Made For Play
Explore child development through play, find inspiration for your next DIY project, and discover tips for selecting the perfect toys for your little ones.
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7 Halloween Ideas for Toddlers
No need to get spooked by Halloween activities that cost an arm and a leg or take hours to prep. These Halloween ideas for toddlers are easy, cheap, and most importantly super fun for your favorite little monsters! Easy Witch’s Brew From Toddler Approved If you’ve ever made “Nature Soup” in your backyard, you know how oddly entertained toddlers are by adding random objects to buckets of water and stirring away. All you need to turn that “soup” into a spooky witch’s brew is a few inexpensive Halloween-themed objects. This version uses eyeball “ice cubes,” plastic spiders, and fake cockroaches, but anything you have on hand works! If you have any witches’ hats and cauldrons around, be sure to use them to add to the fun! Pumpkin Bath From Busy Toddler Do pumpkins need a bath? Nope. Will that stop your toddler from absolutely loving the responsibility of bathing the pumpkins? Nope. They’ll love it. Just fill up your sink with some water and suds, toss in a few small pumpkins and hand the kiddos a few scrub brushes or rags. Jack-o-Lantern Sensory Squish Bags From Fantastic Fun and Learning Sensory activities are great for toddler engagement. The only major downside is they tend to be… messy. Like sometimes really, really messy. But not these easy jack-o-latern sensory bags. All you’ll need is some yellow or orange food coloring, corn syrup or cheap hair gel, and black felt for the jack-o-lantern face. We like the approach of taping it to a window, so the light can shine through as they squish the orange “pumpkin” gel and rearrange the jack-o-lantern’s face. And the best part? All the mess is contained in the bag, so you can get a few things done while they play! Spider Stamping From Crafty Morning Is there anything better than activities that are free and ridiculously easy? As long as you have some paint and paper somewhere (and what toddler parent doesn’t?), you can make these easy spider stamps with almost no prep or extra cost. Just cut a few slits into an old toilet paper roll, dip it into the paint, and let your little ones stamp away as they create their spiders. Googly eyes add an extra layer of fun...especially if they want to add 8 eyes to each spider! Pumpkin Hammering From Montessori Dad’s Way This activity has been popping up all over Insta for good reason. It’s endlessly entertaining and helps develop strength and fine motor coordination. Poke some golf tees into a pumpkin (you can use a real one or a foam one), provide some wooden hammers, and let your toddler hammer them into the pumpkin. You can adjust it to their level depending on how deep you make the holes for them. Little ones may need you to push the tees all the way in and then pull them back out. Pour Painted Pumpkins From Homegrown Friends Kids already love pouring and painting, so just add a pumpkin, and you’ve got a Halloween toddler activity that yields surprisingly pretty results. Use white pumpkins and colors that blend well together, and you just may end up with something front-porch worthy. The Switch Witch Part activity, part brilliant way to prevent your toddler from eating 5 lbs of candy on Halloween. Just like Santa and the Easter Bunny, the Switch Witch brings kids special surprises on her favorite holiday. The only catch? She’ll want to “switch” that surprise out for a big bucket of candy! Kids are pumped about their new toy (maybe go for something they’ve had their eye on for a while), and the Switch Witch always leaves a few pieces of candy for the littles to enjoy. You can give the kiddos some control by letting them decide what candy they really want to keep and how much they’ll leave out for the Switch Witch. Turn it into an all-October activity by building up the Switch Witch, drawing your own Switch Witch pictures, or reading a Switch Witch book together.
