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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From Sandcastles to Science Experiments: A Summer of Learning and Play
Pre school? Check. Soccer practice? Check. Piano lessons? Check. Ample amounts of unstructured play time? Ummm…No one wants their kid to suffer from the summer slide – the term for the loss of learning that often occurs over the summer break. At the same time, no one wants to be a summer fun-sucker either, filling up the break with flashcards and worksheets. Fortunately, there are better ways to keep your kiddos learning over the summer – in ways that just feel like play! Building Sandcastles It’s one of those summer rites of passage – and it’s full of opportunities to learn! Constructive play (i.e. building things!) is always a brain-boosting activity that supports cognitive development. But building sandcastles is extra special. For one thing, your kids don’t get to do it every day, so the novelty factor will have them fully engaged! It’s also great for sensory play and problem-solving, as your kids experiment with different ratios of water and gritty sand, getting that goopy mix just right. Depending on your kiddo’s age and interest, you can talk about states of matter, ocean life, 3D shapes, and math concepts as you dig, mix, build, and decorate together. Ideally, you’ll make it out to the beach for some sandcastle building, but on the other days, the backyard sandbox works great too! Exploring Nature Another thing the beach is great for? Cultivating a love of nature. If a beach isn’t exactly accessible (we see you, central states), rest assured there are plenty of opportunities to appreciate nature no matter where you are. If you’re having trouble finding spots for your budding naturalist, try these tips: Look up state parks in your area – bonus if they participate in the Kids in Parks program! Join local parent groups geared toward hiking and the outdoors. Facebook groups, Hike It Baby, and local “mom” websites often have great recommendations for hidden gems. Make the most of the nature you have. You don’t need to be fully immersed in the wilderness to appreciate nature. Small, local parks and your own front yard still have plenty to offer. No matter where you are, make nature time more fun by identifying local plants and animals and starting a naturalist of feathers, flowers, seeds, etc. You can usually find a field guide for local wildlife and plants for around $15. The Nature Pen Pal Exchange is a great way to get kids excited about collecting and identifying! They’ll get a penpal from another part of the country and can trade small natural “treasures” from their collections through the mail!If you still need a few more ideas, check out the Super Simple Summer Bucket List from 1000 Hours Outside! Science Experiments Go beyond the baking soda volcano this summer with a few summer-themed science experiments! These ideas are all simple, inexpensive, and fun! Melting Ice: Explore the states of matter by observing the melting process of ice. Let your kids experiment with different conditions (direct sun, shade, time of day, etc.) and record the time it takes for the ice to melt. Solar Oven: Harness the power of the sun to create a solar oven! Help your kids build a simple oven using a cardboard box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and tape. Then, let them melt some marshmallows and snack on some s’mores! Rainbow in a Jar: With a little food coloring and liquids of various densities (honey, dish soap, rubbing alcohol, etc.), you can layer the colors of the rainbow in a jar and discuss density and sinking! DIY Clouds: Fill a glass jar with warm water and add a few drops of liquid food coloring. Place an ice cube on top of the jar and watch as a cloud forms inside! Explain the science behind it - the warm water vaporizes, rises, and cools upon contact with the ice cube, forming a cloud. Beach Erosion: Discover how waves can shape coastlines by simulating beach erosion. Create a mini beach using a tray filled with sand. Pour water into the tray, gently rock it back and forth to create waves, and observe how the waves wash away the sand. Solar Prints: Make use of that summer sun with solar prints! Arrange various objects like leaves, flowers, or small toys on light-sensitive paper. Leave the paper under direct sunlight for a few minutes, then rinse it with water. Watch as the areas exposed to sunlight create beautiful prints while the covered areas remain white. Arts and Crafts Arts and crafts are more than a way to pass the time. They make sure your child’s fine motor skills, problem-solving skills, and creativity stay in tip-top shape over the summer! Plus, they’re a fun way to introduce or reinforce other concepts you’re learning about. These simple summer-themed crafts are a great place to start! Nature Collage: Make the most of all that outdoor collection with a nature collage! Back at home, your little artists can use leaves, wild flowers, and small sticks to create beautiful collages on paper or cardboard. Sand Art: Get ready to hit the beach without leaving your backyard! Hand your kiddos colored sand, funnels, and empty bottles