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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2022 Kids Toy Trends
What trending kids toys can you expect to see all over your social media feeds in the new year? Here are five toy trends to watch in 2022! “Kidult” or Whole Family Toys “Kidult” is a fairly new term to describe the trend of toys that are meant for adults just as much as they’re meant for older kids. Think things like collectibles and complex building toys. In most cases, this isn’t the trend to follow if you’re buying toys for younger kids who don’t care about expensive collectibles and can’t handle a 3,000 piece Lego set.So if you’re looking for something that lets the entire family play together, opt for a “Whole Family” toy instead – something that hits that sweet spot of actually being fun for adults but not too challenging for kids. The new Nerf outdoor battle forts offer a perfect blend of physical activity, strategy, and competition, so both adults and kids can genuinely enjoy them together. "Unboxing" Toys Unboxing videos have led to a surprising trend in toys where the unwrapping of the toy is almost more important than the toy itself. Our only advice? If you do select a toy for its unboxing experience, just make sure the end product is something your child will actually play with for a while! Techy Toys Techy toys aren’t going anywhere in 2022, especially as virtual reality gains more popularity. But even outside of VR, traditional toys are getting the high-tech treatment. The Alexa 2-in-1 Kitchen & Market, for example, is a play kitchen equipped with a kid-friendly version of Alexa. Kids’ dramatic and pretend play naturally mimics the everyday behaviors they see from adults, so as “smart” items and the internet of things are becoming a bigger part of our own daily lives, we’ll see more and more toys follow the same trend. Outdoor Toys Of course, the abundance of technology in our lives also inspires another trend: a desire to get kids outside and active! Outdoor toys saw a huge surge during COVID lockdowns as kids were missing out on their usual outdoor play and social activities. This year, the demand may not be quite as high, but you can bet that swing sets, outdoor playhouses, and other outdoor toys will continue to be popular as parents attempt to balance screen time with physical play. Montessori-inspired Toys Montessori education and parenting isn’t new, but it has gained a ton of popularity in recent years thanks to social media. Montessori-inspired toys are usually simple, made from natural materials and help kids perform practical life activities, develop fine motor skills, and create child-led art and music. While the exact toys and materials vary according to the abilities and interests of the child, some popular standbys in Montessori homes are child-sized cleaning and kitchen tools, wooden puzzles, craft tables that let kids access supplies by themselves, and wooden play kitchens that are put to practical use (i.e. letting kids prep real food on the counter or using the shelves to store their real dishes).
Snow Day Activities for Toddlers
When snow unexpectedly closes the doors of your daycare or preschool, keeping your toddler entertained through the entire day can be tough.You’re stuck inside, and since the roads are probably not safe enough to go grab supplies for new activities, that leaves you with what you already have in the house! To keep you all warm, cozy, and sane, here are some simple snow day toddler activities that add new fun to old toys and supplies! Snow Sensory Bins Your typical sensory bin… but snowy! Use all your usual fillers and tools but add a few scoops of snow from outside. It’s a great way to let kids have fun playing with the snow without actually having to be out in the cold. If you plan to use rice or beans in your sensory bin, just keep in mind that you’ll probably have to throw that batch out after it gets wet from the snow. Animal Rescue Find some of your toddler’s small plastic animal toys (or any small plastic toy) and some masking or painter’s tape. Tape them to a craft table, the floor, or the wall. Then, give your toddler a mission: rescue all the animals! You can criss-cross several pieces to make it tougher for older kids, or leave it simple for younger toddlers. Tape “Obstacle” Courses Tape to the rescue once again. Place lines of painter’s tape on the floor throughout the house and have the kids run along the lines. Leave gaps for them to jump over, swirlys for them to spin around in, and – if they can recognize shapes and follow instructions – place a few extra “shape challenges” on your course like jumping up and down in triangles and crawling over any squares. Older toddlers will probably love creating their own courses too, so hand over that roll of tape if you’re brave enough and see what they come up with. Kitchen DIYs Whether it’s whipping up some chickpea play foam, making baking soda “volcanoes” in jars, or mixing your own finger paint, your kitchen is a treasure trove of new activities (with a little supervision of course.) Our favorites are ones that give the kids something new to play with even after the activity is done like homemade play dough. Once the dough is ready to go, they can take it to their play kitchen and “bake” the day away with cookie cutters and a rolling pin. Crafting This does not have to be fancy. Use whatever you have on hand. You can make cards for family and friends with construction paper, do some finger painting, or make necklaces with yarn and cereal or macaroni. One idea they’re likely to love is “snow day” themed crafts they can decorate their room or the playroom with. Just cut out some snowflakes, string them together, and hang them up! Bath Time Fun Who says you can’t take three baths in one day? Seriously though, water play is often a magical “reset” button for a grumpy toddler, so fill up the bathtub and add a few new elements to make it extra fun. This can be as simple as letting them wear their swimsuits for indoor “swimming” or running a bubble bath. To add some novelty, add plastic toys that are safe for the tub but aren't usually bath toys or any bathtub paint or crayons you have on hand. We love the ideas of using the large, toddler size plastic building blocks in the tub to build floating structures! Fort Building Blanket and couch cushion forts are an old standby! Make them even more fun by incorporating some toys. You can create tunnels and caves to drive their train sets through or secret hideouts for their dolls and stuffies. For more ideas, check out our Rainy Day Activities the Whole Family Will Enjoy!
