Holiday Gifts That Educate and Delight Children of All Ages

As they gear up for the holiday season, parents and grandparents head out to what often seems a “shopping jungle” to purchase toys and gifts that will bring joy to their young ones. They struggle through stores, sorting through jumbled shelves, looking for safe toys and gifts their children will love and enjoy for more than a day or two.

Toys that delight and engage

If you want to choose meaningful toys that will last and will delight your child for months or years to come, consider investing in quality educational toys. Designed to educate and engage children, these toys encourage cognitive development and problem-solving skills, enhance motor skills, support language development, help develop children’s senses (sight, touch, hearing) and build social and emotional skills like sharing, waiting for one’s turn, leadership and having fun.

Other important factors to consider when choosing toys for any age:

• Safety: look for toys that are free of small parts, sharp edges or harmful materials. Small children put everything in their mouths, so choose toys made from organic or nontoxic, child-safe materials.
• Choose age-appropriate options: Chronological age does not always correspond with developmental age. Match toys to your child’s current developmental stage to keep toys both challenging and fun.
• Rotate Toys: Introduce new toys periodically to maintain your child’s interest and engagement.
• Shop local: Choosing to make your holiday purchases from local small businesses keeps your dollars in your community, encouraging local growth and business and merchandise choices that best fit your community’s needs and preferences.

Dandy toys at Dandy Lions

So where do North State parents go to find safe, age-appropriate, delightful, engaging, quality educational toys? A unique store in Red Bluff offers all this and more. Located at 623 Main Street in charming downtown Red Bluff, Dandy Lions has been providing safe, non-toxic, quality educational toys and children’s clothing to local families for over 15 years.

The shop is organized by age, making finding age and developmentally appropriate toys easy. Knowledgeable staff is always available to answer questions and provide guidance. Shop owner Jessica Sylvia and store manager Rhonda Stuart conduct careful research before making purchases for the store, assuring all toys they purchase are educational, safe and non-toxic.

Toys and gifts for all ages

From Indestructibles books for babies, (nontoxic, chewable, crinklyable and washable) to electronic toys older children enjoy putting together, Dandy Lions has something for every age. “Adults often purchase things like our 3D puzzles for older adults to keep them busy and their minds sharp,” says Rhonda.

You can find the popular Jellycat collection of beautiful, soft stuffies (suitable for children from birth) at Dandy Lions. Featured on Good Morning America as one of the best toys, Jellycats are even popular with adults.

For children who love dolls, Dandy Lions stocks organic rag dolls, beautiful dolls from Spain, dollhouses, doll furniture and dolls to populate their dollhouse. From European made items to Californias made goods like Voluspa candles and Sleepover Friends, you can depend on the quality, safety and beauty of everything in the store.

With adorable children’s clothes from newborn to youth 7, (including organic bamboo jammies), bibs, safe teething toys, art supplies, outdoor toys, an ever-changing 50% off rack and a huge selection of stocking stuffers, you’ll be able to find everything on your holiday gift list. To help you keep organized, they have storage solutions for nurseries and children’s rooms. And they’ll finish the shopping experience with complimentary gift-bagging!

A fun place to shop

Being able to stroll through a beautiful store, feeling the quality of toys and apparel, with friendly, knowledgeable customer service close at hand, makes shopping a joyful experience. “I love our clientele,” Rhonda says. “I love seeing our repeat shoppers. You get to have a relationship with them. I love the kids. When they come in, they light up, they get excited. To see the children run through the store with such joy and taking it all in between the stuffed toys and the colors – that’s just so much fun. It’s a fun, happy place.”

For more information or to “pre-shop” before you stop in the store, check out Dandy Lions on Facebook and Instagram.