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
Active Play Ideas for Toddlers
If your toddler had their own anthem, it would probably be “I Like to Move It” on repeat. Even the chillest-of-the-chill toddlers still have a natural instinct to run, climb, jump, and move a ton throughout the day. While those wiggle-worm tendencies can be exhausting for us grownups, all that activity develops your toddler’s gross motor skills, improves their sleep, and helps regulate their mood. So don’t fight it – embrace it! These active play ideas can help your toddler get the movement their bodies crave in a way that’s safe, non-destructive, and fun for both of you! Outdoor Active Play Ideas Simply being in open outdoor spaces is a great way to encourage active play! If they need more inspiration, get moving with these easy active play ideas! Capture the Flag (The Toddler Version) A competitive team game of capture the flag is probably out of your toddler’s wheelhouse, but they’ll love a toddler-modified version! Use play silks or kitchen towels as your flags and tie them throughout your yard for your toddler to retrieve. Place them in places that encourage different types of movement (stretching, squatting, climbing, etc.). Then have them race to get them as fast as possible! Bubble Chase An easy but oh-so-fun classic! Blow bubbles. Chase. Pop. Repeat. Climbing Games Climbing engages all the major muscle groups, so it’s a great way to tire your toddler out and help them develop gross motor skills! Pretend to be mountain explorers on your little one’s playset, slide or toddler climber. Or play rescue by tossing a toy onto the playdeck of their playset, “rescuing” it by climbing up, sending it down the slide, and repeating! Indoor Active Play Ideas When the weather or your to-do list leave you stuck inside, these play ideas can still help your tots stay active! Bear Hunt Put a spin on the classic hide and seek by hiding a favorite teddy bear stuffie for each other to find! Make it extra fun by adding binoculars and flashlights and coming up with silly hiding places! Shopping List Have your little one take a shopping “trip,” filling up their favorite wagon with items from around the house. You can give them ideas for things to grab or even print out a visual list if you’re feeling extra motivated. To make it more engaging, end the trip by playing check out on the coffee table or at their Shop Doctor Pop-Up. Floor Tape Courses For a simple, mess-free version of an obstacle course, grab some painters tape and make various lines, paths, and shapes on the floor. You can come up with specific activities to do for each shape (jump in the triangles, spin around in the circles, hop between dotted lines, etc.) and then race through the course together! Hallway Bowling Empty water bottles or paper towel tubes make great bowling pins! Have your little one set them up, grab a ball, and bowl away! They’ll get plenty of movement throwing and going up and down the hall to reset the “pins.” Indoors or out, active play is great for your toddler’s mind and body – and your sanity! If it’s the summer heat that’s keeping you indoors, our 6 Indoor Summer Activities for Toddlers can help you pass the time too!
6 Indoor Summer Activities for Toddlers
We’re all for fun in the sun, but let’s be real – when the summer heat is at its peak, everyone is happier playing in the AC for a while. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still have some summertime fun! You can keep the kids active, creative, and learning with these six fun indoor activities for summer! Fun Bath “Swim” Time Turn an everyday bath into a fun indoor summer activity by adding some fun sensory materials or unusual toys. Shaving cream, bath bombs, and bathtub crayons and paints are great for making fun but easy-to-clean messes. Things like dried pasta, kitchen tools, and small water-proof toys can turn the bath into a watery sensory bin. Our favorite fun bath idea though has to be Busy Toddler’s building bricks bathtime! Building bricks float, so the water adds a whole new challenge as they try to build floating structures. Best of all? you’ll be able to skip the bath at bedtime! Couch Cushion Obstacle Course When the kids’ energy levels scream “Play outside!” but the heat index says “Stay inside!”, you’ll need an active physical activity. An indoor obstacle course is just the thing, and your couch cushions make the perfect props. Stack them for a mini climbing challenge and spread them out like stepping stones for some jumping. If your couch cushions aren’t removable (or you just want to spare them the abuse!), you can lay some masking tape down on the floor for a “follow the line” game! Pretend Summer Treats In the winter months, you’ve probably seen your littles whip up pretend Thanksgiving dinners or Christmas cookies in their play kitchen. Bring the same fun to summer by showing them fun summertime treats they can pretend to