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.

Why Dollhouses are the Ultimate Holiday Gift

KidKraft Parents: Favorite Holiday Traditions

Why Dollhouses are the Ultimate Holiday Gift

If you're searching for a holiday gift that will truly spark joy and fuel creativity, look no further than dollhouses! Classic wooden dollhouses have been captivating kids’ imaginations for centuries. Why? Other than looking magical underneath the Christmas tree, dollhouses offer endless fun and a ton of developmental benefits. Let’s dive into why dollhouses spark such wonder and how you can find the perfect one for your little one this holiday season! The Allure of Dollhouses: Why Dollhouses Make the Ultimate Holiday Gift Kids have a natural desire to act out everyday life through pretend play, and dollhouses provide the perfect opportunity to do just that! As the dolls wake up, do chores, and “interact” with each other, kids get a chance to make sense of the daily routines and interactions they have in real life. And of course, kids don’t stop with “real life” pretend play. They love to get creative and come up with some seriously wacky scenarios and magical adventures. All that pretend play has major developmental benefits, boosting creativity, social skills, empathy, and storytelling skills. Finally, dollhouses are a slow-paced, imagination-powered toy in an age where kids are inundated with screens and stimulation. Dollhouses provide a chance to engage in meaningful, child-led play, offering a soothing escape from the hustle and bustle of the digital age. Exploring Enchanting Dollhouses: Finding the Perfect One for Your Child With so many options available, finding the perfect dollhouse for your kiddo might feel overwhelming. To narrow your choices down, consider their interests, personal style, and the worlds they dream of exploring. Whether it's a treehouse or a grand dollhouse mansion, there's a dollhouse waiting to bring their dreams to life this holiday season! Let's take a closer look at some of our most popular KidKraft dollhouses, so you can find one that sounds just right for your child! Hamptons Mansion & Pool House Dollhouse: Where nature meets imagination Discover the ultimate holiday gift for sparking boundless imagination: the KidKraft Hamptons Mansion & Pool House Dollhouse. Standing at over 4 feet tall, this luxurious wooden dollhouse offers endless play possibilities. With a garage, penthouse, dining room, kitchen, living room, spa bathroom, and top-floor bedroom suite, it's a dream home come to life. Outdoors, a pergola, grill, and built-in pool await. So Stylish Mansion Dollhouse: Simple, chic, and open The natural wood finish and open-air design of the So Stylish Mansion Dollhouse offer a pleasing aesthetic that looks just as good in your living room as it does in a playroom! Kids love that they can play on all four sides of this large dollhouse, creating tons of room for friends and siblings to play together. Holiday Magic in Miniature: Shop Dollhouses for Every Imagination! Choose from our favorites for this holiday season above, or browse our full line of KidKraft dollhouses. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to create big smiles and hours of play on Christmas day!

KidKraft Parents: Favorite Holiday Traditions

KidKraft Parents: Favorite Holiday Traditions This time of year, we tend to feel a little like Santa’s elves – we work hard all year making toys, especially for the big holiday rush! Of course, even the elves take a break and slow down to make memories with the ones we love. While we all celebrate differently, we’ve all found that the traditions that mean the most are often the simplest – those little things that mean a lot. So from our families to yours, here’s a peek at a few of the traditions that make the holidays feel like the holidays in our homes. Tell us about yourself! What’s your name, position here at KidKraft, and ages of your little ones? TAYLOR HERRERO: I’m Taylor Herrero, Director of Digital Marketing, and I have a 7-year-old daughter. HELEN ADAPPA: My name is Helen Adappa, and I’m Director of Brand and have a 3-year old and 5-year old! JUSTIN VICTOR: Justin Victor, Director of Brand, and dad to a 2-year-old son! What is your favorite family holiday tradition? TAYLOR: Christmas is big in our house, and we have so many little traditions. My favorite is that we make cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Christmas morning. It's nothing big or fancy, but there's something so comforting about the smell of those cinnamon rolls in the oven while we open presents. HELEN: We play "Lottery" at christmas. We use hong bao (red envelopes) and put in cards that list out cash prizes or fun prizes like picking the next restaurant. But beware! There's also punishments in there like doing the dishes or jumping up and down 10 times while saying "Daddy the Great!” JUSTIN: For our family it is all about the stockings! From silly prank gifts, or little keepsakes from places we have visited or memories we have made that year, to our favorite sweets and a gift card or two for our favorite eateries. And after gifts and stockings, it's time to stuff our faces and watch lots of sports from basketball to football, there is always some game going on in the background as we visit and share. When or how did the tradition start? TAYLOR: I think it started when my dad was a kid, and we've done it my whole life and have kept it going with my daughter. When my daughter was four, I got the cutest picture of her with a big cinnamon icing smile, and then my dad found a picture just like it of me from the same age and it was just one of those simple and special memories. HELEN: We started it when I was a teenager, and now it's one of the traditions we look most forward to every year! One year, it was kind of a scavenger hunt and led to the reveal of a big KidKraft kitchen for my daughter! She still talks about it to this day. JUSTIN: It’s one of those things that you can’t really remember where it started – it’s just always been our rhythm as a family. With a 2-year-old, we do a little more gifting for him as he's too young to understand the meaning of the stockings, but we already have his hanging from the fireplace when he's ready! Want to know how we’re celebrating this year? Whether it’s watching your favorite Christmas movie for the millionth time, lighting the menorah as a family, or sipping on your grandma’s famous hot chocolate recipe, we hope your traditions bring joy to you and your family this year. And while the traditions may stay the same, we know that the gifts change from year to year… and can be tricky to get just right! If you need some inspiration, you can check out Taylor, Helen, and Justin’s favorite holiday picks for their kids this year!

