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Heather Welch is a parent, play advocate, educator, and marketer. She did her master’s in Business & Technology, bachelor's in Physical Education, and holds certifications in Play Therapy, Early Years Mental Health and Well Being, and Understanding Autism. Heather has lived and worked in Australia, Singapore, and UAE, and is now based in the UK. She has two boys who love to play, so she has learned a lot from them as well as from her teaching experience.
Currently, Heather works at Edx Education toys. Previously, she has written articles on 'learning through play' and given talks on the subject around the world. In addition, she hosts a parenting podcast series Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, which discusses play and learning for all children. She's also a play ambassador for The Genius of Play and a trustee of a UK charity Gecko On The Move providing educational opportunities to children around the world.
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Add some fun and excitement to your child’s bath time with our list of the best bath toys for toddlers. Made from child-friendly, durable materials, these toys come in various designs, colors, and sizes to suit your child’s interests. They can float on water and encourage your child to engage in imaginative playtime. You can…
Once your baby learns how to stand, walking is not too far away. Walking and standing are essential milestones that keep a baby healthy and in its best shape. The best baby push walker will help your baby develop the right skills, so they begin walking by themselves. Push walkers come in handy when babies…
When your baby is beginning to move and explore, it is time to acquaint them with numbers, alphabets, animal names, and more. So, here’s our list of the best learning toys for babies to help your child reach their developmental goals. With lights, sounds, and bright colors, these toys can keep your children engaged and improve…
When a baby is born, they spend a lot of time in a crib. Thus, you should bring home the best baby mobiles to keep them occupied and engaged. These colorful musical toys from trusted brands help address the infant’s boredom by stimulating their auditory and visual senses. These tried-and-tested toys trusted by moms and…
If you are looking for an engaging toy for a ten-month-old, we have made a list of the best toys and gifts for 10-month-old babies. Babies at ten months start to sit upright, make sounds, stand with your support, and put everything in their mouths to satiate their curiosity. They also start to learn about…
For growing kids, toys are more than just playthings. What they play with reflects their personality and things they are passionate about. So the best toys for five-, six-, and seven-year-old boys should be chosen carefully depending on their personality. Heather Welch, a play advocate, educator, mother of two, and an expert in children’s products…
Six-month-olds begin sitting without support and show curiosity about things around them. They try reaching out to objects they like and put things in their mouth (1). So, here’s our list of the best toys for six-month-old babies to keep them safe and healthy while having fun. These time-tested toys are designed to provide adequate…
Toddlers love to explore, learn, and understand the world. So, we have created a list of the best educational toys for toddlers to help kindle their curiosity and make their learning process more fun and engaging. When your child begins to learn new things and develop new skills, they feel more confident. These toys help…
Children are perceptive and learn from their surroundings quickly. So, we have compiled a list of the best educational toys for kids to help them reach their developmental milestones. Playing with toys helps enhance creativity and encourages problem-solving and cognitive skills to aid their overall development. Your child can learn new things and hone hidden…
The best baby dolls are enticing for little ones. They are cute and make great companions for babies and toddlers alike. Dolls are human-like, and they sometimes become a part of life, even after children grow up. Heather Welch, a mom, play advocate, educator, and developer of educational toys, says, “Playing with dolls is crucial…
Portable swimming pools are great fun, and installing them in your backyard won’t cost you much. The best swimming pools for kids are easy to set up, even in small spaces. You can also pack and store them without hassle when they are not in use. These pools are all the rage during summer, and…
Minecraft is a video game that many children enjoy playing. The game is filled with challenges but can also be highly addictive. The best Minecraft toys for kids replicate the experience of enjoying Minecraft outside the screen. You can pick from a huge variety of Minecraft toys, including soft toys and Lego-like ones made of…
Toys are the constant companions for children of all ages. When children reach the age of three, they are less likely to be captivated by simple toys and games. The best toys for three-year-olds will have to be a little more challenging and complex to keep them engaged. A three-year-old can play with more complex…
For children, pool time could be either challenging or exciting. Whatever the case, having the best pool toys for kids around would let your children have a gala time. Pool toys could be floating animals, balls, spray guns, and more. Heather Welch, a mom, play advocate, educator, and developer of educational toys, says, “Often, children…
Stress balls are specialized toys designed to let users squeeze and play with them. It is considered effective in stress relief for both adults and children. The best stress balls for kids could help them destress and regain their focus. Additionally, stress balls are also great at improving the strength of the fingers and arms.…
