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
How Wooden Blocks Promote Child Development
Sometimes, it’s the simple things that make the biggest impact – and that’s definitely true when it comes to classic toys like wooden blocks. Blocks are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (and nearly every other similar organization) as a great toy to promote healthy child development. But how do these simple toys do so much? Here are a few of the ways blocks help kids develop and thrive! Sensory Play When we think sensory play, bins of colorful rice and squishy sensory bags are probably the first things to come to mind. But for babies, sensory play can be even simpler. After all, nearly everything is new to them, so any new material, texture, temperature, or sound truly fascinates them! While infants may not be stacking blocks just yet, they are learning and playing as they explore blocks’ differing textures, shapes, and weights. They also make great auditory sensory play objects as babies tap, bang, and clap them together. Fine Motor Skills One of the most well-known benefits of blocks are the fine motor skills that are developed as toddlers learn to stack and balance blocks. In addition to developing careful grips and lining blocks up on top of one another, they also get practice with the pressure and speed they use to add new blocks to the tower. Too hard or fast, and they’ll cause the others to tumble! These fine motor skills are the same that will eventually allow them to set a cup down gently on the table without spilling or learn to gently pet the family dog. Cognitive Development A child’s ability to stack blocks always shows up on lists of cognitive developmental milestones. Why? Learning to stack and build encourages problem-solving skills. As toddlers rebuild towers over and over, they begin to learn what makes them crash and what makes them more stable. By age 2, experts expect children to be able to stack 4 or more blocks and 6 or more by age 3. Mastering these simple towers means they’ve likely developed many of the fine motor and problem-solving skills expected for their age. Open-ended Pretend Play Symbolic play is another developmental milestone that often emerges between 18 months and 2 years of age when toddlers begin to use one object to represent another. A common example is pretending that a toy block is a car. While any type of object can be used in symbolic play, open-ended toys like blocks are great for encouraging pretend play. Because they are simple, children are often more willing to use them to represent other objects. Positive Parent-Child Interactions According to the AAP, “A toy’s most important attribute is its capacity to bring the parent or caregiver and the child together in playful interactions that are warm and full of rich language.” Blocks are a great toy for fostering these interactions, so take advantage of opportunities to play and chat together as your toddler pours out the blocks. You can talk about the colors and shapes, about how to make that wobbly tower a little more steady, or about the castle you're building together. A Toy that Grows with Them Some toys have a longer lifespan than others – while rattles and crinkle books may be baby favorites, they won’t hold toddlers’ and preschoolers’ attention. Blocks, on the other hand, can stay in the toy rotation for years as they always present new challenges! Babies love them for sensory exploration. Toddlers are drawn to the fine motor and cognitive challenge of stacking blocks. And preschoolers begin to create more complex structures and use them in pretend play.
Ideas for Setting up a Kids Reading Corner
Books your kids love + plenty of time to read + a cozy reading spot = recipe for raising a reader. Trips to the local library and a schedule that includes daily reading time can take care of the first two. And for that reading spot? We’ve got you covered with these tips for setting up the perfect kids’ reading nook! Get Comfy First things first. If it isn’t comfortable, it’s not a reading spot! You’ve got plenty of options – floor cushions, kids’ rocking chairs, comfy kids’ reading chairs. You know your kids best, so just pick something you think they’ll actually use. And if we may be so bold, we’ve got a few super comfy options we think they’ll love. Our Bookcase with Reading Nook comes complete with plenty of shelf space and a comfy cushioned section to snuggle up in. The Little Dreamer Deluxe Reading Nook comes with even more space to stretch out, plus a little tent for extra coziness. equally cushy with tons of storage space (and the added fun of one of their favorite book characters!). And last but not least, our Book Nook Tent is the ultimate little reading hideout. Add a few of your little’s pillows and blankets and stock the shelves with their favorite books, and they’ll never want to leave! Just Add Books Speaking of stocking the shelves – and at the risk of stating the obvious – your reading corner needs at least a few books! You can opt for a bookshelf that can hold their entire library or just use a basket that can hold a few books at a time. Sling shelves are a great middle-ground – they’re compact but have plenty of room to display your kiddo’s favorite books. Light it Up Once you’ve created a comfy spot and a place for the books, the rest is just extra – but it can be fun! A little lamp or flashlight can help the nook feel extra cozy and may actually come in handy if it’s dimly lit. We love the idea of a salt lamp or a lamp with a dimmer switch for some relaxing vibes! Deck it Out Some reading-themed wall art is the perfect finishing touch! Framed prints of some favorite quotes or picture book characters are always cute and on-theme. (Check out Etsy for tons of cute, affordable printables.) A little basket of bookmarks, a sticker chart reading log, or a notebook and pens are also fun additions! Creature Comforts The best finishing touch? Anything that entices your little ones to settle in and get reading! That may mean cozy blankets, favorite stuffed animals, a little table or tray for snacks and drinks… or even a big chair so you can join in with a book of your own! Just get them involved, and they’re sure to have plenty of opinions about what will make that reading corner inviting, comfortable, and fun! Shop KidKraft for child-sized bookshelves and reading nooks We hope these reading nook ideas have you inspired to create a cozy reading space for your little one! When you’re ready to get started, be sure to browse our selection of kids’ bookshelves and reading nooks! From the low shelves to the cute and comfy cushions, they’re designed with little readers in mind!
