As we approach the final month of 2025, many of us are looking forward to slowing down, taking a break from busy routines, and enjoying long-overdue quality time with our loved ones. The festive period gives parents and caregivers the chance to connect with their little ones without the usual rush of work, school, and extra-murals.
As an occupational therapist, play therapist, and mom to young children, I’m always searching for Christmas gifts that are durable, well-designed, and genuinely support my children’s development. In a world where screens are everywhere, I want toys that pull my kids into real, meaningful play — toys that encourage creativity, communication, and imagination.
When I discovered the PLAYMOBIL range, I knew I had found exactly that.
From an OT perspective, I look for toys that naturally support development — and PLAYMOBIL does exactly that. The small pieces and detailed scenes encourage fine-motor skills, hand–eye coordination, and focused attention. Children also practise executive functioning skills like planning, sequencing, and flexible thinking as they explore different storylines and decide what happens next.
As a play therapist, I love how PLAYMOBIL supports emotional regulation and social skills. Imaginative play brings up a range of feelings, and it gives parents the perfect chance to guide their children through frustration, excitement, problem-solving, and teamwork. Whether children are acting out everyday scenarios or creating entire worlds, they’re building communication, empathy, and confidence without even realising it.
Symbolic or pretend play is one of the richest ways children learn — and every PLAYMOBIL set mirrors real-life experiences. Kids get to make sense of their world through storytelling, role play, and imagination, which is incredibly valuable for emotional and social growth.
And then, putting my professional hats aside — what do I look for as a mom? I want toys that last, that excite my kids, that draw them into hours of screen-free fun, and that bring our family together. I want toys that spark creativity, promote role play, and — most importantly — feel like pure joy. PLAYMOBIL ticks every one of those boxes.
PLAYMOBIL toys are made from child-safe, non-toxic ABS plastic and are incredibly long-lasting. A quick browse on the PLAYMOBIL website (www.playmobil.co.za) shows just how many themes and sets there are — something for every child, every interest, and every stage of imaginative play. They’re wonderful for families, and I highly recommend them for therapists looking to add meaningful play tools to their practices.
Anyone choosing a PLAYMOBIL gift this Christmas can feel confident that they’re giving a child a fun, engaging, and developmentally supportive play experience.
PLAYMOBIL — Inspiring Imagination Through Play.
Available at select Toy Kingdom and Hamleys stores, Takealot online, and your favourite independent toy store.
For a complete list of stores where you can find PLAYMOBIL visit www.playmobil.co.za/find-a-retailer/
Sign up at www.playmobil.co.za for their regular newsletters and get up-to-date information on new product releases.
Taryn Schneider has a BSc in Occupational Therapy from UCT and a Master’s degree in Child-Centred Play Therapy from Roehampton University in the United Kingdom. She works in private practice in Gardens, Cape Town.
Taryn uses a practical and functional approach to managing emotional and behavioural challenges in children. She aims to empower parents by helping them understand their children holistically, enabling them to support and manage their children more effectively at home.
Taryn also enjoys working closely with teachers to support children emotionally in the classroom and to help them understand how emotional well-being impacts school performance.
083 434 0126 / [email protected]
We understand that there are many aspects that encompass a Mother, Father or Child and strive toward providing resources and services that accommodates this.
Our content is aimed to inform and educate families on issues starting from pregnancy through to the challenges of the teen-age years.
- Say Hello to the Ultimate Holiday Brunch Bite - December 17, 2025
- Tiny Toons Looniversity Returns: Meet the Voice Behind Plucky and Hamton! - December 12, 2025
- From Pain to Possibility: Panado®’s New Marketing Campaign, Highlights The Joy Of Pain Relief - December 10, 2025