make. Lemonade, smoothies, ice cream, popsicles, and BBQ are all perfect summertime treats. Indoor Camping “Roast” some s’mores in the microwave and set up sleeping bags in a blanket fort! Indoor camping is perfect for testing the waters for a real camping trip or for just having a fun summer night in! Our Pretend Camping Cookout set has everything you need to complete the fun with a wooden campfire, pretend fishing set, ice chest, camping stove, and camping dishes! Summertime Crafts Windchimes, sun catchers, bird feeders, kites – there’s a ton of crafts that are great for indoor and outdoor summertime fun. When the sun is hot, head indoors to have fun at the craft table. Then when it’s a bit cooler in the morning, evening, or on cloudy days, head outdoors to use them! Dollhouse “Pool” Treat the doll family to some summertime luxury by adding a mini pool to the dollhouse’s “backyard” If your little one’s dolls are waterproof, a shallow mixing bowl or glass baking dish with a little bit of water is all you need. If not, you can fill it with fish tank marbles, blue craft pom poms, or shredded blue construction paper. Once the weather cools off, head to the backyard for some outdoor summer fun with our 12 Outdoor Play Ideas!
Benefits of Climbing for Kids
If you’re a parent, you don’t need anyone to tell you that kids love to climb. You’ve seen it for yourself first hand as your toddler scales the furniture or your kindergartner attempts to climb any tree with a branch within reach. But do you know why kids have a natural drive to climb? Read on to find out and learn how you can support this important developmental activity! 1. Vestibular system development We do a ton of things to support the development of our kids’ fine and gross motor skills, language, and cognitive function. But their vestibular system? Not something most of us have heard of. Our vestibular system is largely responsible for our balance and how well we can orient ourselves in a space without the use of our other senses like sight and sound. In other words, if you can close your eyes, stand on one foot, and still keep your balance, you have a strong vestibular system to thank for that! Climbing, spinning, and hanging upside down are some of the best ways to support the development of the vestibular system. It’s thought that this is why young kids are so naturally drawn to these behaviors! Providing safe opportunities to climb is a great way to help your kids develop strong balance and enjoy physical activity throughout their lives1. 2. Risk-taking play Risky play may not sound like a great idea… but most psychologists consider it an important part of childhood and healthy development2. When kids engage in risk-taking play (like climbing high or jumping from the swings), they learn to evaluate risks, take caution, and gain confidence. So, while we’re usually tempted to shout “Be careful!” at the first sign our kids are going to climb that ladder too fast or try to go down the slide backward, we better serve them when we let them explore age-appropriate risks. Of course, there is such a thing as too much risk, and parents should always make sure their kids are taking risks within safe contexts. (Free play at the park? Sounds great. Playing in a busy street? Not so much.) Kids climbing structures provide a great balance of safety and reasonable risk for most age groups, allowing kids to have fun and explore their natural desire to take risks.. 3. Memory and cognitive function Research suggests that climbers can provide cognitive benefits as well as physical ones. One study found that participants’ working memory improved after engaging in dynamic activities like climbing and balancing4. Researcher Ross Alloway points to benefits for kids as well as adults: “By taking a break to do activities that are unpredictable and require us to consciously adapt our movements, we can boost our working memory to perform better in the classroom and the boardroom.” 4. Strength, coordination, and exercise It’s no surprise that climbing helps kids develop strong muscles and motor skills. Toddlers are naturally driven to climb to develop their gross motor skills, and this inclination lasts well into school-age years as kids continue to develop their coordination and muscle strength. Providing opportunities to climb helps kids easily fit in the CDC’s recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day6– something that is becoming tougher to accomplish as screens compete for kids’ time. KidKraft’s climbers and swing sets are a fun, safe way to do just that! (To see all of our swing sets specifically built with climbing in mind, select “Rock Wall” under the Play Features drop-down menu to refine your search results.) 1 How to Improve the Vestibular System 2 Children’s Risky Play from an Evolutionary Perspective4 Climbing a tree can improve cognitive skills, researchers say6 How much physical activity do children need?
