Posts Tagged ‘2009’
As Christmas approaches for 2009, as a parent we start to think about the most suitable toys to purchase our children. I am often torn between the presents my kids would love to receive and those I feel I would like to offer. On the one hand there is part of me that knows they would love to a handheld gaming console like the Nintendo DS.
But there is another part of me that recognizes there are only so many hours in a day and do I really want my child to be playing a computer game instead of reading a book or playing creatively in the yard? The answer to that question is ‘No’. Having said that there is also an element of technological familiarity, I want to encourage my child to be firstly familiar with electronic devices but also I want him to be able to regulate his use of things that are highly appealing but best taken in small doses.
I call it the Coco Pops principle. When I was a kid my parents never bought Coco Pops. Ok maybe that’s not true (I’ll put my petulant child back in the box for a bit). Let’s say they bought this type of cereal perhaps once a year. As a kid I craved Coco Pops and I think a large part of that was seeing the box all the time (on TV, advertisements in comics and on store shelves) and not being able to have it. When I left home and could purchase them for myself I went wild, having Coco Pops every day until I made myself sick.
Part of me thinks if I was simply allowed to have Coco Pops on a semi-regular basis then I wouldn’t have formed such an attachment to them. Creating a sense of deprivation set up a situation where I craved them more and had an irrational attachment to them, wanted them all the time. If I had what I craved in measured doses this attachment would not have been created.
So with kid’s electronic toys my preference is for considered and measured interactions. That is giving them access to the best resources I can find in time slots that fit in alongside other parts of their lives. So that is to say they can use educational learning toys because they are fun but also because they will learn skills other than hand-eye coordination and competitiveness and they can use them for half an hour a day, if it fits in with our schedule.
Purchasing electronic toys for kids needn’t be a hard decision, just remember to buy a recharger!
Find out more about the best interactive learning toys for kids at http://www.interactivelearningtoys.com. A site maintained by a homeschooling mother and dedicated to Interactive Learning Toys for kids.
The holidays can be such an expensive time of year with all the gift giving and entertaining. Every year I come up with a list of gifts for children that won’t deplete hip pocket national bank. Here is the list for 2009. Some new items and some good ole classics.
The 2009 Top 10 Children’s Christmas Gifts Under $15
Color Me Gem – Little girls can color their own gems and create their own designs. Go Paint Mini Canvas – The penlike brushes work only on this special paper so there is no mess! Your child can paint anywhere. Webkinz – Each animal comes with a secret code that gives your child access to Webkinz online world where they can care for this virtual pet. Personalized <a onClick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(’/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.originalsantamail.com” target=”_new”>Letter from Santa</a> – I ordered a personalized letter from Santa Claus for my daughter and she didn’t set it down for days. $10 Classic board games like Monopoly, Candy Land and Clue are always a hit and range from $10-$15 Baby Einstein Count and Compose Piano – This is an award winning toy and runs just under $15. Where the Wild Things Are – The book or the movie would run you under $15 and what a great lesson for children about families and imagination. The DVD should be out in time for Christmas. Play-doh is one of my all time favorite gifts for kids. Adults seem to enjoy it so it’s a great way to have some quality time with your children. Hexbug - A clairvoyant crustacean stops or changes direction when it senses something is in its path or hears a noise. Hotwheels – Another classic that any boy would love to own. The variety of styles is endless.
Remember…some of the best gifts you can buy a child only cost a few dollars. Maybe this is a good year to help our kids understand that Christmas is about friendship, sharing and time spent with the ones we love. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
My family is my inspiration for finding great toys that will inspire creativity and that won’t break the bank. I hope that people remember the real message of Christmas and share that with their children. Religious or not, the meaning is clear…love, friendship and sharing our hearts. Santa Letter
Santa Letters
Letter from Santa
Just a quick peek at the Scalextric Digital track, 2009 Toy Show Event at the Javitz Center, Manhattan.
Every parent hopes they have chosen the best Christmas Gifts for kids in 2009 and look forward to those eager, happy little faces on Christmas day. However, making the right choice is not just a matter of spending money. It requires insight into childhood desires, as well as deciding what is good value for the child concerned. Research with some of the largest retailers shows that there are a number of standout toys and games you should consider.
As there are so many different ways that children can be entertained – and, despite your child’s wishes, you can’t try them all – some of the best options in different categories are listed below:
1. Board Games – The Settlers of Catan
Regarded as one of the best games ever designed, this trading and building game is set in the world of Catan, where strategy and judgment in trading resources is a highly valuable skill. Players are building a country, including cities and roads, and the board conditions are constantly changing. It is now the basis of many collections. Suits 3-4 players.
2. Dolls – Barbie & The Diamond Castle – Princess Liana Doll
A singing Barbie with a magical dress that is able to transform into a glittery gown as desired. This Barbie, with her long blond hair and purple tiara, is based on the character in the movie “Barbie and the Diamond Castle”. Suitable for all aspiring Princesses.
3. Electronic Toys – Didj Custom Learning Gaming System from Leapfrog.
A handheld gaming and learning system that can be customized. It can also be connected to a computer to play enthralling games while learning schoolwork and are encouraged with a built-in reward system. There is a library of themes and favorite characters for redesigning the games. It provides all sorts of learning opportunities for children aged 6+.
