Play Talk
The Play Talk Blog shares stories, play ideas, and parenting resources to support growth, creativity, and joyful learning at every stage.
Why I Love my Daughter’s Lovey
Kaila Weingarten, MS Ed You’ve seen the kid in the grocery with a little tattered piece of cloth. You shot weird looks at the mom, but when you have your own child, all you want is for them to have...
Toys for Three Month Olds: 4 Things you Must Know
By Kaila Weingarten, MS Ed Congrats! You made it through those first three months. Although your baby lost that newborn look, she’s finally responding with coos and smiles. She’s getting curious about you and the objects she sees. And he’s...
Meet Baby Stella® Being a parent is a big job. Keeping the kids clean, happy and healthy comes with a to do list that’s longer than you could ever have imagined, and from day one, that means feeding, rocking, changing, singing,...
Reading to Babies-Why, When, and How
By: Kaila Weingarten, MS Ed When I was a young girl, there was one place I awaited going to eagerly. It was not the candy store. Nor was it the toy store. It was the library. I loved choosing from...
The nurturing bond between mother and a child is something that spans years, cultures, and even species! Little ones are never too young to learn about nurturing, which is why our Nursing Nana and Nursing Nina are such great toys...
Groovy Girls® - Inspiring Individuality, Self Confidence and Undying Imagination!
Little girls are great. They see the world with kaleidoscope eyes, and they remind us to stop and take a look through those colorful lenses. That’s why we think it’s important to give them playtime companions that encompass all that spirit and...
Babies delight in grasping things as early as four months. It’s when their fresh baby brains are just starting to develop their fine motor skills. While new infants can physically wrap their hands around an object (our pinkie fingers for...
We’ve Got the Tools for Successful Tot Travel
For a parent, road rage is something that doesn’t happen outside the car so much as it does in the back seat. A bored, tired or uncomfortable tot can be just as difficult on the road with as a crazy...
It’s almost that time again! Every year, members of the “ASTRA” (American Specialty Toy Retailing Association) participate in Neighborhood Toy Store Day. Saturday, November 14th, is the date of this year’s Neighborhood Toy Store Day. ASTRA retailers across the nation...
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...
National Teddy Bear Day, September 9, 2015
Manhattan Toy is teaming up with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to offer you a chance to win your own Truffles Bear™! We’re having an Instagram Photo Contest running now until September 9, which is National Teddy Bear Day! So...
Amongst the hustle and bustle of the Greenwood area in Seattle, Washington there’s a fascinating toy store by the name of Top Ten Toys. Just off 85th street, Top Ten Toys has Seattle’s largest selection of classic, hands-on and fun...
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...
Supporting Visual Development: The Importance of Developing Baby’s Visual Abilities
Visual development is a crucial part of baby’s growth. According to Pregnancy & Baby’s 2012 article on visual stimulation, newborn babies are only able to see a mere 8-15 inches in front of them. In addition, “they are unable to...
Your Yukon Toy Destination: Angellina's Toy and Children's Boutique
In Whitehorse, the capital city of Canada’s Yukon Territory, there is a remarkable place you ought to visit. The Yukon offers many extraordinary sights throughout the year. You may catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, or witness the wonder...
Imaginative play is an important part of the development process. Through pretend play, children nurture a variety of necessary skills to succeed in life. Nurturing your child’s ability to exercise their imagination supports the development of different social, emotional and...
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.
The Story Behind “Big Blue Whale”
When you find yourself walking down historical 19th street of the Houston Heights shopping district, there are several boutiques and shops you may come across. Perhaps you find yourself inside a thrifty antique store, or seated in a comfy chair...
March 30 is national “Take a Walk in the Park Day”. So we’ve put together a list of 10 things you should do before your next park venture! Getting the kids ready for any trip can be an adventure all...
New Traditions: Valentine's Day 2015
Valentine’s Day is a time to remind the one you love just how much they mean to you. As tradition may have it, couples young and old often find themselves buying flowers, chocolates or even taking their “sweetheart” out to...
