There are certain toys that your children need. I say “need” because from experience kids are more likely to find ways to entertain themselves with certain toys. And yes, I know that kids’ needs can be many and varied, but let’s look at toys.
If a child is playing with a toy, mom or dad will have time to make a phone call, tidy up a room, write a blogpost, etc. You feel good seeing your child’s developing independent play skills. Your child will be engaged in playing with a new toy. It’s a win. As a mom of three who has worked from home for two-thirds of the last 16 years and volunteered at school and church for the other third, I can vouch that while kids love playing with mom and dad, kids love playing independently, too.
My kids knew that throughout the day I would read to them, do crafts, play with puzzles, and play with toys or games. If one of the children received a new toy, I would first engage my toddler and preschooler’s interest as we played with the toy together. Over time, my children learned to play independently with the following open-ended play toys:
- toy kitchen or BBQ grill just like mom or dad
- cash register, play food, and pretend money
- box of dress up clothes…sparkly, glittery or just like mom stuff for girls…superhero, rescue hero or just like dad stuff for boys (Many dress up items can be enjoyed by boys and girls.)
- puppets
- cars, animals, and action figures
- construction toys
Our playroom was fairly well stocked with all of the above by the time our oldest was not even 2. Two sets of grandparents, a nearby aunt and uncle, and a doting mom and dad who liked playing with toys as much as their toddler meant our daughter’s playroom was a treasure trove of stuff.
As our daughter’s second Christmas and second birthday approached, I began to scan the shelves for construction type toys. Many were too old for her. She was not a child to be easily frustrated, but I didn’t want to overtax her developing hand eye skills. Time and again I picked up Lego Duplo toys. These toys were bright and colorful. The bricks were molded for little hands. The set I bought her contained a Winnie the Pooh figure, a couple of flowers, a honey pot, and about 5 or so Lego Duplo bricks. Just enough bricks and stuff that she could build her very own Winnie the Pooh world, but not too many bricks that an instruction sheet and help from mom or dad was needed.
My daughter and I, and then my next two children had hours of fun with Lego Duplos. By playing with the larger Lego Duplo bricks and figures, all three kids were able at 4 or 5 to make the transition to some of the larger Lego sets. I’m about to post a giveaway for a Pirates of the Caribbean set. Until then, would you like to win a Lego Duplo set?? I thought so!
I have a Lego Duplo My First Fire Station Set for one lucky reader. Winning is easy. First, leave a mandatory comment. Second, leave one or more of the optional comments. Remember, you must leave the manadatory comment for the other comments to count. Oh and don’t forget to leave your email address in the comment. so I can contact you if you win!
Mandatory Comment — Leave a comment.
What was your favorite Christmas gift as a child?
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I was provided with Lego Duplo My First Fire Station for this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends Wednesday, December 21 at 11:59 p.m. Any links in this post are affiliate links to my amazon affiliate account. I follow the tenets of Blog With Integrity.
Another favorite was a cash register.
I would love to win this for my oldest daughter!
I don’t know about a favorite… but I always received chocolate covered cherries in my stocking. And still do! My mom always gets me a box or two! 🙂
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My favorite was a dollhouse that I got.
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Hmm, favorite gift? I loved getting books. Once I got a fabulous doll that spoke, and I fed it water and it was broken after 30 minutes LOL
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L would love this: he loves everything about firefighters.
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I also liked your other FB page.
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i don’t really know! I loved getting barbies as a child though.
One of my favorite gifts as a child was a large teddy bear with long hair that I received when I was three. At that time, it was almost as tall as I was.
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My favorite Christmas gift was my play kitchen!
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When I was a kid, I got a dollhouse that my grandpa built. I loved that thing!
my cabbage patch doll
I loved reading, so my favorite gift was a HUGE box full of books! There must have been over 100 books in there!
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My favorite Christmas toy was a Cabbage Patch Kid 🙂
my favorite gift was a cabbage patch kid 🙂
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I always enjoyed receiving barbies for Christmas.
My favorite gifts when I was little were Beanie Babies!
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I loved when I got my Barbie Travel Van (can’t remember real name of it!), but it was like an RV for my Barbies.
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My favorite gift was a play grocery store, with a conveyer belt and cash register. It was awesome!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
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another favorite i recall was a plastic rocking horse that was on a stand with hinges… loved that thing, i think it may still be in my moms attic!
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My favorite was a Teddy Ruxpin
I honestly don’t remember specific christmas gifts other than my rollerblades, which were the only gift I ever peaked at before christmas.
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My favorite is an afghan my mom made 🙂
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I did not have any Christmas gifts as a child.
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