When my first child was born, I went on a quest for the lightest playard/Travel Crib available. Since then, some new lightweight cribs have come on the market but assembly was a challenge. Now, BabyBjorn has a new entry into the lightweight travel crib category. BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light has a simple “one movement” assembly, making it an innovative new baby gear offering…
LeapFrog Adds Up to Educational Fun
Kids love tracing. My daughter will set there filling page after page, tracing numbers and letters. In an attempt to save a few trees, I got her a dry-erase book for copying her letters and numbers. Which works pretty well until she forgets to clean it or the pen dries out or her baby brother gets ahold of the marker and tries to eat it.
Even better? The LeapFrog Scribble & Write…
If it looks like a duck, and pushes like a duck…
We’re fans of the Plan Toys philosophy of making quality play things that are healthy for kids, contribute to our communities, and are good for the planet.
Plan Toys has a knack for creating fresh twists on classic toys that promote children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual development. We love their simply delightful, clever, and stylish takes on wooden push and pull toys, like the new Plan Toys Push-a-Long Duck.
Making It Fun To Be Neat
Is your playroom cluttered with blocks, LEGO toys, cars, and trains? While you could spend your precious free time organizing, a better strategy is to inspire your children to clean up their own toys. Purchasing the right storage solutions makes the job easier.
One of my favorite products is the ZipBin, a combination toy and organizational product. ZipBins convert between play mats and storage bins in a zip (sorry…I couldn’t resist the pun)
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.
Zambi Furreal Friends Giveaway
Zambi the Baby Elephant (Furreal Friends) is a charmer. He giggles and will even give you a kiss. But Zambi has a serious side–50% of the net profits go to benefit orphans of the AIDS epidemic in Africa as part of Project Zambi…
Harumika Giveaway
Next up on our 12 Days of Giveaways is another Hottest Holiday Toys Award-Winner. I fell in love with Harumika when I received it for review in July.
And when I say “fell in love with” I mean that I actually play “Project Runway” with it at night when my daughter is sleeping…
Fresh from the Market – A New Step2 Kitchen!
Kitchens are a classic toy for toddlers up through young school aged children. Just like the adults, children at a play date congregate around the kitchen. With the Step2 Fresh Market Kitchen (Step2.com – $200), there is room for several children to play side-by-side or engage in imaginative games of grocery shopping and cooking with friends…
Old Navy Fall Giveaway
Old Navy is one of my favorite stores for fashionable yet bargain-priced clothing. When I was pregnant, I relied on Old Navy’s affordable maternity jeans, t-shirts and sweaters. The Old Navy team contacted Mamanista with a special giveaway for our readers.
Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else But Me…
The name “Radio Flyer” evokes memories of flying down the driveaway on my tricycle and, of course, hauling freshly picked apples in a classic red wagon. A beautiful thing about parenthood is the opportunity to relive those memories with my children.
Just in time for apple-picking season, Radio Flyer sent me their Ultimate Comfort Wagon, a fresh take on a classic toy…
