Why Children on the Autism Spectrum Love Jigsaw Puzzles
As we head into Autism Acceptance Month*, we begin a series examining the benefits of different types of toys for children and young people with autism. Our first piece focuses on why jigsaw puzzles are a popular activity for children with autism. Puzzles are a commonly reported favorite activity for children with autism, for a…
10 Classic Toys that were Invented By Women – Part 2
To continue Women’s History Month, here is the second part of our list of 10 iconic toys and games that were designed by women. This list represents a diverse collection of women who came from all different backgrounds, educations, and interests. What they all have in common is that each demonstrated innovation and persistence to…
10 Classic Toys that were Invented By Women – Part 1
You may have heard the phrase “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Sometimes, that mother is literal. Women inventors have a strong history in the United States. In the decade following the Patent Act of 1790, 2,297 women received US patents — an astounding number considering the barriers to women in technical education at that…
Why Playing with Dolls is a Great Pastime for Girls — AND Boys
Traditionally, playing with dolls has been seen as a pastime exclusively for little girls. Boys, the conventional wisdom goes, are better suited to play with balls, construction sets, and action figures… you know, boy things. This can lead some caretakers and teachers to offer dolls to girls at playtime but discourage boys from reaching for a…
Building Skills with LEGO®: How the world’s favorite construction toy helps skill development in children
Pull out your toybox and watch where you step – January 28 is National LEGO® Day! We at Diversity in Toys are celebrating all things LEGO® by exploring how this marvelous, simple toy helps children grow different skills at various stages of development. But first, what are LEGO® blocks? LEGO® building toys are simple sets consisting of small,…
Fun Indoor Activities for Kids
Are you looking for fun (free) indoor activities to entertain your kids at home? Diversity In Toys has you covered! We’ve rounded up a list of creative, engaging ideas to keep your little ones occupied on a rainy or snowy day. Have a dance party: Turn up the music and let your kids burn off…
What to do when the weather’s bad? Screen-Free Indoor Activities for Kids!
January can be a tough month for finding fun, recreational options for kids and teenagers. After the coziness of early winter months, the new year’s wintertime can feel constrictive and monotonous. This can be hard with kids of all ages. What can you do when it’s too cold to go outdoors and your kids are…
Martin Luther King Day with Kids
We are coming up on the first national holiday of the year: Martin Luther King, Jr., Day on Monday, January 16. Everyone loves a long weekend and children may be particularly excited for the day off from school. But did you know that MLK Jr. Day is much more than just a historical holiday? Taking…
Holiday Gift Guide – Teachers
2022 Holiday Gift Giving, Part 3: Gifting Your Child’s Teachers In addition to being a fun time of celebration, the end-of-year holidays provide an opportunity to pause and show appreciation and love for the ones around us. If you are the parent of a school-aged child, you may be looking for a way to show…