Every little girl dreams of owning a kidkraft dollhouse. Here, her tiny "family" holds their many adventures—adventures her active, imaginative mind is free to invent and reinvent each day. She can rearrange the furniture, reenact familiar rituals and scenes, and invent her own rules.

Every little girl dreams of owning a Dollhouse. Here, her tiny "family" holds their many adventures—adventures her active, imaginative mind is free to invent and reinvent each day.

She can rearrange the furniture, reenact familiar rituals and scenes, and invent her own rules. "In a dollhouse, there is are bedtimes." "In a doll house, everyone gets to eat 100 pieces of chocolate cake…everyday!"

According to child experts, this kind of imaginative play is very healthy for a child. Starting from the age of four, children discover the world that lies outside their doors.

They meet people who aren’t part of the immediate family; they go to school and are asked to follow rules and rituals that they don’t necessarily like.

As they make new friends, they also learn new social skills, and struggle with concepts like sharing and taking turns. It can all be overwhelming.

Control over a world (and her emotions)

But having a Kidkraft dollhouse gives them a sense of control over a smaller world, and here they can "play-act" their fears while practicing the rituals and routines that are part of healthy social interaction. For example, when a child holds an imaginary party in her dollhouse, planning a guest list that includes stuffed rabbits and the Queen of Fairies, they are (subconsciously) working through their anxiety about large crowds and unfamiliar faces. They would probably hate any party that included people they didn’t know, but talking about what cakes to serve and which parts of the dollhouse their guests will stay in, makes her feel more confident about interacting with others.

A great tool for developing social skills

Kidkraft Dollhouses are also a favorite in any playgroup, since they’re one of the few toys where it’s more fun when it’s shared.For young pre-schoolers who still hate having to give up a toy to another friend, they can spend many happy hours playing with the dolls without a single fight about who gets which.

A toy that changes every day

Dollhouses transform each time a child sits down next to it. Each time she makes a story, each time she gives the dolls a name and then acts out their rituals and adventures, the dollhouse becomes "different".

One day it’s a castle under a spell. The next day it’s the scene of a grand ball. And maybe today it’s just an ordinary house, but the aliens (i.e., her brother’s Buzz Lightyear action figure) attack. You never know.

A toy that’s fun at any age

Dollhouses are also one of the few toys that don’t get boring after a few weeks. In fact, because the fun lies in the child’s imagination, they can be played with for years. As she grows older, she’ll start making clothes for the dolls, designing her own little furniture and curtains, decorating the doll house and possibly creating entire novellas about its miniature residents. When she grows up, and the dollhouse is put away, it can be retrieved years later and given to her own daughter.

Wishrooms.com offers unique Kid Furniture for Bedrooms and Playrooms at affordable prices!

By Misti Norusis
Published: 12/5/2006

Melissa & Doug Multi-Level Solid Wood Dollhouse w/ Family of 5 Dolls
"Recommended for children ages three and up, this classic, timeless dollhouse encourages hours of imaginative fun."

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Doll-House Bedroom Furniture | Buy Cheap
"Melissa & Doug Bedroom Furniture Set Style and elegance are reflected in the safety mirror of the dressing table included in this timeless, formal bedroom set."

Melissa & Doug Multi-Level Solid Wood Dollhouse From Melissa & Doug
"This charming house comes complete with a family of five, folk-art style dolls and 19 pieces of all-wood furniture."

Technorati Tags: dollhouse accessories, dollhouse kits

Kids will always be kids and we know that playtime is like an adventure for them. They run, hop and walk with their bare feet and for all you know, they start unearthing worms. These are indeed lively experiences that kids nurture and cherish.

However, these meaningful moments can be put to waste since kids tend to break things. So, how are you going to keep each moment worth-remembering? Surely, there is no better way than to give them something fun and real.
Kids outdoor toys will set the mood in every child’s play. Curiosity will take them into play sets that visualize walls and high ceilings. Think of wooden stairs and fences. Inspire their playful side and recreate sand castles with them. Sandpits are truly keepsakes along with swings and inflatable sets.

Recreate a lovely beach setting through white sands and inflatable pool for kids. You can even inspire your daughter into starting her own mini-garden. True enough, there is a long list of possibilities when it comes to outdoor games.

Trampolines are also great items for kids. Have fun and exercise with your children. These items likewise encourage children to be more active. Nowadays, parents are having problems with regards to deviating their child’s interest away from console games. Trampolines will surely encourage them to seek the sun and exercise for a healthier living.

