11 Best Kids’ Gifts According To Toy Store Owners

Amazon A Jelly Cat stuffed animal, Blockaroos and a Micro Kickboard scooter. To help you on your shopping mission, we spoke with Cassie Watt of Mud Puddle Toys in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and Michelle Gillen-Doobrajh, owner of Tildie’s Toy Box in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Haddonfield, New Jersey, about the most popular and engaging gender-neutral toys for kiddos. Watt recommends buying less prescriptive toys, or those that “can be applied to and used in multiple play situations where the play experience is open-ended and determined by the child,” she said. “I always am reminded of as a toy store owner and as a parent, is that children naturally want to play, explore and to be creative.” Gillen-Doobrajh echoed the importance of open-ended and child-led play, encouraging parents and caregivers to let their little ones explore their own interests, and not pressure them into activities they may not enjoy, though she added that re-introducing toys can be fun, too. “Sometimes timing can be helpful in reinvigorating a forgotten toy as well.” To bring some screenless exploration into your home, Watt and Gillen-Doobrajh shared some of the most popular toys for kids.