Nerf Kids Toys
If you constantly find Nerf darts in the most random places in your house, we have some outdoor toys that just might help you reclaim your home… and amp up the Nerf competition even more! The Nerf Scout Defense Post, Nerf Geo Strike Headquarters, and Nerf Command Base Battle Fort let you turn your backyard into the ultimate Nerf battle zone. Here’s what you should know to pick the Nerf outpost that’s right for your yard and family!Nerf Scout Defense PostThe Nerf Scout Defense Post measures around 50" wide, 54", long, and 96" tall, making it a great choice for even small yards. The defense post features multiple places for kids to hide, shield themselves, and get a great vantage point to aim their Nerf blasters. They can bide their time inside the tee-pee like area or duck for cover and crawl to safety in the tunnel.Then they can climb the rock wall or rappelling wall to take the high ground on the upper deck where they can hide behind plastic defense shields. Multiple targets and storage spaces for blasters and darts complete the Nerf fun! Nerf Geo Strike HeadquartersWith a geodesic dome complete with a satellite dish and working periscope, the Nerf Geo Strike Headquarters has a spy-headquarters vibe that adds an instant cool factor to any yard. At 73” x 67” x 60,” it’s a great fit for most yards. Kids can aim from multiple windows or get super sneaky and plan an ambush from the tunnel. Spinning targets make practice challenging and fun, and with multiple places to store blasters and darts, they’ll never run out of ammo!Nerf Command Base Battle FortThe Nerf Command Base Battle Fort was Nominated as an Outdoor Toy of the Year for the 2022 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards, and it’s easy to see why. It combines the fun of an outdoor playset with the rush of an all-out Nerf battle! If the adults in your house love to get in on the Nerf wars too, the Command Base Battle Fort is the one for you! This set measures 175" x 66” x 98", so it’s big enough for the whole family to get in on the fun. Sharpen skills on the multiple targets and then get to the battle! Bridges, ladders, gangplanks, and rock walls offer multiple ways to climb to the second story where plastic defense shields offer a great tactical advantage. Take cover on the lower level and bust through the trap door for a surprise attack! When the Nerf battles are over, keep all your blasters and darts organized in the built-in storage spaces. Need a few more details before you make your final decision? Check the specs and reviews on all the KidKraft Nerf outdoor playsets here!
KidKraft's Foody Friends
Foody Friends Collection Highlight What’s one part activity center, one part toddler kitchen, all disguised as a cute animal pal? The KidKraft Foody Friends collection! These space-saving toddler play kitchens sets are just right for your tiniest sous-chef! Why Kids Love It We’ll start with the obvious: cute animals and bright colors! Each Foody Friends Activity Center is designed to look like a fun, cuddly animal. With a choice between a unicorn, a puppy, or an elephant, there’s a Foody Friend for every toddler out there. Next, the activities. Depending on the Foody Friend you select, toddlers can guide figurines through tracing mazes or spin and slide pretend cookie dough shapes along “wire” arches. Even opening and closing oven doors and turning knobs is a fun “busy” activity for young toddlers.And of course, there’s the play kitchen aspect. Unlike larger kids’ kitchen playset, Foody Friends keep everything within young toddlers’ reach, and the counter/ sink/ stovetop area is at just the right height. They’ll love feeling independent and “big” in a play kitchen that’s just their size! Plenty of cooking tools and food accessories will keep them engaged and cook up a storm. Here’s the fun that comes with each Foody Friend:Baking Fun UnicornThe Baking Fun Unicorn is all about making sweet treats including cupcakes, cookies, and a three-tiered cake with a hidden shape sorter inside. To make all that baking magic happen, they’ll get tools like a baking sheet, rolling pin, spoon, “unicorn ear” oven mitts, and a star-shaped cookie cutter. They’ll also get some raw ingredients to work with like pretend cookie dough, milk, chocolate, and sprinkles, so they can act out every step of the baking process.Cooking Fun ElephantYour little one can make a full breakfast of eggs, toast, and orange juice with the Cooking Fun Elephant. Then for snack time, they can really “pop” some stovetop popcorn or nibble on some cheese. For dinner, it’s chicken drumsticks, carrots, and corn. A plate, cup, utensils, spatula, and oven mitts (which double as elephant ears!) let them serve everything up! Why Parents Love It Pretend play for young toddlers usually means role-playing tasks they see in everyday life, so a play kitchen is a perfect toy to encourage dramatic and pretend play. The brain-boosting activities on the Foody Friends centers also help develop fine motor skills as toddlers work their way through slide mazes. Sturdy wood construction means these play kitchens can stand up to even the roughest toddler treatment, but no need to worry about hard wooden corners. Foody Friends are made with wobbly toddlers in mind and feature rounded corners, so they’re safe for little ones who are just starting to pull up, stand, and walk on their own. With ample easy-to-reach storage, it’s easy to keep all of those accessories contained, and your little one can even pitch in during clean-up time!But don’t just take it from us! You can explore even more Foody Friends features and reviews and order straight from KidKraft.com!