The Benefits of Wooden Toys
Stroll through any toy aisle, and as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says, you’ll find yourself “inundated with all kinds of sensory-stimulating noise and light toys.” With all the flash of electronic toys, it’s easy to overlook the simpler choices. But classics like wooden toys boast clear benefits that continue to make them a great choice for kids and parents alike. Here are a few reasons we make wooden toys a priority here at KidKraft: They’re Not Overstimulating Toys with sound effects and flashing lights will definitely grab your toddlers’ attention – but maybe not in the best way. These types of toys are entertaining for a moment but can cause kids to passively observe what the toy does rather than actually engaging in play themselves. They can also overwhelm your child with too many sensory inputs, making them more irritable and less focused. The AAP put it best when they encouraged cargives to “choose toys that are not overstimulating and encourage children to use their imaginations.” They’re Open-ended & Multifunctional The simplicity of wooden toys is their strength. Kids have to engage and get creative when they play with them, whether that means building with wooden blocks or playing pretend with a wooden play kitchen or dollhouse. Unlike electronic toys, wooden toys don’t simply entertain. They promote child-directed play, allowing kids to play on their own terms and discover multiple uses for a single toy. These are exactly the type of “simple toy” the AAP says “may be best” for kids. They’re More Durable When it comes to durability, quality wooden toys have an edge over most of their plastic counterparts. They’re sturdier and more likely to survive through years of play with your kids. That means less money spent for you and fewer toys in the landfills. Our tips on cleaning your wooden toys can help them last even longer! They’re Aesthetic There’s no doubt that wooden toys tend to blend better with your home’s decor than bright plastics – especially when it comes to large toys like dollhouses, play kitchens, and outdoor playsets. While choosing toys shouldn’t be about what looks best on the ‘gram… it doesn’t hurt when a great open-ended toy also happens to look great. Speaking of the ‘gram… you can check out ours to see how parents incorporate KidKraft’s wooden toys into their home’s aesthetic!
How Does Play Support Cognitive Development?
Cognitive Development in Children Can we just talk about how amazing toddlers’ brains are? In the span of a few years, they go from first words to telling full stories. From stacking a couple of blocks to constructing entire block buildings. And from chewing on stuffed animals to using them in complex pretend play! Most amazing of all, most of that development happens naturally when kids are raised in supportive, loving environments with plenty of opportunities to play. So don’t stress about making flashcards or drilling numbers at this age. The most powerful tool you have for your child’s cognitive development is play! Here’s how different types of cognitive play support your child’s development. Grows Their Problem-solving Skills Part of a child’s cognitive development is their ability to solve problems. For a toddler, that can be as simple as finally learning how to zip their own jacket. But those same skills will serve them later with more complex problems from schoolwork, social situations, and extra-curricular activities. In fact, toddlers are naturally drawn to problem-solving activities during play. These are a few brain-boosting favorites: Puzzles Stacking blocks Playing hide-and-seek with objects Memory games Dressing and undressing themselves or toys When toddlers engage in activities like this, they’re pushing their brains to develop creativity, analytical thinking, and persistence they’ll need later in life. For more ideas, see our 7 Problem-Solving Activities for Toddlers! Boosts Their Language While language is often considered its own area of development, there's plenty of crossover between a child’s cognitive development and their language development. Playing with your child is one of the most powerful ways you can help grow their language skills. Whether you’re playing make-believe, building a block tower, reading, or doing a puzzle, nearly any type of play is naturally filled with opportunities to grow your child’s vocabulary and increase their understanding of sentence structure and grammar. So play together frequently and don’t hold back when it comes to “big” words. In the process, you’ll also boost their social skills and sense of self-worth! Starts Symbolic & Logical Thinking Okay so that “logic” part may not truly come into play for a while. At least according to Piaget’s Stages of Development, kids don’t begin to think logically until around age 7 in the “Concrete Operational Stage.” However, the foundation for logical thinking is laid in the “Preoperational Stage,” around ages 2-6. This is when kids begin to use symbolic thinking such as using one object to represent another (i.e. pretending a block is a toy car). In fact, this is actually considered an important developmental milestone! And if you think that sounds a lot like pretend