic social norms before they begin more complex social play. You’ll usually see it begin around age 3 or a little sooner and last into age 4. Cooperative Play: 4+ Years When we think of “social play,” we mostly picture cooperative play, which emerges around age 4 or 5. This occurs when kids truly begin playing with each other as opposed to near each other. They’ll develop complex imaginative scenarios together and begin playing organized games with rules. Keep in mind that most of these stages refer to how kids play with their peers, not necessarily with adults. Their play with you might look quite different as they likely have more confidence interacting with you, and you are able to give them more direction on how to play than a peer could. So if your two-year old loves to play pretend with you but not with kids their own age, don’t sweat it. You’re helping them gain the confidence, social skills, and language they’ll need to grow into the next stage of social play!
5 Activities That Help Communication Skills for Kids
Communication milestones are some of the most fun – first words, first sentences, and all the adorably silly ways toddlers describe things. Fortunately, we don’t have to get fancy to encourage communication skills in our kids – one of the best things we can do is to talk with them as much as possible, using correct language and rich vocabulary. But adding in a few communication-building activities can be a fun way to challenge kids’ language skills and expose them to a wider range of vocabulary. Here’s a few simple activities to help your kids become confident, well-spoken communicators. Reading We know – this one is probably so obvious we could just skip it, but reading with your kids truly is one of the best things you can do to help them develop language and communication skills. Books not only help them develop a large vocabulary – kids will also intuitively pick up on sentence structure and grammatical rules, especially as you read some of the same books over and over. Even story books without words can be amazing for kids’ language development. (Think books with evocative pictures like Jerry Pinkney’s The Lion and the Mouse.) These books empower kids to decipher what’s happening in the pictures, make inferences about characters’ emotions, and narrate their own version of the story. Simon Says This classic kids’ game is great for developing skills in listening closely and following instructions, both of which are critical in the school years. And it can still be fun even if it’s just you and the kids. Take turns being Simon each time someone messes up – they’ll love the chance to give instructions too! Emotion Charades Non-verbal communication is important too – especially since recognizing non-verbal cues in others is tough for many kids. To practice, you can play a game of “Emotion Charades” where you take turns acting out different emotions (excited, bored, annoyed, angry, etc.). You can add an extra layer to the game by asking kids when they’ve seen someone display that emotion in real life, why they felt that way, and how your child reacted. Mystery Bag Have kids reach into an opaque bag filled with random objects and try to describe and guess what they feel without looking. Model it yourself a few times, making sure to get really precise as you describe the shape and feel of each object and what you think it is. Kids not only get a chance to flex their inductive reasoning muscles, they’ll also feel encouraged to use rich, descriptive language. Family Show and Tell No, you don’t need to have your kid do a presentation in front of all their friends, but casual mini-versions of show-and-tell in your own home can help your kids gain confidence as a speaker. Anytime they seem extra interested in a toy, activity, or show, simply ask them to tell you about it. You can ask them a mix of real and imagination-based questions like describing how a toy looks, where they got it, what it likes to do, where it sleeps, what it eats, etc. They’ll grow their imaginations and their speaking skills as they come up with answers. And if they seem to get shy in response to your questions instead of enjoying answering them? No worries. You can simply move on to something else – the last thing you want to do is make them feel pressure to perform. Instead, just look for natural opportunities to talk with your kids about things they enjoy.Remember, it’s not about racing to get to the first word or having the kindergartner with the most impressive vocabulary. Just try to help your child know that you truly enjoy communicating with them, whether that’s in a game like the ones above or in your day-to-day life. Kids who feel heard and respected (at any stage of communication) are more likely to feel confident and prepared as they communicate with peers, teachers, and other adults throughout their life.
