Play Talk

The Play Talk Blog shares stories, play ideas, and parenting resources to support growth, creativity, and joyful learning at every stage.

January 6, 2025

17 Style Upgrades to Transform your Kids’ Room

Here are 17 simple ways to upgrade your kid's room without breaking the budget. Check out these budget-friendly tips to transform and refresh your kid's space.

January 5, 2025

Organizing Your Playroom

Organizing can be a challenge, especially when kids are involved. Here are some tips to make organizing your kids play space easy, stress free and even FUN!

May 31, 2024

The Importance of Play

Attention parents and caregivers! Here from our team of child development experts as they share 5 key benefits to playing with your child and play's importance in social, emotional, and physical development.

May 31, 2024

Your Guide to Tummy Time for the First 6 Months

Discover how you can foster your child's development through brief, intentional tummy time play activities through the first 6 months of baby's life. Article by Dr. Beth Achterhoff, one of our resident child development experts.

August 2, 2022

How to Plan an Adopt a Pet Party

Our how-to on throwing a killer adopt a pet party takes the guess work out of planning your kiddo's next birthday bash.

February 2, 2022

Valentine Gifts for Ages 0 - 3 years

Are you looking for precious gifts for the little loves in your life? Our pro-tip: focus on developmental milestones.

June 11, 2021

Gifts Galore for Birthdays 1-4

Our top toy picks for kiddos 1-4. Perfect for the birthday babe!

May 31, 2018

Helping your Firstborn Prepare for the Newborn

January 17, 2018

Skwish - A Tensegrity Toy Invention

What's a Skwish? Unlocking the mystery behind the Skwish - how it came to be and it's unique tensegrity design.

August 15, 2017

Manhattan Toy in Target®

August 24, 2016

Preparing for the First Day of School

MiO School Bus

Worried about Your Child’s First Day of School? Here’s What You Need to Do By: Kaila Weingarten, MSED I used to wake up early with a pit in my stomach the first day of school. Now, the nervousness is rolling over. My daughter will be entering preschool. How to prepare her for the first day? I’m going to start now. There is so much to get used to from the big yellow bus, to the classroom environment...

May 19, 2016

And the Winner is . . . Manhattan Toy!

We love when our products receive awards; which is why we're sharing the news about our recent award winners! Check out all the below recent awarded winners and the great things reviewers had to say about them. Chicago, Illinois (May...

May 12, 2016

Ages & Stages: Best Toys for Baby's Development

Child development is always a hot topic. I mean, what parent doesn’t want to know how to nurture their growing baby? Babies develop a wide range of skills within the first year of life. From smiling to cooing, from rolling...

May 3, 2016

Morning Routines that Work

Want to have a calmer day? Then work to ace the marathon with a morning routine. Routine can be a safety net for young children. Keeping a steady routine will help every member of the family feel loved and respected....

April 13, 2016

10 No-Nonsense Spring Cleaning Tips

By: Kaila Weingarten We all need a little help de-cluttering our lives! Check out these 10 tips to cleaning up your household this spring and say hello to the new, organized you! Tip #1: throw or donate Throw/donate 10 things...

March 21, 2016

Sensory Learning Tips YOU need to know

Kaila Weingarten, MS Ed We use our senses to learn every day without even realizing it. With your fingers you decide that the pot is too hot to touch without a towel. You answer the door after hearing the bell....

September 10, 2015

Don’t forget the A – Arts in Education Week is September 14-18, 2015

Over the past several years the importance of STEM education has been a big topic for policy makers and the education system. An acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math; these certainly are important subjects that should be emphasized in...

July 1, 2015

Independence Day: Tips to Stay Safe This Holiday

The fourth of July is around the corner! Celebrating Independence Day with friends and family usually includes outdoor activities such as: attending parades, hosting a barbeque, taking a dip in the lake or gazing at the pyrotechnics of a fireworks...

April 29, 2015

Fine, Gross, Small and Large Motor Skills . . . What’s the difference?

You've probably heard the terms, fine motor and gross motor development. But, what’s the difference? Wonder no more! Here are the basics behind these terms and techniques for fostering motor development in your littles.