12 Playhouse Decor Ideas
Playhouses are just too cute to not want to decorate them a little. I mean, who can resist tiny wreaths and picket fences? And the interiors? Tiny furniture? Cozy reading nooks? We’re all about it. Here are some of our favorite playhouse decorating ideas for swoon-worthy playhouses: For the exterior Planter Boxes & Wreaths Tons of our favorite KidKraft playhouse DIYs feature adorable tiny wreaths and planter boxes. They’re an easy, inexpensive way to add a lot of extra cheer to the playhouse. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCJbH8KpbES/ Mailboxes Sure, the mail person isn’t coming to visit, but tiny mailboxes just look so precious – plus, they give you the chance to sneak sweet notes to your kiddos as they play. If your playhouse didn’t come standard with a mailbox, adding a little letterbox like this one is easy. Custom Paint Job If you’re up for a bigger project, a custom paint job can give your playhouse the exact vibe you’re looking for – from storybook cottage to farmhouse to modern. We’ve been so inspired by all of the custom KidKraft playhouse paint jobs we see on Instagram that we made a playhouse just for that purpose: the Modern Outdoor Playhouse in White is the perfect blank slate for whatever color scheme you or your littles can think up. String Lights Now that daylight hours are getting shorter, outdoor twinkle lights are a fun way to add a little magic to evening play. We especially love the look of Edison bulbs for lining the edge of your playhouse. Just be sure to use lights made for the outdoors! Welcome Mat Simple, precious, and practical, adding a welcome mat to your kiddo’s front door is a cute way to keep it clean and welcome friends inside for a playdate. Holiday Decorations If you’re like us, you have a little too much fun decorating for the holidays, and you might have just a few too many decorative pumpkins and snowmen in the attic. So spreading some holiday fun to the playhouse every season is a no brainer. We love these cozy fall decorations on our Hobby Workshop playhouse and these not so spooky Halloween decorations on our Country Vista model. If you do decorate your KidKraft playhouse for fall or Christmas this year, be sure to share and use #kidkraftkids. We’d love to see what you come up with. For the interior With the outside looking inviting and adorable, next comes the question: what do you put in a playhouse? After all, this is where all the magic and make believe really happen! Curtains Decorative and super fun for kids to open and close, curtains effortlessly dress up your little one’s own personal hideout. Café curtains are usually just the right size for playhouse windows. Kid-sized furniture Depending on the size of your playhouse, a piece or two of kid-sized furniture could be a great addition. While you don’t want to overcrowd the space, furniture can add to the realism of the playhouse and help facilitate more imaginative roleplay. Shelves While you might be tempted to fill the shelves yourself, you’ll have more fun seeing what your littles decide to put on them. Some favorite toys, their own artwork, a collection of pinecones or feathers… the possibilities are really endless with kids. Cushions & pillows Even as an adult, cuddling up in a personal getaway with your favorite book sounds amazing, doesn’t it? A few fluffy cushions or pillows can turn the playhouse into a cozy outdoor reading nook. Of course, to avoid mold or mildew, make sure to use outdoor cushions. Rugs Rugs are another playhouse accessory that can up the coziness factor. Again, be sure to go for outdoor rugs to avoid mold and mildew. Outdoor toys & games The playhouse can be an ideal place to store a few outdoor toys. It will (mostly) protect them from the elements, and kids will have easier access to them than if they were stored in a shed or garage. While big toys like basketball hoops will take up too much space, smaller things like miniature golf sets, balls, and gardening or sandbox tools make for fun additions to playhouse time. For more playhouse decorating and accessory ideas, keep up with us on Instagram. Parents are always wowing us with the way their playhouse DIYs, and we’re sure you’ll find plenty of inspiration too. And if you’re still searching for the perfect playhouse to decorate, our quality wooden playhouses have classic, aesthetic designs and “great bones” for any projects you have in mind.
