Old Fashioned Gifts for Preschool Children

Are you tired of all the widgets and gidgets that flash, pop and whistle? We are going to look at some of the great kid's toys available from yesteryear.

Traditional toys are making a come-back, thanks to Waldorf and Montessori schools of education theory that promote using toddler play time as learning opportunities.

Let's look at some of these wooden and Montessori type toys that are educational in nature, and pure fun for children!

Blocks are perennial favorites of children and with good reason - they allow children to explore manipulations, physical motor skills, and the basics of cause and effect.

Building towers, spelling names and words, making shapes and monsters and other fun creations...way more fun than veging out in front on the latest electronics.

How many of us, now parents, grew up with the Little Red Wagon? I had a Radio Flyer Wagon growing up. I used it a multiple variety of ways growing up. 

• I used it to carry my treasures to the end of the culdesac where my hidden club house was.
• My dad would drag us around behind him on our way to Thrifty Jr. for ice cream cones in the summer.
• We used it to build a fort on numerous occasions by tipping it on one side and draping a blanket over it to the tire swing. I'm sure the neighbors stared but we thought it grand fun!

I love Montessori style toys. Blocks, beads to string, shape sorters, lacing cards, stackables, geometric shape blocks, trains, and other educational toys will encourage children to think creatively.

Another great way to encourage imagination and theatrical play is by providing your children with lots of dress up opportunities. As a previous theatre student, and lover of all things dramatic, there are lots of dress up play times at our house.

Essential Costume or Dress-Up Clothes Categories:

• Historic Costumes - For dressing up like Pilgrims, Vikings, Egyptians, and Medieval characters.
• Nursery Rhyme or Fairy Tales - Dragons, Fairy Godmothers, Prince and Princess outfits are a must!
• Holiday Dress-Up Trappings - Reindeer antlers, elf costumes, soldier uniforms, Indians and Pilgrims.
• Career and Sports Costumes - Doctors clothing, uniforms, suits, construction hats, football helmets or other sports clothing.