Made For Play Blog
Explore child development through play, find inspiration for your next DIY project, and discover tips for selecting the perfect toys for your little ones.
Latest Articles
Exploring the 7 Benefits of Swinging
Have you ever wondered why swinging is calming or if the benefits of swinging extend beyond just being fun? It turns out, the swinging benefits reach far into a child's development, impacting their physical health, emotional well-being, and even their cognitive functions. Unpacking the benefits of swinging exercise reveals how impactful this simple activity can be. It is so much more than simple fun, serving as a foundational pillar in nurturing healthy, happy children. In addition to outdoor play building confidence and creativity, there are several other swing benefits below. 1. Muscle Development Swinging actively engages muscle groups throughout the body, including the core, arms, and legs, contributing to enhanced physical health and activity levels among children. 2. Enhanced Coordination and Motor Planning Swinging requires coordination, balance, and precise movement planning, fostering the development of motor skills crucial for overall growth. 3. Improved Body Awareness Swinging heightens children's awareness of their body's position and movement, facilitating skill mastery and injury prevention during play. 4. Emotional Regulation Swinging serves as a calming activity, aiding in stress reduction and promoting emotional regulation through rhythmic movement. 5. Enhanced Focus The repetitive motion of swinging helps improve children's focus and attention, benefiting academic and personal achievements. 6. Sensory Enrichment Swinging enriches sensory experiences, supporting sensory integration and processing, particularly beneficial for children with sensory sensitivities. 7. Mood Elevation Swinging stimulates the release of endorphins, promoting feelings of happiness and well-being, and contributing to improved mood and social interactions. Swinging offers multifaceted benefits that positively impact children's physical, emotional, and cognitive development, making it a valuable component of playtime activities. Frequently Asked Questions Why is Swinging Calming? Swinging is often considered calming due to its rhythmic motion, which can provide a sense of relaxation. Is Swinging Good for Children? Swinging is generally recognized as beneficial for children, as it encourages physical activity and sensory experiences, and can support social interactions. What are the Sensory Benefits of Swinging? Sensory benefits of swinging may include proprioceptive input and vestibular stimulation, potentially enhancing body awareness and coordination. What are the Developmental Benefits of Swinging? Developmental benefits of swinging may include improvements in motor skills, spatial awareness, and posture, as well as opportunities for sensory integration. What are the Psychological Benefits of Swinging? Psychological benefits of swinging may include feelings of relaxation and enjoyment, potentially contributing to stress reduction and emotional well-being. Swing Sets at KidKraft With the many remarkable effects swinging has on both physical and neurological growth, this activity lays a solid foundation for future development and growth. It also promotes a child's overall psychological well-being, leading to growth and happiness. Get your child to experience the wonders of swinging right in your own backyard with a quality, durable swing set from KidKraft. Get Swinging and Smiling! Discover the Perfect Swing Set for Endless Fun! While you’re shopping, you may want to check out other items that are great for cognitive play and active play.
Buying Guide: Kids’ Climbers
There’s a lot of reasons to love kids climbing structures. Climbing benefits kids’ strength, balance, judgment and decision making, and physical and cognitive development –oh, and it’s fun. If you’re ready to create a climbing adventure in your own backyard, our kids’ climbers buying guide is here help you find the right climber for your budget, yard, and kids! Best for Little Climbers: A-Frame Hideaway and Climber $99.99 If your little mountaineer isn't’ ready for a full swing set just yet, the A-Frame Hideaway and Climber is the mini-peak for them. At just 3’ high and with six easy-to-grab climbing rocks, this little climber is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers. When they’re ready for a break, they can cozy up in the hideaway tent. Best for Small Yards: Appleton Swing Set $582.99 If you’ve got 80 sq feet to spare in your yard, you’ve got room for the Appleton Swing Set and its rockwall! Okay… you’ll need slightly more than 80 sq feet to account for all the swinging, jumping, and running that’s sure to happen around it. As a climber, the Appleton is great for preschoolers and toddlers. While older kids will handle the rockwall/ladder with ease, they’ll still love to swing, slide, and play in the playhouse! (Also available in white if that’s your vibe!) Can’t decide or just want to see more? Check out all of our swing sets and kids climbing structures, or give us a call with any questions you have about that swing set you’re eyeing. We can’t wait to help!
