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Imagination Takes Off!

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My son got a special treat for his birthday in April: the Shuttle Imagination from KidsCraft Playhouses.  That’s him in the photo right after he first spotted his new “spaceship.”

Since then, we’ve had lots of fun decorating his spaceship with stickers and crayons, and it has held up for many hours of
“make believe” play. My son enjoys peeking out from the shuttle windows and opening and closing the doors.  Since he loves the Toy Story movie and books about space travel, we’ve had many happy hours playing astronauts or Buzz Lightyear.

Lemon Drops and Lollipops

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What says Spring quite like flowery sundresses and brightly colored…hair? My preschool daughter, lover of all things pink, will create entire masterpieces in fuchsia. In her self-portraits, she is sometimes a vivid share of electric pink from head to toe. So, she adores her new punky-funky Corolle Les Dollies Pink Doll.

This little charmer has the sweetest little girl face with bright eyes, full, freckled cheeks, and a mischievous smirk. Her so-trendy cotton candy hair is rooted and brushable. Her trendy little sun dress with vivid butterflies…

Educational Toy Awards

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As a mom and an educational consultant, I believe in the power of play. A few carefully chosen toys can boost creativity and problem solving–here are a few of our top picks this year. With the best educational toys, your children will not even realize how much they are learning!

Best Push and Pull Toys

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This is one of my favorite categories of toy. My mom recently brought out an old pull toy of mine and it is a classic that just keeps on giving. Push and pull toys delight babies, amuse toddlers, and occupy preschoolers. Some, like the sophisticated and clever mix-and-match Automoblox, are collectibles suited for older children, teens, and even adults.

The selections from our Hottest Holiday Toys Awards are engaging, interactive, and made from high-quality and often eco-friendly materials.

LeapFrog Adds Up to Educational Fun

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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…

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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.

Fresh from the Market – A New Step2 Kitchen!

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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…

Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else But Me…

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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…

Doll Play for Back-to-School Jitters

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Whether your child is eagerly or anxiously anticipating the first day of school, doll play is a perfect way to work through these emotions. My daughter adores her collection of dolls, caring for each as if it were a real baby. Now that she is a preschooler, Corolle sent her Annabelle (re-Christened “Calliope” by my […]

The opinions expressed on Mamanista.com are based on a single consumer user testing, and are solely those of the author. Any factual claims, including but not limited to safety testing, are based on information from the manufacturer. Mamanista.com receives sample products for testing. Paid placements, such as announcements of sales or sponsored contests are clearly marked. See our disclosure policy.