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Children’s Toys
Written by: TheCelebrityCafe.com Staff
Here at TheCelebrityCafe.com we think toys are some of the best things on this planet. Here’s a list of some original ones, plus some great educational toys as well.
Danny First Toys
Danny First Toys has created some very bright engaging and most important of all fun toys. A few of their toys have won awards such as their Arctic Explorers toy, which won the 2004 Seal of Excellence from Creative Child Magazine. It is for ages 2 and up and it includes soft and cuddly pieces like an igloo, baby seal and polar bear. This is definitely a toy that sparks the imagination. Other favorites include their Happy Campers Snuggle and Play Pillow which is a soft activity pillow and the Camping Set which includes a tent, sleeping bags and of course a skunk.
Leap Frog Leapster
Leap Frog has released some new arcade-style learning games that are sure to get children learning and having so much fun they won’t realize they are! Cosmic Math is for ages 6-10 and teaches multiplication and division. Number Raiders is for the 4-7 age group and it reinforces counting and sequencing. Letterpillar teaches phonics and upper and lowercase letters and Word Chasers teaches spelling and advance phonics. The games are a lot of fun to play- even for someone like me who learned these skills a couple of decades ago.
Boswell International Ponchos and Mufflers
“Toys to make people happy.” Can’t beat a motto like that. Boswell has come out with Mufflers and Ponchos for kids that are made out of a washable plush toy. The darker colors may be more practical for some kids. It is soft and warm on the inside and after washing, just hang to dry. They haven’t made it in adult sizes although I’m certain someday it may be on the drawing board.
Hot Wheels Radar Gun
This radar gun can measure either the real speed of the matchbox cars or the scale speed of the cars on the track. In fact, it reads the speed of any thing that is within 39 feet of it. So if you’re sitting behind home plate it might be worth taking a measurement of the pitch. It looks to be the toy of the year for 2006 in many markets. Follow the directions to the letter for best usage but some directions can be confusing: “For the most accurate read, objects must be moving towards or away from the radar gun.” So I can stand with a gun-like object aimed at cars on a highway to check their speed. Homeland Security would like that.
Superman Returns R/C Flying Figure
This is a real action/education toy! In a nutshell: get it! Basically this is a radio-controlled airplane in the shape of a superman figure. That alone makes it unusual. It has two propellers that essentially push it through the air and is radio controlled. Most kids will think it is computer controlled but it is not, and anything that flies must be a jet or a rocket but its not. In fact, buy this for yourself and let the kids watch you have fun.
Nite Ize, Inc. L.E.D. Accessories
You know that Light Emitting Diodes or “L.E.D.s” have entered into the consumer market when they are part of the kids’ fun jewelry. Nite Ize, Inc has a whole product line using these energy efficient battery operated lights. They have flying discs of various sizes to blinking adornments to a new standard flashlight. I say new because with L.E.D. a wider range of colors and functions can be had. This is a fun way to introduce some new technology and maybe have the kids a little safer outdoors when playing at night: just put on the fancy flashing jewelry.
Baby Boop Accessories
Are you teaching your baby about dressing to a theme where everything is coordinated right down to the clock on the wall? You’re not?! Then how do you expect them to learn color coordination or to grow a fashion sense? How do you expect them to be reflective of your good taste? I can see a fashion emergency coming up. Start now when they are still listening to you and their minds are malleable. A twin bell clock will make sure they are on time for all the activities. And it will be fun to teach them to follow in your fastidious footsteps with a bag that is fancy enough to carry to the club for an aperitif yet practical enough to hide what should be hidden: nobody should leave a diaper behind.
Playmobil Family Vacation Home
A little beyond the toddler for those 4 year olds and up is a wonderful imagination stirring “Family Vacation Home” by Playmobil. The many small parts do not make it suitable for younger children, no exceptions. The colors, designs, shapes, some familiar, some new, will give the children freedom to imagine all sorts of stories. There is a little barbecue, table, chairs, food and an “A-frame” house with its bed, TV, lights and everything the vacation home needs, including a tree. On the Web site there are more figures, houses and activities that can be added or a whole new adventure purchased. Let baby be baby, but when the child is old enough for imagination, don’t hold them back...encourage them.
Plant Bed with Shed
OK, now we’ve gone a little too practical. A toy storage shed for the gardening equipment that will be used in the planting beds. With modeling clay used for the dirt, the little plastic flowers look at home. Need water? Just unwind the garden hose, hook it up to the pump and pretend to water the plants. The shed holds all the accessories you’d expect in the garden: tools, tiller, buckets and gloves. Now get out there and work.
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