5 Tips to Get Your Kids Outdoors
We know that outdoor time is great for kids’ health, happiness, and development – but getting outside every day is easier said than done. With warm weather here, now is the perfect time to build more outdoor time into your family’s routine, whether that means hitting the local state park or just spending more time in the backyard. Here are five ways you can find outdoor adventures and activities that work for your family! Set Your Own Goals There’s no right way to spend time outdoors, so do it your way and set some goals you’ll actually enjoy sticking to. Maybe that means mornings at the park, having some backyard picnics, or checking out the trails at the local state park on weekends. State and city park websites and local Facebook parent groups are great places to get ideas for outdoor activities in your area. Simplify the Getting-Out-the-Door Process The toughest thing about spending more time outside often isn’t finding things to do outdoors– it’s getting out of the door in the first place! From toddler tantrums to lost shoes to the all the time it takes to eat and get dressed, there are a ton of hurdles between you and the front door. Try to clear a few of those hurdles with a little prep work. What you do will depend on your own goals for outdoor time and your family. That might mean pre-packing the car diaper bags, socks, shoes, and jackets. Or maybe it means packing an easy make-ahead breakfast or snack to eat at the park. Invest in Some Outdoor Clothes and Gear Have you ever heard the saying “There’s no bad weather, only bad gear”? It’s a favorite among the outdoorsy crowd, and we have a feeling your kids would agree too! You don’t have to get super fancy here. A wide brimmed hat and sun shirts are great for sunny days too! This philosophy will help you feel free to go outside on days where the weather is less than perfect – and actually enjoy it! Check Out 1000 Hours Outside The goal of 1000 Hours Outside is simple: help your kids spend 1000 hours outside every year. Sound crazy? The creator was actually inspired by a similar number: the amount of time kids spend on screens, which averages around 1200 hours per year. They’ve got tips for outdoor activities and trackers to log your time outdoors and help get the kids excited about the goal. And no worries if 1000 Hours isn’t doable for your family – that’s a high goal, and it’s better to start slow and steady than to get discouraged by unrealistic expectations. Stick to your own goals for more outdoor time and just use their tips and inspiration to help you along the way! Make Your Yard Kid-Friendly We love the idea of kids spending hours out in nature, but sometimes (maybe a lot of the time), getting to a park or trail just isn’t happening. That’s when a kid-friendly yard makes all the difference. The kids can spend time outdoors while you wait for the repairman, work from home, or just relax on the porch. Oh – and the “getting out the door” challenge is taken care of too. There’s no shame in playing barefoot in your PJs when you’re in your own backyard. To make a yard kid-friendly, you need three things: freedom, safety, and play opportunities. The first two go hand-in-hand. You can give the kids more freedom to explore when you know that the fence is secure or that they aren't stumbling into poison ivy. Play opportunities can include anything from a magnifying glass and a shovel to a swing set and slide. Try to create opportunities for different kinds of play. For example, playhouses are great for imaginative play; gardening tools are great for sensory play and exploration; and larger toys like swing sets and climbers are great for active physical play.
