Kids & Company Blog

Kids & Company’s 2023 Holiday Toy Guide

As we approach the festive season of 2023, there's no better time to explore the world of toys through the lens of learning and early childhood development. At Kids & Company, we understand that play is more than just fun; it's a fundamental avenue for children to discover, grow, and enjoy their formative years. From the first grasps of a baby's tiny fingers to the imaginative adventures of a preschooler, play molds children's brains, hones their motor skills, and nurtures their creativity. 

Our Director of Learning Environments, Kristine Grant, has curated this year's holiday toy guide with a keen focus on the joy and the lessons learned from well-designed toys. Peruse the gift ideas below to find the perfect present for the Infant, Toddler, or Preschooler on your shopping list.

Infants

1. Chevron Building Blocks - Unlike traditional cubes, chevron-shaped blocks bring a unique twist to building and balancing challenges, making every playtime session an engaging adventure. As children grasp, stack, and balance these blocks, they're not only using their imagination but also developing an understanding of cause and effect.
2. Sorting Cube - Introduce numbers, shapes, and colours with this compact and travel-friendly count & sort cube. As they play, infants will enhance hand-eye coordination, shape and colour recognition, and even develop early math skills. Plus, it comes in a small bag, making it a parent's best friend for on-the-go learning, clean-up and entertainment.
3. Teething Activity Toy - Zippee is the ultimate sensory teething activity for babies aged 6 months and up. Its soft, flexible silicone design soothes sore gums while enhancing hand-eye coordination. Babies are captivated by its textured cords and delightful sounds, making it perfect for play and teething relief. 

Toddlers

1. Green Toys Car Carrier - Introduce eco-friendly play with the Green Toys™ Car Carrier. Made entirely from recycled materials, this toy gives parents the opportunity to teach their children about the importance of sustainability and recycling. The set includes a double-decker carrier, three Mini Cars, and encourages motor skill development, open-ended play and creativity.
2. Wooden Shape Sorter - This shape sorter offers a fantastic way for children to explore colour and shape matching, making it their first step in early learning. It aids in the development of fine motor skills, critical thinking, and creativity. Parents will appreciate its safe design with 18 pieces featuring smooth, splinter-free, rounded edges, ensuring safe play for children.
3. Xylophone + Piano - This versatile toy is a pleasure for children to play with. It combines music and cognitive development through its dual role as a piano and a shape sorting game. With colourful shapes and keys, children develop their hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and benefit from increased executive functioning through the sounds of music. A must-have for any family’s toy collection, it’s both fun and educational. 

Preschool/Kindergarten

1. Magna Tiles - Spark boundless creativity for young explorers with this STEAM-certified toy that enhances fine motor, cognitive, social, and language skills while encouraging teamwork and creativity. STEAM toys are Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math based toys geared towards curiosity, learning, and education. (At Kids & Company, we include reading to make it STREAM, further encouraging our preschoolers to be creative, curious, and improve their critical/innovative thinking skills.) A fantastic gift for curious minds aged 3 and up, it's safe, durable, and compatible with other MAGNA-TILES sets.
2. Puzzle - Ravensburger's Mix & Match Animal Puzzles offer a delightful and musical twist to playtime. Featuring a Panda, Elephant, and Penguin, children practice their focus and matching skills by interchanging their heads, bodies, and legs to create new band members. With 24 pieces per puzzle, this toy fosters creativity and concentration skills.
3. Construction Set -  BRIO Builder is a wonderful toy that nurtures young engineers' creativity and problem-solving skills. With 135 components, including tools like hammers and screwdrivers, wooden and plastic parts, and various active features, it offers endless construction possibilities. This STEAM-focused toy offers children the chance to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and logical thinking while having a blast building and rebuilding.

Our 2023 Holiday Toy Guide offers a world of play that goes beyond mere entertainment. As parents, caregivers, and gift-givers, we recognize that every toy is an opportunity for children to flourish. So, let's embrace the joy of giving, knowing that the right toy can foster a lifelong love of learning and play. May your holidays be filled with laughter, cherished memories, and the magic of discovery through play!

Posted on: Wednesday December 6th, 2023

Posted by: Kids & Company