LETTER FROM KIM
Editors’ Picks Here’s what the editors of Today’s Parent have on our lists.
LEAPFROG ON-THE-GO STORY PAL, $37 “This will be perfect for my nephew, who loves story time but doesn’t love si ing still.” —Kevin John Siazon, associate editor
THE JOYS OF TOYS VTECH MARBLE RUSH ULTIMATE SET, $73 “My son likes building, especially when his efforts lead to something he can actually play with, so this marble rush set is definitely on my list.” —Jessica Pollack, deputy editor
PHOTO: CARMEN CHEUN MAKEUP+HAIR:WENDY RORONG PLUTINO GROUP
CREATIVITY FOR KIDS SENSORY BIN, $30 “My four-year-old will be so into the sea life sensory bin, which comes pre-stocked with kinetic sand, water beads and plastic sea creatures.” —Ariel Brewster, senior editor
GLOBBER NL 205 SCOOTER, $150 “I like that this scooter is adjustable and folds up for easier storage. My kid will love the kickstand.” —Kim Shiffman, editor-in-chief
THE ANNUAL INFLUX of toy catalogues has begun, and there’s nothing cuter than watching your kids grab one out of the mailbox and flip through the pages, pencil in hand, to mark their favourites. In (yet another) year of weirdness, disappointment and loss, helping them create their wish list and visualizing their joy as they frantically rip through the wrapping paper might be what gets you through the stress of your holiday to-do list. (Or it might be locking yourself in the bathroom to scroll Instagram. Whatever works!) But if you’ve been at this parenting game for more than a minute, then you know that not all toys are created equal. That’s why, every year, Today’s Parent offers our readers a roundup of not just the new toys of the year, but the best new toys of the year. How do we know they’re the best? We test them! Our experienced editors play with dozens upon dozens of the year’s new releases all summer long (side note: best job ever, right?). But more importantly, we ship samples to a diverse group of Canadian families and get their feedback, too. The result is a list of more than 100 new toys that kids came back to again and again. This year, we’ve made your life even easier. Every single item on our list is shoppable at one store: Mastermind Toys, the official play partner of Today’s Parent. (Bonus: It’s Canadian-owned and led by a badass female CEO who’s shaking up her
industry.) Shop online or in person at one of its 69 stores across the country. Now that my oldest is 13, the “toys” on his Christmas and Hanukkah list (we celebrate both) skew a bit older and include things like an Apple Watch and video games. But to see what I’m eyeing for my eight-year-old, as well as what the other editors of Today’s Parent are pondering for their little ones, check out our picks (at left). Then call your kids over and flip to page 38 for the full list. No matter what you celebrate, we wish you a happy, healthy holiday season, full of toys, but more importantly, love.
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November+December 2021 todaysparent.com
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