• preschool toys Archive

    In our house, the kitchen is on the…shall we say…intimate side. While there’s ample room for our table that sits four, the cooking space is really meant for one person at a time. If one of my kids come to “visit” me when I’m at the stove, and the other tries to open the fridge, I can feel my shoulders tightening. And don’t get me started on prepping a big meal during the holidays; it’s not uncommon to see me shooing guests into the more spacious dining room. While I don’t see a major kitchen renovation anytime in the near future, it doesn’t mean my family doesn’t get a home-cooked meal most nights. Maybe my determination dates back to my younger days when I pined [&hellip

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    I don’t know what my 4-year-old likes more: watching Disney’s “Doc McStuffins,” or emulating the main character. Right after watching an episode, she opens up her pretend pet vet kit, grabs an unsuspecting plush pal and sets up shop. (Luckily, our cat has yet to enlist as a patient.) I can’t say I’m surprised, as the animated TV show that stars the pint-sized physician has already made quite a name for itself with the preschool crowd. It gives kids their daily dosage of cute (how adorable is Lambie?), while delivering a parent-approved message of staying healthy. So when Toys R Us came out with its list of top toys for this year’s holiday shoppers, we knew Doc McStuffins Time for Your Check-up Doll would make [&hellip

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    Now that my 4-year-old is a fully fledged preschooler, we’re looking forward to an exciting year when she’ll have a chance to master all sorts of skills. From coloring in the lines, to putting letters together to form sounds and words, there are no shortage of activities to help her learn and grow. And while my daughter has taken to certain things, like completing puzzles and dressing her Calico Critters, I notice that she shies away from things that frustrate and challenge her, such as removing stickers from their backing (they tend to rip if she’s not too careful). To help fine-tune those dexterity skills, we hear that lacing is a great trick, and the new Lacing Peacock from Hape Toys seems like the ideal [&hellip

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    Amazing what memories a favorite toy can conjure up…When I was six years and recovering from minor surgery, my mom offered (okay, let’s be straight, “bribed”) me with three treats of my choosing. After careful consideration, I picked a visit to Jones Beach, Munchos potato chips and a pig in pickle car–and not necessarily in that order. A pig in a what, you say? No, it was not some strange variation of a passed hors d’oeuvre. If you grew up like I did, reading Richard Scarry’s Busytown, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. An imaginative world in which animals and various foods co-exist in harmony, the beloved porcine Mr. Frumble was second only to Lowly Worm who traveled in his signature apple car. (Others [&hellip

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