Unlocking the Power of Play: 4 Essential Types to Inspire Your Child
We love talking about kids’ play almost as much as we love developing open-ended, play-focused toys. Because we believe play is so much more than entertainment. It’s a brain-boosting, vocabulary-building, social-skill-teaching wonder. Just as your kiddo needs a varied diet, they need different types of play – and these four are a great place to start! Here are four essential types of play that help your child learn, grow, and thrive! Constructive Play Constructive play is anything that involves kids building with toys like building blocks, play dough, train sets, and craft materials. This type of play looks like it’s all fun and games, but it can also indicate whether kids are hitting developmental milestones. Babies between 14 and 20 months should be able to stack two blocks together, then four blocks by 17 - 24 months, and finally six blocks by 20 - 30 months. Experts use these benchmarks to gauge whether your child’s hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and cognitive skills are developing as expected.Constructive play has also been associated with kids’ performance in school, especially in math. In one study, kids who created more complex structures around age 4 were more likely to have higher math scores later in life. This type of play has also been linked to improved spatial reasoning, stronger language development, and more creative problem-solving. Dramatic/ Pretend Play Dramatic play happens when kids take on a “role” and act it out. It can be as simple as playing chef in their play kitchen or as whimsical as pretending to be a fairy astronaut in space. Either way, kids are benefitting from their made-up scenarios… especially when you join in and play with them! For younger toddlers, pretend play often looks like acting out aspects of adult life – even the ones that might seem dull to us like sorting mail or folding socks. This type of play helps them make sense of the adult world and build essential life skills.For older kids, pretend play takes on endless possibilities. When they act out real-world scenarios (even with a little fantasy twist), they rehearse the social norms of everyday interactions, building their confidence and vocabulary. When they pretend to be another character or person, they practice putting themselves in someone else’s shoes, helping them develop empathy and social understanding. And of course, pretend play is hugely important for helping kids develop their creativity! Active Play Running, jumping, hanging, climbing, etc. are all part of the active play category, and as you could probably guess, this type of play is critical for kids’ physical health. As they engage in high-energy activities (ideally outside), they’re not just strengthening muscles and getting exercise. They’re developing strong bone density and robust vestibular systems (the bodily system that’s responsible for balance and spatial awareness.)Active play has tons of less obvious benefits too. Kids who get more activity tend to sleep better at night, have an easier time focusing on academic tasks, and are less likely to struggle with anxiety and depression, Social Play All of these types of play can be combined with another critical type: social play. Whether it’s playing tag, building a tower together, or playing house with a friend, social play fosters social and emotional development as kids learn to interact with their peers. When kids pretend together, each pretend scenario comes with a kind of unspoken social contract as kids decide what they are going to be and how their make-believe world works. If they want to change something about the scenario, they’ll need to communicate and get their friends on board.But don’t worry if it seems like your toddler isn’t exactly interested in social play yet. Sociologist Mildred Parten broke down kids’ stages of play into six distinct categories, all of which involve different amounts of social interaction: Unoccupied play occurs when very young babies observe the world around them with interest but don’t try to interact with it yet. Independent play occurs when a child plays alone. It usually begins around age 2 and lasts through childhood. Onlooker play is most common around ages 2 and 3 and occurs when kids simply observe other kids playing but don’t join in. Though it may seem like they’re not doing much, they’re actually soaking in a ton of information on social norms and how older kids play together. Parallel play is also common around ages 2 and 3. In this case kids are playing near each other, often doing similar activities, but aren’t really playing with each other yet. Associative play is similar to parallel play but with a little more social interaction as kids may talk to each other and influence each other’s activities (like making suggestions for their block tower or trying to copy a friend’s drawing). This type of play is most common between ages 3 and 4. Cooperative play is what we’re likely thinking of when we picture traditional “social play.” Kids are truly playing with each other, not just near each other, and are interacting and communicating. This type of play emerges as kids’ favorite way to interact with their peers around age 4 or 5. Each of these stages is important, so don’t worry if your little one is more of an onlooker than a “jump-on-in” type. They’re still picking up valuable social skills that will benefit them later when they do engage more in cooperative play! Helping Your Child Engage in Different Types of Play Helping your kiddos get enough of each type of play is simple. As long as they aren’t spending too much time on screens or at scheduled events, they’ll naturally seek out these types of play on their own. Our job is simply to provide a few open-ended toys that support each type of play, give them plenty of free time to engage in play, and join in on the fun!Use our Shop by Skills page to easily find toys that foster these different types of play and the developmental skills associated with them!
