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Discovery Building Sets

🎁 Need Gift Ideas? Try This!


Hi Reader,

I can’t believe I blinked and we are already halfway through November!

The holidays can feel like a whirlwind, especially in our family! With five grandkids’ birthdays in the fall and Christmas just around the corner, there’s always a lot to juggle.

If you’re still working on your gift list, don’t worry—I have a fun activity to help you find thoughtful gifts your kids will love. It’s a little investigation that can lead to big insights!

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Your Mission This Week: Observe and Take Notes 🕵️‍♀️

Spend some time watching your child during their open-ended free play. Their interests and play style can offer great clues about the gifts they’ll truly enjoy. Here’s what to look for:

📝 Are they budding storytellers?

📚 Do they narrate their actions during play?

🏗️ Are they builders, or do they prefer a bit of controlled chaos?

🤔 Do they like to make their own rules or imitate others?

🏃‍♂️ Are they the active, running-around type?

🪁 Do they sit and play with one toy for a long time, or jump from one to another?

🎲 What blocks, games, or toys do they engage with the most?

🎭 Are there recurring themes in their play?

🤖 Have they shown a big interest in a particular skill or topic lately?

🎃 What did they choose as their Halloween costume?

🎨 Do they enjoy messy activities or prefer neat and organized ones?


Once you’ve observed their play style, use those insights to choose gifts that match their unique personality and interests.

I’d love to hear from you! Reply and share what you learned this week. Did your observations confirm what you already knew, or was there an a-ha moment?

Need More Inspiration?

Check out these helpful guides for ideas:

Make the Season Fun and Festive!

Are you looking for more fun holiday activities?

Exciting Things Coming Up:

  • 👨‍🍳 Holiday Baking Week (December 12–17): A week of simple holiday recipes your kids can help with. Keep an eye on your inbox for tips and recipes!
  • 🎄 Kids Holiday Baking Challenge (through December 3): Help your child master basic baking skills in a fun, interactive way! Perfect for ages 5+, and right now it’s BOGO—gift one to a friend. Normally $35, now TWO for $19!
  • 💸 Black Friday Deals: Keep an eye out for discounts arriving soon!


How Can I Help?

What are your plans for the holidays? How can I help you get organized or make the season more enjoyable? Hit reply and let me know!

Happy observing, and may your holiday shopping be stress-free and joyful! 🌟🎅

All the best,

Kimberli and Joseph

P.S. Don’t forget to reply with your "a-ha" moments from this week’s activity! Did you learn something new about your child’s interests? I’d love to hear about it. 🌟

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Discovery Building Sets

We help parents, grandparents, and educators nurture happy, curious kids through easy, play-based activities. From block play to pretend play, our playful learning activities encourage your children to develop their social, emotional, language, cognitive, and motor skills—one activity at a time. Join our weekly newsletter to explore simple, hands-on activities designed for your toddlers and preschoolers.

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