These outdoor toys stimulate our kids’ physical growth and instill into them the value of friendship. They gradually learn how to share items with kids and play alongside various peers. Climbing walls and play sets likewise encourage teamwork, for our children learn to fulfill certain tasks while thinking of their playmates.

They mingle and play with other kids and equate playtime with learning. Kids outdoor toys like playhouses, relive the tales of princesses and helps in inspiring little girls. They can set their own tea parties and mingle with neighbors and classmates.

Playhouses are also perfect in setting up a mini-classroom for kids. In it, they can read books, sing popular tunes and dance to their hearts content.Perhaps, you are thinking twice in getting that playhouse or play set. However, kids treat these items as precious and ideal gifts. Do not miss out on possible opportunities, as you can now learn a thing or two about your sons and daughters. Be it a playhouse, climbing wall or trampoline, these toys are perfect and ideal for kids Build lasting memories and see our kids have fun this summer. Learn to participate and make time for them. Besides, there is nothing wrong in building sandcastles with your children. For all you realize, you will be giving your kids far more than ideal presents. In turn, you are giving them nothing but worthwhile moments.

By Nicole Munoz
Published: 5/27/2009

Fun and Easy Ideas For Kids' Summer Learning
Kids and families wrap and pack empty shoe boxes with simple items most people take for granted, including toys, school supplies, and toothbrushes. Operation Christmas Child collects the gift boxes.

The Back Burner » Blog Archive » Fun Treats for Kids
Kiddos quickly get bored with the same old, same old, and pre-packaged snacks aren't always the most affordable items to purchase from the grocery store. So what to do? Stock up on the tasty.

Nintendo Ds Games For Kids | Climber Toys
If your kids have pestered you for a real live doggy, Nintendogs is for them. For the younger kids there is Interactive Storybook DS which features several classics, only the kids can interact.

Six Cheap and Fun Children's Items at Target
What I found were six different items for children to have fun with this summer. All were plastic and packaging free, and all were between thirty-nine cents and five dollars. Let's get real.

Technorati Tags: kids outdoor toys, outdoor kids toys, outdoor play set, outdoor playhouse, playground slides

Child psychologists say that children need to have their own personal sanctuary—a place that they can call their own. While this doesn’t mean that they should get their own apartment (they can’t even reach the kitchen counter, much less make their own meals), they should have a place in the house where they can escape.

This is their "private space", where they feel safe and can retreat to if they need to be alone.

Why is this so important? According to child psychologists, from the age of one, children already begin coming to terms with their sense of self:

I am a separate person, different from Mommy and Daddy and the world. They start to develop their independence (even if it means saying no to everything you say). They explore their skills and test their limits, gaining satisfaction from every task they accomplish: "Look what I did!"

A room (or playhouse) of one’s own

Parents can give children a special Playhouse—literally a space that’s completely theirs, where they can close the door and pretend that they are in their own beautiful world. They can retreat to their playhouse whenever they want quiet time, even choose to nap here if they like. The fact that they have the freedom to do this anytime they please, and that this is their house and not Mommy’s or Daddy’s, gives an immeasurable boost to their self-esteem. "I have control over my world. I have a safe place to go to whenever I need to."

But playhouses are not just retreats; they are the stage for children’s wonderful imaginings. They can cart their favorite dolls and stuffed animals with them, and suddenly they’re kings and queens of their magical kingdom, or even the Mommy and Daddy of a unique family. You can even give them kitchen sets or let them "cook" with clay food (or a small box of real cereals which they can mix with plastic spoons).

Boys need playhouses, too

While houses were traditionally thought to be a girl’s toy, mainly because of they’re miniature precursor, the dollhouse, boys can enjoy them as well. Luckily there are several designs that will appeal to their tastes.

There are playhouses with circus themes (to complete the look, buy a stuffed clown and a stuffed lion). There are playhouses with sheriff themes (you can even make your child a special sheriff’s badge out of cardboard wrapped in gold tin foil). There are playhouses that are painted with rocket ship designs (you can stick glow-in-the-dark stars and moons on the ceiling, hang an astronomy on one wall, or make your own planet mobile from colored paper).

Of course, every girl will be proud to own a playhouse with a princess theme (make her a special tiara or crown and scepter, or buy a set from a toy store). This will be her castle, where she’ll hold court with her dolls and teddy bears.