Best Outdoor Toys for Small Yards
Yards don’t have to be big to be fun. (Just ask your kids!) But shopping for outdoor play structures can be tough if you don’t have a ton of room to spare in your yard. No worries, friends. We’ve got your guide to big fun in little spaces with these outdoor toys for small yards! Small Footprint Swing Sets & Play Sets Love the idea of a swing set for your kids but not sure if you have the room? Check out these small footprint swing sets before you decide for sure! Remember, when you’re measuring your yard, it’s not just the dimension of the swing set you’ll need to account for. The real deciding factor is the “safety zone” – an obstacle-free area around the swing set that’s covered with protective surfacing like wood chips. We’ve done the work for you by calculating exactly how much space your kids will need to play safely on their swing set. Appleton Swing Set The Appleton Swing Set is another small footprint swing set made with tiny yards in mind. A built-in sandbox saves even more space, giving your little one another classic outdoor toy without taking up any more space. Safety Zone Size: 22’ 3” x 28’ Climbers No room to run around? Head upwards instead! If you’re buying a swing set or playset for your small yard, consider one with built-in climbing features (nearly all of our playsets have at least one!) Or opt for our standalone climber for toddlers and preschoolers: A-Frame Hideaway & Climber Coming in at just 41” x 27.5,” this little climber fits almost anywhere and doubles as a play tent. Safety Zone Size: 15’ 6” x 14’ 4” Playhouses Big fun in a small space, playhouses are an ideal outdoor toy for small yards. Playhouses don’t vary in size as much as swing sets do, so even the bigger, deluxe playhouses still fit just fine in most small yards. Here are some of our favorite picks for small spaces: Savannah Swing Playhouse One glance at the KidKraft Savannah Swing Playhouse and kids will want to move right in. This homey charmer welcomes with a calming white paint, dark wooden roof and scalloped half door. Dimensions: 100" x 43.23" x 55.2" Modern Outdoor Playhouse One of our most popular playhouses, the Modern Playhouse is primed and ready to be customized – plus, it’s just the right size for small yards! The cute attached picnic table gives you even more fun per square foot, providing the perfect spot for backyard picnics. Dimensions: 70.08" x 48.9" x 62.24" Sandboxes Sandboxes are another great outdoor toy for small spaces. Since they enable constructive and sensory play instead of highly active play, they’re an excellent way to let kids enjoy the outdoors even when they don’t have room to run around. And with no required safety zone, you only need to account for the measurement of the sandbox itself. Browse through our entire outdoor collection to find the outdoor toys right for your kiddos and your yard. Not sure if the toy you’ve got your eye in will fit in your space? Click on Technical Information and/or Assembly Instructions for product dimensions and safety zone measurements.
How to Choose a Backyard Playset
Adding a kids’ swingset to the backyard is sure to win you some cool points with the kids or grandkids. But before you can get to sliding and swinging, you’ve got to make sure you’re getting a playset that fits your yard, budget, and other needs – and that can get super overwhelming super quick. To help make things a little easier, we’re covering all the essentials of how to choose a backyard playset. So before you click that order button, consider these factors to make sure you and the kids get exactly what you want from your swing set! Safety First, thing’s first. Always buy from established, well-known brands that make safety a priority. And while any company can say they put safety first, look for a brand that backs those claims up. In addition to our in-house inspections, we make sure that every KidKraft product is safety-inspected by accredited independent labs. Size Time to break out the measuring tape! When you’re figuring out how much room you have for a playset, the most important measurement isn’t the size of the swing set itself. Rather, it’s the size of the safety zone, the area surrounding the playset that should be covered with a loose fill material to protect your kids from falls and injuries. You can find the recommended safety zone measurement for all KidKraft playsets on the product pages or installation instructions. Your Property Making sure you have enough room for the safety zone is priority number one, but there are other factors you’ll want to consider in your yard too. It’s important for playsets to be installed on level surfaces. Our tips for preparing your yard for installation can help you get there. If you can find room for your playset in a shady area that’s within view of your kitchen or living room window, that’s great too! (Though it’s not totally necessary, so don’t sweat it!) You may also want to double-check homeowners' associations or city ordinances that dictate where you can build a structure like a playset. Many have rules on how close you can be to a property line or utilities. Materials, Maintenance, & Durability You basically have three options in materials for your swing set: wood, vinyl, or metal. Each has a few pros and cons in terms of durability, cost, and maintenance. Vinyl playsets are often the most expensive option as they require very little maintenance. They can last for years, but as they age, it’s tough to spot dangerous safety hazards. Any rotting wood that might impact structural integrity is hidden beneath the vinyl coating. Metal playsets are usually your cheapest option, but they are prone to rust, so any paint chips must be