The Connection Between Playtime and Attention Span in Children
Our kids’ attention spans can be a real mystery at times. One minute, we’re super impressed by their laser-like focus on that Lego tower they’re building. And the next, we swear they have the attention span of a goldfish as they literally forget to put pants on. In this post, we’ll try to clear up at least a little bit of that mystery and explore how we can help our children grow in focus and attention through their favorite thing: play! Understanding Attention Span in Children Attention span refers to the ability to concentrate and sustain focus on a task or activity. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “a normal attention span is 3 to 5 minutes per a child's year of age.” In other words, a two-year-old can usually focus on a task for 6-10 minutes at a time; a three-year-old for 9-15 minutes, and so on. But it’s important to remember that these ranges are only estimates, and your child’s attention is influenced by a variety of factors, including hunger, tiredness, how much physical activity they’ve had, their own interest in the task at hand, and the environment around them. Rather than a set-in-stone time frame, it’s more helpful to think of your child’s attention span as a flexible range that can vary depending on the current circumstances. You’ve likely seen this firsthand! When your little one is well-rested, has a full tummy, and has had plenty of time running around outside, they can give impressive focus to an engaging task like doing a puzzle or building a block tower. But when they’re sleepy, hungry, and have been cooped up on a rainy day? They may have very little ability to focus on that very same task. In general, your child’s attention span will increase on its own over time, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help our children grow in this area. By being intentional about our home environment, our kids’ schedules, and plenty of playtime, we can help set them up for success! The Role of Playtime in Child Development Scientists are still exploring exactly how play develops kids’ attention. We do know that play is critical for all aspects of a child's development, including physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth. It fosters creativity, imagination, problem-solving skills, and communication abilities. And as these abilities grow, so do kids’ attention spans. Play allows children to experiment, explore, and make sense of the world around them. They learn to regulate their emotions, interact with peers and adults, solve problems, create new things, and discover their own individual interests. For a deeper dive into all the ways play drives development, check out our Child Development series. Research Studies on the Connection Between Playtime and Attention Span So what does the science have to say about play and attention? Unsurprisingly, research backs up what parents and teachers observe on their own every day: opportunities for play improve kids’ attention span on other tasks later. Physical play, in particular, seems to boost kids’ ability to focus. This 2021 study found that kids who got more physical activity had better self-regulation and more “cognitive readiness” for preschool, both of which are critical factors for attention and focus. And many studies have found that kids have better classroom behavior and more attention for academic tasks after recess or “brain breaks” that include physical play. It’s also well-documented now that excessive screen time negatively impacts children’s attention spans. Engaging kids in play rather than screen-centered activities is a great way to protect them from the negative effects of screen time. Strategies to Enhance Attention Span Through Playtime: Practical Tips for Parents and Caregivers So, how can parents and caregivers use that research in their day-to-day life? These practical tips will help you create an environment and routine that prioritizes play and supports kids’ focus and attention span! Get moving! Research confirms what we know intuitively: kids are made to move! Getting plenty of physical activity and movement helps enhance kids’ attention span for less-active tasks later. Integrate active play into your daily routine, preferably outdoors whenever possible. Our 5 Tips to Get Kids Outdoors and Active Play Ideas can help! Limit screen time Along with physical activity, limiting screen time may be the most important thing we can do for our kids’ attention spans. We love the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Family Media Plan Tool. It helps you identify your goals and craft a media plan that works for your family! Encourage open-ended play We know that physical play is critical, but other types of play help kids develop focus and attention too! Provide children with toys and imaginative and creative play. Open-ended play allows children to engage in self-directed activities, encouraging them to focus, problem-solve, and sustain attention. Play games that require focus Engage children in games that require concentration, memory, and attention to detail. Examples include memory games, puzzles, and board games that involve strategy and problem-solving. Create a play-friendly environment Minimizing clutter and other distractions can help kids focus on their play for longer periods of time. By simplifying and providing a few quality toys, you can help your kiddo focus on one activity at a time. Prioritize playtime It sounds simple, but between errands, scheduled activities, preschool, and more, it can be tough to make play a priority. Be mindful of how much time your child spends in structured activities (like school, organized sports, clubs, etc.) and set aside dedicated time for unstructured play, both indoors and outdoors. Final thoughts Will increasing playtime suddenly increase your child’s attention span by hours? Nope. Will it support their overall development and gradually improve their attention span over time? Absolutely. By making sure our kids get adequate unstructured playtime, especially active play outdoors, we give them the breaks they need to regulate, reset, and give focused attention to other tasks later. We can also help them out by minimizing screen time and fostering other types of play instead. Create an engaging play environment at your house with our selection of open-ended toys. Use our Shop by Skill page to find toys geared towards active and outdoor play, cognitive play, imaginative play, and more!
