by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
If you’re looking for a neat little birthday gift, or perhaps something unique for the Easter basket, check out the Buildex Speed Machine construction toy. Because not every kid wants just a bunny in her basket. These brightly colored, wooden-construction...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
We have featured piles of cool wooden alphabet blocks for kids over the years, from modern design blocks to steampunk science blocks, to Storyblox’s “build-your-own” wooden blocks. And now there’s a cool set of custom name blocks on the, er,...
by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings
I have the hardest time getting my night owl daughter up for school in the mornings. She likes to come visit us most nights around 2 AM, so when morning comes around she’s too tired to get up and dressed for kindergarten. The trick that’s working for...
by Stephanie Mayers | Toys + Playthings
If you asked my daughter what her favorite color is, her answer would be “rainbow.” I can’t agree more, and its bright and cheery vibe makes the sweet rainbow learning toys for toddlers so perfect for spring. This acorn sorting game is a perfect...
by Delilah S. Dawson | Toys + Playthings
If your kids are always drawing their own magical animals, these wacky and adorable Chimeras plush toys from Walrus Toys can bring their dreams to life in a way that doesn’t involve a trip to the Island of Dr. Moreau. When I was a kid, we had the Wuzzles, and we...
by Stephanie Mayers | Toys + Playthings
We have played with Tegu and drank the KoolAid. From their mind-bending explorer sets to mobile toy kits, they simply rock the block. Our favorite eco-friendly block-makers have just rolled out a super tricked out magnetic block building set for the master builders...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
Though I think I do a pretty good “bunny” with my hands, nothing beats a great set of shadow puppets for turning a rainy afternoon or evening story time into a lively theatrical production played out behind a sheet or against a blank wall. And with a set...
by Liz Gumbinner | Toys + Playthings
Well, here’s your first look. (Second if you count our photo on Pinterest from Toy Fair.) Itchy! Scratchy! Millhouse! Nelson! Krusty! Apu! Burns! Plus? Actual Simpsons family members. Is there anything else more to say? Yeah, probably not. Find the collection of...
by Kristin | Toys + Playthings
We are talking about getting a dog, which makes it official: No more babies for this household. And I’m pretty much okay with that fact until I see a store like YarnBall Stories. This absolutely adorable Etsy shop has safe and soft crocheted baby toys and decor...
by Liz Gumbinner | Toys + Playthings
I’ve come to understand that for tweens, creating a love of history is often about making it as salacious and entertaining as possible. The British creators of Horrible Histories have nailed that genre, with a successful series of illustrated Horrible Histories...
by Liz Gumbinner | Toys + Playthings
While I have finally come around to accept my daughter’s affinity for American Girl Dolls, suddenly Saige and Marie-Grace have serious competition with Rahel, the Ethiopian doll from the Heart for Heart Girls dolls collection. I cannot say enough wonderful...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
Based on the number of awesome-looking, well-made wooden doctor’s kits we saw at Toy Fair, we expect that a lot of kids will have fun taking care of all their new patients. Here’s a recap of some of the nicest doctor’s kits for kids that we saw, all...
