Tween years can be a confusing and challenging time for both parents and kids. While kids are growing up and trying to find their place in the world, parents are trying to keep up with their changing interests and needs. One way to help bridge the gap is through toys. Not only do they provide a source of entertainment and fun, but they can also foster creativity, imagination, and critical thinking skills. Here are the top 10 toys for tweens. Happy shopping!
Amazon has launched a new monthly subscription program for kids. This program includes highly curated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) toys that will encourage kids to learn through play. What’s in a box? Amazon editors work closely with smart brands to handpick the best STEM toys. From programmable robots to crystal kits and chemistry sets. How much does it cost? A STEM Club Toy Subscription costs $19.99/month plus applicable taxes. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to the site.
Spin Master came up with the Hatchimals toy concept in 2014 and officially “hatched” on Oct. 7, creating the “Global Hatchimals Day.” They chose a secretive launch strategy, which helped build the anticipation and excitement for all the Hatchimal species. Since their introduction in October, Hatchimals have become the toy of the season – with the suggested retail price of $59.99 and quickly becoming a rare find. They are finding avid fans in both boys and girls ranging in age from 3 to 12 years old. Hatchimals are interactive, furry creature that hatch out of a colorful egg. They come in five species — Draggles and Pengualas (penguin-like), Owlicorns (owls with a unicorn horn) and Burtles and Bearakeets (little bears and turtles). If you can’t find one now, more will be available in 2017.
As the holidays fast approach, here are some ideas for your older kiddos – who are generally harder to please. Ideas start from an electric guitar to my favorite, the IO Hawk. Happy Shopping!
Here’s a roundup of a few of our favorite, all-time toys for kids for 2015 holidays.
Here’s our list of favorite stores to shop for toys in NYC. A Time for Children 506 Amsterdam Ave., NY, NY, 212-580-8202 Acorn 323 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11201, 718.522.3760 Area Play Various locations in Carroll Gardens and Park Slope, NY The Artful Place 171 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217, 718.399.8199 Baby, It’s You 3727 Riverdale Ave., Riverdale, NY 10463, 718.548.1134 Blue Tree 1283 Madison Ave., NY, NY 10128, 212 369.2583 Boomerang Toys 119 W. Broadway, N.Y., N.Y. 10013, 212.226.7650 Chelsea Market Baskets 75 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011 The Children’s General Store 168 East 91st St., NY, NY 10128, 212.426.4479 Daily 235 235 Elizabeth St., NY, NY 10012, 212.334.9728 Dinosaur Hil 306 E 9th St., NY, NY 10003, 212.473.5850 Enchanted Toy 1179 Lexington Ave., NY, NY 10028, 212.288.3383 FAO Schwartz 767 5th Ave.,NY, NY 10153, 212.644.9400 Giggle, For a Giggle Store Locator go here! Grandma’s Place 84 West 120th St., NY, NY 10027, 212.360.6776 Heights Kids Kid O 123 West 10th St., NY, 10011,212.366.5436 Kidding Around 60 West 15th St., NY, NY 10011, 212.645.6337 Kidrobot For a Kidrobot Store Locator go here! Kisan Concept Store 125 Greene St., NY, NY 10012 …
Here are great ways to organize your kids’ toys without getting overwhelmed. Don’t over-categorize Toys need to be organzied but they don’t have to be put away in alphabetized, color-coded bins. Kids simply love to dump things out and that’s just how they tend to want to put things away – dump everything back into a bin haphazardly. Kids don’t care if one bin is marked “trucks” and one is marked “cars.” If you love to label things, rather than making up a toy classification system on your own, ask your kids how they would like to see their toys categorized. You’ll be surprised by the different ways they view their objects and, even better, if they help you come up with the system, they are more much more likely to follow it. Tote bags are your friend Earmark a specific, lightweight bag (preferably with handles) that can be carried around the house and used as a depository for wayward toys. That way, when you or your child finds a toy that belongs elsewhere, it …