Valentine's Day Ideas for Kids the Whole Family Will Love
Need some kid-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas that don’t involve tons of sugar, money, or prep time? We’ve got you covered. Share the love with the whole family this year with these cheap and easy Valentine's Day ideas for kids! Valentine’s Sensory Bins Dyed rice and heart-shaped knick-knacks make for adorable toddler-friendly sensory bins. Add some different spoons, tongs, and tools for scooping and pouring, and preschoolers of all ages will engage with this fun sensory experience! If you want even more ideas, check out this round-up of Valentine’s Day sensory bins from Kindergarten Connection. Older kids will love the added challenge of the math and reading-themed bins. Valentine Cards Is it really even Valentine’s Day without some delightfully messy homemade cards? While the packs of pre-made Valentines are great for class parties, your kids will love making their own grandparents, siblings, and other loved ones. If your kiddos can’t write yet, prompt them with a few questions and write down their answers. “What’s your favorite thing about Grandma?” “If you had a million dollars, what would you buy Daddy for Valentine’s Day?” They’re sure to have some cute answers that make for great keepsakes. Decorate with stickers, finger paint, and (if you dare) glitter. Heart Envelopes Once those little love notes are complete, wrap them up in these DIY heart-shaped envelopes. The envelopes can double as the Valentine itself if your kids write their messages in the center! Valentine’s Reading Hour There are plenty of Valentine’s-themed kid books out there, and your local library probably has plenty to spare! If you can’t browse in person due to social distancing rules, search the online catalog and place some reservations for pickup. Cookie Cutter Everything Those heart-shaped cookie cutters are good for a lot more than just baking sugar cookies (though we suggest you do that too!). We love that they’re a cheap, effortless way to add a little Valentine’s theme to the activities you already have. They can double as stencils and paint “stamps,” and they’re great for playdough. Or add a few to your little one’s play kitchen for some Valentine’s themed pretend baking (just be sure that the edges aren’t too sharp!) Family Date Night Who says candle-lit dinners are just for the grown-ups? Break out that tablecloth, set the table with flowers and candles, and play the cheesiest playlist you can find on Spotify. Serve up the kids’ favorites (even if that means decidedly non-fancy things like grilled cheese and pizza bagels), and celebrate the love you share as a family! For dessert? You can’t go wrong with anything covered in chocolate. However you end up celebrating, as long as your little Valentines know they’re loved, that’s a successful V Day in our book!
St. Patrick's Day Activities for Kids
Corned beef, cabbage, and beer are definitely not kid-friendly cuisine but never fear – there are a ton of fun (and yummy) ways you can celebrate St. Patrick’s day with your kids. Make your kids feel like the luckiest little leprechauns in town with these eight St. Patrick’s Day activities for kids! Dress Up in Green The pinching thing we can do without, but dressing up in your greenest garb is always fun! If your kids are in school, put a fun outfit together the night before. If you’ll be spending the day at home, get a little goofy with it and challenge each other to put on as many green items as you can. Read all about St. Patty’s Day We love this list of Irish-themed kids books from A Teachable Teacher. If you don’t want to spend money on new books, odds are your local library has some fun kids’ books that feature St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland, or leprechauns. If they’re all checked out, check out National Geographic Kids’ quick facts on St. Patrick’s Day. Make Irish Soda Bread If your child is old enough to help in the kitchen, whip up a loaf of Irish soda bread together. Don’t be intimidated by the idea of making bread – Irish soda bread comes together easily, doesn’t need any yeast or special flours, and can be baked on a regular old baking sheet. Make fizzy shamrocks This fizzy shamrock activity is equal parts craft and science experiment. It’s a simple St. Patty’s Day-themed take on the classic baking soda and vinegar experiment. A little green food coloring and some paper are the only other materials you need, making it the perfect activity if you don’t want to shop for new craft supplies. Serve something green While you’ve got that green food coloring on hand, put it to good use by surprising your kiddo with a green snack or drink. Even something as simple as green milk in the morning is enough to put a smile on their face! Do a leprechaun photoshoot Image from The Crafting Chicks Leprechaun hats and beards make the perfect photo booth props. Craft your own, download and print some, or find a set online or at a party store near you. Craft shamrock window hangings Image from A Little Pinch of Perfect You have a ton of options when it comes to shamrock crafts, but we’re partial to these colorful tissue paper shamrocks. They look lovely in the sunlight, and they’re perfect if you have a variety of ages. Older kids will have fun designing their “stain glass” cutouts, and preschoolers and toddlers will just love the chance to use a glue stick! Lucky Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt We love this easy St. Patrick’s Day game from Play Party Plan. All you need for the Lucky Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt are common household items and the free printable checklist. Once your little one has checked off the list, extend the game by asking them to hide their “treasure” like a leprechaun and play “Hot or Cold” as you search for the items!
