Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Play nativity set for toddlers - preschool

My kids haven't used a play nativity set yet, but it is something I would like them to have. I didn't grow up with a religious Christmas, and this is something I would like to share with my family.  

When I discovered Playmobil toys, I purchased their nativity set which I felt was a good value. However, the set has very tiny pieces and it's not quite right for my 4 year old and 2 year old boys. I will save the Playmobil set for 2-3 years from now when it will be better suited for them.  In the meantime, I found a nativity set made by Schleich that looks beautiful -- we have several Schleich animals that the kids enjoy.  I think this may be a great set, and I am thinking of getting it and giving it to the kids for St. Nicholas (another tradition I did not grow up with -- my husband did, and while I'm not keen on tons and tons of presents at the holidays, I think we can keep our celebration modest and frugal.)

However, I am torn.....  at our 2 year old parent-child class at a local Christian school, the teacher has a lovely homemade nativity that has felt characters glued to wooden blocks -- super child friendly and it's homemade -- I love that.  Not that I need another craft project to add to my list -- I am already thinking about making felt play food, personalized ABC photo books, and curtains for the new baby's room....    But the homemade nativity would be neat.  I would need to search and see if I can find patterns for the people and animals.  I would love to find if anyone has made these on a crafting blog, but my searches from last year came up empty.  

Oooh, found via Google! A couple links -- a pattern for sale, and a project book with instructions.  Also on Etsy  -- patterns for felt dolls, very cute!

I'm not sure which path we'll take, but these are the current best ideas. 

Then, we should look for some great Christmas story books for the family.  So many projects, so little time!  Any recommendations? 

8 comments:

Kate S said...

Hi Karen-

One tradition in my dad's family was to read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' on Christmas Eve. I have the copy that my great grandparents gave to me. :)

you can also find the poem online.

Also, we love 'Froggy's First Christmas'

Alipurr said...

hey, thanks for the link to that ABC quiet book page, that was really cool!

Tara @ Feels Like Home said...

I've been thinking about a toy nativity, too. There was one in the Fisher Price catalog I just got. It's not homemade or one of a kind, but it is a nativity. :) Just saying.

Karen said...

I've seen the Fisher Price little people nativity also. I'm slow on the decision making. Last year I fell in love with the wooden figures made by Holztiger, they have nativity characters also -- they are beautiful but also expensive, like $8 - $15 per piece. it would be a wonderful special thing to collect but I'm torn between special and practical. I *think* practical wins, especially since it's only used a short time, but I kind of want something sentimental too. So indecisive!

Anonymous said...

On October 21 I blogged about a beautiful children's book called "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey" in which a woodcarver makes a nativity set for a widow and her son. Check it out at http://thebookbench.blogspot.com/

Steph said...

I have the Fisher Price Little People Nativity and my son loves it. It plays the song "Away in a Manger" and the star on top lights up. My older sister has the playmobile set and highly recommends it, but I opted for the Little People set since it didn't have any small parts my son could swallow.

Anonymous said...

This looks really cute. Thanks. I wonder if it is available in spanish. I have been reading to my kids a bilingual book that they love, so I am trying to keep the fun going I guess. It is a really cute book - "Tim and Kim" by Kay Linda Nord. Full of the cutest pictures, but what is fun is it is in both english and spanish on the same page. I found it here if anyone is interested; http://kaylindanord.com/

Thanks again for the Christmas books. Let me know if you see it in Spanish.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the heads up. I was looking for ideas for my toddler and the nativity.