or jars, and let them layer the sand into their own patterns and designs. Seashell Painting: Channel your inner beachcomber and collect some seashells. If you feel daring, bust out the acrylic paints, glitter, and sequins… or still with washable tempera paints if your kids aren’t ready for the more permanent stuff. Paper Fans: Teach your kids how to fold and decorate their very own paper fans using cardstock paper, popsicle sticks, and decorations. They may not truly beat the summer heat, but hopefully the kids will be so distracted waving their fans around, they won’t even notice the sweat. Sun & Earth Models: Teach your kids about why it’s so much warmer in the summer with some simple sun and earth models! Help your kids turn plain paper plates into happy sun faces and colorful planet Earths. Then, model how the earth moves closer to the sun in the summer months. If you want to teach them about the earth spinning on its axis too, they can paint 3D styrofoam balls from the craft store! Windsocks: Catch a summer breeze with some homemade windsocks! Colored construction paper, tape, markers, and streamers, are all you need. They can decorate them, cut out shapes, and attach streamers for a fabulous flowy tail. Beach-themed Sensory Bottles: Fill clear plastic bottles with sand, small seashells, and tiny ocean-themed toys. Add water and a few drops of blue food coloring to create an ocean effect. Seal those lids tight, and voila! Your kids can shake and marvel at their very own mini beach getaway. Reading and Writing We can’t stress this enough: local libraries are awesome! If you don’t have a card, you’re sleeping on one of the best ways to inspire your child’s love for reading. Check to see if your local branch has a summer reading challenge! Usually, kids hit certain reading goals, and get cool prizes to local spots (think free tickets to art museums, vouchers for kid-friendly restaurants, etc.) If your child can already read independently, try creating a kid-friendly reading nook to encourage them to read on their own too! For writing, keep it age appropriate and fun! Kids who are just beginning to spell and write will have fun with a set of alphabet refrigerator magnets. For handwriting and fine motor skills, easels keep the practice fun and pressure-free. Kids who can already print and craft sentences will love captioning funny pictures you find or drawing and illustrating their own comic books.Summer slide? Not around here – unless you mean the slide on the swing set of course! From outdoor toys like swing sets and sandboxes, to indoor supplies like chalkboards and craft tables, our play products are here to help you make this summer fun and packed with learning!
The Importance of Unstructured Playtime for Children's Development
Pre school? Check. Soccer practice? Check. Piano lessons? Check. Ample amounts of unstructured play time? Ummm…Modern parenting is tricky – between academics, activities, apps, we have so many resources to entertain and teach our kids. So many that we sometimes miss out on one of the best teaching tools of childhood: unstructured play. Here’s what it is, why your kids need it, and how you can make it a regular part of your child’s life! Benefits of unstructured playtime So, exactly what is unstructured play, and why is it so important? Quite simply, unstructured play is child-led play time that’s not directed by an adult and doesn't involve screens – and it has some pretty huge benefits for kids’ development! Develops creativity and imagination A bored child is just a few minutes away from becoming a creative child! When kids are given the time and space to entertain themselves, their imagination kicks into gear. From dramatic play to building and crafting to inventing their own games, unstructured play is the secret sauce to unlocking your kiddo’s creativity. Enhances problem-solving and decision-making skills Want to help your child develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making? Give them time for free play! Seriously. When they encounter a problem, they rise to the occasion, getting creative with what they find or making something new. All the while, they're learning without even realizing it! Improves social and emotional development When kids get a chance to play together without any adult interference, they figure out how to communicate their ideas, take turns, share, and get along. It’s fine to help young toddlers learn how to introduce themselves or to help diffuse major squabbles, but in general, resist the temptation to hover over every interaction at the playground. Enhances physical development and motor skills Give a kid freedom to play how they want, and what will they do? MOVE. When given the opportunity and the environment, kids run, climb, explore, dig, move heavy objects, etc – no gym coach required. All of that movement helps support them in getting the exercise they need and developing strength and gross motor skills. Reduces stress and anxiety We know – the idea that our pampered little loves are stressed can seem laughable. But the fact is, when kids are overscheduled, over-screened, and don’t get the movement and play time they need, their mental health