Pretend Play Toys from Kaplan Toys

Pretend play toys from Kaplan Toys make learning fun for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, helping foster developmentally appropriate skills with educational products that have been trusted by parents, teachers, and child development experts for years. Our pretend play toys are designed to sharpen emerging senses and skills and encourage young children to further develop their curiosity about the world around them. Pretend and play toys further expand a child's developing creative skills, allowing little boys and girls to try on another's identity and gain empathy. Play kitchens and play food are a great way to teach kids about nutrition and the fun of cooking, with pieces that are designed to mimic the real thing. Let the kids learn more about science and human interaction by having them put on a doctor's costume and using a doctor kit to take your blood pressure or temperature.

As children develop the ability to represent experience symbolically, pretend play becomes a prominent activity. In this complex type of play, children carry out action plans, take on roles, and transform objects as they express their ideas and feelings about the social world.

Roles are identities children assume in play. Some roles are functional: necessary for a certain theme. For example, taking a trip requires passengers and a driver. Family roles such as mother, father and baby are popular, and are integrated into elaborate play with themes related to familiar home activities. Children also assume stereotyped character roles drawn from the larger culture, such as nurse, and fictional character roles drawn from books and television, such as He-Man. Play related to these roles tends to be more predictable and restricted than play related to direct experiences such as family life

Our selection of learning toys and dramatic play items has been carefully chosen and organized by age groups so it's easy to choose a developmentally appropriate product. We also offer playroom accessories so that you can outfit your play area with fun items that kids of all ages will love, as well as a great selection of arts and crafts products that will have the kids begging to get creative.

Kaplan started in 1951 when Leon and Renee Kaplan (Mr. and Mrs. K) opened a toy store in Greensboro, North Carolina. They expanded the business in 1952 by opening a second store in Winston Salem, North Carolina and then multiple locations in late 1950 and early 1960. In 1968, Kaplan School Supply was founded which affirmed their commitment to children by introducing toys that teach.

For well over 35 years the Kaplan name has been synonymous with children and providing products that promote learning while playing. The company has continued to be a strong leader in the field of early care and education. We know that children are our future and we provide products that enhance creativity, explore learning, and encourage independence.

We are very excited to provide this online toy store offering both familiar and unique items for children birth to 6 years. You will recognize many name brands like Little Tikes®, Chicco®, and Crayola® – but you'll also find many items that are only available from Kaplan.