WEEK #9:
LET’S PRETEND TOYS FOR GIRLS & BOYS
The Little Ones "Twelve Weeks Before Christmas" Holiday Toy Series is designed to help parents and grandparents make smart choices by featuring outstanding/award winning "toys that teach," accompanied by reviews which highlight and explain the educational benefits and specific skills children receive from these types of toys.
Let’s Pretend! Toys that inspire creative play promote the development of a child’s imagination along with reinforcing important play/social skills. These types of toys have open-ended possibilities, and are great for group or solo play. The real appeal is that these types of toys grow along with your child’s imagination. Imaginative or pretend play, however, does require cultivation. In the beginning, children may need some parental role modeling to nurture pretend play, but the time spent together is well worth it.
Below is a representation of the many pretend play toy categories, along with quality products from each area. There is a wide variety of creative toys available for all different age levels. Shopping is a breeze when you view these great categories, and their many quality products. Take a good look and you’re sure to find that special gift you’ve been looking for!
Toy Categories below include: Play Kitchens, Play Stores, Play Animal Sets, Play Castles, Puppets and Occupation Playsets.
Play Kitchens:
Melissa & Doug Cutting Food BoxA marvelous 31 piece set of quality wooden fruits, vegetables, and bread along with a rounded edge wooden knife and cutting board. Realistic crunching sounds when food is cut. Great for developing hand/eye coordination, learning food categories and even introducing fractions (1/2, 1/4 etc.) A huge hit with children 3+. Guaranteed to be played with over and over again!
Learning Resources Pretend and Play Healthy Food Snacks SetEncourage good nutrition with this 18 piece healthy snacks set. Set includes fruits, vegetables, cheese, yogurt, pretzels, crackers and a lunch sack. Ages 3+
Melissa & Doug Wooden Sandwich-Making Set Mix and match fun with this 16 piece wooden sandwich making set. Velcro inserts make crunching sounds when cut with play wooden knife. Includes meats, vegetables, breads and wooden storage crate. Ages 3+
Melissa & Doug Food GroupsTeach the four food groups with this 21 piece wooden food set. Create well balanced meals by sorting foods into their four storage crates. Great kitchen set accessory. Ages 3+.
Melissa and Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set Fun for little bakers! This creative play set lets children bake and decorate 12 wooden, sliceable cookies with 18 toppings. Cookies store in a dough tube. Set includes cookies, toppings, wooden toy knife, spatula, cookie sheet, and oven mitt. Ages 3+
Melissa & Doug Birthday Party Birthday CakeKids love birthday parties! Throw pretend birthday parties whenever you wish with this adorable birthday cake set. Includes a six slice cake, serving plate, 19 toppings, 7 candles, wooden spatula and storage box. Ages 3+.
Melissa & Doug Pizza Party Kids will have hours of imaginative fun with this wooden pizza set! Take orders and mix & match toppings. Set includes 50 toppings, pizza server, pizza cutter and wooden storage box. Ages 3+.
Learning Resources Pretend and Play Dish Set Brightly colored, durable plastic dish set great for tea parties and pretend meals. Includes 4 place settings with plates, cups, saucers and utensils. A quality set which will be used over and over again. Ages 3+.
Learning Resources – Cooking SetColorful 10 piece plastic cooking set with easy grip handles for little hands. Includes tea kettle, frying pan with lid, pot with lid and utensils. Ages 3+.
Play Stores:
Learning Resources Teaching Cash Register Multiple awards winner! Talking cash register teaches basic math & money skills for ages 5-9. Includes make believe cash and coin reader. An exciting way to "play store."
Pretend and Play Supermarket Set Perfect set for playing grocery store. Comes with great accessories like colorful shopping basket, assorted groceries, store apron, wipe off signs, coupons, coins, paper money, credit cards, shopping lists and more! Ages 3+.
Little Tikes Shopping Cart – Yellow/RedSturdy shopping cart will provide hours of rolling fun. Features a deep basket for groceries, a folding seat for dolls or favorite toy to ride along, and storage underneath. Perfect size for little shoppers. Ages 2+.
Play Animal Sets:
Animal Planet’s Big Tub of Dinosaurs Huge entertainment for dinosaur lovers! Giant tub filled with assorted prehistoric creatures and prehistoric landscape. Dinosaur names on bottom of each creature adds to educational value.
Animal Planet Baby Dinosaur Playset Adorable baby dinosaur set in soft, squeezable plastic. Assorted baby dinosaurs will delight little dinosaur fans!
Animal Planet Farm Bucket Awesome bucket filled with durable solid plastic farm animals sure to delight animal lovers. Learn names of different farm animals while enjoying hours of imaginative play. Check out this entire series which includes: Reptiles bucket, Sea-Life bucket, Forest bucket, Safari bucket and Dinosaur bucket.
Polybag Shark by Wild Republic Kids are fascinated by sharks and this is the perfect set for your shark lovers! This assortment of sharks includes The Great White, Tiger Shark, Hammerhead and more! Encourages imaginative play during bath time or anytime. Ages 3+.
Play Castles:
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Folding Princess Castle Award winning, gorgeous solid wood Princess castle. Extra large castle folds for storage and is stunning with its pink and gold screened accents. This enchanting castle has turrets, balconies, buttress, flag and a working drawbridge. A perfect choice to delight all the princesses in your life! Quality & Exceptional Value! Ages 3-9. Also see castle dolls playset shown below.
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Folding Medieval Castle Award winning, sturdy solid wood Medieval castle. Opens fully and folds for storage with detailed Medieval accents. This awesome castle includes 3 poseable play figures and has a working draw bridge, trap door, courtyard, turrets, dungeon, staircases and more! Fantastic toy will inspire hours of imaginative play! Ages 3-9. Also see castle dolls playset shown below.
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Castle Dolls PlaysetBeautifully boxed set of 8 bendable castle play figures. Includes King, Queen, Jester, Noble, 2 Knights & 2 Horses. Great castle accessory! Ages 3-9.
Puppets:
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Puppet Theater It’s showtime! This quality wooden puppet theater is incredibly entertaining and boosts performer’s self-esteem. Features sturdy construction, non-tip base, roomy backstage, velvet curtains, chalkboard, clock with movable hands and detailed designs. A childhood treasure for years and years of imaginative play. Ages 3+.
Puppet Set – Royal Family Tell enchanted tales with this quality royal themed puppet set which includes a King, Queen, Prince, Princess and Wizard. Great accessory for the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Puppet Theater Ages 3+.
Melissa & Doug Princess Puppet This beautiful and elegant Princess puppet with hand detailing and crown will delight your little princess. Quality construction and hand stick feature. Ages 3+.
An absolute favorite Baby Einstein character, this dog hand puppet will let imaginations soar. Other Baby Einstein characters also available. Ages 3+.
Play Occupations:
Dalmatian Vet CageGreat for pretend play! This adorable vet set includes includes carrying cage, mini puppy, and medical tools like stethoscope, hammer, tweezers, tongs, thermometer bandages and much more! Ages 3+.
Learning Resources Pretend & Play® Doctor SetAward wining 19 piece doctor set with carrying case comes with realistic sounding stethoscope, pager and cell phone. Numerous medical tools and accessories for hours of imaginative fun! Ages 3+.
For more holiday information, please see:
The Little Ones Holiday Gift Giving Guide and
Little Ones "Twelve Weeks Before Christmas" Holiday Toy Series: This holiday series is designed to help parents and grandparents make smart choices by featuring outstanding/award winning "toys that teach," accompanied by reviews which highlight and explain the educational benefits and specific skills children receive from these types of toys.
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good article as usual!