family features
All the Great Toys And Tips for Your Shopping Adventure! By Meagan Church
Wondering what the hot gift items for kids are this year? Look no further. Thanks to Chuck Harper, owner of Explorations Toys in Granger, we have compiled a gift guide for various ages and stages. But, before we get into the guide, let’s consider a few tips first.
Be age appropriate.
Before grabbing something snazzy and hoping they will like it, consider the child’s age and developmental stage. For instance, one-year-olds are working on dexterity, so find something simple they can play with easily. Too many bells, whistles and other frills can leave them feeling frustrated and annoyed.
Get interactive.
Find an item that you would also enjoy doing and would like to do with them. A game, puzzle or other project will give you a chance to spend time with one another.
Imagine the possibilities.
Seek gifts that encourage creativity and imagination. As the British pediatrician D. W. Winnicott once said, “It is in playing, and only in playing, that the individual child or adult is able to be creative and to use the whole personality, and it is only in being creative that the individual discovers the self.”
Dirt doesn’t hurt.
Kids spend enough time in front of the TV. Select gifts that will engage them away from the screen even if it means a mess might result. “Don’t be afraid of a mess,” Harper advises parents. “They are already playing enough video games, watching TV and on the computer. Let them get their hands dirty.”
Make the choice.
In the end, the gift you give is your choice. “Get something you want them to have and not what Saturday morning TV says they should have,” Harper recommends. So, what specific toys did Harper suggest? Thanks to his years in the toy business, he gladly shared his expertise and personal preferences. And, he even took the time to demonstrate a few, including the Plasma Car, proving that some of these items can bring joy to adults as well as kids.
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the family magazine | december 2011
The Gift Guide Birth to Age 2
Sophie
Simplicity is best when it comes to babies. Over stimulation and complex items can frustrate them. Sophie’s simple, squishy giraffe design has given her great appeal for babies around the world. She is made of all natural materials – a great asset since she will surely be chewed on. The nubs on the top of her head soothe teething gums, and her ability to easily squeak delights little ones.
Noah’s Ark Shape Sorter
As baby’s age, they need lots of practice when it comes to developing gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This shape sorter features chunky animal pieces that little ones can sort and place into the wooden ark, helping them develop those ever so important skills. As the baby grows, the pieces can be used to teach colors, counting, size comparisons and more. Ages 3 to 4
Plasma Car
What kid doesn’t enjoy zooming around? But a 3 or 4-year-old isn’t always ready for a bike. This easy-to-maneuver wheeled car will give them hours of fun as they practice balance and control. As previously mentioned, even adults can enjoy this one since it holds up to 250 pounds. Ages 5 to 6
Tell Tale
Kids are naturally creative, yet video games and toys with limited functions can stifle those natural tendencies. This card game encourages imagination and exaggeration as it challenges players to create their own stories, teaching them to think outside the box.
Sticky Mosaics Jewelry Box
Another great tool for encouraging creativity is craft projects, such as the Sticky Mosaics Jewelry Box. Through focus, concentration and decision making, this project will result in not only a beautiful end project, but also a functional jewelry box that can be used and treasured.