And of course, there are playhouses that are unisex—made of bright colors that appeal to every child.

From bedrooms to backyards

Some playhouses are meant to be kept indoors; the materials aren’t meant to hold up well against the weather, and the brightly painted designs might fade under the sun and rain. However, their décor can perfectly complement a themed room, and they will bring hours of indoor fun (after all, if they can’t go outside, they can still go somewhere).

However, some playhouses can be kept outside, and are made of materials that are easily wiped clean (shoes can get really muddy out in the yard!). You can even have a sleepover in them—your child will be proud to invite his friends over to his house). These are ideal for homes that have limited space, or for kids who love being outdoors.

Playhouse fun

There are many things that children can do in their playhouse. In fact, one of the benefits that they bring to tired, distracted parents is that you can let them play on their own without worrying if they’re getting into trouble—they’re safely indoors, in an easily-monitored area, and not running around at the risk of breaking things (or worse, breaking their necks). Here are just some of the playhouse activities your child can enjoy:

• Tea parties. Let your child play host or hostess in a mini tea party with stuffed animals or friends in their playhouse. You will need a plastic tea set (or let them use plastic plates, or an inexpensive set of real plates if they’re older). Then prepare finger food like sandwiches, fruit balls, brownies or cookies. Let your child dress up as he or she would for a real party. If you will be bringing over friends, you can even print out invitations. Put your child’s playhouse address, e.g. "Jenny’s Castle, North Bedroom, 123 Green Road." For the invitation, use the same motif as the playhouse.
• Decorating. Let your child "decorate" the playhouse with simple crafts that you can do together. Look at the playhouse theme for inspiration. For example, you can make a star-shaped picture frame to match the stars painted on the walls, or create an animal mobile with stencils or computer print outs for a circus playhouse.
• Miniature playhouses. Your child will love making a miniature version of his or her playhouse for a favorite toy. You will need cardboard boxes, paint, a cutter to make the windows (it’s best if you do this yourself), and glue. You can buy embellishments at a scrapbook or craft’s store for the windows and doors. You can also make paper dolls for this miniature playhouse to represent different members of your family.
• Playhouse sign. Personalize the playhouse with a special welcome mat or sign with your child’s name. You can print the letters of the name out from the computer, or use scrapbook materials for a pretty background (also try embellishments like beads and stickers). Frame or laminate the sign and hang on the door. For the welcome mat, buy a plain mat and let the child paint on it.

For some great examples of child playhouses check out Wishrooms.com which offers unique Kid Furniture for bedrooms and playrooms at affordable prices!

By Misti Norusis

QCJ: The Pearl of French Polynesia & Fun At Disneyland With Toddlers
It's a Small World, a boat ride through a musical diorama; the Enchanted Tiki Room, a Hawaiian extravaganza complete with automated birds and flowers; and the Country Bear Playhouse, where furry.

Child Playhouse, The Child Playhouse A Door To A Wonderful World
A room or playhouse of one amp rsquo s own Parents can give children a special Playhouse amp 8211 literally a space that amp rsquo s completely theirs where they can close the door and pretend that.

KIDS CROOKED PLAYHOUSE
Wooden Playhouse - a comprehensive view - WellsphereThe Child Playhouse: A Door to a Wonderful World · The Child Toy Chest.. Kids Crooked Houses Overshadow 'Jon & Kate' Divorce Announcemeny.

The House Next Door: Mad Men Mondays: Season Two, Ep. 11
He's the sort of man who gets drunk while building a child's playhouse—self-medicating his depression and alienation from the person he's pretending to be. A shot late in the Season Two.

Technorati Tags: child playhouse, children's playhouse, kids playhouse, little tikes playhouse

Some of the favorite activities among kids include; bubbles, inflatable bouncers and play sets, kites and wind spinners, outdoor furniture, playhouses and play tents, pools and water fun, and sandboxes and beach toys.

Bubbles are one of those outdoor activities that can be enjoyed by babies to adults. Blowing bubbles has never had quite so many options to choose from as it does today. There are plastic bubble lawn mowers, bubble catchers, bubble vision glasses, bubble wands, bubble lights, wands for small to super huge bubbles, no spill bubble buckets, monster bubble blowers, bubble blizzards (that blow nonstop bubbles) and bubble blowers available in popular fictional characters and a myriad of colors and styles. Blowing bubbles is an inexpensive way to have hours of outdoor fun.

