American Plastic Toys Encourages Summer Play!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions stated are genuine and my own.

Toys have changed a lot, but kids have not. I can go and sit in my granddaughter's room for long stretches of time, playing board games, role play games, and games she makes up all on her own...and guess what? She loves these kinds of things, just as her daddy did before her, and he grew up in a time where there was no such thing as 'screen time.' It always baffles me when I hear parents say they don't know how to get their younger children off of the screens. I do!!! Get out there and play with them...something, anything. Kids are just as happy to play pretend store, farmer's market, school, or anything with a ball as they are to sit in the house plopped in front of a screen. In fact, I think they appreciate it more. Looking for quality time? Make it. And don't wait. I promise you those kids you have in the house now, that seem like they will be there always and forever, will be all grown up and on their own before you know it. Then they won't want to go outside and play Farmer's Market...but the grandkids might. ;)

This Market Cart from American Plastic Toys comes already in one piece, so you don't have to put it together. On each side of the wagon you'll find a wheel and a stationary leg. There is also a chunky little handle that is fastened on there tight (it's not coming off when little hands pull). 

The top has an awning to protect those bins/trays for whatever it is kids are going to stock in their 'market.'

There are two panels that open up to just the right size for little hands to reach into, and they go inside of the roomy open space that holds whatever your little one decides should go inside.

It comes with a plastic credit card and coins, and a key pad made of stickers, so children can authentically ring up any purchases their customers might make. Another open panel is just to the left, but instead of going inside of the container, it is just a shallow space where your child can store extra money, or whatever they deem fit. I suspect my granddaughter will put little flowers in there that she picks. She cannot resist picking the little flowers that grow in the grass.

The set also comes with some fruits and veggies to get your little entrepreneur set up on the right foot. Everything you need is here for a lot of pretend play, quality time, and good memories. 

While I prefer toys like the Farmer's Market for my time with the grandlittle, my good friend, who has a granddaughter about the same age as mine, has more of a bent for things like this sand and water play table, also from American Plastic Toys. This toy did require assembly, but it was also a cinch to do. Simply popping the wide-width, sturdy plastic legs into place did the trick. It fact, it was so easy my youngest volunteered to jump right in and put it together. 

He looks pretty pleased with the final outcome. :)  You can see it's a nice-sized table, and the smooth plastic makes it easy to keep clean too. I'm thinking when my play time is over, it can just be rinsed down with a garden hose. Easy peasy, my favorite kind of clean-up. 

The winding swirl of a slide takes the little critters included and lets them go down into the water. There are holes in the molds for sifting sand or allowing the water to filter through. I can see any little one having a grand old time with this table. It's bound to inspire creativity, and I can just imagine all of the cute little sand babies the kids are going to make at her house (her niece and nephew come over too, and they are the same age as her granddaughter).

It's colorful, it's safe (no sharp edges), it's lightweight (easy for kids to move), yet sturdy and it piques the imagination. Surely any child, with a space in their yard, would love to have this show up on their doorstep. 

These are two of the many types of toys you can find at American Plastic Toys, which are sold online (including Amazon) and in retail stores such as Walgreens, Walmart, Five Below and more.