There is something naturally appealing about big construction vehicles in the eyes of kids. From young stackers to old techies, these construction toys are ready to roll to meet the needs of child of any age or interest. Younger Toddlers Melissa & Doug Stacking Construction Vehicles, $18 for four cars. These cute set of cars…
Half chair, half tent, 100% fun! IKEA PS LÖMSK
Kids love to hide. Studies have shown that having a place for toddlers to “hide,” or in mom’s words “chill out,” can benefit kids by decreasing the amount of stimulation they are receiving and help them to relax. The Ikea LÖMSK “egg” chair not only provides that safe haven for kids during bad times, it…
Health and Safety Alert: Four Simple Steps for Taming the Toys
This is a magical time of year. Fueled by the seemingly endless onslaught of gifts, prizes and presents throughout the year, piles of small and manageable pile miraculously transform into 10,000-armed octopuses, capable of bringing down unsuspecting parents and kids in a matter of seconds. As the beasts slither from room to room, injuries range…
Giveaway: Melissa and Doug’s See and Spell (ends 9/19)
If your child is learning their letters, why not help them learn about words and spelling at the same time? Melissa and Doug’s See and Spell does it all with eight two-sided wood puzzle board and a stack of wood letters to complete each puzzle. This unique combination has helped my 18 month old learn…
Encourage Reading with a Forward-Facing Bookshelf
Most kids love to read, but often forget that they do. A forward-facing bookshelf is not only very space efficient, it is also a great reminder for kids that reading can be fun. In his book, The Read Aloud Handbook, Jim Trelease compares shopping for cereal with kids “shopping” for entertainment. When walking through the…
LeapFrog into Learning
The term “educational toy” is often considered a misnomer. Thousands of toys are designed each year to make learning fun. Far to often however, these toys merely shout numbers and letters at kids, rather than teach them. LeapFrog is one of the leading manufacturers of educational toys and while most of their products “teach” to a varying degree, two…
Taking on the Toys: Smart Playroom Storage Solutions
Land of Nod Storagepalooza Tired of stepping and tripping over your kids toys? A smart storage system can go a long way to help tame the mess. Many toy “tornadoes” in playrooms can be attributed to lack of or poorly designed storage systems. Bin, bucket or basket storage systems (in which the toys are…
GeoTrax: 10 Tips and Pointers for Getting Started
GeoTrax is an interactive road and rail play set that appeals to parents just as much adults. GeoTrax is not for everyone (see A Parents Guide to Finding the Best Train Set for Your Family), but if you decide to take the leap be sure to take these tips and pointers with you to ensure a…
New 2010 Playmobil Lines Don’t Disappoint
Playmobil 2010 catalog has been released and it doesn’t disappoint. From dragons and castles to magic fairies and schools, boys and girls ages 1 ½ up will have plenty of “must have” toys to choose from. While many of the sets will not be available until later in the year, the entire catalog (including release…