Your Guide To The Ultimate Easter Egg Hunt for Toddlers
Peter Cottontail is officially hopping down the bunny trail, folks. That’s right, Easter is just around the corner, and we’ve got just the thing to help make it a great one for your toddler. Our Guide to the Ultimate Easter Egg Hunt for Toddlers All About Eggs We like a combo of dyed eggs and plastic eggs – you get the fun of coloring eggs together and the yumminess of chocolate Easter treats! Plus, with a few dozen boiled eggs in the mix, you can give your kid more eggs to hunt without giving them more sugar. Tips for Dying Eggs with Toddlers If you’re getting a dye kit, be sure to get it early before they sell out! Or make your own by filling small bowls with enough hot water to cover an egg and adding 1 tsp of vinegar and 20 drops of food coloring per bowl. Use one of your old t-shirts as a smock for your toddler. It will completely cover their clothes and makes for a cute picture! Go with the flow – even if that means your toddler wants to mix colors and ends up with a dark brown egg. It’s all about having fun, right? Be sure your toddler knows that the water is hot! Tips for Filling Your Plastic Easter Eggs Fill them on Saturday night after the kids are asleep and keep them out-of-sight until it’s time for the big hunt – toddlers are not known for their patience, after all. Candy is the obvious filling choice, but you have plenty of options. Your toddler probably doesn’t have any expectations about what they’ll find in their eggs, so go with whatever you want. Raisins, peanut butter crackers, dark chocolate, you name it... Almost any toy that can fit into an Easter egg is probably a choking hazard for a toddler. Opt for stickers instead if you want some non-food fillings! Remember that many hard or chewy candies are also considered choking hazards for toddlers. Get a Toddler-friendly Easter Basket Keep those tiny hands in mind when you pick their Easter basket. Long handles and large baskets will be tougher for them to handle as they hunt. Time to Hide Keep Count Rotting eggs smell like… well, rotting eggs. Avoid all of that by keeping track of how many eggs you’ve put out and make a basic map if necessary. Keep it simple You have plenty of years for creative Easter egg hiding places that make your kids really work for it… the toddler years are not those years. They’re likely to get bored or frustrated before all of the eggs are found. Eggs scattered out in the open or “hidden” in easy spots are plenty for toddlers! The novelty of the activity and the process of gathering things in a basket are enough to make it fun. If you’ve got older kids too, make sure they know they know to leave plenty of “easy” eggs for their younger sibling. If you do want to add some creativity to your hiding places, go for funny instead of difficult. Leave eggs in silly but obvious places like chairs, flower beds, or doormats, and have a few stuffed animals “lay” eggs in the backyard. Time to Hunt When it’s time for the main event, remember that any amount of fun is a success. Young toddlers may not get the concept, and even older toddlers may be way more interested in the snail they find than the eggs. Lots of hints and help can help keep them interested and focused, but if they decide to plop down and enjoy each treat as they find it, that’s okay too! We have a feeling the Easter Bunny won’t mind.