play… you’re right! By providing frequent opportunities for child-led pretend play, you’re actually helping your child develop the symbolic thinking that will help them become logical thinkers later on. Increases Their Attention Span If you’ve ever tried to force a toddler to focus on a task they don’t want to do… well, you know how pointless that is. That’s why play is far better at building your child’s attention span! When they find a challenge they want to tackle, such as building train tracks or solving a puzzle, their attention spans can be surprisingly long! So follow your child’s lead here. Whether they’re playing with dolls or building with blocks, if they are engaged and focused, try not to interrupt them and remove distractions like TV noise. (One caveat: many kids will play endlessly with screens, but since these activities are often hyper-stimulating, they aren’t building their attention spans in the same way. Minimal to moderate screen time is still the way to go!) Real-world Role Playing Remember that, for toddlers, social and emotional learning is perhaps even more important than learning letters and numbers. Pretend play is one of the main ways your toddler makes sense of the world and their place in it, so encourage it any chance you get… especially when they’re interested in role playing real-life scenarios. Fantasy-based pretend play is great too, but real-world roleplaying is especially helpful for learning social norms, practicing their social skills, and growing their vocabulary. Follow their interests and pretend with them as much as possible. You can also encourage their pretend play by providing toys like dress-up clothes, play kitchens, doctors kits, and other real-life props. For even more immersive pretend play, the Let’s Pretend Pop Ups let you set up an entire restaurant, vet’s office, or grocery store in the playroom in minutes. For more educational play ideas, check out our favorite activities to build your child’s communication skills!
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!
KidKraft Playset Assembly Tips
Playset assembly can be intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be! In addition to the instructions that come with your KidKraft playset, these assembly tips can help make the process quick and frustration-free! Level the Ground First You can begin this step long before your playset is even delivered. In fact, we recommend getting it done in advance so that you can start building as soon as your playset arrives. To make sure you level a large enough area, look at the instructions for your playset online – simply find the product page for your playset model on our website and download the PDF. The instructions will include the exact measurements for the playset and the measurements for the recommended safety zone that should surround it. For tips on leveling the ground and a helpful how-to video, check out our full Guide to Installing a Backyard Playset! Look at the Forecast Most of your assembly will happen outdoors, so try to schedule your assembly days when the weather is nice. If you’ve got a week full of rainy days, it’s best to just wait to get started. Budget Enough Time Depending on the size of your playset, assembling a KidKraft Playset can take anywhere between 4 to 26 hours when you’ve got two people working. (You can find the estimate for your playset in the instructions.) So set aside a weekend or a few evenings to give yourself enough time to get the job done well! Read All the Instructions You’re way less likely to make frustrating mistakes if you read all the assembly instructions before you get started. And don’t worry, it won’t take that long. Just reading through quickly will give you a strong idea of what pieces will go where and the order in which you’ll complete each step. Remember, if you lose your paper copy, you can find full instructions for all of our current products online. Inventory and Organize We always recommend taking inventory of all your pieces and organizing them before you get started. Your instructions will have a detailed list of everything that’s included. Make sure you have everything you should before you start and organize them all into designated spots. Since you’re likely working outdoors, you may find it helpful to organize all of your pieces on a porch, deck, or tarp to help ensure no hardware or small pieces get lost in the grass. Bowls and buckets can help with this too. On the off chance that you are missing a piece or something is damaged, get in touch with us right away, and we’ll send you a replacement part ASAP. Have the Right Tools & A Friend With your instructions read and your pieces organized, you’re ready to get started! Most KidKraft playsets require at least two people for the assembly process, so make sure you’ve got some help lined up before you start. A few extra hands won’t hurt either, especially if you have a larger playset. And if you don’t have your own power drill, make sure to borrow one from a friend. Reach Out Again, if you have any missing or damaged pieces, let us know ASAP so we can make it right! If you have any other questions, email us at customerservice@kidkraft.com or call us at 1-800-933-0771. We’re always here to help!
