Play Talk

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

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...

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Today is National Salesperson Day!

We would like to take a moment and thank all of the Sales Groups, Sales Representatives and Retailers that promote and sell our toys and gifts.  We greatly appreciate the efforts from all of our Road Warriors!  Each one of you is...

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Love can have a small budget

You don't need to spend a hundred dollars on gifts to impress the ones you love on Valentine's  Day.  Really, this time of year (and in our hard economy) it really is about the thought and just remembering those who...

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Retailer of the Month Feature: Mrs. Tiggy Winkle's

Mrs. Tiggy Winkle's is a sweet family owned and operated store in The Glebe, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.  Our partnership started a long time ago, because of our mutual love for Whoozit, and it's blossomed ever since. Specializing in quality...

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Adventures with Manhattan Toy

Guest Blog Post: Grace at The Daily Obsession Cabin Fever is a term my husband uses to dramatically announce that he is delirious from being trapped our apartment for too long. With the winter temperatures and all that white stuff on the...

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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...

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National Bubble Bath Day

Incase you didn't remember, it's National Bubble Bath Day today! What does that mean? Slow down, relax and take a little more time cleaning up yourself instead of just showering quick.  It's a really nice way to distress after a long...

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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...

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A Walk Down Memory Lane

As a toy company, we strive to create toys that kids will love and enjoy for years to come. On a day-to-day basis we are constantly reminded, by our customers, how toys have the remarkable ability to leave a lasting impression. ...

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"Thankful" Leaf Sun Catchers

Guest Blog Post by Alesha from Full Time Mama My kids love to do crafts, and as Thanksgiving is almost here I thought it would be fun to do a Fall/Thanksgiving themed craft.  A friend of mine had some transparency...

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Picking Your Child's First Toy

Guest Post By Rachel Pitzel of Club MomMe LA One of the most exciting things for expectant and new parents to pick out for their new baby is their child's first toy.  Sure, selecting a stroller and nursery set are...

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Retailer of the Month Feature: The Doll Hospital & Toy Soldier Shop

The Doll Hospital & Toy Soldier Shop in Berkley, Michigan is truly one of a kind - starting with it's history and Grandma Kay Parish who opened a small doll repair shop in 1948.  Today, it now stands as a legend in the...

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Happy Halloween!

We hope you have some spooky and fun plans today whether is be trick-or-treating with your kids or friends, a party at your child's school or at your office or just watching something haunting on TV. Because many at our...

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Imaginations at Play on Halloween

Halloween is the one day each year that you can become anything you want, so of course we love this holiday that encourages using your imagination and creativity!  Even though Halloween is just one week away, most of our office is still trying to decide what...

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Retailer of the Month Feature: Snapdoodle Toys

  There's a sweet little toy store in Kenmore, Washington, Snapdoodle Toys.  Five and a half years ago the local toy store was closing up shop and Rob and Cherry wanted to fill that emptiness in the community.  That’s when...

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Where Are They Now

Just for fun, we got in touch with one of our previous baby models to see where she is now!  Lindsey was in our 1999 catalog, showing off our Weather Woogle™.  At this age her interests included teethers, naptime and crawling away as...

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Homecoming

With many Homecoming festivities going on all across the country this time of year, we're feeling quite nostalgic.  We've been looking through photos and reminiscing about our great Manhattan Toy lines: Baby Stella:  8 years old Winkel: 11 years old Put & Peek...

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Photo Shoot

It may only be September, but we're working hard on our end of year, January 2014, large catalog!  Here are some shots of the cuties from Wednesday's photo shoot at Unleashed Productions in Minneapolis:

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Magnificent Autumn

The temperatures are dropping and the leaves will soon be falling!  We can't wait for fall!We want to make sure you and your family enjoy this beautiful season.  Here's our top five fun fall activities:Jump in a pile of leaves: It's an amazing...

