The concept of toy rental services is now becoming popular for parents who feel like there aren’t enough toys around the house that their child enjoys playing with when in fact, there are just too many toys. Child experts often warn parents of the disadvantages of children owning too many toys - there is a tendency for them to be distracted easily and become less creative. This puts parents in a dilemma - as much as they want their child to learn more, it often leads to toy consumerism.

Toy rental services offer a solution to this dilemma. Renting introduces a novel approach to toy ownership while helping the parents to find the balance between having fewer toys for their children and making sure that they learn more.

How does it work

Toy rental services kind of work like libraries or video-on-demand subscriptions like Netflix. Companies that offer toy rentals and let their members choose monthly plans that suit their needs, where they can choose to subscribe for a year or even just for a month. There is a wide catalog of toys from different brands from fun to educational - that the parents can choose from. The companies, of course, make sure that their toys are delivered in good condition and are safe for toddlers and children to enjoy as much as they want. 

Why toy rental is great

The huge advantage of toy renting over just owning too many toys is that parents can save money while their kids are exposed to a wider variety of toys. It also creates a toy share experience for the children that helps in their creative learning process. It is more convenient as toy rental services are available online. Toy renting also helps in reducing the space needed for toys in your home.

Want to try toy-renting services? Join the KIDDOS Toys Club! There are available plans that suit your needs!

Bath time is a necessary part of parenting. Giving a baby their first bath is one of the most nerve-wracking tasks of a parent. Holding a toddler in your hands while making them clean is a daunting task for sure, but the joy of seeing their cute, bubbly faces is a precious thing that every parent cherishes. Even if most kids enjoy bath time and some think it is the worst time of the day, it is a wonderful opportunity for parents and kids to bond with each other. Besides making bath times fun and enjoyable, giving your child a safe and comfortable bath is the most important.

Make bath times safer and more fun with these helpful tips!

Never leave your baby alone.

The first thing to keep your child safe is to provide them with constant supervision. For babies and toddlers, you should keep a hand on them at all times during a bath. Anything can be a drowning risk for your child so make sure that you keep your focus on them all the time. 

Keep the things that you need at an arm's reach.

Shampoos, bath soaps, bath toys - make sure that you have everything that you need before putting your child in the bath. This will also ensure that you always have your child supervised at any point during the bath.

Make sure that you set the right temperature.

The water temperature can be an issue for younger children so, aim for a temperature that is both safe and comfortable. Adjust the temperature until your child feels comfortable with it.

Use fun and safe toys.

Welcome water-friendly toys in the bath! Toys are not only efficient in keeping your baby occupied and entertained (especially when they don't like bath time!), they're also helping your baby multi-task by learning and developing new skills while getting cleaned! Looking for new bath toy ideas?

Sign up for KIDDOS Toys Club! We offer open-ended choice including water toys!

Bath times can still be more fun by doing exciting activities with your child such as playing in the tub with them, sharing with them some stories, and making them feel loved and cared for.

Play is more than just a fun activity. Whether structured or unstructured, it's a way for kids to learn new skills they will carry through and develop themselves as they grow older. This is why even play has stages of development, and we're here to discuss them so you can monitor the progress your child is making by learning through play. 

Learn how kids learn to play and the 6 Stages of Play Development

Unoccupied Play (Birth to 3 months)

Making movements with their arms, legs, hands, feet, this stage is a time for babies to start discovering their body and how it moves. At this stage, they are able to satisfy their curiosity through small, simple movements. 

Solitary Play (Birth to 2 years) 

Interactions with other people can overwhelm them still when they're young, so don't be surprised when there are moments in which they are better off playing by themselves. Don't force them to interact with others (especially those they're not familiar with) unless they clearly express that they welcome it. This also goes for the next two stages--the spectator behavior and parallel play. 

Spectator/Onlooker Behavior (2 years)

This is a time when they start observing others and making sense of how interactions work. However, they wouldn't want to play and interact with others during this stage just yet. 

Parallel Play (2+ years) 

Similar to spectator behavior, this stage sees a little one not ready just yet to play with others. Rather, they will start playing by themselves, but alongside or near other children. 