can suffer as a result. Free play activities help release pent-up emotions, boost mood, and increase self-esteem – especially when those activities involve lots of movement and outdoor time. Kids get a chance to have some control over their day, to shake expectations of doing things “right,” and to revel in the joy of just playing. Obstacles to Unstructured Playtime Implementing more unstructured playtime sounds super easy on paper – as in “Hey, go play and have fun!!” But in reality, modern obstacles can make it pretty difficult to achieve. Screens & Tech Today’s kids are growing up in a world where screens are everywhere, and if we’re not careful, those screens can rob them of play. These devices can be addictive in nature and make it hard for kids to engage in other types of play. Pressure to “Get Ahead” Sometimes, parents are made to feel like the only goal of the preschool years is to learn letters and numbers… or to train up the next big soccer star. Let’s be clear – there’s nothing wrong with encouraging kids in academics and extracurriculars, but a heavy focus on them can leave little time for unstructured play, which may not seem as "productive" or "useful.” If you’re feeling that pressure, just remember that the “soft skills” of childhood – ie. problem solving, emotional regulation, social skills, creativity, etc. – are going to be just as, if not more important to their success as students and adults. Safety Concerns Does unstructured play feel like a recipe for disaster? Remember that unstructured doesn’t necessarily mean unsupervised. You can and should still keep a watchful eye in public settings while letting kids take age-appropriate risks. Plus, a kid-friendly backyard and a child-proofed home go a long way to giving kids the freedom to explore without compromising safety. Packed Schedules Finally, there's the issue of time. Between work, household chores, and other responsibilities, it can feel like screens or scheduled activities are the only way to make it all happen. But unstructured playtime can be our best friend here! It’s a developmentally-friendly way for kids to spend their time while giving us a minute to load the dishwasher or pay the bills. Normalizing unstructured play in your home may take some time at first, but we promise, in the long run, it’s worth it for both you and your kids! How to Encourage Unstructured Playtime Fostering unstructured play is all about creating time and spaces that encourage creativity, exploration, and imagination. Here are some practical tips for making that happen: Craft a safe and stimulating environment: First off, let’s all take a breath and remember it’s okay to let kids be messy, loud, and a little bit wild sometimes. Outdoor time is perfect for this! Indoors, we can also provide them with open-ended toys like play kitchens, dollhouses, and other pretend play props – but remember, it's up to them to decide how to use them. Allow free time Sounds simple, but we know how easy it is to fall into all the sports, camps, and lessons. Guard against the pressure to fill every moment of their day with structured activities. Unstructured time is just as valuable! For some kids, it may be helpful to create a daily rhythm so they know when to expect free play time each day. Limit screen time If screens are your child’s go-to fix for boredom, adjusting to free play can be tough at first, but stick with it! If you feel like you need some help reducing screen time, we recommend checking out the American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Plan Tool. It walks you through the process of identifying your goals and creating a media plan that works for your family! Encourage outdoor play Outdoor play is critical for kids’ physical and emotional wellbeing, and it provides endless opportunities for unstructured play. Whether it's on your backyard playset, at a local park, or on a nature walk, try to make time for it every day. Be patient and allow for boredom Unstructured play doesn’t always come easily. You can still count on hearing “I’m bored!” every now and then, especially from kids who are just getting used to independent free play. Encourage your child to persevere through boredom and frustration, modeling ideas for activities and, above all, keeping a positive attitude. Remember, this time is meant to be fun – harsh reprimands will only work against you in the end. Model unstructured play And lastly, let's not forget to have fun ourselves! Get down on the floor and build a fort. Run around the backyard. Make a mess in the mud kitchen. Even with play, kids learn by example. It may sound counterintuitive, but playing with your child will make it easier for them to engage in those activities without your help later. Plus, kids need a balance of independent play and warm interaction with adult caregivers. When you fill up their love-and-attention tanks by spending time together, they feel more emotionally secure and able to spend time on their own.So, there you have it – the challenges and joys of unstructured playtime. Let's embrace the chaos and creativity and let the kids be kids! Who knows what kind of magic they'll create when they're left to their own devices?
