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

Do you have an active toddler who drives you crazy getting into everything and needing your attention?  Toddlers NEED to be involved in the work of daily life; that's how they learn.  Since we spend so much time in the kitchen, every family needs a safe stool that raises a toddler high enough to "help" at the kitchen counter.   That's why I love safety towers; they keep your busy toddler occupied and learning, while happily connected with you while you work. 

Just need to keep your toddler busy for ten minutes while you're at the stove?  Pull the tower up to the sink and let your child "wash" your pans and tupperware. Giving your toddler actual "tasks" in the kitchen (wash the vegies, stir the batter) can spark a love of food preparation that will last through childhood and make your child a healthier eater.

These are worth every penny and then some in  the time they keep kids safe, happy, learning and engaged with you. There are cheaper Towers out there, but I'm not recommending them because I'm not confident they're sturdy enough to prevent toppling. 

The Learning Partners Kitchen Helper is sturdy, height adjustable, and non-tipping.  Finished with a non-toxic, lead-free finish that cleans easily with a damp cloth.  Fits flush against the average counter top allowing kids to step up safely, without pinched fingers or falling. Adjustable platform so that it can adapt to your child's height.  It will support up to 500 pounds, making it safe for up to two children at a time. With a few accessories (sold separately), the Learning Tower can also be configured and used as a puppet theater, fort, doll house and other fun activities.

The One Step Ahead Kids Kitchen Helper, a bit less expensive, has a storage drawer, and comes in attractive colors, and it's the only folding safety tower I've found, so if you need a space-saver, this is the one.  I've rated it second because the lack of rails at the bottom looks slightly less safe to me and it has fewer reviews on Amazon so I'm not as confident in its workmanship.  If you buy it, please send me an evaluation!

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. 

This potty is nice-looking enough to put in your living room next to your child's toys, because when it's closed it just looks like a step-stool.  That makes it easy for him to use, even if he's the kind of kid who can't tear himself away from playing!  And kids love the secret side compartments to store their special stuff, so they're never trapped on the potty without adequate entertainment.

The hole is small enough that the littlest trainers aren't worried about falling in, and yet it's stable and sturdy enough for bigger kids.  When it's closed as a stool, it even supports adult weight.  Also nice that you don't have to move the whole potty to empty and clean. 

 

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.  

Please note:  The Fisher-Price Doctor Kit is a good quality kit for a very reasonable price, which is why I'm recommending it, but it does NOT include a white "lab coat" despite the picture.  If you want such a coat for your child, I recommend the Melissa and Doug Doctor kit (lower photo), which is a bit more expensive but well-made and also has a "reflex hammer." (For my daughter, that was her favorite part of the doctor kit!)  (Note: The Melissa and Doug kit does not have a blood pressure cuff.)

 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.

 

Every toddler needs a doll to nurture, and these fabulous Baby dolls from Bella Luna Toys are perfect. The doll's facial features are hand embroidered and intentionally simple, in order to encourage imagination and creativity during play. The unique combination of wool stuffing (that gets warmer the longer it is held) and the weighted body give Heavy Baby a lifelike feel that helps to foster nurturing qualities in young children. Heavy Baby is just right for the child who needs to 'lug', and has a settling and reassuring quality for those in need of extra sensory attention. These are the original Heavy Baby natural fiber dolls, as previously carried by Joy’s Waldorf Dolls, made from the original design and pattern created by Trish Mooney.

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.

If your toddler loves to get into everything, this is the toy you need.  Many toddlers love to understand how things work, open and close things, and play hide 'n seek.  This toy satisfies all those desires.

• Brightly colored, smooth-sanded pieces help build early shape, color and size differentiation skills
• Hide-and-seek pictures behind each door help develop fine motor skills
• Incredible value and superior craftsmanship

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).

SAFE. SECURE. STABLE. POTTY TRAINING SOLVED. THIS IS THE ULTIMATE TOOL FOR POTTY TRAINING! Streamlines potty training by eliminating an entire stage. Now children can go straight from diapers to the toilet.

The Potty Stool is a step stool that works with every toilet. The stool allows a child to get up there alone/dress/undress without fear of falling in or off due to the wide base.  The large platform means children can easily turn around without falling off. The comforting handles help children climb up and down and provide support while they are seated.

This is the ONLY stool with SANITARY GRAB areas when children are climbing, standing, and sitting. Secure, high handles make every toilet toddler friendly. Child seat not needed. Adults can use the toilet when The Potty Stool is in place by removing only one sidewall. Parents and children love the safety, simplicity, and ease of use.

Ships contiguous 48 states by UPS only-Cannot ship to APO/AFO, AK, HI. Dimensions of the stool: height of step platform is 8.5 inches, requires 2 inches each side of toilet and 11 inches or less in front of toilet bowl, depending on the model of toilet.

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.

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