STEM STEM STEM: That’s all we’ve been hearing lately. It’s everywhere. The New York Times, The Huffington Post. On CNN. On The Today Show. Being that it’s all around us, we as Moms should know what it is automatically, right? WRONG. I polled a group of Mommy friends and while they all nodded enthusiastically “YEP […]
Ambi Toys are BACK and in Full Retro Swing!
If you’re a classic toy lover like me, you may already be familiar with the iconic Ambi® brand, the manufacturer of infant and toddler toys with a fabulously retro design and feel. In years past, only a few items were available in the US for purchase. Now, the ENTIRE 44 piece Ambi collection is available in the US, […]
Design your very own Dolls house with Lundby
Ok. It’s no secret that I’m OBSESSED with doll’s houses, Lundby doll’s houses in particular. I received my first Smaland house over a year ago and it continues to bring my family and I great joy, laughter, and enough creative brainstorming to outlast any other toy in our house. Here’s a bit of background info […]
PlanToys Brings a Little Taste of Christmas Early!
*This is a sponsored post. I received these items from PlanToys in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.* My boys got a little bit of an early Christmas present from one of our favorite toy brands, PlanToys! We received the Activity Clock and the Frog Life Puzzle which were both […]
Chuggington Quarry Stack Track Set and Chug Patrol Ready to Rescue DVD for My Little Chuggington
My youngest son is BEYOND obsessed with trains, and more specifically Chuggington! Everything’s always “Chuggtastic” or “Perfecto” with him! So you can imagine how loud the squeal was when I showed him the Chuggington toys and DVD when they arrived on our doorstep! The Stone Quarry Stack Track came out of the box immediately and […]
A One-of-a-Kind Block Set
The Sportos™ Build-a-Sport blocks from Rosie Hippo owner Kimberly Bloom seek to engage kids’ minds and bodies by building designs of their favorite sports as well as those that will be seen in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.
BigJigs Railway Station Carry Set for Fun on the Go!
Portable toys score big points in my household and with the increasing popularity of trains and train sets, a portable train set for my boys to play with is practically a necessity.
These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things
As a blogger, I get a chance to see all of the hottest holiday toys at events such as Toy Fair, Time to Play and more. Here are a few of my favorite toys….
Shop Local: Support Neighborhood Toy Stores
Going to the toy store is a magical experience and a real treat for kids. Local toy stores often have impressive displays of stuffed animals, dolls and trains. My son’s favorite spot is the train table at our local store.
While he plays happily with Thomas the Tank Engine and friends, I have the opportunity to discover some high-quality toys unavailable at the big box stores. And I can count on the friendly store owner to provide expert advice on the best gifts for the kids on my holiday list (and free gift wrapping on my purchases).
Another helpful source of shopping advice is the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) 2009 Best Toys for Kids Award Winners. Over 500 of America’s top independent and neighborhood toy retailers selected the Best Toys for Kids based on their experience and understanding of what kids like.
Play Smart – Three Clever Puzzles from PlanToys
A kid’s work is play. And toddlers and preschoolers learn primarily through exploring the world around them. A few high quality toys, like the gorgeous sustainable, fair-trade toys available from Plan Toys, are enough to spark their imaginations. The tactile feel of real wood, the non-toxic, bright colors, and the open-ended nature of these toys make them perfect for flexible, young minds.
Plan Toys sent us three items from their catalog of Developmental Toys for Preschoolers and they have quickly become favorites in our house: Animal Domino Memory Game, 30-Piece Construction Set, and Stacking Tree.