Some children show an inclination to cars and driving from a young age. If this sounds like your child, you could consider getting them some of the best electric cars for kids. This toy has taken over the market, with models ranging from BMW to Maserati. Having a car like this enables your little one…
Seeing and learning has proven to be one of the most effective ways to improve a child’s approach to learning a subject. Hence, investing in some of the best flashcards for kids is a good idea to explain concepts and help them retain them in their memory. A flashcard is a card with information on…
The kitchen can be a mysterious and intriguing space for children. Exposing your little one to the kitchen allows them to channel their curiosity into learning a useful new skill–cooking. However, substituting real food with the best play foods for kids can make the experience one of endless fun. This way, you don’t have to…
It’s good to help children develop an affinity for preparing meals from a young age by introducing them to some of the best cooking kits for kids. Cooking kits are a safe and fun way to indulge in food-related games, as they come with various features that simulate a real cooking experience. They could also…
If your child loves to carry their doll around, you should consider investing in a doll stroller. The best baby doll stroller lets your toddler put their doll in it while strolling around. It helps encourage your little one to walk and prevent the toy from slipping and getting lost. You can also use it…
Children can be as stylish and trendy as adults and could be even more. They enjoy imitating adults and getting accessories that adults may use. The best smartwatch for kids is one such accessory most of them love. Smartwatches have useful features and are cool options for children. In addition, they are practical choices for…
By the time your little one hits nine months, they’re already on the move. Nine-month-old babies are curious and keen on discovering the world around them. So, here’s our list of the best toys for 9-month-old babies to help you out. You would probably be quite surprised by your baby’s motor skills and cognitive development…
Encourage your three-month-old’s curiosity and interests with the best toys for 3-month-old babies. Although a three-month-old may not understand everything, they learn from observing their surroundings. So, these toys can help them develop their mental and physical skills to reach their developmental milestones. They are made from safe, high-quality materials to ensure your child’s safety.…
If you are looking for a fun gift for a two-year-old, here’s our list of the best gifts for 2-year-olds to help you choose the right one. Children at this age are curious and energetic, exploring and learning at every opportunity. Our list includes entertaining and educational toys that will help improve your child’s cognitive…
The iconic legacy of the Transformers lives on through many things, the most engaging of them being toys and action figures. So, whether you want to be Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ratchet, or Ironhide, the top Transformer toys for kids can bring your little one’s favorite characters to life and allow them to interact with them…
If your child is a big fan of the show Ben 10, we have compiled a list of the best Ben 10 toys for kids to help you out. The show revolves around a 10-year-old boy who discovers an alien gadget shaped like a watch that allows him to morph into ten different extraterrestrial heroes…
If you’ve got two tiny tots around the same age, it may not be easy to convince them about who gets to spend time in the single-seat stroller. The best stroller boards will help keep both the children happy and ensure that nobody feels left out. There are a wide variety of styles available online.…
Children are naturally energetic and enjoy jumping. You can take advantage of this to make them jump on a trampoline for a bit of exercise. But before buying a trampoline, you need to know how to select the right one, and the care your kids should take while playing because experts term trampolining a high-risk…
As your little girl slowly grows up, you will start noticing that gone are the days when you would give them any toy, and they would happily accept it. The best toys for 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old girls require some consideration from the parents’ side. The primary reason is that girls of this age range…
As a parent, you might be looking forward to pampering your child with some soft, cuddly, or educational toys. So, we have compiled a list of the best toys for babies to help you choose the right one. Children need stimulating toys from a young age to help them reach their developmental goals. Age-specific toys…
If you have a five-month-old at home, we have compiled a list of the best toys for 5-month-old babies to help you out. Your baby has grown a bit in these few months and can now hold a toy, chatter, and move objects. So, they need age-appropriate toys of the right size to grab and…
If you are looking for fun games to keep your child engaged, we have compiled a list of the best classic board games for kids to help you choose the right one. Suitable for playing with two to three players or the whole family, these board games allow your child to bond with their friends…
One of the milestones for a four-month-old baby is reaching out to a toy when they see it (1). So, we have included a list of the best toys for 4-month-olds to help your child stay active and engaged. Children find the colors and shapes mesmerizing, be it a dangling toy or one they can…