Associate Play (3-4 years) 

A child will start interacting with others during this stage of play, although not in huge groups or in longer times of interactions. For instance, when in a playground, a child might be playing with the same equipment as other kids but still doing different things. They're playing in the same area without playing with each other.  

Cooperative Play (4+ years)

 Being the final stage of play, this is the time when a child fully welcomes interactions with other people, both young and old. They show interest in being involved and participating better in bigger groups.

Which stage of play development is your child currently in? How long did it take for your child to move from one stage to the next? 

Wood is said to be the symbol of timelessness, authenticity, and refinement, and this remains true in educational toys. Wooden toys have a charming look, but they also carry loads of other benefits which will make you reevaluate your choices the next time you purchase or choose toys for your little one. 

Wooden toys eco-friendly 

Do you want to start setting your ground on eco-friendly practices for your child's playtime? Toys made of sustainable wood, on the other hand, are made with high-quality wood that can last for years. Many wooden toys are designed with sustainable play in mind. They're often handmade and cost as little energy as possible to create. They decompose much more quickly compared to plastic toys. Brands use many natural materials and produce the eco toys in environmentally friendly ways.

Promote Imaginative Play

Wooden toys tend be simpler and they do not offer distractions such as loud noises and flashing lights, so they encourage more open-ended, imaginative type of play. Imaginative play is important in early childhood because it encourages problem solving and enhance fine motor skills.

Wooden Toys are Safe

Wooden toys are generally safe for children to play with. They do not break easily, nor do they tend to have sharp edges. Many toy brands aim to use non-toxic materials from the wood to the paint. When it comes to little ones who like to chew toys, these natural materials provide peace of mind.

Wooden toys help with concentration and learning absorption 

Studies have shown that natural elements like wood can help children concentrate and even calm down more than other types of spaces. The texture of wood has a physically calming effect on kids, which means that playing with wooden toys has neurological benefits for your little one. This is exactly why many expert methods for teaching incorporate wooden toys in their activities. 

Do you allow your kids to play with wooden toys? How do they like them?

Children excel best when they are in an environment they feel comfortable in. Playing provides a casual, relaxed space for them to feel completely themselves--and in this kind of setting, they are able to learn new things that are essential for their growth and development. It's only natural for children to want to play--and while in our eyes, these activities might seem pointless, magic actually happens when they're left in this kind of scenario. 
Here are some ways how children can learn new things through play.  

Play can hone their communication skills 

Whether alone or with others, playing allows children to use their communication skills to come up with scenarios or follow the mechanics of how a game is done. As they continue to use communication, it develops and advances their vocabulary and ability to express themselves through verbal ways. 

Play helps develop critical thinking

Strategies and logic are applied when a child is playing. From following a game's concepts and mechanics, solving a challenge, to improvising, the brain works extra hard for a child to have a successful time in going over a game. Quite interestingly, children who have their critical thinking skills honed are also shaped to have better language comprehension and quite possibly, higher IQ than their peers. 

Play inspires creativity and confidence 

For children's play activities, the rules are more unrestricted. When they have this kind of freedom, they are allowed to have more room for their imagination and spark some creativity in the process. The success of adding their own touch to a play activity or when they actually win a game can bring in more confidence in themselves. 

Play improves their motor skills and keeps them active 

The more that they move, the more that their tiny muscles develop. They can become stronger and physically healthy, as they move and stay active. It's also a great form of release for their energy, especially when they have A LOT of it. It avoids frustration and restlessness, and just overall allows them to enjoy the best of their childhood. 
Which kinds of learnings have your children gained as they play and enjoy their childhood? 

We always want what's best for our kids. Their daily needs are our priority. We also think often about their security and their future. But as we look ahead, what kind of world do you think is waiting for them? With environmental issues still continuing to shake the world, it's time for us parents to step up and make our mark to help, and this starts with our everyday choices. 

As a smart, modern parent, you're already informed and educated about the benefits of sustainable basic needs like food, personal care products, or clothing. You can continue leveling up your smart parenting game by applying the same philosophy when it comes to choosing your kids' toys. Yes, that's right. Even the toys they play with can affect the kind of future that's waiting for them.

