Ok ladies and germs, I have a friend named Jennie. Along with being an awesome lady and mom, she has a PhD in toys. No, its really not that simple, but I couldn't think of a better person to give suggestions about toys. Everyone, meet Jennie!
1. Uncle Goose Blocks (construction play)
Uncle Goose puts a unique twist
on a classic toy! Their beautifully crafted Uncle Goose Blocks
come in 17 different
languages and fun designs (my favorites are the Antic Ant and Bug ABC blocks).
They even sell replacement blocks so you don’t have to worry if a block gets
lost or is mistaken as a chew toy by your dog! (2 years+) Sets range from MSRP $12-$100
come in 17 different
languages and fun designs (my favorites are the Antic Ant and Bug ABC blocks).
They even sell replacement blocks so you don’t have to worry if a block gets
lost or is mistaken as a chew toy by your dog! (2 years+) Sets range from MSRP $12-$100
2. Folkmanis Hand Puppets (imaginative play)
Spark your child’s imagination with Folkmanis Hand Puppet
. Not only
do their puppets encourage open-ended, creative play, they are a fun way for
your child to learn about animals. With such a wide selection of life-like
puppets (they even have a scallop puppet) you are sure to find one your child
will love! (Safety tested for all ages, recommended age 3 years+) MSRP $9.99-$59.99
Spark your child’s imagination with Folkmanis Hand Puppet
. Not only
do their puppets encourage open-ended, creative play, they are a fun way for
your child to learn about animals. With such a wide selection of life-like
puppets (they even have a scallop puppet) you are sure to find one your child
will love! (Safety tested for all ages, recommended age 3 years+) MSRP $9.99-$59.99
3. Wishbone Bike (active play)
This Wishbone 3 in 1 Bike
converts from a run-trike, to a low balance bike, to one of
the tallest balance bikes on the market allowing it to grow with your child
from ages 1-5. Not only does its longevity makes it eco-friendly, it has 60% post-consumer
recycled plastic wheels and is made from sustainably managed woods –
even the box is recycled and printed with non-toxic inks (and as a special
bonus, the inside of the box has fun cut-outs for children to play with)! (1-5
years) MSRP $229.00
This Wishbone 3 in 1 Bike
converts from a run-trike, to a low balance bike, to one of
the tallest balance bikes on the market allowing it to grow with your child
from ages 1-5. Not only does its longevity makes it eco-friendly, it has 60% post-consumer
recycled plastic wheels and is made from sustainably managed woods –
even the box is recycled and printed with non-toxic inks (and as a special
bonus, the inside of the box has fun cut-outs for children to play with)! (1-5
years) MSRP $229.00
4. Green Toys Submarine (water play)
This colorful Green Toys Submarine
has an easy to grip handle and wide spout to scoop and
pour water making it perfect for splashing around in the tub (it is also great
for rinsing your little one’s hair)! The cabin can be opened for easy cleaning,
and it is made from 100% recycled plastic milk containers and is PVC, BPA, and
Phthalate-free! (6 months+) MSRP $14.99
This colorful Green Toys Submarine
has an easy to grip handle and wide spout to scoop and
pour water making it perfect for splashing around in the tub (it is also great
for rinsing your little one’s hair)! The cabin can be opened for easy cleaning,
and it is made from 100% recycled plastic milk containers and is PVC, BPA, and
Phthalate-free! (6 months+) MSRP $14.99
5. Janod Chunky Puzzles (puzzle play)
Think a puzzle can only be played
with in one way - by putting the pieces together? Think again! With a little
imagination (courtesy of your little one), Janod’s beautiful lift-out puzzles
can be used for role-play as well. Your child can pretend play with the pieces
on their own, or take turns with you acting out one of the Janod Chunky Puzzle
pieces and
guessing what the other person is pretending to be. (1 year+) MSRP $14.99
pieces and
guessing what the other person is pretending to be. (1 year+) MSRP $14.99
6. P’kolino Playful Xylophone (music play)
This special P'Kolino Xylophone
is loaded
with play value! It combines a musical instrument with building blocks,
allowing children to arrange and rearrange the blocks to create their very own
melodies. You can also use the blocks to teach size and color. Made from
rubberwood, the blocks nest together for easy clean up, but they are so
