Too Much Awesome

Teddy Ruxpin, that heavy weight of plush toys, is back. This talking plush teddy bear was a favorite over twenty years ago, but now he’s remodeled with new technology and new stories too. The return of the T. Rux will no doubt send shivers amongst today’s hottest stuffed animals: Webkinz plush pets. These diminuitive toys [...]

The class-action lawsuit against the maker of Thomas & Friends wooden railway toys is the first step towards a safer world for our babies and children. However parents should beware: according to this article at About.com, many recalled toys are still being sold in some locations. Many of these toys are being sold at a [...]

One down, a dozen more to go. Illinois-based toymaker RC2 Corp, the makers of Thomas & Friends wooden railway toys, have agreed to a 30 million dollar payout in the class-action lawsuit. From the AP press article, “We believe this really is the first step toward cleaning up the problem of lead paint in toys,” [...]

Last time we discussed the benefits of puzzles for babies and toddlers.   Of course, puzzles continue being great educational toys all the way into adolescence.  Some people even claim that doing puzzles as an adult helps build brainpower, just like doing the daily crossword. For preschoolers, the best puzzles are large jigsaw puzzles with thick [...]

We all love a good puzzle, whether that’s a crossword challenge in the daily paper, a mystery novel, or an old-fashioned jig-saw puzzle.  This curiosity and drive to “figure it out” actually develops very early in childhood development – about six months, or when babies begin to explore on their own.

Many parents worry about the educational value of their children’s toys.  Trying to maximize their kids’ experience, some parents  seize on new toys, literally wrenching a child’s favorite toy away because it may be not challenging enough.  To these parents, we say: relax. It can be difficult to judge how beneficial a toy is, but [...]

The Consumer Electronic Show is ongoing this week in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over 20,000 electronic gizmos from around the world are being showcased for a very thirsy public. And, of course, many of these products are toys. While it’s too early to call favorites, we are impressed with some of the advances made in electronic [...]

This past year was a rough one for parents, as dozens of toys were recalled on the market for not meeting safety requirements.  Many of these toys contain levels of toxic materials such as cadium and lead.  Yikes! Rather than shunning all toys, take an educated look around your backyard.   We just discovered a wonderful [...]

Playing in the sandbox is a wonderful pasttime for children for many reasons.  First, sandbox play can encourage group play as kids work together on a big project like a sandcastle.  Also, kids who prefer to play alone can also benefit from sandbox play, taking the opportunity to delve into their imaginations and explore their [...]