Friday, December 31, 2010

Toddlers Toys - The Top 7 Toddlers Gifts

Quality toddlers' toys can help us parents in developing their mental and physical ability. I have gathered the top 7 toddlers' gifts ideas that you can give to your child this holiday season. These toddler toys will surely give them joy and they're all very educational.

1. Building blocks
Building blocks toys for toddler are essential in developing their creativity, imagination and solving problems. The best building blocks for toddlers are Architectural forms, stacking blocks and alphabets.

2. Stacking toys
stacking toys are one of the most popular children's toy. important activities such as layering, stacking and building and education. In this way the child the same kind of form and color, build, put pan cups or solve puzzles tower. In this way, the child shapes, colors and sizes to learn.

3. Electronic Toys
Electronic>toys for toddler are fun, educational and very entertaining. There are innovative technologies nowadays that develop toys for kids. There are many electronic toys that your toddler can learn letters and numbers. There will never be a boring time for kids because they hear different kinds of music. They love to watch the displays on the screen and many buttons to push. I tell you that kids love all that kind of stuff.

4. Games
Playing games for toddler are enjoyable and very educational too. They will learn skills in showing group participation and patiently wait for their turn. Games for toddlers teach them to follow simple rules to do. They will also learn numbers and letters in a fun way. It's a great time to play games with your toddlers and the whole family.

5. Puzzles
It is so important for toddlers to improve their skills in solving puzzles starting from the simple one. Their mind was developed by means of putting all together each pieces of puzzle. Puzzles for toddlers are a great way to train their mental skills.

6. Crafting Tools
Let your toddler learn the art of crafting at early age. You can help your child to develop their artistic talent in painting, sculpting and other skills in arts. Some of these crafting tools for toddlers are clay, water colors, crayons, paint, pencils, papers and many more.

7. Bath toys
Kids love to play when taking a bath! That's why we have a bath toys for toddlers. They can blow bubbles, play musical instrument on water, stick pictures on tiles; they can do fishing and play with different kinds of animal toys on the water. There are so many bath toys to choose from that they will enjoy a lot.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Child Development Toys

Parents interested in encouraging the positive development of their child's cognitive, physical, or social skills can make sure their child has access to child development toys that not only provides a child with entertainment but also encourages their healthy development.

Child development toys play an important role in a child's learning process. When children play with toys they not only interact with one another and develop social skills, they also make choices, solve problems and apply some control over their environment.

Child development toys that encourage cognitive development include puzzles and memory games. Matching games, sequencing games and number games are excellent toys that encourage a child to develop number sense and numeration as well as their sequencing skills.

Child toys that encourage scientific thought include water and sand play toys that involve measuring, sifting and pouring of different sensory material.

Child toys that encourage large muscle development include bicycles, climbers, slides, large balls and planks. Child toys that encourage small muscle development (which is important in developing those small muscles in the hands that enable a child to hold writing tools) include puzzles, small blocks, connecting toys, and even markers and crayons.

Dramatic play toys such as dolls, doll furniture, doll clothing, dress up clothing and kitchenware are excellent child toys that encourage a high level of imaginary play.

Keep in mind, when choosing child toys, to choose open-ended toys, such as play dough, blocks and paint. The play opportunities with these open-ended toys are limited only to a child's imagination.

It is also important to match the child toys with the child's developmental age (which might be higher or lower than their physical age.) Take into account the child's skill and growth level when choosing child toys, because a toy that is too difficult will cause frustration. (For example; a child development toy requiring a child to string beads is terrific if the child has developed some eye-hand coordination. But if the child has no eye-hand coordination this toy will only aggravate, discourage and disappoint the child.)

A child development toy that is developmentally appropriate can help build a child's self -esteem and allow the child to build a positive self concept. (The first time your child rides her bike without any assistance from you she will feel a sense of control and an "I can do it!" attitude.)

You will want to keep safety in mind when choosing child toys. If the toy is for a young child, make sure there are no removable parts which a child could swallow, choke on, or stick in their ears. Make sure the toy is easy to clean, so that you can cut down on germs, and also make sure the toys do not have any sharp or jagged edge.

Get in the habit of checking your child's toys regularly to ensure that there are no broken pieces, and be especially careful of electrical toys, because poor wiring may cause damage.

Selecting high quality child toys can allow your child the best opportunities to develop their learning and their social skills.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Are Kids Toys Important?

If you asked any child if his or her toys are important, the answer would be a resounding YES. We certainly thought so too when we were young enough to play with toys. When it's our turn to buy them for the little ones, some of us begin to question the relevance of toys in a child's life.

We all have a favorite toy whose memories can still elicit a chuckle or two. Mine was a plastic food set with plates and cups and saucers. I used to play with my cousins, and we certainly had fun imagining those toy plates brimming with the sweets we craved back then.

