It’s that time of year where kids are excitedly making their Christmas lists (and checking them way more than twice). We can guarantee their biggest wishes can be granted on the shelves of a local Chicago toy store. Shop your neighborhood go-to or venture farther out to discover a new-to-you gem—just don’t forget to stop for a steaming cup of hot cocoa while you’re at it! Or, maybe even a favorite hot dog stand for a super-speedy lunch on the go? Just trust us: you’re going to need sustenance when you start shopping these independently owned toy stores throughout Chicago this season.
Learning and play intertwine at this shop, which is located in the historic neighborhood of Hyde Park. The owners seek out good craftsmanship and clever toy inventors, and the store is big on safe, eco-friendly fun that's also educational and developmentally and culturally sensitive. They've been going strong since 1976, so they have their finger on the pulse of what kids like.
This hot spot is full of fun and educational finds, and it has a sweet nostalgic twist. Owner Ann Kienzle has worked in the toy biz for eons and stays on top of the latest innovations. She has a passion for the importance of play in a child's life and has created a well-designed space that inspires awe in all who step into one of Play's four shops, located in Logan Square, Lincoln Park, Andersonville, and the West Loop, its newest storefront.
Have a wannabe conductor on your hands? This specialty shop is worth the trip. Follow the glowing neon sign to a train lover's dream that has everything from collectibles to Thomas merchandise. Its specialty is O-Gauge electric engines, which were popular in the mid-1900s, from makers like Lionel and Mike's Train House. There's a separate toy room that has LEGO sets, Playmobils, and slot cars.
Saying this old-fashioned toy store is packed to the brim isn't an exaggeration. Its three locations fill every nook with play-rich, high-quality toys and books. Owner Katherine Nguyen is passionate about supporting small, local companies, so you'll find everything from developmental playthings for babies to science kits that grandparents can't keep their hands off of. Building Blocks is also known for its deep selection of Thomas, Brio, and Chuggington trains, but you'll also discover lesser-known finds.
Like Pinocchio, children will want no strings to hold them down at this Oak Park treasure. Cut your little ones loose to explore art kits, building blocks, puzzles, developmental diversions, and lots more. The owners of Geppetto's stand behind "slow toys"—back-to-basics playthings that children need time to explore and grow from. To that end, you won't see (or hear!) a lot of flashes, beeps, or electronic brouhaha on the shelves.
This Lincoln Square mainstay is what we think Santa's workshop looks like—toys, toys, and more toys everywhere. Also: a big air of whimsy. This sweet shop in the heart of the neighborhood's shopping district has been around since 1993 and is known for championing educational play. Go for games, puzzles, puppets, trikes, dolls, outdoor games, books, and just about anything else your little tinkerer's heart desires.
This mom-and-pop creation offers more than 250,000 products via their online store, but they have the best-of-the-best on display in their Lemont showroom. You'll find a sampling of hobby, craft, gift, toy and home & garden decor products offered on their website. They're also well stocked in Tonie figurines for those obsessed with the storytelling device.
Little ones can be tricky to buy for. Well, unless you have our guide to gifts for toddlers
They’re not babies, and they’re not quite little kids. Our 18-24 month littles are at a special age where they’re exploring everything, eager to learn, and ready for anything. So, if you’re having trouble coming up with presents for them, you’re not alone. We’ve rounded up some of the best gifts for toddlers this season to make your job as Santa much easier.
There are puzzles, sweet stuffies, and even enchanted silk scarves. Of course, there are also the classics like a play barn, a soft baby doll, their first tea set, and Mickey even makes an appearance. Combining well-known characters and some new friends, we made sure there’s something for every kiddo on our list. We’re pretty sure you won’t have to look further than this list to create a magical holiday. Read on for our picks for gifts for toddlers.
LeapFrog Build-a-Waffle Learning Set
Their favorite breakfast will easily become their new favorite toy that teaches them colors, numbers, and following directions.
Their favorite friends are all cozying up to their bedtime stories on these absolutely darling pajamas. They're created with Little Sleepies' famous Lunaluxe Bamboo.
It's a stroller and a trolley. Made of handwoven rattan, little ones just need to flip the lid and they can go from strolling their stuffed animals around to doing the shopping.
Stapelstein Stepping Stones are the original play 'stones'. They're soft, stackable, sturdy, and can be used in a ton of imaginary ways to get your little one's creativity flowing (plus, they're really convenient to use as seats, stools, or steps). Available in Original Rainbow or Pastel.
This starter DUPLO set pulls off a holiday gifting hat trick: It's a building toy, a vehicle (and we all know how much toddlers love pushing around anything on wheels), and it helps introduce them to numbers.
