So maybe your kids won't be accompanying you to the Saturday night showing of Man of Steel this weekend — it does have a PG-13 rating after all — but that doesn't mean they can't embrace the Superman spirit. In honor of the flick's release (today!), we've rounded up nine fun finds for Superman fans-in-training. From nursery decor to the coolest Kryptonian Blaster, it's never too early to channel your inner Clark Kent.
We love learning about the latest and greatest in high-tech toys as much as the next guy, but sometimes there's nothing quite like going back to basics with a beloved classic. Enter the good old-fashioned building block. These timeless toys nurture fine motor skills while encouraging creativity and imaginative play. Check out eight great sets for the tot in your life, and get building!
The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe has been a beloved first ride for little ones for more than 30 years, and while it's best recognized by its signature yellow-and-red exterior, customizing coupes has become a hot trend among crafty parents. Check out these 10 one-of-a-kind rides — you just may be inspired to pimp your own kiddo's car!
Can you imagine a time when boys and girls wore the same clothes and pink and blue weren't even available in the baby section of a store? According to a new book, Pink and Blue: Telling the Boys From the Girls in America ($25), it wasn't that long ago that parents dressed their little ones in white (it was considered more practical because it could be bleached if baby spit up or made a mess), and little boys even wore their sisters' white dresses until they were 6 or 7. It was as recently as the 1940s that genders began to be identified by pink and blue, and then it quickly became the gender norm.
While Jo B. Paoletti's book focuses on children's clothing trends over the years, the same theory can be applied to kids' toys, just pushed back a few decades. Toys that were introduced in the '60s and '70s had a decidedly gender-neutral feel to them — think primary colors. But as we approached the '90s and the '00s, popular manufacturers began distinguishing their toys geared toward girls from those for boys. We're not saying it's right or wrong, but it certainly is interesting to see what toymakers think girls want in a toy. Take a look at how some classic toys have evolved and gender specified in recent years.
Girls might have the doll market cornered, but boys aren't completely out of luck when it comes to finding plush pals to cuddle (or karate chop, depending on the mood). We tracked down nine stuffed creatures that will appeal to even the most doll-averse little gents. From scary sharks and wild raccoons to pirates, superheroes, robots, and even a doll that kind of looks like dad, these soft toys all scream boy!
If the thought of scanning yet another aisle at your local big-box toy store has you feeling uninspired, then look no further. The gift shops of some of the country's best art museums are great resources for unexpected, fun, and design-conscious playthings for little ones. We've rounded up 10 of our favorite finds from museum stores across the country — from New York to California and everywhere in between — and they're all available online!
Keeping your kids' toys organized can seem like a never-ending and impossible-to-win battle. While we don't recommend taking the advice of one of our friends — who recently decided she might as well throw away all of her two toddlers' toys, since "they only wanted to play with the iPad anyway" — we get that keeping your house uncluttered and cute in a toy-filled zone is a tough job. That's why we tracked down 11 real kid's rooms that provide some direction on how to make all that stuff look attractive to you, your kids, and any visitors who might dare to visit. Keep clicking to learn how living with toys can be done stylishly (we swear it's possible!)
Need some quality family time? Unless you have a house of game-night fanatics, try making a homemade toy with your child. From colorful playtime dough to musical instruments and bouncy balls, these 10 fun toy ideas are easy to make with your kids, plus they can provide hours of entertainment. Click through to find your kid's next favorite toy!
When the sun's shining and the temperature's rising, kids can't wait to get outdoors. And when there are new toys to be played with, outdoor playtime can't come soon enough. We've checked out the hottest new toys of the season and have narrowed down our favorites to keep kids busy all Summer long. Check them out!
April 28 is National Superhero Day! My 21-month-old recently began calling herself "Super Mae," and while I'm not sure I should be encouraging her dreams to fly through the skies and walk through walls in the long term, for now, I'm quite happy to cheer on her new identity. If you have a budding super-little-man or -little-woman on your hands, too, get them in the hero game with one of the following 16 superhero finds for kids. From design-your-own capes and awesome wall art to stuffed hero toys, these finds will help your kids become super in no time.
