December 4, 2008 2:57 PM
Nativity sets for kids
[2009 Update- many more children's nativity sets!]
Look what I found - a nativity set kids can play with!
Amazon has this for only 17.99 - plus a Noah's Ark ( a little more pricey - but maybe a good gift from the grandparents?
Also, suggested by many readers and which I just used a gift certificate to purchase for my Downzers (thanks, Margaret!):
Just want to make it clear - I'm not encouraging anyone to spend money they don't have. But if you're going to spend it, I want to help you make intelligent decisions. With everything I learned from my Montessori training plus 39 years of mothering - including homeschooling and raising special needs kids - I know what appeals to kids and what withstands the test of time. You can count on anything I suggest being something I would have in my own home too.
To that end, I'm working this week on my Amazon store - which you can find on the left sidebar, replacing Barbara's Picks - which I put up long before Amazon offered this convenient format. I need to tell you that even if you don't spend money, wandering through the selections I've made will be helpful as I share exactly why I would recommend items and how they might be most useful. So you can pick up some ideas and guidelines to help you when you are at garage sales or second-hand stores. You can look for books I recommend at the library - or ask them to get them for you.
I've been working on the Christmas pages. Will work on classic toys and early education before the end of the week in case you are doing Christmas shopping. I am grateful to those of you who support this site by shopping Amazon - but I also feel good about recommending it because I have been shopping with them for 10 years. Their prices are good and I save money from gas and impulse items :)
Amazon is having a 4-for-3 special on many books right now, so be sure to check out titles you've been meaning to buy. Also, remember to pick Super Saver shipping for free shipping on orders over $25.
Posted in Christmas | Permalink
Comments
We bought this a couple of years ago. All my kids like Playmobile. This year we discovered the nativity in amongst the Playmobile pirate ship and the jungle set. Looks like the wise men were upon the high seas in the off season.
Poor Jesus' head broke off, but Olivia painted the eraser of a pencil and added some eyes and a mouth and he looks pretty good again. She has taken the set into protective custody and has them dislayed on her dresser in her room. :)
Posted by: Kelly | December 4, 2008 5:54 PM
For younger kids, I highly recommend Playskool's Little People nativity set. The basic set (the manger scene) isn't costly and it's super-little-kid-friendly. They also have an awesome Mayflower and Thanksgiving feast set...which are on excellent sale right now at Playskool's website. Often, you can get these things at a great discount if you just wait until after the holiday :)
Posted by: Kristina | December 4, 2008 7:02 PM
We have the Little People Three Wise Men set. Too cute!
Posted by: Michelle Potter | December 4, 2008 7:31 PM
The little people set is a hit at our house! http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=900002&e=storeproduct&pid=46513§ion=tod_lp_toys
Posted by: Renee Garcia | December 4, 2008 11:33 PM
We have the Little People nativity also. We have three children with Down Syndrome whose fine motor skills are a bit weak. Last year I realized the poor message I was sending to them when they carried around the ceramic Jesus from our Costco nativity set. I found myself saying "Don't touch Jesus!" "Yes, that's Mother Mary but don't pick her up, she isn't for you to play with." I was making the beauty of the Nativity inaccessible for my little ones. Now I find the Little People Nativity rearranged and lined up on shelves all over the house. Jesus is very personal to them in this wonderful set.
Posted by: Brenda | December 5, 2008 9:14 AM
We LOVE the Little People nativity. The first day after Thanksgiving my three-year-old was asking to get it out. It's so fun to help the kids act out the Christmas story with the dolls.
Posted by: Amy | December 8, 2008 7:59 PM
