Toy Guides

While we all look forward to summer, parents are not alone when worrying about their kids’ education and the potential ‘summer slide’ caused by summer break. Summer Slide refers to the loss of academic skills and knowledge over the course of summer vacation. The last thing any parent wants is to take away from their kids’ summer fun, but at...

As a parent, there are many values and morals to try to teach a child, at any age, but inspiring kindness in kids can be a challenge. Thoughtfulness often comes secondary, so teaching thoughtfulness is one of the best gifts you can give. Here are some ways to help spread kindness. The Sooner, The Better It’s never too early to...

Reward systems use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. If you want to help your kids build the right behavioral habits and reduce tantrums at the same time, you can try this parent-approved life hack; reward systems. They encourage behavioral modification through positive reinforcement. Here's how to set up a reward system that works for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged kids...

It’s that time of year again where we exchange our water wings and trips up north for textbooks and field trips. Summer has a way of flying by and soon enough the kids will be back at school. To help get you started, here are some tips for preparing for back to school!  Start a Morning Schedule While it may...

With Mother's Day approaching, show mom just how much you love her by working on a craft or an activity with her on her special day. Listed below are 20 Mother's Day crafts and activities for quality time. Every craft and activity listed below are either available here at Whistle Stop Hobby & Toy or can be made at home...

As we get back to traveling with the family, it's important to have things handy to keep the kids busy and entertained while traveling either by car or plane. We know how hard that can be, especially with young ones so we've compiled a list of fun and engaging products for all ages. Here’s a list of our favorite products...

We know it, Easter baskets can sometimes be daunting. Finding just the right balance of toys and treats that will get the kids excited. To bring the fun back in Easter, we’ve compiled our favorite products that will make the perfect addition to any basket. Don’t forget to top it off with candy, a cuddly plush, or a book for...

Sensory play is any toy or activity that uses a child's senses (touch, smell, taste, sight, hearing and also includes movement and balance). Sensory play is an important aspect of child development. It can be tailored for babies to kindergarteners. Babies naturally use all of their senses to explore the world around them. They watch, listen, grasp, and put anything...