Experts say that playing with toys is essential to a child's development starting from the infant stage. Kids' toys like rattles, mobiles, toy teethers, and key rings help babies connect sound, sight, taste, touch, and smell to objects. Rattles do help them learn about cause and effect not to mention introduce colors and shapes.

Color and shape recognition, spatial relationship awareness, hand-eye coordination, and other motor skills are exercised through playing with educational toys that were made specifically to enhance those skills. There are also kids' toys that enhance the kids' imagination and creativity. Some toys even teach them patience (think floor puzzles) and reinforce the concept of hygiene (think bath and tub toys).

Toy stamps and colorful beads may not seem like great toys, but they do enhance a little girl's creativity and imagination and introduces her to the arts and crafts. For young boys, getting their own set of wheels can become such a bone of contention. Getting their own bikes or toy cars is part of their pretend play to be like their dads.

Stuffed animals look cute and cuddly and can easily be dismissed as frivolous objects. These toys in fact are so much more than aesthetically pleasing objects. Not only do they introduce the tots to animals, these toys also give them an exercise to explore textures. Some stuffed toys do make animal sounds when a certain appendage is pressed or held by the child. This is a good start for a child to learn about sounds and cause and effect.

Toys are really important in different stages of a child's development. It is up to the grown-ups to figure out which toys are appropriate for the child's age as well as to ascertain that the toys are safe for use.

There are still many skills that a child can learn through playing with his educational toys, but one thing is for certain - the key player in his growth is still human interaction.

According to Marilyn Segal, Ph.D., dean emeritus and director of the professional development program at Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the most important toy is the parent and other caregivers because babies crave one-on-one social interaction and need the security it provides.

The toy is important for very young children but they need social interaction more. When they get bigger, they need the toys to stimulate their imagination, but parents will always be more important as playmates.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Make Learning Time "Fun Time" With Anatex Educational Toys

For years, Anatex has been an industry leader in the design and production of high-quality, engaging educational toys. Best known for their award-winning roller coaster bead maze, Anatex has been recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the USC School of Business for its innovations in preschool and waiting room toys for young children.

What many people don't realize is that Anatex toys are made right here in the United States! Which is great as not only are you providing your children with the safest, highest of quality in toys, you are also helping in the support of America's economy. Here are just some of the great Anatex toys available now:

Activity Tables

Anatex activity tables are colorful, engaging, and can accommodate multiple children. Kids have a blast exploring the mazes, puzzles, and other manipulative activities, while eye-hand coordination, visual tracking and sensorimotor skills are challenged.

Busy Cubes

Anatex Busy Cubes are five sides of compelling fun! No matter which side your child plays, his or her curiosity is sure to be rewarded while building critical cognitive skills. All Anatex Busy Cubes are topped with a rollercoaster bead maze.

Magnetic Toys

Waiting for an appointment has never been more fun than with magnetic mazes and puzzles from Anatex. These innovative toys are an exciting way for children to develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and critical thinking skills.

Musical Fun

No preschool or day care is complete without a music center; the Anatex Musical Slices of Fun table is the perfect solution. Little ones experiment with sound and develop motor skills with the xylophone, xylobells, drums, 3-tone chime and cymbal, all in one place.

Rollercoaster Toys

Every child is familiar with the popular and award-winning roller coaster wire and bead mazes. Kids learn about colors, shapes, and sorting, as well as developing important sensory-motor skills with this Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys Winner. Whether you buy the Original Rollercoaster, a Mini Rollercoaster or a Jungle Rollercoaster, children will learn to recognize shapes and colors while eye-hand coordination and visual tracking are challenged.

Wall Panels

Wall Panel toys are designed to be mounted onto the wall so they are perfect for areas in which you don't have a lot of floor space. Anatex makes a large assortment of wall panels that captivate and stimulate children's imaginations while developing important skills. Here are a few brief descriptions on just a few of them:

The Traffic Memory wall panel is a classic memory game that helps kids learn the traffic signs.
With the Outer Space Pathfinder wall panel, the basic skills of logical thinking are challenged as children explore the galaxy.
Children of all ages are fascinated with physics as their reflections grow bigger and smaller in the Blowfish, Crab and Seahorse Mirror Wall Panels.

Where to find the best of Anatex, at affordable prices

Monday, December 27, 2010

Hot Christmas Toys - Lego Batman Video Games On DS, Nintendo Wii Or PSP3

If you're curious about which games your children will be playing this Christmas, the Lego Batman game is still popular. Children love Lego and the fact they can combine their favorite toy with their number one superhero is really a recipe for success. This Lego game comes in numerous editions appropriate for a Nintendo Wii, DS or Playstation so you need to order the right one depending on the console you already have.