Fourth of July Activities for Toddlers
The Fourth of July comes with a ton of built-in entertainment for kids… I mean what’s cooler than fireworks and parades? Unfortunately, a lot of those activities aren’t so toddler-friendly. (Two-year-olds + late bedtimes + sparklers = recipe for disaster.) But no worries – to make sure the littlest members of the family get in on the July 4th fun, we’ve put together this list of Fourth of July activities for toddlers! Fizzy Chalk Fireworks Real fireworks and sparklers are probably still a little (okay, a lot) too dangerous for your toddler to handle, but they can draw and “pop” their own kid-friendly firework paintings with this fizzy sidewalk chalk paint. This super simple chalk paint is a combo of baking soda, water, cornstarch, and food dye. Once they’ve drawn their fireworks on the sidewalk, hand over a bottle of vinegar so they can spray their artwork and watch it fizz! Red, White, & Blue Fruit Skewers Your toddler will love that they can actually help make these healthy fruit kabobs. Depending on their skill level, they can chop the banana with a butter knife, place fruit on the skewers, and ( if they’re a bit older) work on their pattern recognition skills! DIY Sparkler Wands These sparkler wand crafts are a fun, safe alternative to actual sparklers. They may not be quite as enticing as an actual sparkler, but your little one will still have fun waving and shaking them – not to mention all the fun they’ll have making them with you! Temporary Tattoos & Face Painting Even if you’re not an artist, stars, stripes, and fireworks are pretty easy to paint. No matter how they turn out, your toddler is sure to love them! They’ll probably want a turn too, so be prepared to get a few red, white, and blue scribbles on your own face! Be sure to pick up a few bottles of face paint as even the non-toxic craft paints might irritate sensitive skin. Or make it even simpler and just pick up a few packs of 4th of July temporary tattoos. “Fireworks” in a Jar These fireworks in a jar are a July 4th-themed take on one of our favorite water activities for toddlers. Just add some water, oil, and a few drops of food coloring to a jar and let them shake away. The oil will create a lava lamp effect as the colors mix around. Add in some glitter or star-shaped confetti for a little extra sparkle. Red & Blue Dyed Flowers Dying flowers with colored water is a popular science experiment to teach kids about the vascular system of plants. In this Fourth of July version, White daisies and red and blue food coloring give this classic science experiment a patriotic twist. While your toddler might not understand all the science-y details yet, they’ll still be delighted as they watch the white daisy petals take on red and blue hues throughout the day. They also make a great sparkler alternative for your little one to wave around! Paper Tube Firework Stamps Say hello to the easiest, cheapest Fourth of July activity ever. Just repurpose some old paper towel or toilet paper tubes into firework stamps and use whatever paint and paper you have on hand. Now finish off the planning by adding a few of these Kid-friendly Summer BBQ Ideas to your July 4th menu, and the whole family is set for some Fourth of July food and fun!
KidKraft Parents: Favorite Holiday Traditions
KidKraft Parents: Favorite Holiday Traditions This time of year, we tend to feel a little like Santa’s elves – we work hard all year making toys, especially for the big holiday rush! Of course, even the elves take a break and slow down to make memories with the ones we love. While we all celebrate differently, we’ve all found that the traditions that mean the most are often the simplest – those little things that mean a lot. So from our families to yours, here’s a peek at a few of the traditions that make the holidays feel like the holidays in our homes. Tell us about yourself! What’s your name, position here at KidKraft, and ages of your little ones? TAYLOR HERRERO: I’m Taylor Herrero, Director of Digital Marketing, and I have a 7-year-old daughter. HELEN ADAPPA: My name is Helen Adappa, and I’m Director of Brand and have a 3-year old and 5-year old! JUSTIN VICTOR: Justin Victor, Director of Brand, and dad to a 2-year-old son! What is your favorite family holiday tradition? TAYLOR: Christmas is big in our house, and we have so many little traditions. My favorite is that we make cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Christmas morning. It's nothing big or fancy, but there's something so comforting about the smell of those cinnamon rolls in the oven while we open presents. HELEN: We play "Lottery" at christmas. We use hong bao (red envelopes) and put in cards that list out cash prizes or fun prizes like picking the next restaurant. But beware! There's also punishments in there like doing the dishes or jumping up and down 10 times while saying "Daddy the Great!” JUSTIN: For our family it is all about the stockings! From silly prank gifts, or little keepsakes from places we have visited or memories we have made that year, to our favorite sweets and a gift card or two for our favorite eateries. And after gifts and stockings, it's time to stuff our faces and watch lots of sports from basketball to football, there is always some game going on in the background as we visit and share. When or how did the tradition start? TAYLOR: I think it started when my dad was a kid, and we've done it my whole life and have kept it going with my daughter. When my daughter was four, I got the cutest picture of her with a big cinnamon icing smile, and then my dad found a picture just like it of me from the same age and it was just one of those simple and special memories. HELEN: We started it when I was a teenager, and now it's one of the traditions we look most forward to every year! One year, it was kind of a scavenger hunt and led to the reveal of a big KidKraft kitchen for my daughter! She still talks about it to this day. JUSTIN: It’s one of those things that you can’t really remember where it started – it’s just always been our rhythm as a family. With a 2-year-old, we do a little more gifting for him as he's too young to understand the meaning of the stockings, but we already have his hanging from the fireplace when he's ready! Want to know how we’re celebrating this year? Whether it’s watching your favorite Christmas movie for the millionth time, lighting the menorah as a family, or sipping on your grandma’s famous hot chocolate recipe, we hope your traditions bring joy to you and your family this year. And while the traditions may stay the same, we know that the gifts change from year to year… and can be tricky to get just right! If you need some inspiration, you can check out Taylor, Helen, and Justin’s favorite holiday picks for their kids this year!