KidKraft's Rainbow Dreamers
Rainbow Dreamers Collection Highlight If your little girl brings a touch of magic and fantasy to every playtime, she’ll love the Rainbow Dreamers collection. But you don’t have to take our word for it – the Rainbow Dreamers Unicorn Mermaid Dollhouse was selected as one of the top holiday toys for 2021 by Toy Insider. Here’s why the entire Rainbow Dreamers collection is the best dollhouse (and dollhouse accessories).Rainbow Dreamers Unicorn Mermaid Dollhouse Why Kids Love It The crown jewel of the Rainbow Dreamers collection is the whimsical three-story Unicorn Mermaid Dollhouse, and it’s filled with magic from ceiling to floor. Starting on the top floor, the dolls will be treated to a unicorn mosaic and views of the sky-high swing suspended from the rainbow and cloud floating above the dollhouse. On the next floor, they can enjoy double balconies, a cozy bedroom complete with a rainbow bed, and – best of all – a mermaid tailslide to whisk them down to the mermaid lounge on the bottom floor. There, the dolls can lounge in sea-shell-shaped chairs as they enjoy underwater ocean views or treat themselves to something sweet in the kitchen. And if they want to take a stroll outside, a mini garden scene awaits… with compatibility add on more features from the Rainbow Dreamers collection!Plus, each item in the Rainbow Dreamers collection comes with a one-horned friend to collect and love. Mousicorn is the magical pal they’ll find waiting for them in the dollhouse! Why Parents Love It Now, for the features parents love! Even with the sparkles and bright colors, this dollhouse follows the back-to-basics approach that’s behind all of KidKraft’s toys. Beyond creating toys kids love, we create toys that help them get immersed in brain-boosting imaginative play – no screens required. The Unicorn Mermaid Dollhouse is also designed to accommodate dolls of any brand up to 12”. Even the rainbow bed is adjustable, so all of your child’s current dolls can get in on the magic. Like all of our dollhouses, the Rainbow Dreamers Dollhouse is made from wood and built to last for years to come. If you’re little dreamer already has a dollhouse she loves, you can still add some rainbow-unicorn-mermaid magic to it with the Rainbow Dreamers dollhouse accessories.Rainbow Dreamers Waterfall Grotto Dressing Room PlaysetMermaid and human dolls alike will love getting glamorous in the Waterfall Grotto Dressing Room alongside their newest sidekick: the adorable Turtlecorn! The waterfall slide swings out to reveal a closet for all the dolls’ favorite clothes, and the sliding clamshell seat can ferry them to the top of the slide or back down again.With a rainbow handle and a closable closet for all of the accessories, it makes a great on-the-go toy too!Rainbow Dreamers Treetop Teatime Gazebo PlaysetTake the magic outdoors with the Treetop Teatime Gazebo. Accessories include a full tea set, an outdoor bench with storage, plants, and watering cans, and of course Kittycorn! This little outdoor oasis is also designed to fit perfectly with the Unicorn Mermaid Dollhouse.Rainbow Dreamers Cloud Bedroom FurnitureYou can dress up any dollhouse bedroom with the Rainbow Dreamers Cloud Bedroom Furniture. A plush, fuzzy blanket and unicorn crown canopy make the bed feel extra luxe. Keep it small for shorter dolls, or expand it to fit dolls up to 12”. Additional accessories like the rainbow shelves and alarm clock add more opportunities for decorating and pretending. When it’s time for bed, dolls can snuggle up with cuddly Teddicorn, or tuck him into his very own pet bed.Rainbow Dreamers Seashell Bathroom FurnitureIf your dollhouse is going to have a bathroom, it should definitely be a mermaid bathroom, right? A full-length mirror and seashell-shaped bathtub and toilet are just the thing to give a magical under-the-sea vibe to any dollhouse bathroom. And don’t forget to let Dophicorn take a swim in the bathtub too!