12 Playhouse Decor Ideas

Playhouses are just too cute to not want to decorate them a little. I mean, who can resist tiny wreaths and picket fences? And the interiors? Tiny furniture? Cozy reading nooks? We’re all about it. Here are some of our favorite playhouse decorating ideas for swoon-worthy playhouses: For the exterior Planter Boxes & Wreaths Tons of our favorite KidKraft playhouse DIYs feature adorable tiny wreaths and planter boxes. They’re an easy, inexpensive way to add a lot of extra cheer to the playhouse. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCJbH8KpbES/ Mailboxes Sure, the mail person isn’t coming to visit, but tiny mailboxes just look so precious – plus, they give you the chance to sneak sweet notes to your kiddos as they play. If your playhouse didn’t come standard with a mailbox, adding a little letterbox like this one is easy. Custom Paint Job If you’re up for a bigger project, a custom paint job can give your playhouse the exact vibe you’re looking for – from storybook cottage to farmhouse to modern. We’ve been so inspired by all of the custom KidKraft playhouse paint jobs we see on Instagram that we made a playhouse just for that purpose: the Modern Outdoor Playhouse in White is the perfect blank slate for whatever color scheme you or your littles can think up. String Lights Now that daylight hours are getting shorter, outdoor twinkle lights are a fun way to add a little magic to evening play. We especially love the look of Edison bulbs for lining the edge of your playhouse. Just be sure to use lights made for the outdoors! Welcome Mat Simple, precious, and practical, adding a welcome mat to your kiddo’s front door is a cute way to keep it clean and welcome friends inside for a playdate. Holiday Decorations If you’re like us, you have a little too much fun decorating for the holidays, and you might have just a few too many decorative pumpkins and snowmen in the attic. So spreading some holiday fun to the playhouse every season is a no brainer. We love these cozy fall decorations on our Hobby Workshop playhouse and these not so spooky Halloween decorations on our Country Vista model. If you do decorate your KidKraft playhouse for fall or Christmas this year, be sure to share and use #kidkraftkids. We’d love to see what you come up with. For the interior With the outside looking inviting and adorable, next comes the question: what do you put in a playhouse? After all, this is where all the magic and make believe really happen! Curtains Decorative and super fun for kids to open and close, curtains effortlessly dress up your little one’s own personal hideout. Café curtains are usually just the right size for playhouse windows. Kid-sized furniture Depending on the size of your playhouse, a piece or two of kid-sized furniture could be a great addition. While you don’t want to overcrowd the space, furniture can add to the realism of the playhouse and help facilitate more imaginative roleplay. Shelves While you might be tempted to fill the shelves yourself, you’ll have more fun seeing what your littles decide to put on them. Some favorite toys, their own artwork, a collection of pinecones or feathers… the possibilities are really endless with kids. Cushions & pillows Even as an adult, cuddling up in a personal getaway with your favorite book sounds amazing, doesn’t it? A few fluffy cushions or pillows can turn the playhouse into a cozy outdoor reading nook. Of course, to avoid mold or mildew, make sure to use outdoor cushions. Rugs Rugs are another playhouse accessory that can up the coziness factor. Again, be sure to go for outdoor rugs to avoid mold and mildew. Outdoor toys & games The playhouse can be an ideal place to store a few outdoor toys. It will (mostly) protect them from the elements, and kids will have easier access to them than if they were stored in a shed or garage. While big toys like basketball hoops will take up too much space, smaller things like miniature golf sets, balls, and gardening or sandbox tools make for fun additions to playhouse time. For more playhouse decorating and accessory ideas, keep up with us on Instagram. Parents are always wowing us with the way their playhouse DIYs, and we’re sure you’ll find plenty of inspiration too. And if you’re still searching for the perfect playhouse to decorate, our quality wooden playhouses have classic, aesthetic designs and “great bones” for any projects you have in mind.

