Imagination Celebration!

The toys that celebrate imaginative play are some of my favorites. Naturally, there is some overlap when it comes to this category (building toys, for example, encourage one to imagine scenarios as well as encourage motor skill development and logic/planning) but in this post, I will focus on those toys that promote imagination before all else. A few quick examples: dolls, costumes, kitchen and similar sets. With such toys, your little ones can pretend they are other people (like mini versions of you and others in your family, or, they may imagine they are from some realm filled with magic and mystery).

Image credit: 247-play-doh-imagination-poster

Note: The item is currently going, on Amazon, for $97.19, and if you're a Prime Member, this includes the free shipping. I did check out Oompa's site, and they are selling the same product for $117.99 (including shipping). The store "My Toy Box" is selling the same item for $89.99 (with free shipping). The retail value of this item is about $150.

(Link to My Toy Box: http://www.mytoybox.com/  They are also having a promotional sale on all HABA items, enabling you to take an extra 10% off if, during checkout, you use the following coupon code: HABA10.

Educo My Creative Cookery Club: 

Admittedly, this item is pricey, but I actually purchased it a few years ago for my daughter, who is now seven. She got about three years use from it (and then decided she was too old for such things!). After three years of use, it still looks new. Now that my youngest is almost two, I'll be pulling this set out of storage and am anticipating getting another two-four years of imaginative play in before I donate the item to a local charity.

When I view the price in terms of long-term play value, I think it's worth it, but that's just me. I suppose that if you have a two-year-old and a baby, or plan on having another baby (and have a toddler), then this is a great deal that can be used for many years to come. If the price still seems outrageous, there are so many other ways of encouraging imaginative play, some of which cost nothing at all: hand over some wooden spoons and pots and let them get to work!

Note: I checked out the Melissa and Doug store and they are selling the item for $99.00, including free shipping. I'll be looking at other sites to give you a chance to price compare... 

Melissa and Doug DELUXE Wooden Folding Castle:

GRRR! :) Had written a few paragraphs on this, but it did not save! Alas. First, this is the deluxe castle (large, and takes a lot of space). I had purchased a deluxe castle for my now seven-year-old when she was three, and here is what I learned: despite the number of rooms and staircases and added flourishes, most of her playing experiences occurred "outside" of the castle proper. Yes, since the castle unfolds all the way, the playing was mainly done around the borders of the castle. Don't get me wrong, she adored the castle, but despite the size of the rooms, the interior was mainly used for posing characters: she could not easily maneuver her "people", for the rooms were tiny (think of little hands and motor skills at this age group). Frankly, the staircases got the most use as far as play is concerned. If you have an older child, I'd say give it a try, but for your toddlers, this may not be the prime option. My final words: the castle was tremendously huge and really dominated her room when it was open, which was most of the time, which attests to its popularity. If you have loads of space, go for it! If not, there are so many other options. That said, so many parents have given this item rave reviews and adore it. Since you can add items to it (think of figurines, etc., you do expose your children to loads of possibilities when it comes to imaginative play: dragons, princesses, knights, elves, etc. You choose your accessories (sort separately, of course!) :)

Melissa and Doug Fold and Go Wooden Castle: 

Perhaps it's the neutral colors of the castle, but this product seems to be popular with the parents of little boys (as I noticed by reading many, many reviews). I opted to buy it for my little girl. :) As I mentioned above, after buying the Deluxe version of the castle, where I noticed that most of the playing occurred outside of the walls, this time around, I opted for the more economical and compact castle. 

What I like: It is compact and can be easily stored on a shelf (place a small basket nearby with any additional accessories that you may choose). The exterior is neutral, so you can add any kind of figurine that you want, and there are even little windows. The two sections of the castle are well hinged, making it easy to open and close, and you don't need to worry about little fingers getting caught in the hinges, for a lot of attention seems to have been paid to this particular aspect.

What I do not like: Although the exterior is "finished", some of the interior parts (floors) may have been assembled upside down. What do I mean? Some of the floors are nice and smooth, but a few pieces in "my castle" have floors that have not been sanded down (were they meant to be ceilings?). The staircases, four in all, are ultra slim and have not been sanded and one, in particular was poorly cut--I actually see wisps of wood. AND I DO see some of the glue work... Still, for now, especially for the price, I am pleased with this product.

I cannot truly say if I will love it or not: that will depend upon the play-value of the item. And that's when I will write a concise review.

More on all of this (and more!) tomorrow! I also added a bit more about citiblocs on my previous post, and have some other products in mind that I'd like to highlight there.