play skool - Stuff Parents Need

We all know that babies grow out of their clothes with lightning speed. There’s just not much that can be done about that, I’m afraid! But do they have to outgrow their toys just as fast? There are many toys on the market that have the lifespan of a size newborn onesie, either due to their poor quality or to the fact that they just aren’t that stimulating to a growing mind.

Playskool is a brand that has impressed me time and time again. They offer high quality, developmentally focused toys that keep your budget in mind. Every Playskool product we own gets pulled out of the toy box on a regular basis.

Recently, my friends at Playskool sent Darah the Playskool Explore and Grow Activity Ball to try out. It has been one of the first toys that Darah reaches for every day since we got it! Right now Darah is on the cusp of crawling. She loves to move from a sitting upright position to being on her tummy and trying to crawl. The Explore ‘N Grow Activity Ball encourages her to lunge forward and reach for it, since it rolls around and gets just out of her reach. When she has the ball in her hands, the loves the rattling sound that it makes. This is a perfect toy for Darah right now because it motivates her to move herself so that she can grab it. She also enjoys sitting up and having the ball rolled to her, and she makes the attempt to roll the ball back to me. I can see the wheels turning in her head that she and mommy are playing a fun game!

The ball also opens up and has some cool features inside. Darah is quite interested in playing with the ball when it has been opened, though she isn’t yet able to open the ball herself. When she gets a little bit older, though, I know that opening the ball and playing with the activities on the inside will be enjoyable for her. It will also encourage problem solving and the development of fine motor skills!

Buy It!: The Playskool Explore ‘N Grow Activity Ball is ideal for babies as young as 6 months in age, and will offer excitement to any little one through the toddler years. It can be purchased for $15.99 at mass retailers such as Target and online!

Do you love Playskool products, too? What is your child’s favorite Playskool toy? Don’t forget to stop by and say hello to everyone at Playskool on Facebook!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This post may contain affiliate links.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what to get my baby for Christmas. Of course, I want the day to bring her joy and laughter, but I know that it is completely unnecessary for me to overwhelm her with material objects in order to bring a smile to her face (and I pray that I never lose sight of that fact!). I’ve been thinking about finding just a few interactive toys for baby that are developmentally appropriate for her (looking for baby toys for 6-12 months), and that are affordable. If you’ve ever shopped for toys for babies, you know that you can certainly find cheap stuff out there, but that doesn’t mean that it will engage a child’s mind. You can also find some really engaging toys that hit your checking account awfully hard. In my opinion, Playskool is a brand that offers the toys that children can learn and grow with, minus the heavy price tag. If you have a baby or toddler on your Christmas list, I want to highlight a few really great affordable toys for babies from Playskool, all under $20.

For babies ages 6 months and up, the Tumble ‘N Twirl Top is an excellent option. Balls can be dropped into the chute, and then the button on top can be pressed to start twirling them around! A baby can also open the door to release the balls and enjoy crawling after them. This product retails for $19.99.

Another great option for a baby 9 months and older is the Blocksters Blockimals. These are stacking blocks with a twist! The outside of the blocks have different animal characters on them. The blocks also have an animal on the inside of the blocks for additional fun! The blocks come in sets of 3 and retail for $14.99.

If the baby in your life is 12 months or older, Playskool has a really cute and thrifty option for you. Wheel Pals are soft and squeezable animals on wheels! Your young toddler will really enjoy rolling these along the floor time and time again. The price also cannot be beat, as these retail for $3.99. These would be a terrific stocking stuffer, or put together a few of them (there are 12 varieties from which to choose) for a really fun gift.

For the kids ages 2 and up (and let’s be real, also for the grown ups), consider a Classic Themed Mr. Potato Head! If you never had a Mr. Potato Head growing up, I encourage you to indulge yourself and get one! They are SO MUCH FUN, and of course, they are even more fun when you get to introduce them to a child for the first time. Pretty much everyone is familiar with Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head figures, but did you know that Playskool also offers a Firefighter Spud that comes with an extinguisher and Captain Potato Chips, complete with a peg leg, eye patch and hooked hand? Imagine the fun to be had with these toys, and for the low price of $9.99!

I hope that this post gives you some ideas for truly fun toys for babies at a price point that won’t make you squeamish. The folks at Playskool do an excellent job of creating great toys that children will reach for again and again. They are definitely buy-worthy, in my book!

They are also win-worthy! Playskool is offering a Stuff Parents Need reader some of these excellent toys! One of you will win a Firefighter Spud AND 2 Wheel Pals! You will be giving hours and hours of fun to the little one in your life who will receive these, I guarantee it! This contest will run until December 15th at 7:59pm CST when a winner will be selected via random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email with requested information. Open to residents of the United States.

How to Enter

Mandatory entry: You must follow or subscribe to my blog! Options include following me through Google friend, subscribing through email, or subscribing via RSS. Let me know which one you use in your entry.

Additional Entries:
1. Follow HasbroNews on Twitter
2. Tell me another Playskool toy you really love!
3. Check out the For Parents section of the Playskool site, and tell me something you learned there!
4. Enter my giveaway for swaddling blankets (ends 12/12)
5. Enter my Delicae Gourmet giveaway (ends 12/13)

Disclosure: I received no form of compensation for this post. I just love Playskool! Affiliate links may be included at no cost to you.

Toys that Grow with Your Child

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