Creating a Safe and Fun Outdoor Play Area for Children
Have you come across the 1000 Hours Outside movement on your social media feed yet? It’s a mom-led mission to get our kids outdoors and playing as much as possible, and it’s sparking a passion in parents and caregivers everywhere for the benefits of outdoor play. Even for those of us starting with much less ambitious goals (1000 hours per year can sound intimidating at first!), it’s hard not to be inspired by all the benefits of nature, risk-taking play, and outdoor time for our kids. That’s why we’re passionate about making backyards as fun and kid-friendly as possible. Because, let’s be honest, nature trails and parks are awesome, but loading kids in the car is hard. To make those outdoor hours a little more attainable, here are some ways you can empower them to play and explore safely in their own backyard! Safety First Yes, risk-taking play is critical for kids, but we do want to make sure those are reasonable and purposeful risks. (More on that below!) So it’s our job to protect them from the serious dangers. Before you let the kids loose in the yard, you’ll want to: Identify and remove potential hazards. Think rusty nails, gaps in fences, hidden holes, etc. Discuss or remove natural hazards. There is something to be learned from a wasp’s nest, a bed of ants, or a patch of thorny plants. If your child is old enough, you can talk to them about staying away from these hazards but still let them observe them from a safe distance. If your child can’t understand or doesn't have the self control for that yet, it’s best to remove the hazards altogether. Properly install and maintain outdoor play equipment. Play equipment is ideal for risk-taking play but only if it’s properly installed (i.e. anchored to the ground on a flat surface and surrounded by a safety zone of loose-fill like wood chips). Supervise and set rules as needed. Child-led free play doesn’t mean no boundaries. Be sure to set clear rules where necessary and keep the kids within sight. Encouraging Active Play One of the greatest benefits of time in the great outdoors is that it nearly always results in active play. All that activity helps kids develop gross motor skills and get the exercise their bodies need, but the benefits don’t end there. Adequate active play is even linked to improved focus, sleep, and emotional regulation.Kids don’t need much to engage in active play – just a little space and a few well-chosen toys. Balls, frisbees, hula hoops, jump ropes, and similar toys are great budget-friendly options, and larger outdoor toys like swing sets and climbing walls provide a wider range of activities. Don’t forget that nature comes with its own “toys” for active play – digging in the dirt, collecting sticks, and splashing in puddles are all classic kid favorites. Nurturing Imagination and Creativity Without getting too sappy here, there is something magical about kids’ natural sense of awe in nature. When they marvel at a feather, dandelion, snail, birds’ nest, cloud, you name it, they’re fueling their imagination with curiosity and wonder. So as you play outdoors, help them slow down occasionally and notice the small stuff. They’ll love learning about it, and they’ll love incorporating these natural elements into their imaginative play. A few select outdoor toys, like a playhouse, gardening tools, a sandbox, a bug collecting kit, can fuel their exploration and imaginative play as well, naturally encouraging them to want to spend more time outdoors. Providing Opportunities for Socialization Ever notice how your kids can spend endless hours outside as long as they’re playing with peers? Hosting outdoor play dates helps your kids get all the benefits of active play, nature play, and social play at once. Outdoor play time is more likely to result in child-led free play (vs. the more parent-led activities that tend to happen indoors), letting kids practice their social skills as they make up their own games and activities. Balancing Risk and Safety We mentioned earlier that risk-taking play is so important but that risks should be reasonable and purposeful. So what do we mean by that? First off, reasonable risks are risks that may result in minor injury but not serious or life-threatening harm. So falling just a couple of feet from the low tree branch they were hanging on? Reasonable (depending on their age and physical health, of course). Falling from great heights or swimming unsupervised? Definitely not. As you help your kids stay safe, it’s important to use your own judgment while still giving them room to explore, take risks, and yes maybe incur a few bumps and bruises along the way. Next, purposeful risks are those that actually help your child learn, gain new skills, and develop confidence and self-regulation. So when kids see how far they can jump from the swing or if they can go down the slide backwards? They’re testing the boundaries of their own coordination and learning how to self-regulate. But when they run into a busy street or step on a rusty nail? There’s not a lot of purpose there (not to mention potential for significant harm), so feel free to completely remove those risks from the play space without feeling like you’re depriving your child of an opportunity for risk-taking play. The takeaways Outdoor play gets kids moving, helps spark their curiosity and imagination, and provides opportunities for social skill development and risk-taking play. And there’s no better way to build more outdoor time into your daily rhythms than by making your own backyard safe, fun, and kid-friendly. KidKraft’s line of outdoor toys and play equipment are designed to do just that. Shop our play sets, playhouses, climbers, sandboxes, and more, and start racking up those outdoor hours… You may just find that 1000 hours outside doesn’t sound so crazy after all!