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From Dollhouses to Dreamscapes: Fostering Storytelling and Pretend Play

Remember back when you and your siblings would dress up, set the stage with pretend play toys, and force your parents to watch the play you’d just made up? Or when you and your friends could spend hours acting out elaborate pretend play ideas? Those moments of imaginative play were more than just fun – they’re powerful drivers of kids’ development, including their emotional and social growth and language development. Unfortunately, today’s kids may not get to experience those moments quite as often, with screens and busy schedules eating into playtime. But by making stories and pretend play a priority in your kids’ lives, you can help bring the same magic into their childhood. So, if you're a parent looking to unlock the power of imagination for your littles, read on as we dive into the benefits of pretend play and practical tips for helping your kiddos discover their inner storyteller. The Benefits of Storytelling and Pretend Play Enhanced Creativity and Imagination Imagination is the fuel of pretend play, and cultivating it benefits our kids throughout their lives. Whether they're crafting a daring escape plan for their stuffies or telling you a story about a unicorn-dragon hybrid, they're flexing their creative muscles. This ability to envision and create something out of nothing is the foundation for successful problem-solving and innovative thinking later. Improved Social and Emotional Skills As kids step into different pretend roles, they often act out complex feelings and social dilemmas. They might practice scenarios of friendship, sharing, and empathy, which can help them develop better interpersonal skills. And when they engage in pretend play with peers, they practice social skills like compromise, collaboration, and negotiation as they decide who gets to be the queen or the dragon or who gets to be the chef in charge of the pretend play kitchen. Reduced Stress and Anxiety Believe it or not, those harrowing adventures through the dark forest or outer space can be therapeutic. Pretend play provides an outlet for kids to process their emotions and fears in a safe environment. By taking on different roles, they can explore situations that might be challenging for them in reality – and in their own world, they always come out victorious! This can be particularly helpful in addressing feelings of stress and anxiety, helping them develop resilience and coping mechanisms. Ways to Foster Storytelling and Pretend Play Dirty toys can be a breeding ground for all sorts of unwelcome guests. Dust, allergens, bacteria, and even mold can accumulate on toys that aren't cleaned regularly. These culprits can lead to allergies, respiratory issues, skin irritations, and even more severe infections in some cases. By prioritizing toy hygiene, you're safeguarding your child's well-being. Set Aside Time for Reading, Storytelling, and Pretend Play We get it – our schedules can get ridiculously busy. But dedicating regular time to reading, storytelling, and pretend play can have huge benefits. Keep your bookshelves stocked by visiting the library regularly; read engaging, immersive stories that spark your child’s imagination, and give them opportunities to tell you their own stories or to act them out through play. Whether it's a silly superhero mission or an adventure through the fairy kingdom, these moments allow your child's imagination to flourish and give them the undivided attention they crave. Join In! Don't just be an observer – jump into the world of make-believe alongside your child! Whether you're the sidekick in their superhero escapades or a wizard in their fantasy kingdom, your involvement shows them that their imagination is valued and celebrated! Be the Best Audience We know that you can’t always drop everything to listen to your kiddo’s stories. But try to carve out a few times where you can. For example, maybe after you’ve told a bedtime story to your child, they get to tell you one that they’ve made up themselves. When they do, try to be the most enthusiastic audience they've ever had! Ask questions and show genuine interest. This encouragement boosts their confidence and motivates them to keep dreaming, imagining, and playing! Provide Props for Storytelling and Pretend Play Imagination doesn't need a lot of bells and whistles, but a few props can certainly spark creativity. Dollhouses, dolls or action figures, costumes, building toys, and even old cardboard boxes can become the inspiration for your child's pretend adventures. The key is to offer a variety of items that can be repurposed in multiple ways – who knew an empty paper towel roll could become a magic wand, a pirate’s telescope, and baker’s rolling pin? Or that a dollhouse could become a castle, a rocket ship, a boarding school, and a villain’s lair? For dollhouses, pretend play sets, and more toys that spark imaginative play, shop KidKraft’s full line of open-ended wooden toys. Because “Made for Make Believe” isn’t just our motto – it’s a belief that drives every toy we create.