4. Musical Toys – U-Dance from Tiger Electronics.
A motion-based dance game that entertains with music and dancing. The kids are reuired to keep up with the moves during sets of upbeat and fun songs. It is not only entertaining for the whole family but is also good for building fitness levels. Suits ages 8+.
5. Outdoor Toys – Triple Hit Baseball – Grow To Pro Series
This is not one of those toys which will be quickly outgrown as kids develop higher skill levels. It will provide increasing challenges as players move from beginner, through rookie to pro in developing their baseball skills. At Rookie level, the ball pops up out of the ground and dares the player to hit. The Pro level works from about 10 feet away and pitches the ball to a batter, who learns to face, swing and connect.
6. Puzzles – Safari Floor Puzzle 100 pc Floor from Melissa & Doug.
You need a bit of floor space for this beautiful depiction of an African plain or Savannah, with all the animals surrounding a watering hole. These are extra thick pieces which are easy to clean and will look like new long after other puzzles have been discarded. Children will love the colorful setting and the wildlife as they meet the challenge to assemble the puzzle.
7. Stuffed Animals – Golden Retriever from Webkinz.
No collection of toys is complete without a beautiful stuffed animal and this Golden Retriever is soft, plush and cuddly. There is a code which allows the pet to be brought to life through internet access. For children 3 yrs up who would like a pet that is already house-trained.
This is just a small sample of the hundreds of great Christmas gifts for kids – babies to teens – that have been researched, grouped and indexed, with more details, in a free illustrated Guide. Excite Your kids with some fabulous toys. Get a copy from Gifts For Kids You can also download a free copy of the Guide from
http://www.GiftsForKidsGuide.com/GiftsForKids-FreeGuide.html Get it now!
As the holiday season approaches and you start to consider the best Christmas gifts for 2009, you want to be sure that what you give will be a happy experience for those who receive your gifts. This means looking beyond simple Xmas cards, gift certificates, and a hasty trip to the shopping mall. Nothing beats the look of excitement and joy as others open your gifts and warmly offer their thanks, reminding you it is the thought behind the gift which truly counts!
Look forward to their smiles again this year, with this list of the top selling gifts of 2009, prepared from research conducted with the largest online retailers.
1. Wild Planet Hyper Dash by Wild Planet
This product won the 2009 Top Toy of the Year issued by Creative Child Magazine. Not only a fun game, it is exceptional in developing math and athletic skills. It also challenges skill, speed, coordination, teamwork and memory. 7-12 years.
2. Hot Potato by Fundex Games
Also among the best gifts 2009 is an electronic hot potato and potato chips and requires family members to frantically toss the hot potato and not get caught holding the spud when the music stops. Good for 2-6 players.
3. American Girl 300 Wishes – Board Game by Mattel
Included are 300 wish cards, five diaries and five wish keys. The “Wish Cards” dealt to players describe fun experiences, carrers and personal accomplishments they dream of having. The aim is to match the players’ wishes with the cards they receive. 8+ years.
4. Scooby-Doo! A Haunted House Game by Pressman Toys
Similar to the TV series on Cartoon Network, this 3D plastic game is packed with action as players move about the haunted house and try to reach the top level whilst avoiding booby traps and ghosts. Suits 2-5 players.
5. Math Whiz by Educational Insights
Provides hundreds of fun math facts and challenges kids on addition, division, subtractiona nd multiplication. It can also function as a calculator. There are eight skill levels and an easy to read display screen, as well as light and sound effects that greet the answers given. 6+ years.
6. Electronic Hyperslide by Hasbro Games
Three different games that allow for individual as well as team fun and competition on the table top, with sounds, voice commands, and electronic lights. “Guess” a sequence of colors before the buzzer declares your time has run out.
7. Bananagrams by Bananagrams
A word game featuring 144 tile letters that are placed face down while players select their tiles. Great for family fun while you travel as it is light, portable and easy to set up. No pencil or paper required.
8. Blokus Classic by Educational Insights
A strategy board game which is the most awarded game of the Century, so far (20+ awards). Suitable for up to four players, it employs a 400 piece game board and 84 colored playing pieces. Players try to fit all their pieces on the board, touching at least one corner of their earlier pieces and not adjacent to the pieces of another player. The winner is the first to get rid of their pieces.
9. LeapFrog® Match Up!
A fun game to improve memory and reasoning skills. Pressing a button provides a clue which must be matched with options that include rhyming words, animal sounds, and opposites. Three levels of play allow children to progress at their own pace. Suits individual play or with a friend.
10. Math Mat Challenge Game
Our final selection for best Xmas gifts 2009 is a clever and exciting math game that includes an interactive, talking floor mat. There are four different games and two skill levels that help develop skills in numbers, addition, counting and subtraction. Kids step on the mat when they have the answer. The game gets faster as scores get higher.
This is just a small sample of the hundreds of great Christmas gift ideas that have been researched, grouped and indexed, with more details, in a free illustrated Guide you can download now at: Christmas Gifts 2009 It is also available at: http://www.ChristmasGiftsTheyLove.com/ChristmasGifts-FreeGuide.html Get it now!