Engaging Your Child in DIY Projects at Home
By providing hands-on experiences, DIY projects allow children to take risks and learn from their mistakes, boosting their confidence and giving them valuable practice with problem-solving skills, fine motor skills, and creative exploration. Whether it’s something as complex as putting together a birdhouse kit or as simple as a macaroni necklace, kids benefit from the chance to create! Here are some tips to help give your kiddo a can-do attitude when it come to DIY projects at home: Finding the Right DIY Project Finding the right DIY project for kids can be a bit of a Goldilocks situation. You want it just difficult enough that your child is interested in the challenge but not so difficult that it causes them to give up… and triggers a meltdown in the process.Choose projects that are age-appropriate, considering your child’s fine motor development, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation. When in doubt, Start with simple projects. Starting with easier projects can help build your child's confidence and encourage them to keep going. Plus, it gives you an accurate idea of their current skill level, so you know exactly how much of a challenge they can handle next time.That being said, don’t be afraid to pursue projects that might traditionally be considered too advanced for young kids. Kids get pretty stoked at the chance to use real tools like screwdrivers and hammers or to make a recipe on their own. Just be sure you’re supervising for safety whenever necessary! Setting Up Your DIY Project Space A child-friendly project space sets your kids up for success! But don’t overthink it. Just keep these basics in mind, and you should be good to go: Make it ergonomic Kids will have an easier time focusing on the project if they aren't struggling to stay in their chair or reach their tools. You can use a kid-sized craft table or desk, or just add a booster seat to the dining room table. Whatever you do, just make sure they are comfortable and can reach everything on the work surface. Provide all the (child-sized) tools Before you get started, make sure your kiddo has everything they need within reach. Ideally, those tools will be appropriate for tiny hands. Miniature kitchen tongs, child safety scissors, and child-sized gardening tools will be far easier for your child to handle than their full-size counterparts. Keep it clutter-free Tiny bodies come with tiny attention spans, and clutter does not help. Try to clear everything out of the workspace except for necessary project materials. Executing the DIY Project With the project chosen and the space setup, it’s time to get started on project perfection… or is it? Remember that for your kids, the process is way more important than the end product! As long as they’re having fun, getting creative, and staying safe, the project is a win. Opt for open-ended With that being said, we know kids sometimes have a perfectionist streak that can make enjoying the process hard if the project isn’t turning out as they’d hoped or if they need more help than they want. In these cases, it might be helpful to offer more open-ended DIY crafts for kids. For example, consider a project like making a “stained glass” suncatcher (using bits of colorful tissue paper and contact paper inside of a cutout construction paper frame) lets your child choose which colors to add and how to arrange them but doesn’t need to look a certain way to be a success. You can keep things even more fluid by simply offering a range of craft supplies and seeing what your child does with them. Craft pom poms glued to popsicle sticks? Brilliant. Cutting up strips of construction paper to glue onto a paper plate? Sure, why not? Remember, process over product. Encourage creativity What happens when your child takes the project in a direction that’s not exactly by-the-book? As long as they’re staying safe and not destroying property, let them take the lead! So maybe instead of your cute idea to make animals out of toilet paper tubes, your child simply wants to make a magic telescope by gluing odds and ends to the tube? That is still a win! Prepare your child for the challenges When you do choose a more difficult project that will require some adult help, try to talk to your child beforehand about the challenges they may face and the areas they may need help in. They love the privilege of participating in “grown up” projects like painting the playhouse or planting a real garden. But since there’s less room for error here, just let them know that these are projects where you’ll have to work together as a team and follow instructions closely. Hopefully, this talk will help set their expectations and manage emotions when parts of the project are tricky. Celebrate! Your words of encouragement and interest in your child’s creations mean the world to them. So no matter how those projects turn out, be sure to celebrate your child’s efforts. Try pointing out specific choices they made rather than offering general “good jobs!” And don’t forget to ask them to tell you about the project too – you’d be surprised at what they see in their own “abstract” creations!
