One thing I've noticed with my toddler and other pre-schoolers we know is that they love to imitate life and help out, even if the "helping" is pretend play. The child-size tools and toys we have in our home get a lot of use, and it's been great to role-play with him. It never ceases to amaze me how much young ones so happily copy parents in our sometimes mundane daily tasks (I know, just wait until they are older!).
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A few years ago, my friends and I did a gift exchange where we had a dollar limit, plus a color restriction: red! It was a worthy challenge and got us into the spirit of the season. The gifts couldn't just be anything red, they had to suit the receiver as well, obviously, and it was a fun activity to share. I made a list of some of my favorite items, from scarlet and ruby, to get you inspired for shopping! More

There's something magical about putting a pencil to paper - it may start as a simple line but can transform into a world bursting with all of the color and imagination your little one can muster. Art supplies are a toy little ones never tire of, because they can create something new each time they pull out a crisp new piece of paper. Here are over twenty fun gifts you can buy your little one that will encourage their creativity: More

It may be too late for me to get to this project this year, but next year, watch out! I'll be making little wood veneer ornaments, gift tags, garland, and maybe even a mobile for a little one's first winter… More

To pull together our gift guides this year we're asking the experts: YOU! You know best what gifts your children have enjoyed at different stages of their lives. Share your wisdom with fellow parents, aunties, uncles, and grandparents. Bikes, art supplies, science kits, marble runs? More

Do you have 8 dozen cookies to cut out, bake, and decorate? Or 37 cards to stamp and address? Or perhaps a million pom poms to make and string into garland? If you're finding yourself faced with cozy but repetitive and endless holiday tasks, you're going to need some festive television to keep your spirits bright.. More

We asked and you answered: what are the best gifts for babies? After all, babies are cute, but they don't do all that much. They are as amused by their own hands as a toy. Many readers reported that they aren't giving their young babies much of anything for the holidays, but if you are an auntie, uncle, grandparent or friend to a young baby you may not want to forego a gift altogether. Here are ten parent-endorsed ideas:

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Along with candles, latkes and dreidels, music is one of the major trappings of Hanukkah. Singing with family is part of the holiday tradition and fun. Make the festival of lights even more festive with a playlist worthy of a dance party. More

If all goes according to plan, I'll be spending the end of December visiting faraway loved ones, so decorating my own apartment is one of the projects I had to cross off my holiday to-do list. Luckily, a few of my across-the-street neighbors have big, beautiful Christmas trees covered in sparkly white lights, and they generously leave their curtains open for all — or at least me — to enjoy! More