Best Types of Toddler Toys by Age
Shopping for adults is hard. Shopping for toddlers? That’s easy. They’ll be excited to open almost anything, and if you stick to classic toys that match their developmental stage, they’ll actually play with it – sometimes for years to come! To simplify your buying while still keeping your options open, our guide breaks down some of the best categories of toys for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and beyond! Toys for Infants (7-12 months) Bead Mazes Bead mazes are an ideal developmental toy for babies because they allow for fine motor practice with small objects without creating a choking hazard. Small pieces are big no-no for kids under three due to their tendency (aka compulsive need) to put everything in their mouth. The downside is those tiny objects are the perfect size for their little hands to explore and manipulate. Bead mazes solve that! Tiny pieces are fully attached to the toy but mobile enough that they can still practice spinning and sliding them around. Push Toys Most babes in this age range are just starting to find their sea legs – they’re pulling up, practicing standing on their own for a bit, and maybe even taking those first wobbly steps as early as nine or ten months. Pushcarts are a great way to support those developing skills. Look for ones that are sturdy enough that they won’t tip over when little ones use them to pull up but just light enough that they can start pushing them forward. Toys for 1 Year Olds Blocks Did you know a toddler’s ability to stack blocks is used as a milestone to track their development? Babies 14-20 months should be able to stack two blocks, and two-year-olds should be able to stack four. Why? It’s a strong indicator of how their fine motor skills are developing. Start playing together with blocks by at least one year old (or even sooner) to give them plenty of opportunities to practice. Shape Sorters Shape sorters provide another great way for toddlers to practice fine motor skills, but they also help them build shape recognition and problem-solving skills. Babies under 18 months will do best with simple shapes and just a few holes, and don’t be surprised if they need a tone of help choosing the right shape and fitting it into the hole. Once they start to master that, you can progress to larger shape sorters with tougher-to-recognize shapes, but again, they’re likely to need lots of help to master the new challenge! Toys for 2 Year Olds Climbers There’s no doubt that two-year-olds love to move, and they’re well-known for turning all of your furniture into their own personal playground. Giving them safe, appropriate ways to explore the urge to climb can help them meet that developmental need (and spare your couch cushions). Climbers are an affordable way to provide just that, letting them expend some of that energy, get some outdoor play, and develop gross motor skills in the process. Baby Dolls Hands down, our favorite thing about year two is watching their pretend play really take off! But unlike older kiddos who will start to invent their own characters and storylines, two-year-olds ’ pretend play is often based on what they see in real life. Dolls are ideal for just that, letting them act out roles and actions they see every day. While they may also show interest in smaller dolls and dollhouses at this age, larger dolls and doll furniture are a bit easier for them to handle and manipulate. Plus, they’re a great way to help prepare them for a younger sibling! Toys for 3 Year Olds Train Sets Train sets hit some of the types of play three-year-olds are working to develop: elaborate pretend play with storylines and constructive play (i.e. building and creating). Playing with trains is often a multi-step process that develops several different skills. Assembling the tracks is like a combination of puzzles and blocks; they’ll develop planning, problem-solving, and fine motor skills as they fit the pieces together and plan their track. Then, they can move into pretend play as they chug the train down the tracks and play with any included characters and prop pieces. Play Kitchens Toys like play kitchens are perfect both for letting three-year-olds mimic what you do in real life and eventually adding their own creative pretend scenarios. We like to go for smaller, toddler-sized play kitchens for this age. They can reach everything easily and are less likely to get overwhelmed by too many choices. Toys for 4 Year Olds Craft Tables Your kids have probably loved using colors and paints for years, but now, they’re really starting to get creative and meticulous with their arts and crafts. A space that allows them to easily access a variety of materials (think popsicle sticks, glue, craft pom poms, safety scissors, and various paints and colors) will let them move beyond adult-directed crafts and really start to explore their creativity. It’s best if all those materials can stay somewhat organized so they won’t get overwhelmed or frustrated as they search for what they need. Craft tables with built-in storage are a great solution. And since many children are starting preschool at this age, craft tables can give them practice sitting and staying focused and using the same materials they use in class. Playhouses Imaginative play is growing more complex for four-year-olds, and with a friend or sibling, they can get lost in their own pretend worlds for hours. Dress up clothes and large toys that foster role play are always going to be a hit. Playhouses are a great open-ended toy that lets four-year-olds immerse themselves in their own pretend world, whether that means performing daring firefighter rescues from a burning building, hosting a tea party in their castle, or running their own vet clinic. Toys for 5 Year Olds Outdoor Play Sets With most kids starting full-time kindergarten at this age, they’ll be itching to get some energy out after a long day in the classroom (and to hit the pillow a little early each night!) And since no one has time to hit the park after school and get dinner ready, adding a swingset to the backyard can make it way easier to let the kids get the movement and outdoor play they crave. Dollhouses & Play Sets Your child’s social circle grows dramatically once they start kindergarten, so expect plenty of playdates (and maybe even a sleepover or two in the next couple of years). Dollhouses are classic for fostering engaging social play – look for one that’s the right size for the dolls your child is into at the moment. At this age, that’s usually 12” dolls like Barbies and LOL Dolls or 18” dolls like American Girl or Our Generation. If your child loves the type of play you do with dollhouses but doesn’t love dolls, playsets like our Deluxe Fire Rescue Set or Pirate’s Cove Play Set are a great alternative and perfect for action figures!
