Items tagged “Toys & Recreation”

Take a pinch of magic, wish hard and get transported to a far away land where children stay young forever. That is the spirit behind a book that is a sure-fire fave designed to win the hearts of kids, especially girls aged six to ten. The Never Girls: A Pinch of Magic is the seventh entry and newest in the blockbuster series by writer Kiki Thorpe who has already rocked the pre-teen world with the earlier Never Girls books including The Space Between, A Dandelion Wish and The Space Beyond. Thorpe sets the stage for wishing, dreaming and, most of all, reading — an activity parents are beyond thrilled to have their daughters pursue.

Every home needs some ambience; a way for the inhabitants to feel cozy, secure and happy. Aesthetic touches like blankets, pillows, throws and other accessories do more than just provide physical warmth and comfort; they add a distinctive look and help create the right vibe. They also provide a way for the residents to express their unique style sense and show appreciation for the things they love. Scene Weaver describes itself as a “feel-good” company that offers multiple collections with a little something for just about everyone. Pickled is a branch of Scene Weaver that offers lighthearted children’s room décor and clothing collections.

As the world of nature disappears faster than we appear to be doing enough to stop it, stories of this part of life teach important lessons. Squirt the Otter is a true story of an orphaned baby critter who was found, in all places, in a farmer’s field. Tracy, a zookeeper, together with her dog Muffin, befriended the baby otter and took her into their home, caring for her to enable her to grow into a healthy adult. This warm tale by Tracy L. Mikowsky, the actual Tracy of the story, shows how compassion and friendship transcend the species, giving concrete examples of the bond between humans and animals and the benefits to both of forming close, caring connections.

Capitalizing on the importance of a child’s imagination, Box Play for Kids offers eco-friendly kids stickers to repurpose recyclables into fun, new toys. The company was inspired by owner Janette Harwell’s 2-year-old daughter and her love for stickers and a “penchant for playing with empty boxes.” Harwell continues, “I had an ‘aha’ moment that lead to the invention of Box Play for Kids.” Fortunately for Harwell’s daughter, both her parents are designers who have specialized in package design, branding and advertising for over 20 years.

With so many of today’s youth gravitating to electronics, the power of games that can be enjoyed face to face has never been more appreciated. Studies show that interconnectedness between people — an approach that cannot be reproduced in the online world — improves social skills and just plain makes people of all ages happy. Family game nights are seeing a resurgence in popularity and shoppers are on the lookout for clever, well-designed, high quality games. Get your customers on a roll with the latest and greatest games from Clued In Kids, Endless Games, Blue Orange Games, and Family Games America.