Dollhouses are terrific for imaginative play.  They're wonderful to help kids play out the emotions related to family issues ("Whoops....the pterodactyl just carried off the baby...too bad") and parents can even use them to initiate that kind of play.  And many kids simply love them. 

The Kidcraft Dollhouse:

• Includes 19 pieces of furniture.
• Two molded plastic staircases allow kids to continue the action on different floors.
• Three levels of open space, Windows and doors that open and close
• Solidly made, a great value for the money.

The Jupiter Workshop Modern Wood Dollhouse with Furniture:

• Costs a bit more but is made of wood
• Comes with a whopping 70 pieces of furniture, including patio furniture, a retro wall clock, computer, solar panels, recycling bins!
• Only takes an hour to assemble, which you will really appreciate!
• Solidly made, a great value for the money.

Does your child jump on the couch?  All kids need to jump.  Kids with sensory issues especially need to jump.  At 48", this trampoline will fit into any living room to give children a safe place to jump.  I like this trampoline because it is has six legs instead of four, which makes it sturdier and safer. The springs are covered by a oversize pad to keep little feet safe.  Of course, parental supervision is still essential.

• 3.5" Galvanized Springs (30)
• Rust Resistant Galvanized Steel Frame
• Handle Adjust Easily to Two Different Sizes
• Maximum weight capacity: 100 lbs

Kids need to move.  When your child has too much energy, or can't pry himself away from a screen, how about a game of soccer or hockey?  It doesn't matter that the rain is pouring down.  This air power disc works anywhere.

Presenting the Air Power Soccer Disk, the amazing new disk that turns nearly any smooth surface into a sport court, indoors OR outdoors. Use it on low-pile carpeting, wood floors, sidewalks and driveways - there's just no end to the ways you can play. With its powerful hover action, the Air Power Soccer Disk literally floats on a cushion of air.

The disk's outer rim safely protects furniture and walls while allowing great rebounding. Just switch it on, place it onto any smooth surface, and a simple kick propels the disc for fast sports action indoors or out. -Kick It - Enjoy an exciting game of Air Soccer any time, any where. Stick It- Using a regular hockey stick, you can play full scale Air Hockey.  Bowl It - With the Air Power Soccer Diskand a few empty plastic bottles, you can convert your hallway into a bowling alley.

Your little architect will love building bridges, towers, farms for her animals and endless other projects.  In these days of electronic toys, it's important not to forget the fundamentals of childhood development. Wooden blocks offer children endless ways to exercise their imagination as they improve their hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. They also help children establish important relationships between the "part" and the "whole," and the help to provide basic lessons in math, engineering and gravity. 

Kids love playhouses.  In the winter (or if you live in an apartment), they are great to have indoors.  You can make one yourself from cardboard, of course. But sometimes it's worth it just to set up a pre-made playhouse and start them playing.  I love that these come ready for kids to draw on and decorate.  Even if you reinforce with duct tape (often a good idea especially for a birthday party or rambunctious three year olds), you can cut the duct tape when you're done, fold it up, and store it.  Pull it out again in a couple of months for another round of imaginative play.  Rocket ship?  Adventure castle? They're all fun, and can easily metamorphose into teepees, forts, or simply a game of house.  100% recycled materials. 

Every child needs a child-sized table and chairs for drawing, building and working on projects.  If you keep it in or near the kitchen, your child can be near you but happily absorbed in his own "work."  Toddlers and preschoolers also prefer eating at child-sized tables instead of on booster seats or in high chairs, so if your child is eating without you, a child-sized table is usually a better option. This kind of table is also great if your child has a "bedtime snack."  When my son was small, we had one in his bedroom and near the kitchen, and used them both daily.

 

Every toddler and preschooler needs a doctor kit.  Why? Because all children have medical appointments during which their body is touched, poked, prodded and sometimes hurt by doctors and nurses.  We know this is to help our child stay healthy, but it often doesn't feel good to children.  Playing with a doctor kit allows the child to "work through" those feelings and overcome any related fears.  It also helps us as parents prepare our child for doctor appointments.  

(Note: The Melissa and Doug kit does not have a blood pressure cuff. It does have a white lab coat. I used to recommend the Fisher-Price Doctor Kit but it has been on lists of toys with high toxin levels, so I have removed it from my website.)

 These gorgeous blocks lend themselves to creative play, whether your child is driving trucks under a tunnel, building a fort for his animals, or looking for gold at the end of the rainbow.  Highest quality, long-lasting and guaranteed to be used for your child's entire childhood.

 

This is one of my favorite toys for toddlers and preschoolers.  They cook, play house and restaurant, serve each other food.  They pack bandannas to run away to the forest. Cutting the food is so satisfying.

This set contains eight pieces of wooden food, a cutting board and a wooden knife. Food makes a fun “CRUNCH” sound when sliced. With 31 pieces, it’s also a great way to introduce the concepts of part, whole and fractions. Comes in wooden box with slide-on lid. 

Age recommendation:  Some 18 month olds are ready for this kit, some aren't.  It will depend on whether they're likely to put small pieces in their mouths.  Older toddlers will love it, as will preschoolers.

Kids love to paint, and like all art, it's therapeutic.  These cups make painting very easy on the parents.  The screw on lid will not accidentally come off, so spills are eliminated.  And because the seal is airtight, the paint can be left in the cups without drying out!  That means you can buy paint in cheaper large bottles, pour smaller amounts into the cups, and eliminate the chore of washing the cups in between. You can just leave the easel set up, with a splash mat under it, and painting becomes no big deal. Set of four, with colored lids (red, green, yellow, blue).

Every child needs an easel.  This one is well-built, with great features:

Every child needs a padded Tumbling Mat.  It can be unfolded to allow rambunctious play inside.  It fosters motor skills.  It keeps kids busy in physical play, so they sleep better.  Babies can use it to learn to crawl and walk, toddlers, preschoolers and older to roughhouse and practice tumbling and gymnastics.

This giant, colorful tumbling mat is safe for indoor or outdoor exercise and play.  Open, it measures 46" wide x 72" long. When not in use, it folds to 46" x 24" and has handles for easy carrying.

Little girls and fairies are made for each other. Each Waldorf Flower Fairy Doll is lovingly made by hand with incredible skill and attention to detail by Evi Dolls in Brazil. It began its work in 1988 as a small business that had as its objective the teaching of handicrafts to single mothers from poor families. While making Waldorf dolls in their own homes, they could go on with their housework and take care of their children. The intention was to allow mothers to develop worthy and creative work that allowed them to stay at home with their children.

Testimonial: “I ordered a few items for my daughter from Bella Luna this Christmas and not only did my daughter love them, but Sarah provided such great customer service I was blown away. When I purchase something I count the entire experience, not just price (although I found Bella Luna's prices to be competitive). I had spoken to so many non-helpful customer service representatives with other companies and speaking with Sarah was such a breath of fresh air. -”Rhonda V.,Ocean City, NJ

Another terrific Melissa & Doug toy!  This toy will grow with your child, beginning with fitting the shapes, proceeding to learning numbers, and eventually to understanding how to tell time.

• Wood Clock
• Colorful shaped numbers
• Learn to tell time