{"id":1600,"date":"2025-01-27T14:39:47","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T14:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/?p=1600"},"modified":"2025-01-27T14:39:47","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T14:39:47","slug":"winter-toy-book-rotations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/27\/winter-toy-book-rotations\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Toy &amp; Book Rotations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>After the Christmas decorations finally get stowed away, we like to focus on winter play. Since we live in Canada, winter is characterized by cold, snow and ice and January is the perfect time to explore many of these concepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"718\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7491-1-718x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"winter toy shelf rotation\" class=\"wp-image-1605\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7491-1-718x1024.jpeg 718w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7491-1-210x300.jpeg 210w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7491-1-768x1095.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7491-1-1077x1536.jpeg 1077w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7491-1-1436x2048.jpeg 1436w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7491-1-scaled.jpeg 1796w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 718px) 100vw, 718px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Our Approach to Rotations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We don&#8217;t do a full toy rotation anymore.  This is mostly because many of our toys are open-ended and continue to be played with in different capacities.  However, it is fun to recognize the month and season we&#8217;re in with a few special and fresh items.  Instead of a full toy rotation, we rotate one shelf monthly to reflect the play themes we&#8217;ll be exploring in the upcoming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I like having all of our resources out and available, so they can easily be added into activities.  The kids like to also add the seasonal figures and pieces into their play with our open-ended toys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1606\" src=\"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7492-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"felt winter house and felt tree toys\" class=\"wp-image-1606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7492-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7492-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7492-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7492-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7492-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1607\" src=\"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7493-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"The Mitten story telling props\" class=\"wp-image-1607\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7493-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7493-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7493-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7493-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7493-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"1608\" src=\"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7495-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"The Gruffalo's Child story blocks for bookish play\" class=\"wp-image-1608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7495-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7495-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7495-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7495-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_7495-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Why Rotate Toys and Books?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rotation helps keep things fresh and interesting. By putting away items for a few months and then bringing them back out, it generates new excitement and interest for kids. Even though the toys aren&#8217;t new, they <em>seem<\/em> new and novel.  My kids will recall fond memories of playing with the toys in the past and want to replicate those experiences. They love rediscovering old favourites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>January Toy Rotation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So what did we bring out for January? Here are some of our winter favourites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video controls src=\"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/9ebc3bbc7bb04183a3cfa361862ebbc3.mov\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Small World Play<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2744\ufe0f Felt Winter Cottage &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/sewingseedsplay.com\">Sewing Seeds Play<\/a> (\u2728code HOUSEOFPLAY10)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2744\ufe0f Wooden frozen pond &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themaplemouse.com\">The Maple Mouse Sensory<\/a> (\u2728code \u2018houseofplay10)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2744\ufe0f Papoose Winter Trees<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2744\ufe0f Tenderleaf Toys Polar Bear<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Book Play<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2744\ufe0f The Mitten &#8211; Schleich animals and a mitten from our closet<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2744\ufe0f The Gruffalo\u2019s Child &#8211; story blocks by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themaplemouse.com\">The Maple Mouse Sensory<\/a> (\u2728code \u2018houseofplay10\u2019), Zooble Toys felt caves from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wonderandkind.ca\">Wonder + Kind Shop<\/a> (\u2728code HOUSEOFPLAY10)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Building<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2744\ufe0f LEGO Frozen II Elsa\u2019s Jewelry Box<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Games<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2744\ufe0f Vilac Eddy Bear balancing game<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Puzzles<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2744\ufe0f Crocodile Creek Arctic Animals<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2744\ufe0f Londji Let\u2019s Go to the Mountain&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2744\ufe0f Janod Snow Party<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>January Book Rotation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Along with winter toys, we like to bring out our wintertime stories.  There are so many great children&#8217;s books about winter, snow and animals that live in cold climates.  Here are 10 of our favourites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video controls src=\"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/copy_30E2166C-8D05-4080-A02B-E57FCF6D3C0B.mov\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2b50\ufe0f The Mitten &#8211; Jan Brett<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2b50\ufe0f Winter in the Forest<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2b50\ufe0f Thomas\u2019 Snowsuit &#8211; Robert Munsch<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2b50\ufe0f The Snowy Nap &#8211; Jan Brett<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2b50\ufe0f I Have to Go &#8211; Robert Munsch<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2b50\ufe0f The Gruffalo\u2019s Child &#8211; Julia Donaldson<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2b50\ufe0f Winter Sleep &#8211; Sean Taylor<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2b50\ufe0f One Very Big Bear &#8211; Alice Bri\u00e8re-Haquet<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2b50\ufe0f Bear Snores On &#8211; Karma Wilson<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2b50\ufe0f A Thing Called Snow &#8211; Yuval Zommer<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s your favourite winter themed book?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After the Christmas decorations finally get stowed away, we like to focus on winter play. Since we live in Canada, winter is characterized by cold, snow and ice and January is the perfect time to explore many of these concepts. Our Approach to Rotations We don&#8217;t do a full toy rotation anymore. This is mostly &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/27\/winter-toy-book-rotations\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Winter Toy &amp; Book Rotations&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[397,400,399,75,396,395,398],"class_list":["post-1600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","tag-favouritewinterchildrensbooks","tag-januarybookrotation","tag-januarytoyrotation","tag-toyrotation","tag-winterchildrensbooks","tag-wintertoyrotation","tag-wintertoys"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1600","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1600"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1600\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1633,"href":"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1600\/revisions\/1633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ahouseofplay.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}