quickly repaired. Wooden playsets and swing sets need a coat of water repellent or stain once a year to prevent rotting and weathering. As long as they get that, they’re extremely durable and can easily last from the toddler phase to the preteen years. For more info, check out our in-depth comparisons of wood vs. metal and vinyl playsets. Style & Customization Just because it’s for the kids doesn't mean it has to clash with your house or backyard decor. Wooden swing sets blend in well with the natural elements of your yard and can be easily customized and painted if you’re going for a particular aesthetic. (Check out this gorgeous DIY paint job of our Hilltop Swing Set!) With vinyl and metal playsets, what you buy is what you get as they can’t be repainted or customized, so make sure you choose a color palette you can live with! Play Features You have a ton of options for fun features on your playset like swings, glider swings, slides, tube slides, ladders, rock walls, monkey bars, towers and elevated play decks, attached playhouses, and sandboxes (whew!). Playsets that keep it sweet and simple will often come with two swings, a small play deck and climbing feature, and a slide. More deluxe options may include many or all of the features above. As you decide which play features are a must-have for your family, consider how many kids will be playing with it, how old they are, and how many years of use you want to get out of it. Whatever you go with, we’re sure the kids will love it! Age: How old should kids be for a playset? In general, we recommend playsets for kids ages 3 and up! By this age, they’ve developed the motor skills they need to climb, swing, and slide with minimal falls and bumps! Of course, younger kids go crazy for playsets too, and you may want to invest in one as soon as they’re old enough to sit up in a bucket swing on their own. Just know that they’ll need close supervision around the playset until they’re more steady on their feet. You can also try a toddler climber as an alternative to a full playset – they’re designed with toddlers’ abilities in mind, letting the youngest tots climb and play safely. Number of Kids If you have a large crew or if you just have a lot of friends and family’s kids come over to play, you’ll want to take that into account too. Obviously, larger playsets are usually able to accommodate more kids, but size isn’t the only thing that matters here. The number of features a playset offers also counts, and even smaller playsets can still be great for entertaining several kids at once. Ready to find your dream playset come true? We can help with that! You can filter KidKraft’s selection of wooden swing sets according to yard size, play features, number of kids, and price so that you can find exactly what you’re looking for!
Buying Guide: How to Choose The Best Kids Outdoor Furniture
We believe that kids’ furniture should be durable, adorable, and of course, kid-sized. And when it comes to outdoor kids’ furniture, it’s got to be ready for the wind and the rain too! How do you find something that checks all the boxes? Follow these six tips for choosing cute, quality outdoor furniture for your kids, and you’ll end up with something you and your kids will love! Match your outdoor aesthetic Well-designed outdoor kids’ furniture made with quality materials is way less likely to clash with your outdoor style. A hot pink plastic chair matches nothing, but pint-sized versions of your own “grownup” outdoor furniture are adorable. Tons of parents love our kid-sized Adirondack chairs for just this reason! They’re a popular style for adult outdoor furniture, but quality kid-friendly versions are tough to come by. Make the kids comfy If you actually want your kids to use the furniture you buy them, it has to be comfortable! Cushions, reclined seatbacks, and proper sizing are all factors to consider. If you’re buying online, read product reviews to gauge the comfy factor. Stay shady Sunburns are zero fun. That’s why built-in umbrellas and canopies can be lifesavers on hot, sunny days. Our kids’ picnic tables have shady umbrellas that are functional and adorable, and our kids’ outdoor chaise lounges are outfitted with umbrellas or three-sided canopies for maximum shade. Get enough for everyone Nothing turns the backyard into Tantrum Town like your kids fighting over who gets the cool chair. If you’ve got multiple kiddos, avoid the headache and make sure they all have an equally comfy, equally cool place to sit. Our double chaise loungers and table and chair sets are great for siblings! Read those product descriptions Not all kids’ furniture is built to stand up to the elements. Make sure the products you’re looking at are specifically advertised as outdoor furniture. (Some items might look like they’re meant for the outdoors but are actually intended for indoor pretend play). With wooden furniture, look for terms like weather-resistant or pressure-treated. For cushions and fabric, look for terms like waterproof, water-resistant, and/ or antimicrobial. Reading product descriptions will also give you a good idea of how to care for your outdoor furniture so it can last for seasons to come! You’ll usually want to store cushions in a covered area when not in use, and reapply a water repellant to wooden furniture once a year. Shop early if possible If at all possible, don’t wait until summer to buy your kids’ outdoor furniture. Shopping early can result in faster shipping time and a wider selection, and your kids’ furniture will arrive in plenty of time for those sunny days! Speaking of shopping… browse all of KidKraft’s outdoor furniture to find the perfect kid-friendly addition to your backyard, porch, or poolside!