Cooking Up Holiday Magic: Why Play Kitchens Make Perfect Gifts
'Tis the season to be jolly, and oh, the excitement is bubbling like a pot of hot cocoa on a frosty winter morning! Picture this: twinkling lights adorning every house, the scent of gingerbread cookies wafting through the air, and a blanket of snow turning the world into a glistening wonderland. But the true magic of the holiday season? It's the look of sheer delight on a child's face as they unwrap the perfect Christmas gift on that magical morning. Parents, brace yourselves for a festive adventure as you embark on a quest to find the ultimate present that will light up your little one's world. And if you're yearning for a gift that will set their imaginations on fire, stoke the fires of learning, and ensure endless hours of joy, then gather 'round, because we've got just the ticket: a pretend play kitchen! Imagine the scene on Christmas morning: your child's eyes, wide as saucers, reflecting the glow of the twinkling tree lights, their heart racing in anticipation of what's hidden beneath the wrapping paper. With a flourish, they tear away the festive wrapping, revealing a pretend play kitchen that's so vibrant it practically sings with holiday cheer. The possibilities are endless as they dive headfirst into a world of make-believe culinary adventures. They'll concoct whimsical dishes, brew imaginary potions, and host tea parties for their favorite stuffed animals. As they stir, sizzle, and serve, they're not just playing; they're learning essential life skills, all while having a blast. But how do you choose the perfect pretend play kitchen to make this holiday truly special? Let's explore your options and the incredible benefits these magical playsets can offer. The Appeal of Play Kitchens The appeal to kids is pretty obvious – but why should parents put a play kitchen on their holiday wishlist too? Nurturing Creativity Play kitchens are fertile ground for imaginative play. Kids can concoct make-believe dishes, host pretend tea parties, and act out scenarios from home life and restaurants! Role-playing and Social Skills Enhancement Through role-playing in their mini culinary worlds, kids develop essential social skills. They learn cooperation, communication, and negotiation as they play with friends and siblings, fostering relationships and making memories in the process! Encouraging an Interest in Cooking and Food Kids mimic what they see, and by pretending to cook, they become curious about what happens in a real kitchen. This interest can later translate into valuable life skills and a love for healthy, homemade meals. Choosing the Perfect Play Kitchen So how do you find the best play kitchen for your child? Try to choose one based on their interests and your space and style! Are they pizza fanatics? We’ve got just the thing! Are they most engaged by realistic toys? A kitchen with realistic lights and sound effects is sure to be a hit! These are some of our favorite picks for this holiday season: Modern Metallics Farmhouse Play Kitchen A chic aesthetic and tons of accessories make this modern play kitchen a favorite with both parents and kids! Let's Make a Meal Play Kitchen with 36 Accessories Speaking of play kitchen accessories, this one comes with everything your child needs to stay engaged for hours on end! Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen with Lights & Sounds This corner play kitchen has all the beeps, glows, and dings of a real kitchen – without the mess! Retro Cool Play Kitchen Curvy corners, turquoise appliances, and gold details make for some seriously cool retro vibes. 3-Piece Play Kitchen Set With separate pieces for the refrigerator/freezer, oven/stove, and sink/washing machine, this play kitchen lets you customize the setup for your space! Gift the Magic of Cooking: Shop KidKraft Play Kitchens Now! Cook up some holiday magic in your home, and choose from one of our favorites above, or browse our full line of KidKraft play kitchens!
