Anyone with kids (or children in their life) have all asked themselves this question: What toy should I get the little one? You want something they'll play with and love, not just another trinket that they'll throw into their mountain of plastic toys that break or get ignored after a couple of days. With babies, it's even more difficult! You need to make sure it's cute, super soft, and will last long enough for them to appreciate and play with it when they're older, too.
When it comes to children, especially really young ones, we want every moment to be as special as possible. Nobody wants to be the parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle/caretaker of a child, and see that they dislike a gift you got them, we want every moment to be perfect! If you're looking for toys that babies and children can be played with and last long, here's our guide!
Maileg:
These mice are as cute as can be, and they're even more durable. These Danish toys are designed with quality and heart in mind. They're fun to play with, and fun to collect, too! Each Maileg doll is either hand-sewn or hand-finished, and they're all made of natural materials, so you won't need to worry about your little one getting exposed to uncomfortable or toxic synthetic fabrics/materials.
Maileg toys are some of our favs here at Wrightsville Ave. They promote imaginative play, and the unique members of the Maileg mouse lineup have a sense of individuality and character.
Best of all? These toys are heirloom quality. That means that when your little one is done playing with them, you can pass them down to another young child. Warning: These mice are the cutest, and collecting them can be addicting!
Check out our Maileg collection here!
Cuddle and Kind Co.
Cuddle and Kind is another favorite of ours here at Wrightsville Ave. The quality of their dolls is top-notch, and the company's mission very strongly aligns with our values. For every doll sold, Cuddle and Kind donates up to ten meals to a child in need.
When you buy from Cuddle and Kind, you're not just picking up a toy. You're picking up an investment piece that your little one can have endless fun with, and you're also helping a great cause. PS: The high-quality design of these dolls look phenomenal as nursery decorations, too!
You can find our selection of Cuddle and Kind dolls here!
Candylab Toys
Candylab toys are another brand we carry at Wrightsville Ave because we love the high quality of these toys. These wooden cars are crafted sustainably with wood sourced from well managed forests in North America, with some help from fast-growing trees in Asia and New Zealand. The packaging is made of responsibly sourced paper and cardboard, and they're printed with non-toxic paint. That means the the packaging, the box, and the toy are all responsibly made and safe to play with, and you can rest assured knowing that these toys are as eco-friendly as can be.
The imaginative play encouraged by these toys is great for developing foundational critical thinking and fine-motor skills, as well as cause and effect (what happens when you push a car down a ramp?) which makes these particularly good toys for younger children that are still developing those crucial skills.
Take a look at our collection of Candylab toys!
Whether it's for a baby shower, a birthday, or a surprise "just-because-I-love-you" gift for your little one, shopping with intention and picking high-quality brands matters! Invest in a gift from a brand like the ones here. They'll snuggle it until they're old enough to play with it, and when they outgrow playing with toys, they can be passed down to a younger child--or put away in a keepsake box! When you invest in these heirloom-quality pieces, not only are you getting a gift that they'll love, but a gift that they'll love forever.