Sarah's Silks is all about open-ended play. Tactile toddlers will love the lightweight, floaty fabrication that lets them create and play for hours. These Mini Playsilks grow with them, long after they're done playing.
The best thing about silicone toys? They're dishwasher-safe and quiet! We love a great kitchen set for open-ended imaginative play, especially when you're trying to get stuff done in the kitchen and your mini-me wants to join in.
The Play-Doh Ride-On Activity School Bus includes 3 cans of Play-Doh, 10 numbers stamps, 6 shape cutters, and 1 roller. Just lift up the ride-on seat to reveal the play set.
This baby koala is so precious. Made from natural Peruvian cotton yarn, not only is it soft and collectible; it's heirloom-quality, so they'll have something to treasure for years.
Your little one will love this cute vintage-style music player, complete with rainbow light show, music, and color call-outs (not to mention headphones).
Remember those old-school bright cardboard bricks? They got an update with Bricklettes. They fit into your home's decor and the starter set of 10 is great for kiddos who have just started stacking.
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
Let’s get talking! Every baby learns at their own pace, but there’s plenty you can do to encourage your little bundle of joy’s first words. Because when it comes to baby language development, the more talking, reading, and singing you and baby do together, the better. So the next time you and your little one have some downtime or need something new to do, try one of these easy games that offer simple ways to encourage those precious first words through play.
But first, a few things to remember about baby speech development. Although most babies start to talk around that one-year mark, they spend lots of time learning how to speak in their first year. They notice how parents, siblings, and others respond when they make a sound—whether it’s a cry, a coo, or a squeal of delight—and learn from it. They start to babble. They point and gesture. They mimic conversation in the most irresistible way. Before you know it, they’ll be talking up a storm. Until then, pull out these baby language development games that are even fun for you, too.
Make your own puppet (like this adorable fox pictured above), find one at the store, or just slip a sock over your hand. Any way you do it, you can engage your child’s imagination and language skills by creating new characters with different voices. Your baby will be babbling or talking back to your hand in no time. It’s one of the easiest baby language development ideas out there.
2. Mimicry
Go ahead and say “mom mom mom mom” to your little one every day, several times a day if you like! Jackie’s baby at I Heart Arts and Crafts sure thinks it’s funny, and you might, too. Mimic what your baby says to get them in the mood. Even cooing back to the tiniest baby works that part of their brain.
3. Ring Ring
Why not give baby a call and see what they have to say? Babies love pretend telephone calls, and they all involve some important vocabulary: Hello and goodbye, mama, dada, nana, etc. They also get to talk just for the fun of talking. Some kids who are less enthusiastic about talking seem to be encouraged when they get to play with a toy phone that looks just like yours.
4. Tickle My Feet
Help support baby language development when you connect with their toes (and delight them at the same time) with a few rounds of This Little Piggie. Repeat as many times as you both can stand it, as repetition is crucial for babies to learn and understand language. Be gentle on the littlest babies to avoid overstimulation, but older babies may need a tickle tackle when you’re done.
Introduce vocabulary with discovery baskets. They don’t have to be anything fancy – the container and objects can all be things you have around the house. Choose objects based on color, different foods, different textures, shiny things, things that have a smell – whatever you choose, take out each object and talk about it, and let baby play with the objects however they would like.
Research shows that infants are born understanding a bit more about numbers and arithmetic than you might think, and wow, do they love counting. Count three objects or claps with a steady rhythm, “One two three! One two three!” Repeat a few times, and then start counting to five. Create your own counting rhymes about your family or their favorite toys.
7. Big and Little
Help your little one learn the difference between “big” and “little” by giving baby two similar objects of differing size, like a big ball and a small ball. Say “This is the big ball; this is the small ball.” Talk to your little one about what you’re doing as you roll the balls, and ask baby to hand you the big ball or small ball.
8. Baby Jigsaw Peekaboo
Make your own jigsaw puzzle, and baby will be delighted by pictures of other babies, or of the faces of people they know and love. Talk about the puzzle, while you’re putting it together, repeating the names of those pictured. As they grow older, they’ll be able to use the puzzle to practice other skills, such as hand-eye coordination and pincer grasp.
9. I Know My Name
Observe your baby’s reactions to her name. Poke your head in his room and say his name, and then see what happens when you say another name. Insert her name in silly songs, and emphasize it in general conversations. If she reacts to her name, reinforce it. “Shannon likes eating yogurt. Yes, Shannon! We were talking about you!”