October 8, 2014

Teach Kids Responsibility Through Organization & Chores

As a parent, you have a job to teach your child valuable life lessons. One of these important lessons you must teach your child is how to be more organized. Let’s face it — not all kids are naturally organized...

September 25, 2014

Playing with Baby

Playing? With a tiny baby? Some of you may be wondering exactly how to when humans are that young. Babies are tiny and fragile - but not easily breakable. And truly, playing is essential to a baby's development and initiating early...

September 18, 2014

Introducing Little Ones to a New Sibling

I’m currently expecting my fourth child and know from past experience several times over how important it is to make sure that older siblings don’t feel pushed to the side when a new baby arrives. Showing the big sister/big brother...

August 28, 2014

5 Ways to Beat the Labor Day Blues

Labor Day is Monday. That means the carefree, warm days of summer will soon draw to a close... and so does the freedom of kid's schedules. Sadly, less time will be spent outdoors as the temperatures cool off and the days...

June 11, 2014

Why Playtime with Dad is so Important

When our daughter, Avery, was born, I instantly transformed into a new man. Not that I was a bad one to begin with, but now I was “Dad”; small word with an enormous meaning! I was ready to start playing...

June 4, 2014

Father's Day Cards

June is here and that means Father's Day is a week from Sunday: June 15th in fact! What are you and your kiddos going to do to make the important men in your life feel the most loved? We've got...

May 14, 2014

Playtime with Baby: A Simple and Beautiful Pleasure

I admit: I love baby things. Consider baby clothes, baby essentials, and baby toys my new obsession. (Gosh, how things have changed since being head-over-heels about stilettos.) However, I'm a mom now, and I'm proud to say my life now revolves...

April 30, 2014

How To Teach Children to Be Honest

Today is National Honesty Day! When kids are little, honesty is usually not a problem. The word 'blunt' comes to mind. It's as children enter the teenage years that the truth sometimes becomes more elusive. Here are our 5 tips to help steer...

April 9, 2014

Boosting Self Esteem Through Pretend Play

When I was pregnant with my first child and learned I would be having a daughter, I made a few very important promises to both myself and my unborn little girl. I first vowed to teach her how to become...

April 2, 2014

How to Keep Little Hands Busy on Rainy Days

By Guest Blogger Becca at Southern Mom Mess We all know that Spring brings rain, and rain means finding fun and educational activities to keep our kids engaged while inside. Not always an easy task! As a teacher, I really...

March 12, 2014

Celebrate Plant a Flower Day!

It may be too cold in your area to actually start your garden, but whether you're planting outside or inside using a pots - get going! For most of us in the US, especially us in Minnesota, starting seeds indoors is...

January 22, 2014

Embrace the Cold and Get Outside!

Don't let the blustery weather keep you inside all winter long. Just bundle up and prepare for the outdoors the right way. Here's our tips great for little ones and adults alike! Fuel up. Whether off to school or going out to...

December 18, 2013

Holiday Cake Mix Cookies

Do you have your shopping done, holiday cards out and festive decorations up? How about the wrapping have you had anytime to bake??? The holidays are a crazy busy time of year... but oh so wonderful. Take some of the stress...

September 4, 2013

Creative School Lunch Twists

School is back in session and busy parents are fitting in time to make lunches again! Get away from the traditional staples and be inspired! Make lunch fun again. We were reading Babble.com this week and saw this fun story -...

August 21, 2013

Plan a Picnic

It's the perfect time of year to plan a picnic and a great way to make family memories. We loved this blog post by Parents magazine containing too many yummy picnic food ideas kids will love. Here they are: Sandwich...

August 7, 2013

Family Fun Month: August 2013

Did you know that August is Family Fun Month?! It’s just one more great reason to plan some family fun activities this month. Need some ideas on what to do with your family? Mom’s Choice Matters blog has some awesome...

July 3, 2013

Happy 4th of July!

Whether you're in town, at the lake cabin or family farm, the 4th of July is all about fireworks and food! We only have a few more hours in the office before the holiday commences... here's the grub those around our office are most...

June 12, 2013

Father’s Day: A Day to Celebrate Good-Ole Dad

Fathers play an important role in the life of every child. From teaching them how to ride a bike, to sharing life lessons, dads around the world foster the growth and development of their children and loved ones. So this...