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Toys for a road trip

Published
by
amy
on August 5, 2008
in Uncategorized and toys
. 2 Comments

Lauri Toy ToteWe are about to head out for a week long road trip to Maine. It will be a combination of vacation to visit some family and attend my cousin’s wedding, where my 2.5 year old daughter will be a flower girl. Yes, we’ll have to see how that goes. But it is about a four hour trip in the car for us and this week I have been brainstorming on what to bring her for car entertainment. (we do not have a car DVD and am resisting the purchase, I am not totally against them, I would definitely get it if we were on a x-country trip)

So I headed to my neighborhood toy store Creatoyvity in Providence, . The store is small but the selection is big so I know I will always find something to fit my request. I hunted around the store, and the first thing that caught my eye was a vinyl sticky board. They had these when I was a kid, made by Colorforms. This one, made by Mudpuppy has a fold out board and pictures of people and items that can decorate the room pictured on the board, they call it a play scene. It looks so cool, some of the cutouts are pretty small, so they might get lost or eaten so use you best judgement if your kido puts lots in their mouth still.

Next I grabbed a ring flash card set, also made by Mudpuppy, this one was for the alphabet, but there was an array of subjects that will appeal to just about any kid. I liked the ring, because she won’t play 26 card pick-up with them. They look easy to hold and manipulate on her own.

I wanted one more attention occupier… so I turned to the staff and explained my objective. Helpful and nice, they brought me over to a display with a bunch of car friendly toys. There was one brand in particular Lauri, that had a number a good traveling toys. There were small rubber puzzles, lace cards, stacking pegs, peel and stick boards, and more. I decided on the Primer Pack. It had a good selection of items, lace cards, a rubber alphabet puzzle, and some simple small puzzles. To top it off it comes in a little carrying case my daughter will easy tote around. Want to know more cool stuff about this company, the toys are made in the USA and they sell replacement pieces!

I am not giving her these new toys until we hit the road, that way they will be more exciting and attention grabbing. I suggest doing the same, the entertainment value is higher on something that is new to them. You need not buy new, you can always borrow something from a friend to accomplish this, or make it, here’s how to make your own lacing cards. Buy some thick, colorful card stock and cut out some fun shapes, punch holes long the edge of the shape, get some yarn and cut about 14-18 and finish the ends with scotch tape. And they’re ready to get lacing!

More ideas for a fun car ride:
Crayon and Notebook Roll-up from Apple Blossom Baby
I Spy Bag from Ainsley and Oswald
Car Valet by Alex Toys
DIY Travel Toys at She’s Creative

Need a reason to go outside?

Published
by
amy
on July 15, 2008
in activities and toys
. Closed

I love being outside- I need no invitation and it seems my daughter doesn’t either. She wants to head outside the minute we head downstairs from waking up, barefoot, wearing pjs (or sometimes nothing). Once we are outside we play in the baby pool, draw with sidewalk chalk, blow bubbles, garden (or just dig in the dirt), run, swing, really anything. But I came across this great guide at the mightyjunior blog. It’s called the Go Play Outside! Backyard Guide, now granted some of these things are for the age group that is a little bit older than my little lady, but its a good list of stuff to keep boredom at bay.

I love the idea of the sidewalk chalk paint sprayer, it would take our asphalt masterpieces to a whole new level. What else might I buy? The Kick Croquet. Love it, I had thought about getting the croquet set from my mother’s house until I envisioned the 2-3 year olds swinging around mallets in the air. Scrap that. So, this is a fun way to have a semi organized game, that is still safe for the little ones to participate it. Or if I am tired of blowing bubbles or my fingers are thoroughly slimed from the solutions I might try a bubble machine.

So, what are you waiting for? Go outside!

Coolest Halloween Costume




Published
by
Albert
on November 6, 2007
in toys
. Closed

This is so cool I have to share it:

20071106_transforming-costume.jpg

http://www.archiecomics.com/gallery/Happy-Halloween/transforming

Even MORE Toy Recalls

Published
by
Albert
on October 26, 2007
in toys
. 1 Comment

Believe it or not, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Mattel is recalling even more toys due to high lead content. Ugh. Is this the end of it? These ones are the “Go Diego Go” toys, 55,000 of them.

More Recalls!




Published
by
amy
on August 15, 2007
in toys
. Closed

Ugh, can it be more? But it is and I feared it since the first major recall from Mattel. This is truly worrisome, Mattel is a huge company that is self policing and finding this. What about all the other small companies that don’t, or the little trinkets that are given away here and there, or come out of a machine. Who is actively testing those?! I think we all thought this worry died off years ago, and that there were more concerns about small pieces as choking hazards. Lead paint is a scary poison, and there should be a wider net cast over children’s products for screening.

All this asks us bigger questions about whether or not getting the ultra cheap price for something is worth the risk. If the ability to regulate isn’t possible in China- then where can we, and will we pay more for it?

For more information on the toy recall, visit CNN’s page on the recall. Also visit the Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, who have setup a page about lead paint dangers.

Stuffed Animals!

As an alternative to toys with paint on them, stuffed animals are always a good option. I’m not sure about what chemicals they use to create the synthetic fur, but isn’t that stuff (materials for clothes and stuff) heavily regulated? And do the same rules for pillows (non-flammable, etc.) apply for animal stuffing? Anyway, I found this penguin at Amazon and had to share it here! It gets rave reviews and costs only $4.99!
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