Play Talk

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

Soft baby doll seated on rug with teddy bear, bottle, mini paper book and pacifier next to a TOTY award Finalist seal on right side.

November 10, 2025

Vote for Love, Stella!

Our Love, Stella Sleepy Time Peach Set has been nominated as a finalist in the Doll category for this year’s Toy Of The Year awards (TOTYs). Help us win! Cast your vote today to make our Love, Stella Sleepy Time set the 2026 Doll of the Year or People's Choice winner.

Mom and preschool age son kneeling on the floor in a living room playing a mini corn hole game.

May 30, 2025

5 Simple Steps to Strengthening Parent-Child Bonds

A Simple Yet Powerful Way to Strengthen Parent-Child Bonds Learn the 5 steps to the “Special Time” technique to deepen your child/parent connection. By: Dr. Joy A. Lauerer DNP, APRN, PMHCNS-BC Have you heard of the "Special Time" technique? As...

Toddler age girl seated in a gray child-sized chair holding a pretend food bowl and spoon, pretending to feed her soft doll that is also seated in the chair wearing a fabric bib.

April 30, 2025

The Importance of Doll Playtime in Early Childhood

Why is doll play so important for a child’s development? The benefits of solo doll play extend beyond emotional growth; it has a profound impact on both cognitive and social development. Learn more about the benefits of doll play from Dr. Joy A. Lauerer - one of our resident early childhood development experts.

March 28, 2025

Spreading the “LOVE” of Stella Soft Dolls

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.

May 31, 2024

4 Tips to Creating a Space for Imaginative Playtime Learning

A beginners guide to creating a successful play space for your little ones. Check out these helpful tips to crafting the perfect learning-friendly environment for play and discovery.

May 31, 2024

Stuffed Animals for Every Occasion

No matter the occasion, huggable stuffed animals are perfect for nearly every gift-giving moment. Discover how versatile plush toys can be as we share countless occasions perfect for stuffed animal gifting.

March 5, 2024

Smile Inducing Toys for Baby's First Easter

Calling all first-time and seasoned parents gearing up for their newborn’s first Easter! We're stocked with smile-inducing Easter gifts for your child.

October 24, 2023

Manhattan Toy: A Crown Crafts™ Family Brand

This October, we're debuting new header tabs on our site, connecting you to the family, our family, of Crown Crafts brands. Learn more about our Sassy sister toy brand and NOJO infant and toddler bedding brand today.

June 16, 2023

Manhattan Toy Book & Author Collaborations

We're excited to share our latest book & author collaborations. Our talented designers have transformed timeless classic and new heroic characters, from the pages of several NY Times best-selling children's books, into lovable 3D plush characters. Prepare yourself for a behind-the-scenes...

April 14, 2023

Sunny with a Chance of Baby Showers

Let's talk baby showers! We've got great gift ideas for the mom-to-be on your gift list.

September 19, 2022

Style Your Own Wee Baby Stella

Choose your doll, hairdo, and playset too! We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our newly redesigned Style Your Own Wee Baby program. Starting at $50, you can choose a doll + hairstyle + play set combination! The dolls are designed with inclusivity and interchangeability in mind, allowing hairstyles to be changed out in a few easy steps.

August 17, 2022

Our Celestial Star Explorer is Taking Off!

We are thrilled to have our Celestial Star Explorer nominated as a finalist in the Infant/Toddler Toy category for this year’s Toy Of The Year awards (TOTYs)—an annual award program hosted by The Toy Foundation. Help us win by casting your vote today!

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.

May 3, 2022

Their First Teacher is You - Part III

Simple teaching tips to encourage learning and development in your 6-12 month old!

May 3, 2022

Their First Teacher is You - Part II

Easy ways to encourage learning and development in your 3-6 month old!

April 27, 2022

Their First Teacher is You - Part I

You are everything to your child. Cook, caregiver, entertainer, chauffeur, and teacher. Yes, teacher! Read more on part one of our three-part series on teaching tips from birth to their first birthday.

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.

December 1, 2021

2021 Holiday Gift Guide

Not sure what to get for the kiddos on your list? No worries, we have some great options for newborns to kindergarteners.

November 4, 2021

Investing in Our Future

Discover how Manhattan Toy is creating a brighter future for our kids, our community, and the world.

September 24, 2021

Costume Inspiration in Two Easy Steps

Whether you're a halloween fanatic or a simply looking for costume inspiration. Here are two easy steps to inspire your costume creations for halloween and beyond.

August 6, 2021

Family Life On The Road

Planning a family road trip? Here are a few pro tips to set you up for success.

June 11, 2021

Gifts Galore for Birthdays 1-4

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

June 7, 2021

Add It To The Babylist

Are you expecting? Or, have a mama friend who is? Then listen up because this article is all about must-have toys - add them seamlessly to your Babylist registry.

June 3, 2021

Around the World with LEGO® Minifigure Plush

Did you know we’ve partnered with the LEGO Group to create LEGO® minifigure plush? They are soft toy versions of LEGO character favorites. Available now across the globe! Here's where . . .

We are excited to share about our partnership with Kanika Chadda Gupta Founder of That's Total MOM SENSE podcast. Creative Director, Jeanne Bleu, sat down with Kanika to share about toy design, the importance of play and her own "mom sense" moments.

April 1, 2021

That's Total MOM SENSE with Kanika

We are excited to share about our partnership with Kanika Chadda Gupta Founder of That's Total MOM SENSE podcast. Creative Director, Jeanne Bleu, sat down with Kanika to share about toy design, the importance of play and her own "mom sense" moments.

March 24, 2021

Easter Baskets by Design

Adorable Easter baskets; artfully crafted to ignite your basket creation process. Take a look, get inspired and have fun finding the perfect gifts and goodies for your little’s Easter basket this April!

January 15, 2021

Children are Always Listening - Resources for Navigating Complex Topics with Your Littles

Parenting through 2021 hasn't been easy, especially when having to answer difficult questions. That's why we're sharing a few resources for navigating complex and sometimes scary topics with your kids - election process, attack on the Capitol, Inauguration Day, and other relevant topics we are facing.

October 21, 2020

What is Voting All About? Five Ways to Teach Kids About Elections

What’s an election? How do people vote? Why is it such a big deal? Here, a few ideas to help our littlest citizens better understand the hows and whys of this important time.

October 16, 2020

Tips for Instilling Generosity & Empathy in Children—Starting at an Early Age

Wondering how you instill kindness, generosity, & empathy in children—starting at an early age? Discover helpful tips and kid-friendly resources for fostering these thoughtful life skills.

October 13, 2020

Toys that double as room decor

These eye-catching toys become beautiful decor in any playroom. Check out our top toy picks!

August 25, 2020

The Everything But The Baby Checklist

New baby on the way? This checklist covers the basics that’ll have you and your growing family off to the best possible start.

June 16, 2020

A Summer Like No Other

Make the most of your summer with this fun-filled adventures the whole family will enjoy.

June 1, 2020

Change Starts With Us

Building positive associations to racial differences in young children is no easy task. Manhattan Toy's Head of Marketing, Jaylon Rosenblum shares how she approaches this important life skill in her own home. Plus, find helpful resources to seed conversation with your own family.