12 Outdoor Play Ideas for Kids
We like winter for all the cozy cuddles, but we love spring and summer for the sunny days outdoor play. Now that the weather is warming up, take your crew outside and enjoy a few of these 12 no-fuss outdoor play ideas! Build a sandcastle Sandcastles aren’t just for the beach! If you have a sandbox, break out your beach toys so the kids can perfect their castle-building skills in the backyard! Paint with water No, not watercolors – just painting the porch or their wooden outdoor play set with plain water. It’s a mess-free way kids can get creative, and the “designs” actually show up surprisingly well if the wood and concrete are dry enough. A bucket full of water, sponges, and brushes of various sizes are all you need. Splash around with water tables and sprinklers Are the kids feeling grumpy? Just add water! Something about pouring and splashing just seems to reset their mood, and it’s a great way to keep cool in the summer sun. We love the convenience of water tables and sprinklers when filling up a kiddie pool is too much of a hassle. Get imaginative Yep, the coolest kind of play is often the kind your kids come up with entirely on their own. And something about the outdoors adds a little extra magic to imaginative play. Kids get creative with natural objects they find, and their outdoor toys take on whole new roles. The swingset becomes a pirate ship, and the playhouse becomes a fox’s den. Just offer to play make-believe and enjoy watching what they come up with! Play the ground is lava The outdoor version of the floor is lava...you get it. Use anything your yard has available – from landscaping stones to patches of clover – as designated “safe zones”. If there’s still too much open space, add more safe zones by spreading out some beach towels or your outdoor furniture cushions. Of course, if you have an outdoor playset, be sure to use the monkey bars or swings to cross the sea of lava! Use a magnifying glass A simple magnifying glass lets your kids discover a whole new world in your backyard! (Just be sure no bugs get scorched in the process). Have a picnic Lunchtime can be playtime too when the kids get to set up their own picnic! Let them fill a basket or lunch kit and head outside! They’ll love it so much, they might even try those kale chips you bought. If ants are a problem, a kid-sized picnic table might be worth the investment! Get swinging Pushing your kiddo on the swing is a great time for bonding...but when they finally learn to swing by themselves? That’s pretty great too. They’re totally engaged, and you can spend a minute working in the yard or relaxing on the porch. Have a bug hunt Have the kids look for as many different types of bugs as possible. They can describe or draw what they see, and if the creepy-crawlies don’t creep you out, they’ll love showing you a few of their finds. Of course, you’ll want to supervise young kids who can’t recognize stinging and biting bugs they should leave alone. Watch the clouds Is it a little sentimental? Sure. But if you haven’t stopped and watched the clouds with your kids, you’re missing out! You’re guaranteed to hear something silly and adorable when you ask what the clouds look like. Play with the pup The family dog just might be an untapped resource for playtime. Even if your dog’s energetic years are behind them, your kids can still have fun taking them for walks or hiding treats for them in the backyard. Plant a garden Giving kids their own little area to plant flowers and vegetables encourages independence, patience, and curiosity for the natural world. Set it up in front of their playhouse for an even cuter effect! Need a few additions to get your backyard playtime ready? KidKraft has you covered with all the outdoor toy classics: swing sets, climbers, playhouses, and sandboxes, all made to last and look great in your backyard!
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!
Sustainable Toys for Sustainable Living: Let’s Play the Eco-Friendly Way!
