“We’re trained to use toys as tools—that’s what separates us from a typical playgroup,” she explained. “We break child development down into many steps, small pieces of big milestones.

If you want to foster your child’s independent learning and play, Montessori-inspired toys can help them confidently engage with the world on their own. Sami Krasny, a play-based education ...

The most engaging toys for 2-year-olds offer lots of different options for hands-on, manipulative play. Kids this age may be able to use their fine motor skills in more-precise ways, such as for ...

Many toys were different in the past. Let’s look at what they were like 100 years ago. This may be when your great-great-grandparents were alive. Image caption, A bedroom with toys from 100 ...

Toys that capture both their wants and their learning brains’ needs are ideal for this age. After all, these playful preschoolers tend to be quite busy and active. According to Jodi Huffman ...

A growing number of adults are buying toys for themselves. Some have managed to cash in on their obsessions, building up lucrative followings of toy fans online. Toy companies including Mattel and ...

Basically, it's more doll than robot, which is a huge plus. This toy is a classic, and it offers endless possibilities of play, which is why our CNET editors love it and it's one of our top picks.

The stores also help local schools and nonprofits with toy drives and “play it forward” days where they donate a portion of sales. A haven for kids and families since 1993, the Lincoln Square ...