Making the World a Better Place to Play!™
Most of us can remember many things from our childhoods. We can recall happy times, sad times, best friends, vacations, games, school, and myriad events that filled our days and helped us become who we are today. Though we can remember, we cannot re-experience. Our cognitive and neurological development make it physically impossible to return
As we shelter at home during the Coronavirus pandemic, play becomes more and more important to relieve stress, pass time, forge connections and keep the mind engaged. In a previous post, we have discussed the ways in which play is essential for development, managing emotions and stress, and for entertainment and self expression. It’s impressive
If you read my previous post, you know how valuable play is for kids right now. Here’s a link, in case you didn’t. Chances are you’ve got tons of toys around your house, and many will work to provide this kind of variety. And they’re all types of play that kids already love. Often, when
Yes, I know that’s a clickbait headline, but while it’s a bit dramatic, it’s actually correct. These are challenging times, unlike anything most people alive today have ever encountered. So, before we get into any kind of discussion, it’s imperative to reinforce that personal safety, social distancing and staying safe and healthy are our primary
Today’s global toy business is a distinctly modern phenomenon. The first New York Toy Fair in 1903 was nowhere near the massive show that it is today. In fact, the American toy industry was virtually non-existent. Many, if not most, toys were home made, or locally crafted. Real toys came from Europe. In those early
The holidays are here…well, at least the shopping is! The shopping season is just kicking off, and we’re excited about many of the new toys this year. The good news is that there are some wonderful ideas for virtually every kid, from preschoolers to teenagers…and beyond. The toy year that began more than a year
When I talk about “risk” and “children” in the same sentence, you can see some parents start to vibrate. I get told, “You’re irresponsible.” Or, “Are you suggesting I put my kids in danger?” No and no. As these final days of summer wind down, perhaps one of the best things you can do for
When I was a kid, we didn’t have too much scheduled activity. We were left to our own devices, and after breakfast my mom would turn us out of the house to play. There was no sitting inside watching TV. Well, maybe on a rainy day, though we were much more likely to play games
I was sitting in the gentle drizzle in Central Park this week watching the Public Theater’s splendid new production of Much Ado About Nothing directed by Kenny Leon, and I reflected, during a rain delay, on how as I’ve often said, Shakespeare knew everything. Seriously, gender politics and the current #metoo movement? Yeah, that’s Measure
I’ve been playing with Gayle Anderson at KTLA for the better part of two decades! When it comes to just plain having fun, she’s simply the best. No wonder she’s beloved throughout LA! Over the years, Gayle’s dressed me in silly hats, and we’ve ridden roller coasters together and gotten to all sorts of fun