10. Talk, Sing, Read: Repeat
The more language they’re exposed to, the better. Narrate everything you do, and everywhere you go. People in the grocery store understand – they’re probably looking at how cute your babe is, anyway, not at you chattering away. Sing every day, even if you can’t carry a tune. Read books every day, even if baby can’t hold their head up. All these interactions are the building blocks of language and literacy.
These cool toy boxes will make you want to organize their stuff ASAP. Really.
Have you ever tripped over a forgotten toy car, stepped on a rogue building block, or found yourself crawling on all fours searching for a missing puzzle piece? And that’s really best-case scenario. Because if your house is anything like ours are, there’s a good chance you’ve dealt with more than one full-scale meltdown over the hunt for a missing Barbie shoe, Lego piece, or marker cap (sometimes the kids even get upset, too). The point is, toy storage is obviously a must. But plain, boring bins and boxes aren’t only not so great to look at, they also don’t really inspire your kiddos to want to clean up. It’s way more fun to put it all away in a cool toy box. That’s where we come in.
From realistic phone booths to intergalactic spaceships, these toy boxes transform storage into extra playtime. Picture a toy box shaped like a pirate’s treasure chest, complete with realistic details for hidden treasures. These cool toy boxes don’t just provide a practical solution for keeping toys organized. They also ignite little imaginations and make clean up time much easier. We’re pretty sure you’ll find at least one toy box that’s just waiting for your house.
How cool is this? Whether they're Dr. Strange fans (yes, we know it's not a real Tardis, but still), love vintage vibes, or just want like a lot of color, this retro phone booth is perfect. Comes in red, black, white, and blue. Retro Phone Booth ($249.99)—Buy Here!
Truck Toy Storage
Amazon
Aside from being really fun, the rounded corners of this truck toy organizer prevent accidents from sharp corners. Truck Toy Storage ($299.00)—Buy Here!
Collapsible Robot
Amazon
The stacking design of this rad robot gives them lots of space for their toys and adds a lot of fun to their bedroom or playroom. Collapsible Robot ($45.99)—Buy Here!
Keep all their art supplies in and on this toy box with easel lid. The clip holds their art paper for when they're feeling creative, and even deatches completely so they can take it anywhere. 2-in-1 Toy Box & Easel Lid ($79.99)—Buy Here!
If you'd rather combine space and aesthetics, this teddy storage ottoman is perfect for adding to your living room. It comes in white, black, and brown, too. Teddy Storage Ottoman ($279.99)—Buy Here!
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
Chick out—uh, check out these time-saving pre-filled Easter eggs!
Sometimes the Easter Bunny gets so busy with creating cool Easter baskets, pre-filled Easter eggs can really be a lifesaver. Gone are the days when stuffing all of the same colorful Easter eggs every year with candy was considered the norm. It’s 2023 and we refuse to spend a ton of time filling eggs with the perfect candy-to-tiny-toy ratio. We will not break nails on hard-to-pop-open plastic orbs in the name of Easter. The hunt will go on if we make things easier with only the very best pre-filled Easter eggs!
There’s something for everyone here. Whether you’re into jewelry-filled, toy-stuffed, or anything in between, we’ve found some great goodies that are sure to make this Easter memorable. From squishies to plushes to mini figures and more, there’s so much to choose from! We suggest mixing and matching so the kiddos get a fun variety. No matter how you do it, you’ll be saving time and stress this Easter. So hop to it and check out our list of the best pre-filled Easter eggs!
Mochi Squishy Toy Filled Easter Eggs
TOY Life/Amazon
The squishy toy craze isn't going anywhere soon, so you can't go wrong with these smooshy friend eggs!
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
These fun and festive menorahs from Amazon are adding some extra twinkle to your Hanukkah celebrations this year
Hanukkah 2022 starts a little bit later—December 18th to be exact—but it’ll be here before we know it. And no Festival of Lights is complete without a menorah. We’ve found some fantastic menorahs—where else?—on Amazon to light up your celebration.
Quick brush up on your Hanukkah history:
How well do you know your Hanukkah history? Let’s get a little refresher out of the way.
Firstly, the word menorah means “lamp” in Hebrew. The ancient menorah had seven branches, and was an “everlasting light”, an oil lamp meant to never go out in the temple in the area that was known as Judea. At the time—167 B.C.E.—the small area of then-Judea was caught in conflict. The Egyption Empire and the Greek-Assyrian Empire clashed and Greek king Antiochus outlawed all Jewish practices. The observance of the Sabbath, keeping kosher were eliminated and the temple where the menorah burned was desecrated.