How to Create a Themed Bedroom for Your Toddler
Looking to makeover your baby’s nursery into a toddler’s paradise? First step: have a little cry because your baby is that big now! Done? Perfect. Second step: choose an aesthetic or better yet… go all out with a themed bedroom! Toddler room themes are a fun way to add some personality to their space and center the decor around something they love! Here are some simple toddler bedroom ideas to help you pull the whole look together! Choose a theme First things first, what does your little one love? And what can you live with as a bedroom decor idea? Think about what your little one is into. Do they love princesses and fairy tales? Dinosaurs? Race cars? Fire trucks? Once you've got a theme, you can start building your design around it Use color…but don’t feel the need to go overboard Of course, you want the colors you choose fit with your theme, but if the thought of a room swimming in hot pink or bright green makes you shudder, don’t worry. You can still keep an appealing aesthetic while incorporating colors that match your theme. If you’re going for a princess room, pastel pinks, peaches, and whites provide a softer look than bright pinks. For dinosaur or nature-themed rooms, neutrals and olive greens set the tone without making you feel like you’re lost in a jungle. And for themes that naturally incorporate bright colors (like the bright red of fire trucks or race cars), use a more neutral base, and keep the loud colors as accents in art, accessories, or accent stripes on the wall. Your little one will still love it, and you won’t feel like you need sunglasses when you walk into their room. Make the bed center stage Bedding is a great way to tie everything together. Sheets, comforters, and pillows that match your theme can make your toddler ecstatic for their new room even if the rest of the room isn’t heavily themed. And if you can find it, your toddler is sure to think that a themed bed frame –like a princess bed, race car bed or fire truck bed– is the coolest. thing. ever. (Plus, this excitement is a great way to ease the transition to a big kid bed!) Add those special touches This is where you can really have fun and get your toddler involved in picking things out! For a princess bedroom, hang a chandelier or add a princess vanity. For jungle/dinosaur rooms, some potted plants can brighten the space while adding to the theme. For race cars and fire trucks, you might add some tread mark wall stickers and a traffic light lamp. When you need direction, Etsy always has great inspiration for themed decor that still fits your home’s overall aesthetic. Remember that on-theme toys make great toddler room decor! So keep that prized race car track, fire station, or princess dollhouse on display… it probably gets played with every day anyway, right? There you have it! These no-fuss steps will help you create a themed bedroom that’s chic enough for you and, most importantly, fun enough for your toddler!
How to Encourage Social Skills Through Pretend Play
As parents, we all want our children to thrive socially, and imaginative play is a fantastic way to encourage that development! Of all the benefits of pretend play, the development of social skills for kids is one of the most critical. As kids role play, make up social scenarios, and communicate with their playmates, they’re doing more than passing the time – they’re growing the skills that will help them develop confidence and healthy relationships throughout their life.And yes, even though kids are naturally driven to pretend, there are things you can and should do to encourage pretend play! Understanding Social Skills Social skills are the skills we use to communicate, interact with, and relate to others effectively. They include verbal and nonverbal communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, empathy, and self-awareness. Kids develop these skills over time through their experiences and interactions with others, through their exposure to different social situations, and perhaps most importantly…through play!Examples of some key social skills include: Listening actively: Listening carefully to what someone else is saying and responding appropriately. Taking turns: Waiting for your turn to speak or play, and understanding that everyone should have a chance. Sharing: Letting others use or have something you have, and taking turns with toys or games. Making friends: Showing interest in others, starting conversations, and finding common interests. Empathy: Understanding and responding to others' feelings and needs. Problem-solving: Identifying and working through challenges or disagreements with others. Role of Pretend Play in Social Skills Development So, why is pretend play so critical for helping your littles develop those social skills? First off, pretend play gives kids the chance to practice their communication skills with peers. They have to negotiate roles, rules, and objectives with their playmates, and work together to make their imaginary world come to life. Plus, they get to work on conflict resolution because let's face it, sometimes arguments –both real and imaginary– break out during playtime!But it's not just basic social skills that they're practicing. Through pretend play, kids can also learn to empathize