Toys instead of Candy for Valentine's Day? Oh Yes!

My little baby grand is getting not so little these days!!
One thing that hasn't changed, is she doesn't like junk food (except ice cream, but that's a story for a different day).
That means she will be getting a toy for Valentine's Day from grandma!

If you have been around (my blog) for awhile, you know I have a granddaughter who eats very healthy. She is 6-years-old right now, and an absolute delight, and while her preferences have changed somewhat, since she has started school (and been introduced to junk food), she is still quite content to sit and have a plate full of healthy items in front of her for every meal. She still also only drinks 'ice cold water, grandma.' She makes good choices even at restaurants where she really wouldn't have to, and that makes me so happy and proud. I want her to be in the optimal of health! So when it comes to Valentine's Day, I want to make sure I'm getting her something she will love, but that isn't full of artificial ingredients and sugar. So...we're thinking outside of the box, and these 3 items below are perfect!

1. She likes to create. In fact, it is one of her most favorite things to do. I am familiar with Ooze Labs, and appreciate the quality of the items they make. For Valentine's Day, their Soap & Bath Bomb Lab is the perfect selection for my lovely granddaughter!

Ooze Labs: Soap & Bath Bomb Lab

In this pretend STEM scenario, you are a chemist for a bath and body products company and it’s your job to make and test different cosmetic products. Use the tools in your laboratory to employ different scientific techniques and essential chemistry principles to make soaps and bath bombs. Try out different additives to affect the color, smell, and other qualities of the products you make. As you mold different glycerin soap shapes, you learn about the chemical properties of soap that help it pick up and wash away dirt. All materials and chemicals are non-toxic. Ages 6 & up. MSRP: $29.95.

2. She likes to build! She can literally spend hours sitting on the floor with a pile full of items around them to put together. Enter Clicformers, Loving Friends 79 pc. set. This kit allows you to make cute little animals out of their building pieces that are really just so unusual and cute. Even more fun because you create them yourself!

Clicformers Loving Friends 79PC Set

Hook, Stack, Fold and roll your way into fun with the Loving Friends 79Pc! Build and Create a Poodle, French Bulldog and Border Collie. Clicformers construction toys are ideal for the development of eye-hand-coordination of children ages 4 and up. Once you’re done following along with the enclosed idea sheet you can work to build your own ideas!  Clicformers sets are compatible with each other and let you build with endless possibilities! Clicformers are perfect for STEM education and when playtime is over, use the clicking mechanism to simply stack and store. Loving Friends 79Pc Set is a top STEM toy. Ages 4 & up. MSRP: $29.99.

3. Last, but not least, I've selected the Magformers Mini House Sets as an ideal gift for a child for Valentine's Day. I love this brand because their magnets hold tight, but never pinch little fingers. You can build, modify and rearrange at will. My nephew has one of the bigger sets, and he has been playing with it for years. It's a nice way to spend your down time, and you really can get inventive with them. Introducing the mini house sets to my baby grand is a great idea. I know she'll enjoy them, and as meticulous as she is about storing her items in 'just the right places' in her room, I am guessing she will have just the right spot picked out in her closet (where her storage bins are) to store them when she's done playing. This is a easy and quiet way to bond with her as well. If she takes these out while I'm visiting, I know she'll climb right up in my lap and just start building. My favorite kind of way to spend some time.

Magformers Mini House Sets

Click, Connect, Create! Explore endless construction possibilities with Magformers Mini House Sets! Your little one can build anything they can imagine when they use the Magformers Magnetic Rainbow shapes, characters and accessories included in, Max’s Playground Set, Maggy’s House Set, Minibot Kitchen and Milo’s Mansion Set. Compatible with all Magformers, add Milo, Minibot and Max sets for extended building fun! Ages 3 & up. MSRP: $49.99. 

All three of these are great items to gift instead of candy, and I am excited to pick one out for my granddaughter's Valentine's Day gift this year.