‘Tis the season for gift giving. My preference in gifts is that they are useful, fun and educational. Below have been the toys that my children have used over and over.
1. Mondo Blocks ($50.00 range)
I cannot tell you how much we have used these. They are a cardboard brick set. They are large, rectangle blocks that are practically indestructible.
My boys sit on them and throw them. They build towers and spend hours being creative and physical with the mondo blocks. They have been a staple in our house. They come with 50 in a pack. They are easily assembled. They stack up nicely against the wall in our living room.
2. Counting Cars ($40.00 range)
This toy is fantastic. My kids love it. It is great for fine motor skills, learning colors, and math skills. They like to race the cars around my house. They put the purple pegs into the cars and they line them up in order.
3. Large Cardboard House to color ($25.00)
My kids were given a cardboard castle from my son’s occupational therapist. They spent hours coloring it and playing in it. It is great for motor skills, creativity and hours of fun.
4. 3D Tub of Shapes ($20.00 range)
This is a set of 40 multi-colored 3D shapes. They are great for sorting, learning shapes and we often used them to practice letter formation. My kids learned the cube, sphere, cylinder, and other 3D shapes early on. They have had lots of fun playing with them.
5. Squigz ($25.00 range)
Squigz suction cup to the ground. They come in bright colors of red, green, white, blue, purple and yellow. My kids have used them to strengthen their little hands and prepare their hands for writing. They have used them to count and to learn colors. We stick them to the floor, the glass doors and the refrigerator and they have fun pulling them off.
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6. Board Games ($7.00 to $15.00 range)
Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders and Don’t break the ice are just a few of their current favorites. Board Games are good for family fun. They also are good for processing and cognitive skills. Kids have to think, learn to multitask and follow directions all while having fun.
7. Headphones ($15.00 range)
My kids love these headphones. We have used them on airplanes, car rides and just to listen to music or for iPad time. They have been incredibly useful
8. Peg Board ($18.00 range)
The peg board can be used for sorting, teaching colors, counting and developing fine motor skills. We have loved this peg board and used it for a couple of years
9. A Craft Box
Grab a box or basket and fill it with colors, coloring books, glue, popsicle sticks, painting activities, and stickers. I do this every year. I find items from Micheals and the dollar store. My kids love it and enjoy it for months
