What Are MESH Toys?
MESH stands for Mental, Emotional, Social Health. These are toys designed not only to entertain but to help children recognise emotions, practice empathy, and build the skills they’ll use to navigate friendships, challenges, and big feelings throughout life.
For parents, they offer peace of mind that playtime is doing double duty - keeping kids engaged while nurturing their wellbeing.
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters
Academic skills like counting and reading are important, but emotional intelligence is just as essential. Research shows that children who develop strong emotional skills tend to:
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Build healthier friendships
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Communicate better
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Show greater resilience when faced with setbacks
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Develop confidence in problem-solving
And here’s the good news: play is the perfect training ground for these skills.
Comfort & Security: Toys That Soothe
Sometimes kids need more than words to manage big feelings. Toys that provide comfort give children an outlet to self-soothe.
✨ Example: Warmies 🐻 - snuggly, heatable plush toys that double as a source of comfort and calm. They’re perfect for bedtime routines, anxious moments, or simply winding down after a big day.
Role Play for Empathy
Pretend play allows children to step into someone else’s shoes - literally! Caring for dolls, creating stories, and imagining different perspectives all build empathy and compassion.
✨ Examples:
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Dolls & Dollhouses 🪆 - nurture play that grows more complex as children get older.
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Sylvanian Families 🐰 - charming, collectible characters that inspire storytelling and social play.
Social Play & Cooperation
Working together on a shared goal helps children develop patience, turn-taking, and collaboration. Toys that encourage joint play can transform sibling rivalry into teamwork.
✨ Example: Magnetic Tiles 🧩 - building worlds together sparks creativity while teaching cooperation and compromise.
Real-World Practice Through Pretend
Kids often process emotions by acting out real-life scenarios in play. Whether it’s “cooking dinner” or “going shopping,” pretend worlds give them a safe space to explore roles and practice social skills.
✨ Example: Play Kitchens & Accessories 🏠 - endlessly versatile, they grow from simple copying to imaginative role play.
Confidence Through Problem-Solving
MESH play isn’t just soft and nurturing - it’s also about resilience. Toys that challenge kids to try, experiment, and rebuild when things don’t go as planned help them develop confidence.
✨ Example: Build-Your-Own Worlds (like Brio) 🚂 - expanding train tracks and navigating obstacles give kids a sense of mastery while teaching persistence.
The Long-Term Impact of MESH Play
By weaving emotional intelligence into play, children are learning life skills that will serve them well into adulthood. They’ll be better at handling frustration, building strong relationships, and showing empathy in everyday life.
And the best part? These lessons don’t come from lectures - they come naturally through toys and play.
Shop Our Favourite MESH Toys
Ready to bring more heart into playtime? Explore our handpicked collection of toys that nurture both brains and hearts:
✨ Play with purpose. Discover toys that grow your child’s emotional intelligence today.
Warmly,
Sarah
Owner, Toybox Tales
Sarah Haines is the owner and manager of Toybox Tales, combining over a decade of senior experience in learning and development with a deep passion for purposeful play. Having led national training and development programs across large ASX-listed companies, Sarah brings a strong foundation in how people learn and grow. Her transition into the toy industry was driven by a belief in the power of play to foster creativity, confidence, and connection in children. Today, she’s recognised as a trusted voice in educational toys, sourcing play-based products that support learning in joyful, meaningful ways.