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3 Gift Guides for Every Kid on Your List

3 Gift Guides for Every Kid on Your List

November 30, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone

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I write often about the power of play on my site. It is how kids learn best, by engaging their senses and exploring open-ended, creative and dramatic play. There are many ways in which kids can play without toys, however, we all know how much kids love to play with toys, and how much we love to give them. There are SO many kids toys. Toys that sing, toys that dance, toys that talk to you, but the best for facilitating play-based learning are those that encourage creativity and thought. I am partial to wooden toys and those that don’t make any noise. Below are three gift guides for facilitating play in babies through early elementary aged children.

These gift guides are perfect for facilitating play-based learning at home. Any of these would be excellent gifts for children of many ages!

Gift Guides for Engaged and Educational Play at Home

Quiet Toys for Babies: A Parent-Approved Gift Guide

quiet-toys

From bead mazes, stacking toys, puzzle toys and push toys, this list is full of quiet toys for babies. In other words, babies are able to engage with these toys creatively, developing problem solving skills, hand-eye coordination and reasoning. This list of toys are truly some of my favorites, and if you have a baby on your list this holiday season, I encourage you to check some of these out!

Gift Guide for the Active Mind: Ages 3-8

top-toys-2

Do you have a little builder to shop for but are looking for more than just Legos (which I DO think is a wonderful choice)? This list is for those that have a busy mind and busy hands. The kids who need movement in their play and an opportunity for creative and magical thought. Some of my favorites on this list are Magna-tiles, marble runs and Playstix. 

Gift Guide for Toddlers: Dramatic Play Toys

gift-guide-dramatic-play-hero

Little ones love to play ‘house’ and pretend to cook, clean and dress up. A pretend kitchen is an absolute favorite in my house. These wooden toys are lovely and gender neutral and PERFECT for inspiring dramatic play in toddlers and preschoolers.

Photo Credit: DepositPhotos

The 12 Days of Blogmas

day-3-blogmas

This post is Day 3 of the 12 Days of Blogmas! Find out what that is here. In short, it consists of 12 days, 12 blogs, and a HUGE giveaway! See exactly what is included in the giveaway here. It is over $800 in prizes and $150 in PayPal cash!

Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Parenting, Preschoolers Tagged With: christmas, gifts, Holidays, kids, moms, play, Toys

Ways for Kids to Give Back to Others
Gingerbread Man Rice Krispie Treats

Welcome to Views From a Step Stool!

Welcome to Views From a Step Stool!

I am a mom to three little ones and love to create and explore every day with them! We have open minds and messy hands, come join in our adventures!

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What’s New

  • Summer Olympics Bingo Game Printable
  • Constellations for Kids: Constellation Coloring Pages, Flashcards and Science Experiment Printable
  • St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt Printable
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  • Drawing Garden Game to Print for Kids: Roll and Draw!
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What’s New:

  • Summer Olympics Bingo Game Printable
  • Constellations for Kids: Constellation Coloring Pages, Flashcards and Science Experiment Printable
  • St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt Printable
  • St. Patrick’s Day Printable Favor Toppers
  • Drawing Garden Game to Print for Kids: Roll and Draw!
  • Printable Valentine’s Day Lunchbox Jokes
  • Valentine’s Day Color by Number Printables
  • Pin the Carrot on the Snowman Printable Game
  • Printable Christmas Puzzles for Toddlers
  • Christmas Tic Tac Toe Printable Game
  • Christmas Charades Printable Game
  • Printable Coffee Gift Card Holder for Christmas
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