One of the most exciting types of play for young children involves using the wide variety of inflatable bouncers and play sets on the market. Your backyard will be the center of activity if you set up one of these wonderful toys. Inflatable bouncers can be purchased in several different sizes from large (9 feet by 9 feet by 6 feet high) able to accommodate several children to small bouncers that only hold two children. Deluxe bouncers offer a fun and safe play environment with continuous air flow for safety and puncture resistant heavy gauge vinyl. There is a wide selection of designs such as castles, popular fictional character themes, inflatable fire engines, school buses, climbing walls, inflatable cars, inflatable play centers and playhouses. Several of the inflatable toys come with soft balls included for tossing, kicking and pushing around within the structure.

Kites, wind spinners and windsocks are a wonderful way for you and your child to interact and enjoy a lovely outdoor activity. The beautiful colors, designs and sizes available will surely be remembered for years to come.

Kites can be purchased in an endless array of designs to include; airplanes with spinning propellers, helicopters, birds (flamingos and parrots), sharks, dolphins, butterflies, hummingbirds, fish, dragons, cellular box kites, dolphin kites, sailboats, cellular kites, diamond kites, parasail kites and tri-planes to only name a few.

Wind spinners and windsocks come in as many designs as do the kites, in an assortment of fantastic colors and patterns. 

Children can enjoy the same comfort that adults do when it comes to outdoor furniture.

Whether it be having lunch at their favorite plastic or wooden picnic table or lounging back in their adirondack chair, it’s always fun for them to be just like mom or dad.

Other adorable pieces of children’s outdoor furniture can include; playhouses (complete with doorbell and motion detector), patio sets (with umbrella, table and chairs), fabric patio chairs, plastic mushroom tables, play lemonade stands, plastic mailboxes, plastic stone benches and folding armchairs.

Playhouses provide children with hours of imaginative and pretend play. There is nothing more special to a child than having their own little imaginary home to dream and role play in. Playhouses will often be a part of backyard outdoor toys in either plastic or wooden designs with climbers and swings. Some of the plastic playhouses are available with sounds such as doorbells, phones and motion detectors. Plastic playhouses can be purchased in pirate, cottage, log cabin, mushroom house and camper styles.

Similar to playhouses, play tents are usually made with nylon or plastic and also come in a wide variety of designs and styles. The biggest difference between the two is that play tents are usually much easier to assemble, disassemble and portable if needed. Play tents are available in tunnels (for crawling through), dome play tents, lady bug tents, tents with tunnel addition, school bus, fire engine, bulldozer, playhouses, camouflage tents, popular fictional character theme tents, four tunnels joined by tent in middle, tee pees and castle tents. Fabric parachutes can also be used as tents draped over objects in the home or used for throwing up toys with children in a circle.

It truly feels like summer once everyone has gone for a swim. Pools offer wonderful relief from the hot weather and a refreshing way to have some fun. There are a mountain of pools and pool toys to choose from, whether it be a kiddie pool or a pool lounger there is no shortage of options. Above ground inflatable pools can be found in different sizes to accommodate the kids or the whole family. Kiddie pools are available in sunshade cover designs, popular character themes, different colors and activity pool styles. The pool toys you select will only add to the enjoyment with water guns and canons, kick boards, lifejackets, inflatable water wings, retrieval toys, rafts and loungers, inflatable sharks, tubes, inflatable basketball hoops, seat rings and beach balls to name a few.

Lastly, playing in the sand can provide both learning skills and entertainment for any child, whether it be in their backyard sandbox or at the beach. Building sandcastles and sand play is particularly helpful in teaching social skills (sharing, interacting and cooperation), cognitive skills (measuring sand and mapping out roads) and physical skills (pouring, dumping, pushing and gathering sand etc.). Sandbox kits can be purchased to set up or you can select from several designs such as; turtles, castles, water and sand tables, ladybug, dinosaur and frog sandboxes. Sandbox and beach accessories might include; wheelbarrows, pails of all sizes, rakes, shovels, molds and beach chairs.

Outdoor play is a great way for the kids to get out of the house and use their imaginations. All forms of outdoor activities easily promote well-being and physical development. Children love to play outdoors as it allows them the chance to freely explore their environment while developing muscle coordination, flexibility and motor skills while decreasing restlessness and stress. And don't forget . . . always remember to put sunscreen on your child whenever they are outside.