So what's the Batman Lego game all about? Regardless of the medium used i.e. Wii, DS or Playstation, the fundamentals are the same. The game is set in Gotham City where Batman and Robin are struggling to return the villains to the asylum. They struggle through the ocean, land and air in various Batmobiles such as the stealthy Batwing. You must build some things and solve a variety of puzzles to unlock special powers and so on. There's no need to be knowledgeable on the Batman story either. This particular game, unlike Lego Star Wars or Lego Indiana Jones doesn't keep to the movie script.

Each and every level is required to be played two times, once in story mode and again in free play. In story mode, you're able to unlock a variety of personas which you then use to play during the free play mode. Once you are in free play you're able to work out puzzles and release bonuses. It's also possible to construct vehicles and weaponry to use to fight your foes.

The characters have unique actions and there's a variety of elements to the game so you and your kids wouldn't become bored playing. Young kids could have difficulties a little using the techniques although with a little help they will be fine. Many will appreciate that compared with other Wii games you won't start again if you ever die but merely drop coins.

Whilst we like to believe children love the goodies, it is fair to say that they'll love being the baddies equally as much or even more. With this video game you are able to play from either side i.e. they might be Batman or Robin or they may choose to be one of the many villains such as Joker, Catwoman or Penguin.

The Lego Batman game can be played either by yourself or with other people for added fun. If you are stuck on a level and just can't find your way out there are movies online with answers. It is enjoyable trying to work out the puzzles by yourself but often it gets a little frustrating. Obviously if you would like cheat your way through the Lego Batman game you can get plenty of clues to help you do this but that actually spoils the pleasure of this great game.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Cat Puzzles - Feline Inspired Puzzle Games

Do you love cats and even have a few feline companions at home? Then it's just natural that you always nurture and take care of them, at times it seems that your love for them even transfer to objects like stuffed toys, pictures, and cat puzzles. Have you ever tried finishing a jigsaw puzzle or even a wooden puzzle toy that has a shape of a cat? You might find these quite interesting and enjoyable since you love your pet and there are plenty of these toys and puzzles.

You can find these in hobby and toy novelty shops since they are pretty old school and they are relatively affordable. When you are done with them they can also be display ornaments around your home, most likely displayed in the living room.

Another thing that's good about puzzles is that they can be good for your brain and can make you even keeled in your everyday thinking, like finishing a 500 or 1000 piece puzzle of a dark brown tabby cat or a Siamese cat.

There are also wooden puzzles that form a cat and they vary in designs like a cat hidden in floral rosettes those sleeping in a mat, just choose the ones that you like best, you won't run out of a recreational activity thanks to these cat puzzles.

Now you can have the best of both worlds when it comes to cats, you have your own cat pets that can keep you company and you have feline inspired puzzles toys you can play at your leisure!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Unplugged Fun - Non-Electronic Educational Games For Kids

Games have always been one of the most engaging and reliable ways to teach kids new skills and reinforce them so they are not forgotten. Kids naturally want to play games so if they are able to learn something at the same time it can be beneficial on a number of levels.

In modern society the word "games" has become synonymous with computer games. And while computer games may have their strengths, they are not the only type of games to engage and educate.

Board games, logic puzzles and educational toys are designed to get kid's minds working. These games also work a different art of the mind than computer games and can help with spatial development and dexterity. For babies the learning company Lamaze introduces educational toys for the youngest baby. Straight from birth their range of soft and colourful toys draws the interest of babies and starts to develop their sense of hearing, sight and touch.

As children of this age do not see very well, sound is emphasised and the different auditory responses generated by the toys can then begin developing awareness, concentration and cause and effect. Their toys cater for children from 0-2 years. Toys in the later years emphasise motor movements and hand eye co-ordination.

For older children, the award winning range from Thinkfun provides a great range of logic based toys that are designed to engage the brain, increase concentration and problem solving skills. These games are commonly known as brainteaser puzzles and, like electronic games, can be played by one person. As with all brain teaser games, creative thinking is required - these are not mere distractions or time-passers.

Their games are simple, self contained and ingenious. In Rush Hour, a popular example, a player must move their car game-piece around a small board packed with other vehicles and maneuver themselves from one side of the town board to the other. The player can set their own challenge level and, as they become more competent, the game can become accordingly more difficult.

If you are thinking of a way to engage your child beyond a flickering screen then you could also consider jigsaw puzzles (try a puzzle with a picture of your child's favourite character) or sandbox playsets, mosaic creation kits, puppet theaters and many more games that are designed to enhance your child's creativity and having something on hand before you "unplug" your child is recommended.