Cooking Up Holiday Magic: Why Play Kitchens Make Perfect Gifts
'Tis the season to be jolly, and oh, the excitement is bubbling like a pot of hot cocoa on a frosty winter morning! Picture this: twinkling lights adorning every house, the scent of gingerbread cookies wafting through the air, and a blanket of snow turning the world into a glistening wonderland. But the true magic of the holiday season? It's the look of sheer delight on a child's face as they unwrap the perfect Christmas gift on that magical morning. Parents, brace yourselves for a festive adventure as you embark on a quest to find the ultimate present that will light up your little one's world. And if you're yearning for a gift that will set their imaginations on fire, stoke the fires of learning, and ensure endless hours of joy, then gather 'round, because we've got just the ticket: a pretend play kitchen! Imagine the scene on Christmas morning: your child's eyes, wide as saucers, reflecting the glow of the twinkling tree lights, their heart racing in anticipation of what's hidden beneath the wrapping paper. With a flourish, they tear away the festive wrapping, revealing a pretend play kitchen that's so vibrant it practically sings with holiday cheer. The possibilities are endless as they dive headfirst into a world of make-believe culinary adventures. They'll concoct whimsical dishes, brew imaginary potions, and host tea parties for their favorite stuffed animals. As they stir, sizzle, and serve, they're not just playing; they're learning essential life skills, all while having a blast. But how do you choose the perfect pretend play kitchen to make this holiday truly special? Let's explore your options and the incredible benefits these magical playsets can offer. The Appeal of Play Kitchens The appeal to kids is pretty obvious – but why should parents put a play kitchen on their holiday wishlist too? Nurturing Creativity Play kitchens are fertile ground for imaginative play. Kids can concoct make-believe dishes, host pretend tea parties, and act out scenarios from home life and restaurants! Role-playing and Social Skills Enhancement Through role-playing in their mini culinary worlds, kids develop essential social skills. They learn cooperation, communication, and negotiation as they play with friends and siblings, fostering relationships and making memories in the process! Encouraging an Interest in Cooking and Food Kids mimic what they see, and by pretending to cook, they become curious about what happens in a real kitchen. This interest can later translate into valuable life skills and a love for healthy, homemade meals. Choosing the Perfect Play Kitchen So how do you find the best play kitchen for your child? Try to choose one based on their interests and your space and style! Are they pizza fanatics? We’ve got just the thing! Are they most engaged by realistic toys? A kitchen with realistic lights and sound effects is sure to be a hit! These are some of our favorite picks for this holiday season: Modern Metallics Farmhouse Play Kitchen A chic aesthetic and tons of accessories make this modern play kitchen a favorite with both parents and kids! Let's Make a Meal Play Kitchen with 36 Accessories Speaking of play kitchen accessories, this one comes with everything your child needs to stay engaged for hours on end! Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen with Lights & Sounds This corner play kitchen has all the beeps, glows, and dings of a real kitchen – without the mess! Retro Cool Play Kitchen Curvy corners, turquoise appliances, and gold details make for some seriously cool retro vibes. 3-Piece Play Kitchen Set With separate pieces for the refrigerator/freezer, oven/stove, and sink/washing machine, this play kitchen lets you customize the setup for your space! Gift the Magic of Cooking: Shop KidKraft Play Kitchens Now! Cook up some holiday magic in your home, and choose from one of our favorites above, or browse our full line of KidKraft play kitchens!