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!
Dinosaur Room Ideas
If you’re aiming to turn your kid’s room into a dinosaur-themed wonderland, we’re here to help! We’ve got budget-friendly dinosaur room decor ideas to help you design the perfect space for your little dino-lover to stomp, roar, and play! Salt Dough Fossils From Darlin South Salt dough fossils are a fun, educational craft that can turn into great decorations for a dino-themed bedroom! Add the finished product to thick frames or shadow boxes or add holes and ribbons to hang them directly on the wall. Prehistoric Wall Mural Unless you’re an artist, a DIY dinosaur mural probably sounds pretty out-of-reach. But this crafty mama from A Little Knick, a Little Knack figured out a way to make it happen with only minimal artistic skills and a few vinyl prints. (And feel free to swap the colors for something that matches your little one’s preferences!) Dinosaur Toys Chances are your dinosaur-loving kid has their fair share of dinosaur toys. Keep the cutest ones out on display to add to the theme… and because your kiddo probably plays with them constantly anyway! We might be biased, but we don’t think anything’s cuter than the wooden dinosaurs in our dino-themed train sets! Roarin’ Rugs Yes, dino-themed rugs exist, and they just might be the finishing feature you need to tie together the whole dinosaur theme. Check out this cute washable option for those inevitable dinosaur-sized messes! Dinosaur Clothes Pole An on-theme decorative item that doubles as room organization? Yes please. This cute dinosaur clothes pole will keep your little one’s coats and hats off the floor… and it’s so fun, they’ll actually want to use it! Dino Footprints Adding some dinosaur tracks to the floors or walls is easy, affordable, and fun! You can find plenty of vinyl dinosaur footprint stickers on Etsy or Amazon. Make it a Jungle From Melanie Jade Design Whether it’s a potted plant, a leafy mural, or some faux vines hung around the room, adding a little greenery can help make the room feel like a true dino jungle paradise. Framed Dino Art From Etsy Framed prints really drive the theme home, and your options are pretty much endless, whether you want to decorate with realistic dinosaurs or the cute-and-cuddly versions.And don’t forget to check out our full line of kids’ furniture for everything you need to bring the room together!
Princess Bedroom Decor Ideas
10 Princess Bedroom Decor Ideas Redecorating your kids’ room is an opportunity to get creative and whimsical – especially if they have their heart set on a princess room. After all, when else do you get to use sparkly wallpaper or pink furniture? To help you make her magical makeover a reality, here are a few princess bedroom ideas we love so much they make us want a princess room ourselves! An Enchanted Accent Wall In any room, accent walls are an attractive focal point. In a kids’ room, they’re a fun way to add some pops of color or patterns that your kiddo loves. And in a kids’ princess room? It’s a chance to get seriously fun and fancy. You can be ambitious with a mural of castles or enchanted forests or keep it relatively simple with some stenciled fleurs-de-lis or pretty wallpaper. "Fairy" Twinkle Lights Every princess needs a little sparkle, right? String a few twinkle lights around the room to lend a magical feel to her princess retreat. Princess-Perfect Furniture Some matching on-theme furniture is one of the easiest ways to drive home the “princess” theme. And added bonus? The transition from crib to toddler bed is a little easier when your little princess is extra excited for her new bed. A Canopy Hanging a delicate canopy over that adorable princess bed is an easy way to achieve a dramatic effect. They’re fun, easy to install, and somehow manage to look both elegant and whimsical. Just be sure your little one is old enough to sleep safely with a canopy and knows not to try to hang on it. (Holes in the ceiling are not very royal). A Royal Doll Display Odds are if your little girl wants a princess room, she has a few favorite princess movies, books, and dolls. A special display shelf will put those royal dolls front and center – as it should be in a princess room, right? A Wardrobe (full of princess gowns, of course) Another thing that belongs on display in a princess room? All those princess dress-up clothes. Some pegs on the wall or an open dress-up wardrobe will let those gowns contribute to the room’s decor. A Sparkly Chandelier Well-chosen lighting is a perfect finishing touch in any room. And what’s a better choice for a princess room than a sparkly chandelier? A Vanity fit for Royalty If her room has the space, a kid-sized vanity is a fun way to make your princess feel extra special as she gets ready for the ball… or just for preschool. And if it matches her other princess furniture? Even better. A Cozy Rug Fluffy and fuschia or white and regal… whatever fits your vision, an area rug will add coziness and cuteness to tie the room together. A Castle Dollhouse Dollhouses and princess rooms go hand-in-hand… especially when that dollhouse is designed like a royal castle! The KidKraft Disney Princess Dance & Dream Dollhouse, Disney Princess Cinderella Royal Dream House, and Disney Princess Belle Enchanted Dollhouse have all the royal vibes to complement your princess bedroom decor.