with others by imagining themselves in different situations or taking on the perspective of another character. And they get to practice problem-solving skills by imagining different outcomes and coming up with different strategies to achieve their goals.And don’t think that kids only learn through pretend play with their peers. When you engage in pretend play with them, you have the power to model behaviors like empathy, listening, and handling frustration better than their peers could – all while in character as a fairy-astronaut, of course. (Not to mention, kids get a huge vocabulary boost from spending quality time with adults who use rich, expressive language during pretend play.) Encouraging Pretend Play for Social Skills Development So, you’re sold on the benefits of pretend play for your little’s budding social skills, and you want to make sure they get a healthy dose of pretend play every day. Here’s some simple strategies to make pretend play a natural part of your family’s daily life: Keep toys simple Provide your kiddos with open-ended toys and props like blocks, dolls, or dress-up clothes. Remember that toys don’t have to be fancy or flashy to encourage meaningful play. In fact, simple toys are often best as they let your kids’ imagination take the lead. Dressing up as different characters can help children practice empathy and understanding of others. Pretend play kitchens prompt kids to practice a host of social scenarios from ordering food to serving others. Make the time Minimize screen time and packed schedules. Hey, no judgment. We get that sometimes an episode or two of Bluey can save your sanity. But when kids have constant access to screens, they never have to be bored, which is often the catalyst for their best pretend play! Similarly, schedules packed with activities (even fun activities) can leave kids so busy they rarely get the chance to lead their own play. Join in! Don't be afraid to join in on the fun yourself! When you do, you model social skills and provide support as they practice new behaviors. Take on different roles, help them work through conflicts, and encourage them to try out new ways of interacting with others. Tips for Parents and Caregivers Want to really maximize social skill development as you pretend with your child? Keep these tips in mind the next time you and your kiddo are playing: Use real-life situations. Pretend play can also be used to help your child practice skills that they will need in real-life situations. Playing doctor can help prepare children for a visit to the doctor's office, or setting up a pretend play grocery store can help them practice basic social greetings. Make pretend conversations fun! Pretend play offers opportunities for your kiddos to practice expressing themselves clearly. Engage them and get them talking as you pretend together! Use conflicts as teachable moments. Pretend play often involves conflict and problem-solving. Sometimes, those conflicts are just pretend, and sometimes they’re very, very real (especially when playing with peers or siblings). Either way, you can use these situations as a way to teach your child how to resolve conflicts, negotiate, and find creative solutions to problems With a little intentionality from you and a lot of imagination from your child, the power of pretend play can help your child grow into a confident communicator and understanding friend. Now, have fun and go play!
How Activity Tables Support Child Development
Let’s gather round the table – the activity able that is– for a chat about how these fun furniture pieces can support your child’s development. What are activity tables? First off, let’s cover what we mean by “activity table.” While the term is sometimes applied to bouncer-style toys meant for babies, that’s not what we’re talking about here. Our definition is a little more straightforward…as in a kid-sized table meant for activities. Simple enough, right? Usually, those tables will be meant for one of three activities: building bricks (such as LEGOs or similar plastic bricks), train sets, or arts & crafts. Plus, some tables offer a reversible table top, making them suitable for multiple activities. So without further ado, let’s dive into just how these tables can support your littles as they learn and grow! Improving fine motor skills Playing with building bricks and toy train tracks and utilizing arts and crafts supplies requires the use of fine motor skills, such as grasping, pinching, and manipulating small objects. Building a LEGO masterpiece, managing a pair of safety scissors, or adjusting the loops on a train track help build hand-eye coordination dexterity. Developing spatial awareness Spatial awareness is one of those developmental skills that’s not talked about a ton, but is super important for proprioception (awareness of our body in space) and even academic skills like learning to read and write from left to right. One of the best ways to build spatial awareness in young toddlers? Block play! Building with blocks or building bricks requires kids to visualize and manipulate 3D objects in their mind, which can help develop their spatial awareness and understanding of spatial relationships. Similarly, playing with train sets requires children to understand spatial relationships, such as