Rocking with the Leapfrog Learn and Groove Music Table
July 29, 2009 by toy-tma
Filed under Learning Toys
Walk down the infant toy isle of any major retail store and you will no doubt find so many light-up, noise making, and brightly colored gadgets that your head will spin. These interactive, educational toys are all the rage with parents, doctors, and even scientists because of their proven benefits in long term brain development and growth.
Out of all of these interactive and educational infant toys, the Leapfrog Learn and Groove Music Table truly stands out from the crowd. Its cheerful and bright table provides numerous activities that can all be set to music to provide the fantastic combination of visual and audio stimulation.
Build Your Own Anakin’s Fighter by LEGO
July 16, 2009 by toy-tma
Filed under Building Toys
Like most other young adults, I grew up playing with LEGOS. Nowadays, toys like the new LEGO Star Wars Anakin’s Fighter are still keeping kids interested and allowing the LEGO company to stay current.
Great Easter Toys, Plush and Baskets Starting at $10
March 30, 2009 by toy-tma
Filed under Stuffed Animals
Here’s a few last minute Easter toys you can get shipped fast from Amazon. Good for moms and dads surprised by how early the Easter bunny shows up this year. First of all, here’s the link to all of Amazon’s Easter toys under $10 – for economizing Easter Bunnies (and moms and dads) everywhere.
Webkinz Easter Bunny
Wood Toys by Spiel & Holz
July 26, 2008 by toy-tma
Filed under Wooden Toys
Spiel & Holz, established in Germany in 1978, is one of the finest makers of wood toys in the world. Their toys have won awards for their designs and aesthetic appeal, and kids love the open-ended creative play that they offer.
Toys by Spiel & Holz are inspired by Waldorf education, a philosophy that children learn best through active and imaginative play. These toys are made from natural materials, and have a minimum of details, letting the natural beauty and feel of the wood shine through. These toys are much more versatile and durable than the most toys nowadays, and they sustain a child’s interest much longer. Each toy set can be played with in a variety of ways—some of their toys are puzzles, building blocks, and play buildings all in one.
BRIO: Maker of Fine Wooden Toys
July 25, 2008 by toy-tma
Filed under Wooden Toys
The BRIO Virus
If you’ve decided that wood toys are the way to go, then you should definitely check out BRIO. With roots that reach back to the 19th century, BRIO is now a global corporation and one of the largest makers of wood toys in the world. BRIO’s focus is on quality and durability—they want their toys to be passed on from generation to generation.
Toy Safety: Doing Your Own Checks
July 24, 2008 by toy-tma
Filed under Toy Recalls and Safety
Nowadays toy safety is a greater concern than ever. After last years extensive recalls of toys manufactured in China, parents are doing everything they can to make sure that the toys the buy for their children are safe. But many consumers have little trust for the toy industry’s checks on itself, and are taking responsibility for checking the safety of their kids’ toys. Here are some of the most important things to look out for when investigating the safety of a toy.
- The toy should be both sanitary and washable—it’s amazing how quickly children’s toys can get dirty.
- Toys should be well constructed. Cheap toys can come apart, exposing dangerous parts like wires, springs, or sharp edges.
- Toys should not have no small parts that could come off and be swallowed or otherwise misused, and make sure the toy itself is large enough that it cannot be swallowed or put into the nose or ears.
- Every part of the toy, including all paint and decorations should be non-toxic.
- Look out for points that your child could fall on, or strings or cards that are long enough to choke.
- Stuffed toys should not be filled with potentially dangerous materials like small pellets.
- Toys made with cloth should carry the labels “flame resistant,” “flame retardant,” or “nonflammable.”
“The Dark Knight” Toys
With the recent release of Batman: The Dark Knight breaking the record for opening weekend box office sales, it’s no surprise that the movie’s toys and collectibles are flying off of shelves across the country. The official toys are coming from Mattel, who has released a line of action figures, role-playing toys, vehicles, and playsets.
Some of the most popular toys are the Wayne Tech Mega Cape Accessory, a cape with a five foot wingspan that retracts into a back harness. The Shift Attack Sports Coupe comes with both Batman and Bruce Wayne figures, and the coupe turns into a missile-firing attack vehicle. And the Rapid Fire Utility Belt has a motorized blaster of foam missiles and also comes with a cape.