beautiful, you might just want to stack them and leave them on display! (1
year+) MSRP $29.99
is loaded
with play value! It combines a musical instrument with building blocks,
allowing children to arrange and rearrange the blocks to create their very own
melodies. You can also use the blocks to teach size and color. Made from
rubberwood, the blocks nest together for easy clean up, but they are so
beautiful, you might just want to stack them and leave them on display! (1
year+) MSRP $29.99
7.Weefab Weerol (all-in-one play)
You have probably gathered by now
that I LOVE toys that do more than one thing! Not only do they have more play
value, they cut down on toy clutter. The Weefab Weerol
reconfigures so you can build
multiple toys. With one kit, you can build a walker, ride-on and wheel
barrow—and when you add the rocknrol accessory you can also build a glider and
a rocker. If that wasn’t enough, a second weerol kit can be added to build a
train and a shopping cart. With so many options, the weerol grows with your
child and is well worth the investment. Made with renewable wood and water-based
paints and finishes. (18 months - 6
years) MSRP weerol $79.99, weerol + rocknrol $199.98, weerol x 2 $149.98,
weerol x 2 + rocknrol $189.97
reconfigures so you can build
multiple toys. With one kit, you can build a walker, ride-on and wheel
barrow—and when you add the rocknrol accessory you can also build a glider and
a rocker. If that wasn’t enough, a second weerol kit can be added to build a
train and a shopping cart. With so many options, the weerol grows with your
child and is well worth the investment. Made with renewable wood and water-based
paints and finishes. (18 months - 6
years) MSRP weerol $79.99, weerol + rocknrol $199.98, weerol x 2 $149.98,
weerol x 2 + rocknrol $189.97
8. Attatoy Mixmates (creative play)
These colorful Attatoy Mixmates
wooden blocks are
one of my favorites from Toy Fair this year! Children can mix, stack, and play
with the blocks to create any character they choose. Made from hardwood and
durable inks, these blocks are as beautiful as they are fun (I have to admit, I
bought a set for myself). With Animals, Boys & Girls, Careers, and Monsters
& Superheros sets to choose from, the story possibilities are endless!
wooden blocks are
one of my favorites from Toy Fair this year! Children can mix, stack, and play
with the blocks to create any character they choose. Made from hardwood and
durable inks, these blocks are as beautiful as they are fun (I have to admit, I
bought a set for myself). With Animals, Boys & Girls, Careers, and Monsters
& Superheros sets to choose from, the story possibilities are endless!
(18 months+) MSRP $14.99
9. pipSquigz (on-the-go play)
Another favorite from this year’s
Toy Fair,Fat Brain Toys PipSquigz
will keep your toddler busy in the stroller, highchair,
bathtub—anywhere! The three textured super-suction toys can be tugged, pushed,
shaken, pulled, and stuck together. Made with silicon, they are BPA-free and
easy to clean (you can even stick them in the dishwasher)! Their small size and
versatility makes them the perfect toy to throw in your diaper bag for
on-the-go play. (6 months+) MSRP $19.95
will keep your toddler busy in the stroller, highchair,
bathtub—anywhere! The three textured super-suction toys can be tugged, pushed,
shaken, pulled, and stuck together. Made with silicon, they are BPA-free and
easy to clean (you can even stick them in the dishwasher)! Their small size and
versatility makes them the perfect toy to throw in your diaper bag for
on-the-go play. (6 months+) MSRP $19.95
Jennie Ito,
Ph.D.
Founder of The Play
Kitchen, Dr.
Jennie Ito, is a play and toy consultant and a mother of two playful children.
She has a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Queen's University in Ontario,
Canada, with a specialization in children’s play and cognitive development. She
began her career with a fellowship in Museum Evaluation and Museum Education at
the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. She later worked as a content
expert for the Association of Children’s Museum’s Playing for Keeps Play
Initiative, providing play resources to parents and museum professionals. After
taking some time off to be at home with her two young children, Dr. Ito started
her own play and toy consultancy and is currently working on several projects
in the Bay Area.
This review comtains affiliate links.
This review comtains affiliate links.