Exploring STEM Concepts Through Train & Car Play
Want a fun way to introduce your preschooler to STEM concepts (science, technology, engineering, and math)? Look no further than their toy train set! From early experiments with motion and force to building tracks and roads to counting and sorting, train and car toys offer a wealth of stem activities for preschoolers and toddlers. So hop on board and explore how you can ignite your child's curiosity while having a blast together. Understanding Motion and Forces Ever watched your child push a toy train or car across the floor over and over, marveling at how it moves? They’re already experimenting with basic physics concepts like motion, speed, and direction. You can support their curiosity by helping them experiment with different surfaces and inclines to observe how they affect the motion of the toy. Take it up a notch by asking questions and having them form hypotheses: “Which one do you think will make it down the slide first? The big truck or the little car?” “What could we do to make them go faster?” “What if we try to roll them over the carpet?” This encourages their analytical thinking but also sets the stage for understanding how varying forces can impact the speed and direction of an object's movement. Building and Designing Tracks and Roads One of the many benefits of playing with toy trains – other than all the fun!– is that it can help your kiddo discover a love for engineering and design. As your child experiments with different track layouts or road configurations, they’re fostering their own creativity and problem-solving skills, figuring out how to connect pieces and keep their trains and cars on track through all the twists and turns. As they envision a track and bring it to life through trial and error, they just might find that they love the challenge and sense of accomplishment that come with a successful engineering feat! Counting and Measuring with Trains and Cars Who says kids don’t like math? You can sneak in lessons on basic math skills with your kiddo’s trains and cars – and they’ll just think they’re having fun! You could ask them to build a track with 10 pieces or to count the number of cars they have on the road. To sneak in some measurement learning, try tasks like "Can you find something that's as long as this train?" or "Let's measure how far the car can travel in one push." These activities introduce them to concepts of length, distance, and comparison, and most importantly, they’re fun! Sorting and Comparing Sorting is actually an essential pre-math skill – and one of the easiest ways you can practice stem for preschoolers! And nothing makes it more fun for your kid than using their favorite toys! Ask your child to sort the vehicles by color, and keep it fun by making it a part of the game. For example, you can pretend that the red cars need to line up by color for a parade! Once sorting by color is easy, you can have your child move on to more challenging tasks like lining cars up from smallest to biggest. Introducing STEM concepts into your child's playtime doesn't have to be daunting – and if you have toy trains or cars handy, you already have the perfect tools to do it! Remember, the key to teaching STEM to preschoolers is to keep it light, interactive, and age-appropriate. As you build twisting train tracks and race toy cars, you’re making memories with your child and helping them discover a love for STEM subjects. Ready to hop aboard the STEM Express with your little engineer? From elaborate cityscapes to simple starter sets, we have a train set for every age and skill level! Shop our full line of train sets and activity tables.,
Creating Lasting Holiday Memories: How to Choose the Perfect Playset
'Tis the season for heartwarming smiles and the delightful sound of laughter as children eagerly unwrap their long-awaited presents. But before the magic of holiday morning arrives, there's the joyful quest for that one perfect gift that will light up their world. This holiday season, why not consider KidKraft playsets? With our indoor playsets, you can turn this festive time into an unforgettable adventure, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime! Why Playsets Make the Perfect Holiday Gift Playsets engage kids in pretend play, often with some of their favorite things. These immersive toys let your little ones dive into the world of imaginative adventures, where rocket ships, pirate coves, or daring rescue missions await. They make fantastic dollhouse alternatives for children who may not be interested in traditional doll houses but adore pretend play! Exploring the Perfect Playset To help you find the perfect playset for your little one this holiday season, we’re covering the standout features of some of our most popular playsets below. Imaginative Adventures Pirate's Cove Play Set This four-level pirate hideout comes with 17 accessories… oh, and a pirate ship toy, of course! Your little buccaneer can fire the cannons, lookout from the crow’s nest, or set sail with the included pirate captain and crew figures. Rocket Ship Play Set This rocket ship does it all – stack the pieces for a four-level mega space station, or detach the top toy rocket for flying space adventures! Either way, the included astronaut, alien, and robot figurines are in for an out-of-this-world adventure in this space play set! Heroes to the Rescue Everyday Heroes Play Set Like the Hometown Heroes set, but this set folds up for more compact storage! Deluxe Fire Rescue Set Slide down the firepole, hit the gym, work the front desk, catch some z’s, and ride to the rescue in a firetruck! This fire station toy lets your little one act out every aspect of firefighter life. Fire Station Set The best features of the Deluxe Fire Rescue set in a more compact package! This playset is budget-friendly, a great space-saver, and still sure to thrill your little firefighter! Thrilling Race and Play Mega Ramp Racing Set Ready, set, go! With a steep racing ramp, a twisty ramp for sharp turns, a working elevator, and a helicopter pad, this set is perfect for kids who love cars, racing, and all things-that-go. Wash n Go Wooden Car Garage This isn’t your average toy car wash! With four-levels, three ramps, and fun twists and turns, it’s equal parts car wash and racing track! Make this holiday season one filled with memories of play and fun. Explore KidKraft Playsets for unforgettable holidays!
