Providing kids with opportunities for what the American Academy of Pediatrics calls "child-driven play" is vitally important to their development.
Toys that encourage kids to imitate adult roles are fun to have around — kids are adorable when they interpret the grown-up world through their eyes — and necessary to healthy development.
That's why parents often buy play kitchens. But you already have a kitchen. Why not let your child play an adult role that you don't already have in the house?
This play grocery store is the "big" gift this year that will give your young child hours of necessary, important, and fun imaginative play.
It'll look great in your play area.
Let's be honest. Some of the toys kids enjoy do not look good in your house. If you have a play room, that doesn't matter. But if you share living space with the kids, wanting toys that look good in it is totally reasonable.
This Melissa & Doug Wooden Fresh Mart Grocery Store ($121.44) has a pretty grocery sign, wood accents, and fun vibe. Even when the kids are in bed, someone will want to scan some groceries, put a play credit card in the chip reader, or buy a banana.
And cleaning up the toy groceries is part of the play! So you won't have plastic food all over the carpet at the end of every day. Not if your young grocer is doing a good job managing that store!
You'll save almost $80.
This grocery store checkout toy is on a quick sale at Amazon. So if you are looking for an excellent Christmas gift for your kids, this is the time to do it. It's normally $200. But for a few more hours, it's on sale for $121.44.
Parents -- and kids -- are thrilled with it.
This is not an inexpensive toy — even on sale — but the parents (and their kids) who bought it are thrilled with the money spent.
"Super cool set up and worth every penny!" gushes Mamax3 in the reviews. "Kids are inspired to use their imaginations."
"My daughter truly loves this set," says Paris in the reviews. "She plays with it every single day! She adores the beeps from the scanner, the moving conveyor belt … and stocking the shelves."
"Why didn't they have this when I was a kid?!?" asks cclatten in the reviews. "My seven year old daughter wanted this for Christmas. Not only did she love it but so did my nine year old niece, and my ten year old son! (They kneel down when playing) Make sure you buy the accessories to go with it! When my kids outgrow this, it will definitely find a new home in my kindergarten classroom!"
It's easy to assemble.
Clear instructions and a simple assembly mean you won't spend Christmas Eve frustrated and angry at a toy manufacturer. This will take as little as half an hour and not more than two hours — if you work slowly — according to parents in the reviews who've done it.
"Super easy to assemble!" says Sheree in the reviews. "I wish all toy manufacturers provided simple, easy to follow assembly instructions!"
"This is the first toy assembly project that I have actually enjoyed," says Erin. "The other-brand kitchen I purchased left me swearing and in tears over pieces that didn’t fit easily without drilling or manhandling. This product is excellent – instructions were clear, extra pieces provided, all the holes lined up and everything just fit together perfectly. I was able to complete it in about an hour without a drill, cordless screwdriver, or a husband to help."
Accessories make it extra fun.
You could save empty cereal boxes and donate canned goods to the store. But the Melissa & Doug Fresh Mart Grocery Store Companion Collection ($23.48) for this play grocery store is super cute. It comes with a grocer's apron, money, a "lane closed" sign, credit cards, play groceries, shopping bags, and more.
It's also on sale. Normally it's $30.
Your kids will be so cute at their new job!
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