Need some ideas for
Christmas for the littles in your life??? Look no further. Running an
in-home daycare, a big part of my job is making sure the kiddos have
age appropriate, educational, safe, and fun toys at their fingertips. This
means that we play with A LOT of different toys. Here are some of the
daycare's favorite toys:
1.) Educational Insights Shapes Bean BagsThese are fantastic for kids 3 and under who are learning their shapes, colors, and counting.
2.) Magformers. Two of our favorite sets are: Magformers Magnetic Building Construction Set - 62 Piece Designer Set and Magformers 62 Piece Set.
2.) Magformers. Two of our favorite sets are: Magformers Magnetic Building Construction Set - 62 Piece Designer Set and Magformers 62 Piece Set.
3.) Kinetic Sand - Sandbox & Molds Activity Set. This kind of sand can actually be played with indoors, making it the perfect winter time activity to keep the kids entertained.
4.) Craft supplies. Some of our favorite crafts include: Do A Dot Art Marker Rainbow, 6-pack (look for Bingo markers at Dollar Tree before ordering this pricey 6 pack), project scissors, Mr. Sketch Scented Markers, Assorted Colors, 12 Pack (20072), stamps with a giant stamp pad, glitter glue , and Roll-On Painters. Melissa and Doug makes some fantastic sets such as these: Melissa & Doug Design-Your-Own Bracelets or Melissa & Doug Create-A-Craft Car and Train Bundle. All of these items can be found at Michael's and Target has a decent selection of Melissa and Doug craft items.
5.) Crayola Model Magic or Play Doh. This set is on my kid's Christmas list: Cra-Z-Art Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Figurine Maker and looks promising for hours of fun.
6.) Zoobs. We got several small boxes in the Target dollar section this past summer, but the kids loved them so much we added to the sets with these: ZOOB 0Z11125 ZOOB 125 Moving Mind-Building Modeling System, Assorted Colors, 125-Pieces
7.) Fisher Price Wheelies. A simple play mat to drive the cars around on (try ALEX Toys - Early Learning, Little Hands Playmat, 47W) and dozens of Wheelie vehicles keep the kids entertained most of the day.
8.) Imaginext sets. Our two favorites are Imaginext Rescue City Center and the Castle, along with all of their accessories of course. Target. Walmart, and Toys R Us all have an excellent selection of Imaginext sets.
9.) Color or create your own sets. These are a life saver on snow days: Cra-Z-Art EZ Learn Create Your Own Corrugated Blocks and ALEX Toys - Craft, Color a Rocket Children's Kit with (6) Washable Markers and Cardboard Rocket, 198R. These can also be found at Target.
10.) Colorforms. The kid's favorites include: Melissa & Doug Play House! Reusable Sticker Pad, Colorforms Fun Pockets Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Sticker Kit, Colorforms Daniel Tiger's Fun Pocket Sticker Kit, and Colorforms Fun Pockets The Pigeon Fun Pocket
11.) Insect Lore Live Butterfly Garden, Insect Lore Ladybug Land, LIVE Pet Hermit Crab Complete Kit - SHIPPED WITH 2 Live Crabs, LIVE Frog Growing Kit SHIPPED WITH 2 Tadpoles- Leopard Frog, Toysmith Ant Universe Educational Kit. Great learning opportunities for all ages with these kits.
12.) Melissa and Doug food sets. Try these to get you started: Melissa & Doug Pizza Party and Melissa & Doug Felt Food - Sandwich Set
13.) Books. Our favorite book series to read are: Berenstain Bears, Pete The Cat, Magic Tree House, and Pinkalicious.
Please visit my blog section: Best Toy Buy (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/search/label/Best%20Toy%20Buy) for more in depth reviews of each of these products.
** I primarily care for kids ages infant to 7 years. All toys on this list have been appropriate and engaging for all of them.