Valerie Giles owns and operates Toys-4-Kids; Educate your child through play. Toys-4-kids is a web site full of resource information and online toy stores. Purchase the right educational toys for every child throughout their growing years. The site focuses on many categories of toys from baby toys to outdoor toys and bikes for kids, as well as Barbie Collectibles.

http://www.toys-4-kids.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Giles

Author: Valerie Giles

30 Ways to Get Your Kid to Play Outside
Instructions—just a lot of fun and satisfaction. Bushes, trees, cardboard boxes, old blankets—you may have turned them into a secret play space when you were a child.

“Creative Play Makes for Kids in Control”
Great comment and I have to say I agree with you. In fact the NPR piece also suggests that adult-organized activities and less outdoor time are factors in the change of play habits.

Swing Sets, Sand Boxes and See Saws Make Great Outdoor Play
Whether you invest in wooden swing sets or metal swing sets, your children will love playing on their own jungle gym in their back yard.

Playing Outside Makes Kids Smarter
They dont use their imagination we have tried and all they want to do is sit around outside then come in and watch tv. They are active kids and healthy but they just get bored too fast.

Technorati Tags: children's outdoor play, outdoor play equipment, outdoor play structures, outdoor playground

The "Naturally Playful" line of climbers and playhouses from Step2 are a durable, safe and very creative line of playgrounds for your toddlers and their friends. 

The Naturally Playful Clubhouse Climber is one of the larger signature playsets and has some really exciting and dynamic features for the kids!

The Rock Wall - Not at all rocky but rather, rounded and easy to grip, the rock wall gives kids the feeling that they're climbing more than just stairs or a ladder.  It leads them right up into the tower where they begin their lookout over their "kingdom"!

The Telescope - From the rock wall right into the captains tower, the telescope sits on their right side as they come off the wall.  The telescope is chunky and durable and swivels 360 degrees.  If your kids are at all like mine, this telescope is immediately put to work spotting dragons or laser blasting meteorites.  (And opposite the telescope is the captain's wheel.  One kid navigates while the other steers!)

The Bridge and Tunnel - Up high and down low, the Naturally Playful Clubhouse climber bridge and tunnel gives a sense of depth and height to the climber.  These two features really give the clubhouse climber the feel of being a fortress or a really cool castle.  Kids hide down low in the tunnel while others thunder overhead across the bridge.

The Telephone - Okay, okay.  Technology has invaded even the classic clubhouse feeling that the Naturally Playful Clubhouse Climber gives kids. 

This clubhouse is complete with an electronic phone for the "grown up" imitation that kids gravitate to.

The Slide - Slides are timeless.  And this slide functions fine either up or down.  You'll find your kids going up the slide and down the rock wall as often as the other way around.  The slide is sturdy and just fast enough to give that bit of a tummy rush to the toddler.  

The Naturally Playful Clubhouse Climber holds its value and sturdiness for likely more years than your kids will want to play with it.  

Suitable for 18 months to 4 or even 5 years, these five features are just the highlights on a toy that kids will remember for a long time.

For a complete resource on choosing a backyard playground and more great benefits of the Step 2 Naturally Playful Climbers, visit our site at http://www.naturallyplayfulclimber.com

Doug and Judy Kramer are parents of six of their own kids. They are full-time parents and in their spare time they are cultural architects, youth and young adult relationship builders, writers, web innovators, speakers and friends to many.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Doug_Kramer

Author: Doug Kramer

Naturally Playful Clubhouse Climber - Your Kids Elevated Clubhouse
Naturally Playful Clubhouse Climber includes most of your kids favorite past time like sliding, hiding and crawling thru a tunnel, looking out object using telescopes and wall climbing.

Naturally Playful Clubhouse Climber - $599.99
Here's essential information on shopping. We have the best resources for shopping. Check it out for yourself!

Naturally Playful Clubhouse Climber - Step2 Toys
It also features a climbing ladder with hand and foot holes and sure grip handrails to assist young climbers. Bridge connects to look-out tower with rotating steering wheel, telescope and climbing ladder.

Naturally Playful Clubhouse Climber
The Step 2 Naturally Playful Clubhouse Climber is the ultimate outdoor play house for children. This particular product is off the ground and has many different features.

Technorati Tags: naturally playful clubhouse climber, playful clubhouse climber, step 2 naturally playful clubhouse climber