A small group of Jewish rebels, known as the Maccabees, were able to take back the temple over the course of several years. The menorah was relit. As the story goes, despite having only a single day’s worth of oil, the menorah miraculously lasted for eight days. Accordingly, the modern-day menorah has nine candles: one for each of those eight days and one to light the rest. Hanukkah marks the rededication of the desecrated temple of Judea when it was taken back by the Maccabees
So, now that you know why the menorah is such an important element of Hanukkah, we can get to the roundup of some of our favorite ones. These menorahs are not only unique, fun, pretty, and festive, but can be found on Amazon because we love convenience. They’re a great option for keeping with tradition while at the same time, creating a holiday aesthetic that’s perfect for your own vibes. So get ready for eight nights of celebration with our menorahs from Amazon roundup!
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
From baking soda volcanoes to magnet car races, I’ve explored many STEM activities with children over the years. And the number one thing I’ve learned is that no child will enjoy an activity that they are not developmentally ready to tackle. At the end of the day, learning about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is all about the experience, not the end result. If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “I’m not a scientist, I don’t know where to start,” my advice is to start with the basics and play to your child’s developmental level.
Which STEM Activities Should I Avoid with My Kid?
Analyzing the “red flags” and “green flags” of a potential activity can help you determine what activities are appropriate for your child. So what are some red flags? Choking hazards (small items that fit inside a choke tube or toilet paper roll), chemicals, anything that can be inhaled and items that previously held dangerous contents that could confuse children as to what’s inside (like a spray bottle used for cleaning that you are repurposing for water) are just a few. If your child isn’t ready to handle these items without being in danger, you will know the activity is not appropriate for him or her.
Green flags include using recyclable household items for stacking and anything sensory. The messier, the better! If you’re mess-adverse or your child has a sensory disorder, you can always put the sand, paint, etc., in a clear, plastic bag for easy clean up and to serve as a barrier from your hands. Filling and dumping is an activity that is safe for all ages when you use age appropriate materials and is a basic building block of STEM knowledge.
Most importantly, remember you can always keep it simple when it comes to STEM play. For really little kids, STEM might not even look like how adults see it. But simple concepts like ice melting, mixing colors, stacking blocks, things lighting up and more–concepts that we take for granted–really form the base of STEM development.
Here Are Some Age-Appropriate STEM Activities to Incorporate into Playtime:
For 2-Year-Olds: Rolling on Ramps
Create ramps of various sizes and heights using a variety of materials. Then, have your children roll toys down the ramp to identify how objects move. Ask open-ended questions as your kids adjust their ramps and experiment with many toys, identifying why some objects roll down the ramp and some do not.
List of Materials: Flat materials to create ramps (such as large cardboard box scraps, plastic balance beams, poster board), propped materials to anchor the ramp and adjust the height (such as a chair or box), various toys which may or may not roll (such as cars, balls, plush toys).
For 3- to 5-Year-Olds: Rocket Launch
Help your child make a rocket to propel towards the sky! Use safety scissors to cut rocket shapes out of construction paper and adorn the paper rocket with stickers and markers. Tape the decorated rockets to one end of a coffee stir stick. Insert the stir stick into a drinking straw, and then blow on the end of the drinking straw. The rocket will launch! Explain that the force of the air from our breath is pushing the rocket upwards and that this is called propulsion.
List of Materials: Construction paper, child-safe scissors, crayons, tape, coffee stir sticks, drinking straws, markers, stickers
For School-Aged Kids: Crack the Code
Work with your kids to create a simple code for the English alphabet, inviting children to pretend the code was discovered by scientists exploring another planet. The code can consist of different combinations of shapes and colors to represent each letter, for example: A= one red triangle; B= a tall blue rectangle; C= one yellow circle, and so on. Post the code key on a large poster, and let your child decipher messages by matching the letters to the symbols. Use the alien code to write their names or spell secret messages for friends!
List of Materials: Poster board, construction paper, writing utensils, markers, crayons, stencils
For more STEM-based activities you can do at home, visit KiddieAcademy.com.
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Joy has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. As Vice President of Education at Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care, she oversees all things curriculum, assessment, training and more. Joy earned a B.S. in Education from Salisbury University.
The egg child refuses to eat. His yolk is goopy and unacceptable to him.
I can’t. I break.
Because I am already broken.
I am shattered by this pandemic. By the worry, and the constant change, and the school’s “off and on” button that yanks my life around at a moment’s notice like a little microcosm of the greater uncertainty of life and death staring me in the face daily right now.
I am tired from two births and also climate change.
I am exhausted from too much family and not enough friends.
I am depleted from too much Zoom and too little nature.
I am worried about my older son’s propensity to all things digital.
