Introducing Jack’s Toy Box
Dear Friends,
Launching Jack’s Toy Box was a very exciting milestone for Jack's Friends Foundation — a carefully curated series featuring developmentally appropriate toys and resources, each professionally vetted and parent-tested by families in our community.
Why Jack's Toy Box?
During Jack's 18 beautiful months with us, I spent countless hours researching toys and activities that would support his development. I consulted with his physical therapist, Robin Miller, his occupational therapist, his speech therapist, and our beloved pediatrician. I took notes during every session, watched what tools they used, and asked endless questions about what we could do at home.
What I learned was this: the right toys aren't just playthings—they're tools for connection, development, and joy.
But finding those "right" toys? That felt overwhelming. Store aisles and online marketplaces offered thousands of options, each claiming to be "educational" or "developmental." Marketing language replaced medical guidance. Price didn't always indicate quality. And for families navigating Down Syndrome or other developmental considerations, the stakes felt even higher.
That's where Jack's Toy Box comes in.
Our Promise: Professionally Recommended, Parent Approved
Every item featured in Jack's Toy Box has been:
Reviewed by our Pediatric Advisory Team including pediatricians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech therapists who work directly with children
Tested by Real Families in our Jack's Friends community who provide honest feedback about durability, engagement, and real-world use
Selected for Multi-Domain Development supporting not just one skill but multiple areas of growth
Evaluated for Joy because if it's not fun, it won't get played with
How Jack's Toy Box Works
Each month, we'll feature age-specific recommendations with:
Professional insights explaining why each toy supports development
Parent tips from our community's real-world experience
Play ideas to maximize learning and connection
Honest notes about what worked and what didn't
We're not just listing products—we're sharing the knowledge our therapy team uses, translated for home use.
Our Inaugural Collection: Monthly Favorites
Our very first Jack's Toy Box collection features monthly favorites that our therapy team consistently recommends. These aren't random picks—they're the tools that appear session after session, the ones therapists suggest for home practice, the ones that families tell us made a real difference.
A Personal Note
When we lost Jack, Carter and I knew his legacy had to be about more than grief—it had to be about empowering other families with the resources and support we enjoyed learning so much alongside our baby boy. Jack's Toy Box is part of that mission.
We're taking the notebook I filled during Jack's therapy sessions—the recommendations, the reasoning, the successes—and sharing it with you. Because every family deserves access to professional guidance. Every child deserves tools that support their unique development. And every parent deserves to shop with confidence, knowing their purchases are investments in their child's growth.
Supporting Our Mission
When you shop through our Jack's Toy Box recommendations, small commissions help fund our Pony Express Postcard Club, sending encouragement to families navigating Down Syndrome at no cost to them. You're not just buying a toy—you're joining a community committed to celebrating and supporting every child's development.
Welcome to Jack's Toy Box! We're honored to share this resource with you.
With love and purpose,
Gio Green
When you shop through our carefully curated Jack's Toy Box collections, small commissions help fund our Pony Express Postcard Club, sending encouragement to families navigating Down Syndrome.
These commissions come at no additional cost to you—you pay the same price whether you use our links or not. Thank you for supporting our mission!