Sharing Activities for Toddlers
7 Sharing Activities for Toddlers Teaching your toddler to share doesn’t have to be painful… no, really! These sharing activities for toddlers can help you sneak in some sharing lessons and let your toddler have fun in the process! Pass the Ball It doesn’t get any simpler than this. A classic game of rolling or tossing a ball can help your toddler )learn to willingly give away an object and )see that playing with someone can be a lot more fun than playing alone… even if it means temporarily giving up the toy. Feed the Monster For this activity, you’ll craft a hungry monster (or whatever animal you like) from an old cereal box. Cut out a large hole for the mouth and use paint or construction paper to make a face. Then, it’s time to feed the monster! Fill a bowl with craft pom-poms or dried pasta for the food. Tell your toddler the monster is hungry, and give them a spoon to scoop and “share” with the monster. Sure, it’s not the same as actually sharing with a sibling or friend, but it does let them practice giving something to “someone” else. Choose What to Share This one isn’t a game so much as a pre-playdate activity. If your toddler struggles when they have to share their toys, give them some control and let them choose what to share ahead of time. Let them pick a few “safe” items they don’t have to share, and then put these items away for the playdate. Knowing that they won’t be forced to share their favorite things can help reduce any anxiety and reluctance they feel about sharing. Then, have them pick a few toys they’d like to share. If all goes well, after the playdate you can point out how happy they made their friend because they chose to share. Play Santa Ever notice how much toddlers love being to one to pass out the presents on Christmas day? Keep that sharing attitude alive all year by letting them gather pretend gifts and hand them out to family members or their toy “friends.” Maybe Teddy Bear would like to wear your child’s favorite pair of shoes, and Daddy would love to get a toy truck. Of course, your child won’t actually be giving away their possessions, but even pretending helps them see that sharing can feel great! Add a Santa hat to get them in the spirit, or make it less seasonal and pretend that they’re giving out “thank you” gifts. Crafts (with limited materials) Sharing craft supplies is pretty much an everyday occurrence in preschool, so start getting your little one prepared by sharing craft materials at home. You can work on your own craft or picture as they do and occasionally ask for a crayon, glue stick, etc. Add in a few extra fun items like little gemstones or puffy stickers to let your kiddo get used to leaving enough of the “cool stuff” for everyone. Cook Together Cooking with your child naturally involves a lot of turn-taking and sharing various utensils and ingredients. They’ll love feeling like they’ve contributed to the meal, and they’ll gradually get used to giving up the stirring spoon or taking turns with the rolling pin. You can also practice these skills as you pretend in their play kitchen together – with a lot less mess! Pretend Sharing If your kiddo isn’t buying the whole “Sharing is Caring” thing from you, maybe the message will sink in through a few pretend scenarios. When you’re playing together with their dolls or stuffies, makeup scenarios where the toys have to share an item or take turns doing an activity. The toys’ willingness to share with each other can help demonstrate that sharing can be easy and fun! For more sharing activities and other tips to help your toddler learn to share, see our guide to Teaching Sharing through Play!
Modern Playhouse Decor Ideas
We firmly believe that a kid’s playhouse does not have to be an eyesore. Whether the playhouse is in your backyard or in your playroom, you should love looking at it as much as your kids love playing in it! To help you achieve that Insta-worthy modern playhouse we’ve gathered some of our favorite playhouse design ideas from parents like you! Plants & Wreaths Adding greenery is one of the simplest and most common interior design tips – and it works wonders for a playhouse too! Try arranging a few potted plants around the door or on the windowsill, hanging a wreath on the door, or adding flowers to the planter boxes beneath the windows. Whether they’re real or artificial, the plants will give the playhouse a bright, inviting vibe. For inspiration, see this greenery glow-up of our Forestview II Playhouse from @allisonmannella. Go Bold & Bright There’s no doubt that white and pastels are having a moment in modern design, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go for bright, bold colors with your playset. This blue and lime green paint job on our Modern Outdoor Playhouse still looks exceptionally modern thanks to the black trim and simple accessories like the mailbox, address sign, and door handle. Plus, what kid doesn’t love bright colors? Or Bright & White If bright, bold colors don’t exactly fit your decor tastes, opt for bright and white instead. A white paint job provides a clean, crisp background for your decor ideas, and it photographs beautifully! You can paint most wooden playhouses, or just opt for our Modern Outdoor Playhouse in white if you’d rather skip the painting altogether! Make the Door Your Own We get it – a full-out paint job is not everyone’s thing. But you can still make your playhouse look like a DIY masterpiece by adding a quick coat of paint to the door. The door itself is so small, we promise painting it will feel like a breeze. You can customize it even more by installing a new door handle, a knocker, or address numbers. We love this rosy pink door with a sleek gold handle on our Modern Outdoor Playhouse! Start with a Playhouse You Love Giving your little one’s playset a modern, trendy vibe is a lot easier if you start off with a playset that already has a modern design in mind. That means skipping loud plastic and opting for more natural materials that can be painted and customized. KidKraft’s outdoor wooden playsets are perfect both for ambitious DIYers and those who’d rather keep their decorating simple and quick. By starting with the sleek, clean lines and natural wood finishes of KidKraft playhouse, you already have a trendy, modern base for your decor ideas. Some of our top choices for parents looking for modern decor are the Modern Outdoor Playhouse (no surprise there!), the Scenic View Playhouse, and the new Hobby Workshop Wooden Playhouse. Be sure to browse all of our playhouses before you decide, and keep an eye on our Instagram for even more modern decor ideas from parents like you!