By his lack of understanding that the last few years are not normal.
They are his normal. I am in grief that they have become mine.
But I also have lived long enough that I have memories.
Wisps from my own childhood of hours and days spent with friends that were screenless.
Wandering through drizzling rain and escapades up back stairwells.
I wonder if these are better or if they are simply older.
I struggle to see the beauty in the green building blocks and the mods of Minecraft, and I feel myself being left behind like some salmon that can’t swim upstream anymore because the drought has changed the landscape.
Old spawning patterns interrupted by new realities.
Will they be ok, my children? Will we all?
These are the thoughts swimming in my brain, searing into my heart as I stand there, soaking in my younger son’s refusal to eat the yolky egg.
I want to yell “Do you know how many things I want to refuse??”
But I can’t.
I am voiceless. My refusal meaningless as the days unfold around me. I am one of many pandemic mothers, invisible in this crisis and yet so deeply affected on so many levels. I simply break down into hot gulping tears that make me feel like a madwoman.
Abigail Wald is a lifeline for spirited kids and their sometimes dispirited parents. Her podcasts have had more than a million downloads, and her mentorship project has shepherded hundreds of families to the other side of struggles that previously seemed insurmountable. Visitmotherflippingawesome.com to learn more.
Get ready for a whole new way to play Monopoly! Scratch that—get ready for two whole new ways to play the beloved board game.
Forget about buying railroads and get out of jail free cards. The soon-to-be released Monopoly Crooked Cash edition is all about sneaky strategies and devious deception.
The game features fake cash, fake Chance cards, and plenty of accusations. Mr. Monopoly will supply the decoder—giving the players a chance to sleuth out what’s real and what’s not. This fun-filled family-time game is perfect for kids ages eight-plus and their adults. Monopoly Crooked Cash edition has a suggested retail price of $19.99 and will hit stores nationally this coming fall.
As if one new game isn’t enough, Monopoly is bringing fans a second strategy-based option. Monopoly Builder board game takes buying and selling properties to a whole new level.
Instead of just going around the board, now you can build upwards. The game board’s center is more than just a flat open space. In this edition, it’s Monopoly Island! Players (two to four per game) strategically build their own island city using building blocks. The more you build, the more points you’ll earn.
Monopoly Builder is available nationwide starting Aug. 1, 2021 for the suggested retail price of $24.99.
We could all use some zen right now, our kids included. Give them the mindfulness moment they didn’t know they needed, with the help of lovable panda bear Stillwater! This animated series exclusively on Apple TV+ is about the beautiful friendship formed between siblings Karl, Addy, Michael, and their next-door neighbor, a wise panda namedStillwater.
Based on the popular Zen Shorts book by Jon J Muth, Stillwateracts as a “Zen Yoda” for the kids, giving them the tools they need to face challenges in their daily lives. Through his stories and gentle humor, Stillwater gives the kids a deeper understanding of their emotions, and the tools that help them face their day-to-day challenges.
Read on to learn how this thought-provoking show will bestow you and your kids, ages 3-7, with tools that encourage mindfulness in your everyday lives—less stress and more joy!
Mindfulness Matters
You may know what mindfulness means, or like us, you assumed it meant your mind is full (pretty hard to avoid that these days). The good news is you don't need to be the Dalai Lama to bring a more mindful approach to your life—even a kid can do it!
Mindfulness:
Brings a deeper understanding of our emotions
Enables us to let go of taking things for granted
Helps keep us present and in the moment
Is the self-regulation of attention with an attitude of curiosity, openness, and acceptance
Stillwater is geared towards helping kids deal with real feelings in a non-judgmental way. Not only that, the well-thought-out, multilayered characters and storylines are engaging and fun. Bonus: Apple worked with mindfulness expert Mallika Chopra and other educational consultants in developing this series to ensure the techniques and themes presented were appropriate and effective for young viewers.
The main character isn't the only thing that's zen. The pace of the show is calm, quiet and intentional (adiós, overstimulation!) and has relaxing music from Kishi Bashi and Toby Chu.
Stillwater Is the Ideal Mindfulness Model for Kids
What makes this animated panda so great at this crucial life skill? He's silly, he's playful, he always has something to do or practice but is never busy. He doesn't judge or take himself too seriously. Oh, and he meditates, does yoga and is a sympathetic listener. Before you ask yourself, "Is he single?" remember this is a panda we are talking about (but we get it).
Stillwater is comforting to kids as he models emotional self-awareness and strategies for being present that small humans can understand and make their own. One of the best things about him: he doesn't give answers; he helps kids discover the solution all on their own, which is a building block for a lifetime of happiness.