8. The play kitchen
All the better to imitate Mom and Dad, pint-sized toy kitchens these days are updated with sound effects and moving parts. The pink retro kitchen from KidKraft has dials that turn and a timer that clicks. If Santa decides to bring one for your aspiring chef, consider adding some play food, utensils or a tea set. The tea set pictured here has a very modern update—it’s eco-conscious, made from recycled plastic milk containers.
KidKraft Pink Retro Kitchen
About $270 (available at select retailers across Canada), photo courtesy of Mastermind Toys
9. The dollhouse
In the past, wooden dollhouses were pieces of fine craftsmanship and often kept away from children, even behind glass. Today’s dollhouses are made for play. They range from basic, two-room wooden models to elaborately detailed mansions with working lights. Children can collect little people, furnishings and accessories for each room, and even add-ons like a swimming pool or patio set.
The Grande Mansion by Playmobil
About $150 (available at select retailers across Canada), photo courtesy of Mastermind Toys
10. Mr. Potato Head
When Mr. Potato Head was introduced over half a century go, it was just a bag of face parts and parents had to provide the potato in which to stick them. In addition to actually having a head/body, Mr. Potato Head has been through many incarnations, including the latest versions: Canadian Hockey Player (with missing tooth!), Indiana Jones (Taters of the Lost Ark), and Star Wars (Darth Tater).
Mr. Potato Head, Canadian Hockey Player edition
About $10 (available at select retailers across Canada), photo courtesy of Indigo
Worried about toy recalls?
If the multitude of toy recalls has you worried, take comfort by checking Health Canada’s Consumer Product Safety page and searching for recent children’s product recalls. The Canadian Toy Testing Council also recommends keeping a toy’s packaging for three months. In the event of a recall, you’ll be able to take everything back to the retailer. You can also check out manufacturers’ websites for any news and information.
Read more in I am Country and Shopping
1 Comment
My husband is refurbishing an old "flyer" wagon thrown out last fall during cleanup time in our city. It only needs a coat of paint to spruce it up and he is planning on building supports for the back & sides so our 18month old grandson wont fall out. A fun way to recycle,reuse.