1. Clay Activity Bundles - Shape, Model, Mold, Cut, Sculpt & Stamp

    The Melissa & Doug Clay Play Activity Set includes two craft kits with play clay and wooden tools. This bundle includes Shape, Model, and Mold set (5 wooden stamping cubes, 3 rolling pins, 4 tubs of modeling dough and 1...
  2. How Creative Play and Arts & Crafts Help Kids Develop Key Skills

    Our friend and blog contributor Kristi Nguyen, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist who’s the owner/executive director of Connecticut-based OT-Kids, LLC, shares her insights on how creative arts & crafts play can positively impact your child’s overall development. In a world that seems...
  3. Create a Child’s Art Studio in 6 Easy Steps

    Even before children are able to express their ideas and feelings with words, they have the natural ability to express themselves through art. The simplicity and accessibility of drawing, painting, molding clay, and other artistic activities provide kids with creative...
  4. Play Ideas & Activities for Your Little Astronaut

    Kids can pretend to be an astronaut anytime, with these creative play and learning activities, brought to us by guest blogger Julie Kieras of HappyStrongHome. Our family recently returned from a trip to Washington D.C., where we enjoyed the National Air and...
  5. 3 Ways to Make Play Part of Your Daily Routine

    Way back on January 2, I was so energized to make some changes to my daily routines and habits in 2023! Now, in mid-January in gloomy Michigan, not so much. My role overload has returned, and I’m feeling like the only...
  6. How Play Can Build Skills: An Age-By-Age Guide

    My mother used to occasionally walk into the room and say: “Who am I and what am I doing?” She raised six children, so she had good reason to feel disoriented sometimes. Lately I’m hearing from parents who feel like that every...
  7. What Are The Best Sensory Toys And How Do They Help Your Child?

    Everything You Wanted to Know About Sensory Toys Let’s start off with defining what a sensory toy is: sensory toys are designed to stimulate one or more of the senses. So why is that important for children? For one thing,...
  8. Helping Children Through Big Emotions

    Helping Children Through Big Emotions It’s normal for children to have emotional reactions when their daily routines change, or the grown-ups in their lives are stressed out. How children respond to stress depends a lot upon their temperament. An inhibited,...
  9. Top Birthday Party Themes for 4-Year-Olds

    Birthday party planning just became a breeze thanks to help from the expert planners at Melissa & Doug! Favorite Birthday Party Themes for 4-Year-Old Kids We recently started a series on the blog to help parents and caregivers who might need some support...