We all want to make choices that are not only fun for our little ones but gentle on the planet. But how do you avoid a house full of cheap plastic toys destined for a landfill when these products practically dominate the toy aisles? To help you make more earth-friendly choices for your household, we’re diving into all things sustainable toys: what they are, why they’re good for your kids, and how to spot them when you’re shopping! Understanding Sustainable Toys So what exactly makes a toy sustainable? There are a few things to look for: First and foremost, will the toy last? High-quality, durable toys can last for many stages of your child’s life and be re-used by younger siblings, reducing the number of toys you buy. (More on this below!) Secondly, what is the toy made of? Sustainable toys are crafted from responsibly sourced materials, often utilizing renewable resources and recycled or recyclable materials. Educational and Developmental Aspects of Sustainable Toys It's never too early to start teaching our children about the importance of taking care of our planet. Sustainable toys provide a fantastic platform to introduce environmental concepts and nurture a love for nature. As they play, we can engage them in conversations about conservation and the importance of protecting our environment. Sustainable outdoor toys or toys that emphasize a love of nature like the Lil’ Green World Collection make these conversations even easier! Sustainable toys are often developmentally-friendly toys as well. Why? Toys that are meant to last and grow with your child are usually geared toward child-led play, the kind that supports kids’ creativity and cognitive development. This is a far cry from gimmicky toys that simply entertain rather than engage children in meaningful play. Longevity and Durability We've all seen those flimsy, break-apart toys that barely survive a single play session. Sustainable toys are meant to be just the opposite! Sustainable toys are made from top-notch materials, and designed to endure even the most rambunctious play sessions. Also, consider how long your child will remain interested in the toy. If it’s made from eco-friendly materials but will only be played with a few times before it gets thrown away, it’s still wasteful. Open-ended toys that can grow with kids are the way to go – they don’t need to be replaced as often and are less likely to end up in a landfill. And that means we save money in the long run and give the planet a high-five at the same time! Best Practices for Choosing Sustainable Toys: So how do you find said magical, eco-friendly, long-lasting toys? Keep these principles in mind as you shop and research brands, and you’ll end up with high-quality toys that are easy on the planet: 1. Go for toys made from renewable or recycled materials: Look out for toys crafted from natural rubber, cotton, and responsibly sourced wood, like bamboo or FSC-certified wood. They’re extremely durable and help protect our planet’s beautiful forests. Win-win, right? 2. Check for non-toxic and eco-friendly materials: Safety first! Opt for toys that use low-VOC, non-toxic paints and finishes, because, let’s be honest, our little explorers will definitely lick them at some point. You’ll be looking out for the health of the planet too as VOCs can be a major contributor of greenhouse gasses. 3. Choose quality over quantity: Want to minimize clutter, spark your child’s imagination, and stay eco-friendly by consuming less? Open-ended toys made from high-quality materials are the answer… because buying less is always the most eco-friendly choice. Toys like building blocks, art supplies, and pretend play props are the superheroes of imaginative play. They offer endless possibilities for play because they’re powered by our kids’ imaginations – not by gimmicky effects– so your kids can turn just a few toys into endless fun. And when you choose open-ended toys made from durable materials, you won’t need constant toy replacements. That’s a win for eco-friendly entertainment! 4. Support brands committed to sustainability: Support the brands that are doing their part for the planet. Look out for companies that are committed to quality and are transparent about their materials. Eco-Friendly Toy Disposal We can’t talk about sustainable toys without talking about what happens when our little ones outgrow them. Let's explore a few methods that give our kids’ beloved toys a second chance at life! 1. Toy Swaps: Try organizing a toy swap event with other parents in your community! It's like a fun playdate with a sustainable twist. Everyone brings toys their children no longer play with and swaps them for something “new” and exciting. It's a win-win: your child gets a new toy to enjoy, and you reduce waste by giving toys a fresh home. 2. Donating: When your child has outgrown a toy, consider donating it to a local charity, shelter, or thrift store. Many organizations gladly accept gently used toys and distribute them to families in need. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also brings joy to other children who may not have access to new toys. 3. Recycling: When it's time to bid farewell to a toy, check if it can be recycled. Some plastics, cardboard, and other recyclable materials can be sorted and sent off to recycling centers. Remember to check your local recycling guidelines – it’s a simple step that makes a big difference! 4. Passing Down: Toys that are truly special (and especially durable) can be saved and passed down as heirlooms to younger family members. (One caveat here: Saving special toys now for future generations is awesome, but be extremely careful about giving heirlooms and antique toys to your children. Many don’t meet modern safety standards and may have high levels of lead, cadmium, phthalates, flame retardants, and other hazardous substances). The Takeaways We can make choices that prioritize our planet while creating magical memories for our little ones. When we prioritize high-quality, long-lasting toys that can grow with our child, we’ll consume less and leave a smaller carbon footprint in the process. At KidKraft, we create toys that are durable enough to last through the toughest toddler treatment and open-ended enough to grow with them through the school years. From our safe, non-toxic paints and finishes to our sturdy wood constructions, KidKraft toys minimize the plastic, maximize the fun, and will stick around for years to come!