Our Tree Top Adventure Is Up for a TOTY Award!
We're very proud and excited that our Tree Top Adventure is up for a Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award this year in the Infant/Toddler category. This is one of the most prestigious annual toy awards to be nominated for, and...
The Educational Perks of Having a Plush Pal
We take great pride in creating some of the very best plush critters on the market because we know many times a baby's first toy is a teddy bear or another soft animal creature. When shopping for a cuddly toy to gift (or...
Neighborhood Toy Store Day: Nov. 8, 2014
It’s almost that time again! Every year, members of the “ASTRA” (American Specialty Toy Retailing Association) participate in Neighborhood Toy Store Day. Saturday, November 8th, is the date of this year’s Neighborhood Toy Store Day. ASTRA retailers across the nation...
How to Encourage Imaginative Play
Imaginative play is essential for children and their key to engaging and making sense of the world, because children learn best from experience: from what happens around them, what they see, hear, smell, taste and touch. To truly absorb these skills they need to act...
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...
When planning for your first child there are many things to consider adding to your baby shower gift registry. From the car seat and crib, to clothing and diapers, there are so many things to think about. All parents want...
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...
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...
If you've ever turned to your parents or your partner's parents for advice or help with parenting, you know just how important and wonderful grandparents are. That's why grandmother Mariam McQuade of West Virginia had the great idea of starting...
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...
Spotlight: Preschool Teacher Mrs. Mandi Sauer shares how she prepares for the school year and the importance of play in the classroom Most schools in Minnesota start the day after Labor Day. It’s a busy time of year for students, but especially...
Retailer of the Month: Brilliant Sky Toys
This month’s featured retailer is Brilliant Sky Toys and Books. Director of Vendor Relations, Whitney Hall has worked at the Brentwood, TN location since it opened in 2010. This August marks the four year anniversary of this franchise location. As a...
It’s not too late for a warm-seasoned family road trip of weekend vacation. Summer is still here! In fact, with the increase in flight prices more and more families are spending time on the road in order to vacation this...
Developing play skills is an essential part of childhood. Through play, typically-developing children acquire the skills necessary to communicate with others, express and understand emotions, physically manipulate a variety of items of all sizes, build strength and endurance, and gain...
Retailer of the Month: ABC & Toy Zone
ABC & Toy Zone in Rochester, MN has been in the business of selling toys for almost 20 years and has a bright future. And, we're extraordinarily proud to say that Manhattan Toy has been working with them 18 of...
We are thrilled to say some blog changes are happening at Manhattan Toy, and all for the better! We've been so happy to get our blog up and running on Blogger, but now after developing a good editorial team, content...
By Manhattan Toy Editors The Fourth of July is next week already, so we’re feeling all sorts of silly! We’ve cooked up a Fourth of July themed Mad Lib for the whole family. Ready for to have a _______ (Adjective)...
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 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...
Play This Memorial Day Weekend!
By Manhattan Toy Editors The official kick-off to Summer is almost here, Memorial Day weekend. It appears that most of the US will have beautiful weather, for at least part of the holiday weekend, so make sure you and your family...
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...
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...
Retailer of the Month Feature: Five Little Monkeys
The History and Magic Behind the locally-owned, family run, green certified, San Francisco Bay Area toy store Owner Stephanie Sala opened the first Five Little Monkeys location in Albany, CA in 2001. Opening her own toy store, was not part of...
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...
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...
Three Must-Haves on Your Next Family Vacation
Keep the Kids Busy with These Great Suggestions As the snow melts away and the brown grass slowly starts to peek through the white blanket of slush and ice, vacationing to a warmer climate starts to sound like a fantastic...
Spring starts tomorrow – and then Easter is just one month away! We love the light pretty patterns and soft pastel colors that this season brings and the fresh smells of the Earth in bloom. This spring, whether planning Easter...