I’ve owned a toy store for over a decade, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: play is never just play. I’ve watched kids in our store solve problems, navigate big feelings, and light up with joy—all through something as simple as stacking blocks or stirring imaginary soup.
We talk a lot about milestones and learning goals as parents—but the most important developmental work often happens when we step back and let kids explore, create, and imagine.
Because play is how kids learn.
What’s Really Happening When Kids Play
When children play, they’re doing the work of childhood—without even realizing it. They’re:
-Practicing problem-solving and perseverance
-Learning to communicate and collaborate
-Exploring empathy and independence
-Strengthening fine and gross motor skills
-Developing creativity and critical thinking
What looks like a baby shaking a rattle is actually early cause-and-effect understanding.
What looks like a toddler feeding a stuffed animal is empathy in action.
What looks like a preschooler building a tower (and knocking it down) is resilience at work.
Play isn’t a break from learning. It is the learning.
Why We Care So Much at Ecobuns
This matters deeply to me—not just as someone who runs a toy store, but as a mom.
When I became co-owner of Ecobuns in 2013, my kids were just babies. Over the years, they’ve grown up in this store, helping me test products, try new games, and (most importantly) remind me what real play looks like. It’s loud, messy, joyful, and sometimes chaotic—but it’s always meaningful.
We’ve curated every shelf at Ecobuns with one question in mind:
Does this toy invite a child to grow through play?
If the answer is yes, it earns a spot in the store.
Not All Toys Are Created Equal
We choose toys that are open-ended, screen-free, and developmentally supportive. Things that don’t tell a child how to play—but instead offer them the space to imagine, experiment, and figure things out for themselves.
Because we don’t just want toys that entertain your kids—we want toys that help them become who they’re meant to be.
So When You See a Child “Just Playing”...
Pause for a moment.
That game they’re playing? It might be teaching them how to take turns.
That puzzle? Problem-solving and patience.
That dollhouse scene? A safe space to make sense of big emotions.
They’re not just passing time. They’re practicing life.
And the best part? They don’t even realize how hard they’re working. They’re just having fun.
💜
If you’re looking for toys that encourage this kind of meaningful play, we’d love to help. Come visit us at Ecobuns Baby + Co. in Holland, Michigan, or explore our favorite play-based picks online at ecobuns.com.
Let’s raise a generation that learns by doing, imagining, building, and, yes—playing.