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Retailer of the Month Feature: Be Craftful

Be Craftful, in Fanwood, New Jersey is new to the specialty retailer marketplace – only open since this past June, but excited and roaring with business!  The owners, and husband and wife team, Demian and Amy, chose to start up...

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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 -...

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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...

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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...

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Kick Off to Manhattan Toy's Retailer of the Month Features!

  August Retailer of the Month: Building Blocks Toys We’re kicking off our Retailer of the Month series!  Each month we will be featuring one of our great retailers and sharing a little about their “story”.  We’ll touch on topics...

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Welcome Baby George Alexander Louis!

We're so excited for the royal family and the birth of George Alexander Louis!  If we were invited to a shower, here's the top five gifts we'd give: 5.  Sweet Pea Gift Set 4.  My Snuggle Patches 3.  Bababall 2. ...

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Family Road Trip

Taking a family road trip?  Sometimes hours in the car with little ones can feel like an eternity for both you and them.  Keep those Imaginations at play with some of our favorite portable games and toys to keep babies and toddlers entertained...

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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...

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Behind the Scenes

Last week was busy!  First, Manhattan Toy was in Nashville, Tennessee for the ASTRA show and then headed straight to Dallas, Texas for the Gift Market.  Thanks to all that stopped by our booths! We greatly appreciate it! We had a great response...

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Something’s Cooking at Manhattan Toy…

To celebrate summer we’re hosting our 3rd annual Sizzlin' Summer Giveaway event! For the next 10 weeks we'll be giving away some of our most popular and new items! Check out our Facebook page next Monday to see what you...

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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...

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Mother’s Day: A Day to Appreciate Mom!

Mother’s day is the one day of the year that is especially devoted to honoring moms around the world.  At Manhattan Toy we’re celebrating this day of gratitude, by sharing a few Mother’s day traditions and reasons why Manhattan Toy...

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As Seen on The View

Imagine I Can™, Manhattan Toy’s newest unique line of affordably priced activities for kids ages 3+ was featured on The View, February 15th by toy expert, Elizabeth Werner as one of the Best of Toy Fair. Watch the segment now!...

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It's Show Time!

Manhattan Toy has been ringing in the New Year traveling the globe attending various toy and gift trade shows.   Here’s where we have been so far: Atlanta, GA      Anaheim & L.A., CA Seattle, WA Dallas, TX Chicago, IL New...

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Lessons in Giving this Holiday Season!

  The holidays are upon us again! Busy schedules, the hustle and bustle of the season – running here and there, shopping, extra activities and getting ready to spend time with family and friends. What also comes with the holidays...

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Why We Support Small Business Saturday

May the Shopping Begin!!   With Thanksgiving just behind us and Black Friday well underway, the shopping season is marked by several special days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  But one very important shopping day that we want to...

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The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association Neighborhood Toy Store Day

Shop Local Mark your calendars for November 10, 2012 and get ready for the annual Neighborhood Toy Store Day event!  The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) invites you to take part in this annual shopping event to support local...

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The Power of Education!

Education is at the top of everyone’s minds this week even if you don’t have a child that is going back to school.  Children gain an extraordinary amount of information about the world around them starting at a very young...

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Manhattan Toy Lil' Artist Day

At Manhattan Toy® we strive to feed the imagination of children and parents alike.  So on Friday August 17, we’re hosting our second Manhattan Toy Lil’ Artist Day!  We’ve invited all of our Manhattan Toy employees to bring their children,...

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The Never Ending "Why Mommy?"

Hello, I am the Marketing Manager at Manhattan Toy as well as a mother of two precious boys, one who is at the adorable age of 11 months and the other who is at the inquisitive age of 3 ½. ...

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Welcome to Manhattan Toy's Blog!

Welcome to the Manhattan Toy Blog!  At Manhattan Toy our mission is to make parents and kids smile through our commitment in providing quality toys that inspire imaginative play. Because engaging with parents like you is one of the most...

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