Toys “R” Us has released the 2015 Toys “R” Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids, a toy selection resource for those shopping for children with special needs. Available now at Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores nationwide and online, the guide showcases specially selected toys that aid in the skill development of children who have physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities.
This year, Toys “R” Us has partnered with Nick Lachey, a father, philanthropist, multi-platinum recording artist, and TV personality. He appears on the cover of the guide alongside 5-year-old Josephine Gonzalez from New Jersey.
“Children’s causes are a huge passion of mine, so I was honored to collaborate with Toys “R” Us to lend my support to something as special as the Toys “R” Us Toy Guide for Differently Abled Kids,” says Lachey. “Building on a 20-year reputation of being a beneficial resource for parents and gift givers shopping for special needs children, the guide is so valuable because it removes the guesswork, providing trusted recommendations of toys that will appeal to a child with physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities.”
Toys in the guide are not categorized by disability, gender, or age, and are everyday playthings that can be enjoyed alongside siblings and friends. The guide pairs up toys with icons representing a variety of skill sets, such as auditory, language, social, creativity, and more.
To identify items that best contribute to the development of children with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities, Toys “R” Us has collaborated with the National Lekotek Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making play accessible for children of all abilities, to vet each of the toys featured in the guide.
Gift-givers can also take advantage of the shop-by-skill option at toysrus.com/differentlyabled, where they can select a specific skill set to refine their search. The website also features a special Toys “R” Us App Guide for Differently-Abled Kids, providing recommendations for mobile apps, using the same skills criteria featured within in the guide.