That's because most toy manufacturers create their products in questionable ways that end up harming the environment. The raw materials that they use, plus the amount of energy they consume in creating their products en masse, among other things, are capital-driven, and end up compromising the community and the environment. Sadly, most consumers continue to be unaware of these practices. 

The good news is that we do have many great alternatives to these popular brands. There is a rise of hip brands that are genuinely built on the philosophy of caring for the Earth and all its living things. Their toys are made from sustainable materials, most of which are handmade in small batches. They even have smart initiatives that help make the world a better place for the future generation--aka our kids. Wouldn't it be great to support these kinds of brands? 
We're always excited to share that our partners here at KIDDOS Toys Club are all such brands. We've made it our goal to learn their practices and initiatives so that we can also be a platform for them to reach out to you and your kids. It would be great if you can truly experience the uniqueness and benefits of sustainable toys, and make them a permanent of your child's growing-up years! 

Kids are bored with the same old toys but you don't want to splurge on toys they're going to be done with in a matter of time. You don't have time to pick toys that can benefit your child. Or maybe, you're just done with the clutter in the playroom (and everywhere else inside the house). Parents all encounter toy-related problems, one way or another. And we might have a bit of a solution for that: toy renting! Here's why you should try renting toys instead of buying them! 

Bought toys are usually outgrown 

One moment they can't separate themselves from a certain toy, the next moment, they've easily moved on to another. It's perfectly normal for kids to lose interest in a toy, no matter how much they seem to like it. Kids outgrow toys easily, so buying some to take permanence in your house isn't all too practical. On the other hand, when renting, your child can enjoy the toys for a moment in time, and once they're through playing, you can return the toys for a replacement they can enjoy next. Isn't that a win-win for everyone? 

Less toys means less clutter at home 

Every parent knows that most of the clutter at home is usually the kids' toys. Why do we keep tolerating this? Is this because we think that more toys can make them happy? Actually, not so. Studies continue to show that they develop more concentration, learn new skills and values, and actually enjoy toys better when they have limited options. So don't think that by restricting the toys they have, you're not giving them the happiness they deserve. A more organized house is what they truly need! 

Help save the environment 

You're one less consumer buying into the idea of toys that are mass-produced in questionable, unsustainable ways. Imagine if every parent did the same thing--we're all going to make an impact in preserving the one planet that we have. That said, make sure that you're renting from a place that features toys that are created with sustainable materials by brands that actually do care about the environment. 

Renting is way more affordable 

For little pieces, toys are insanely expensive these days. You should know, for sure--and the struggle to buy them many toys to keep them entertained longer can get really frustrating. When you're renting, you only pay a certain amount for multiple toys each month! Renting options can go as low as AED 80 for 1 child! Don't you think that's such a great deal? 

Are you considering toy renting? What are you looking for in a toy renting service? 

The common notion is that when we're giving our children much, it means we're making them happier. In many regards, that is true. However, in their playroom, is this really the case? Is giving them too many toys beneficial for their well-being? 

Apparently not, and we're here to tell you why. 

Fewer toys make them more creative 

When they're given fewer options to play with, they are able to make use of whatever is in front of them and use it in various ways. A simple dollhouse becomes a hospital for sick toys, a toy car becomes a convertible boat. While unconventional, the limited resources make them think outside the box, spurring creativity. 

Fewer toys help them become more patient 

When they're overwhelmed by so many things, they develop a mindset that they don't have time for anything. This makes them want to hasten their time playing with one toy after another. This mindset is eventually adapted into other areas of their life, making them more impatient about anything. On the contrary, fewer toys can make a child focus better with fewer distractions. 

Fewer toys help them learn the value of sharing 

When they get everything that they want, they will believe that everything can be at their disposal. They will have no concept of sharing. However, when there are limited options in front of them, they will learn to value things and have the attitude to share them with others. 

Fewer toys develop their social skills 

As kids learn about sharing, they can foster friendships and relationships with the people around them. The more that they get friends, the more that they get to work on their social skills--making conversations and learning about social cues. Studies even suggest that social skills and having lasting friendships can positively affect their academic and social success as they turn into adults. 
How much toys does your kids have at home? How many is too little or too much toys for you?