how the train tracks fit together. Enhancing creativity and problem-solving skills LEGO bricks and train tracks offer kids endless opportunities to create their own designs and track configurations, and crafting lets kids get creative with a wide variety of different materials. And when those designs and ideas need adjusting? Kids get a chance to flex their problem-solving skills – a huge part of cognitive development – as they figure out how to re-build or troubleshoot their project. Encouraging persistence and resilience When those problem-solving skills come into play, your child’s persistence will too! And sure, persisting through a frustrating challenge can be super tough for a toddler. But letting them face these challenges is critical for building the grit and resilience they’ll need as they grow! So when the train track or brick tower doesn't work out as planned, it’s an opportunity to help your child develop a growth mindset, letting them realize that practice and persistence leads to improvement! Fostering social skills One of the best parts about activity tables is that they let kids engage in their favorite activities with a friend! The tables have that cool-factor that makes them a hit at every play date, and they’re spacious enough to let several kids join in on the project at once. Of course, you’ll probably spend a fair amount of time around the table as well, building, collaborating, and creating with your child. The takeaways… Overall, activities like train sets, building bricks and crafts offer a fun and engaging way to develop a range of cognitive and fine motor skills. And while you don’t necessarily need an activity table to do these activities, having one is a great way to encourage your child to engage in those activities regularly, providing a dedicated space that draws them in and lets them focus. Whether your kiddo is into building, crafting, or playing with train sets, you can find the perfect activity table for them here!
Choosing the Right Dollhouse Accessories for Your Toddler
A dollhouse isn’t a dollhouse without accessories, right? The cute-and-cozy furniture and handy doll-sized tools add an extra “cool factor” to spark your child’s interest and help them engage in imaginative play.Here are some factors to keep in mind as you shop around for the perfect dollhouse accessories for your toddler! Age appropriateness First thing’s first – small toys are a choking hazard for young toddlers. So if your toddler is still in the puts-EVERYTHING-in-the-mouth stage, some dollhouse accessories aren’t an option. If you still want your little taste-tester to get the benefits of doll play, you can try offering larger dolls (think baby doll or American Girl size) and larger accessories like beds and high chairs.You may also want to consider your toddler’s fine motor development. Some smaller accessories may be difficult and frustrating for them to handle. You know your child’s abilities best, so use your judgment here. Maybe picking up tiny plates will be a breeze, but if you think trying to wrangle doll clothes onto tiny doll hangers will lead to a major meltdown, maybe you save those accessories for later! Durability We don’t have to tell you that toddlers can be rough with their toys. It’s important to choose dollhouse accessories that are durable and can withstand the wear and tear of playtime. Look for accessories made from sturdy materials that are designed to last like wood or thick, durable plastics (as opposed to thinner, flimsy plastic or accessories made with cardboard pieces). Size & Scale Accessories that are too large or too small may not fit properly in the dollhouse and cause some major frustration for your toddler! Most dollhouses are sold to accommodate dolls that are 12” (Barbies and similar dolls), or 18” (American Girl and similar dolls). Size is pretty easy to eyeball if you’re shopping in person, but when you’re shopping online, it can be tougher to tell. Just be sure to read product descriptions to double check that the accessories you choose are the right size and scale for your toddler's dollhouse. Play value Opt for accessories that encourage creativity and imagination rather than “passive” play. For example, a doll-sized TV that lights up and makes noise may be cool to your toddler at first, but they can’t actually do much with it. A full set of kitchen tools or a home Gym set, on the other hand, let your kiddo’s imagination take center stage as they actively engage with the dolls and accessories. Accessories Included with your Dollhouse Most dollhouses come with accessories – some include basic home furniture, while others get way more elaborate. If you don’t have a dollhouse already, be sure to weigh the included accessories when you make your choice. We have options with everything from beach houses, telescopes and horse stables! Personal interests Finally, take your toddler's personal interests into account too. If they love baking cookies, they’ll probably love making their dolls bake cookies with our Kitchen Upgrade set. If they’re a little fashionista, our Master Closet set will let them display their favorite doll clothes and breeze through wardrobe changes. You can browse all of our doll furniture and accessories and our accessory-packed dollhouses here at KidKraft.com!
