Play with Us

Play is so fabulous for children's creativity and it really stretches those little (or big!) imaginations that they have. It's really important for their cognitive growth and the emotional and behavioural benefits that come with it. So, with all of that said, let's look at all our fave products that we love to play with the most.

Gone are the days when it was only little girls that we bought dolls for. Many little boys love them too! And boys get all the same benefits as girls do from playing with them, as they too need to develop the same emotional skills.

Doll play helps to practice helping, sharing, nurturing and caring skills. Your toddler gets to re-enact their own experience or perhaps prepare for a new sibling or get to care for their baby doll while parents are caring for a new baby.

The diverse range of dolls that we stock at Cherrie Baby also promotes inclusivity and acceptance of others. Our anatomically correct dolls from brands like Miniland and Mini Colettos are culturally diverse with a range of hair colours. The range also includes dolls with Down syndrome and hearing aids.

 

Magnetic play creates opportunities for children to develop their fine motor skills and cognitive development. Our Tiger Tribe magnetic packs are also really good for travel on car trips or on the plane OR throw them in your handbag for when you're out and about or at the coffee shop = screen free fun for hours!

If you haven't been under a rock I'm sure you have seen and heard us rave about Connetix. It's something that you can start buying for a 3 year old and they will have all their older brothers, sisters and friends (and even Mum and Dad!) playing along too. Connetix has developed innovative magnetic tile packs that grow in scope and complexity as children learn new fine motor skills and geometric concepts. 

Add to the party with our range of Connetix expansion packs that can be combined with the 212 mega pack, starter packs and ball runs for even more fun. As they keep discovering new ways to use Connetix, children learn about motion and gravity, action and excitement. The more pieces you add to your collection, the more is possible — there’s no such thing as the right way to play with Connetix!

I don't think there is anything nicer than a beautiful, sustainably produced and environmentally safe wooden toy as a gift for a baby or child. Lending themselves to open-ended and imaginative play, good quality wooden toys are heirloom pieces that can be passed down within a family and then on to others. Gives me all the good feels! 
We stock some of the best wooden toy brands at Cherrie Baby. Brands like Tender Leaf, who use non-toxic paint, sustainable rubberwood and each toy is free of formaldehyde. They only work with reclaimed rubberwood, a by-product of the latex industry, grown on plantations, not forests, ensuring that the wood they use is completely sustainable. Indigo Jamm, Le Toy Van and I'm Toy are other brands that we love and recommend. 

What toddler doesn't love creating a bit of a bang on the xylophone or in the pots and pans cupboard??! Encourage their musical side with a quality musical toy from brands like Tender Leaf Toys, Djeco or I'm Toy. Also a great way to get revenge on someone else for all those noisy gifts they gave your child! 🤣

 

 

Puzzles develop memory skills, as well as an ability to plan, test ideas and solve problems. While completing a puzzle, children need to remember shapes, colours, positions and strategies to complete them. All great reasons to add one under the Christmas tree for your child this year!

Tiger Tribe really is a necessity on your Christmas shopping list this year. Their product range, including soooo many new products recently, is incredible. It's creative, screen-free, portable and educational all rolled into one and I seriously can't rate them high enough. From bath toys, to creativity packs, magnetic play and baby toys, and the price point is perfect too for the Christmas stocking. 

Sophie xx

 

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