Posts Tagged ‘Toys’
Most of us remember our very first stuffed animal; a teddy bear, a puppy, maybe a cuddly white bunny rabbit. Whatever it was, we remember what it felt like, what it smelled like, and most importantly, the feelings and emotional bond associated with it. For many middle-age adults, that first plush toy was a simple version of a basic stuffed animal. Flash forward to 2009 and see how times have changed. Margerete Steiff was a seamstress who started making toy stuffed animals back in 1880. She was confined to a wheelchair, but started making these plush toys as a hobby. The first plush toy she made was an elephant, as was designed to be a pin cushion. However, children began playing with them and in the years following, Steiff designed and made many other “stuffed animal toys” for children.
The origin of the teddy bear dates back to the early 1900’s and was a result of an infamous hunting trip taken by then U.S. President, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. From its inception, the “Teddy Bear” was an instant success in the US. So much so, that by 1906, there were numerous manufacturers making Teddy Bears, and the craze for theses adorable stuffed animals was such that ladies were carrying them, children were being photographed with them and even Teddy Roosevelt used one as a mascot in his bid for re-election.
As the years progressed, so did the Teddy Bear and other stuffed animals. They became more detailed in appearance, and manufacturers had trouble keeping up with demand. So much so, that other less common animals began emerging on the scene. The stuffed animal market was no longer limited to teddy bears, cats, and dogs as other, more unusual animals began to take their place in the plush marketplace.
In recent years, we have seen an explosion of “designer plush toys.” These are stuffed animals and unique plush toys that are typically created in limited quantities by the artist or designer. Designer plush toys can be extremely unique and distinct in nature, with each plush doll having its own specific look, feel and personality.
So what are some of these unique plush toys? Well, lets start with one that looks like a tiny microbe, only a million times its actual size. GIANTmicrobes are plush toys that are humorous, educational and fun. The GIANTmicrobes line includes The Common Cold, the Flu, Sore Throat, Stomach Ache and Kissing Disease just to name a few.
If you are looking for plush toys a little less “germy”, then consider the WorryWoos. The WooryWoo monsters, created by AndI Green, are plush dolls that help children tackle complicating feelings, from loneliness and confusion to insecurity and innocence.
If it is an unusual take on a traditional stuffed animal you seek, then look no further than Gus Fink’s Puff Dog and Stitch Kitten lines of designer plush. These creatures are extremely unique and scarily cute.
Needless to say, the evolution of the stuffed animal has provided us with a wonderful selection of unique plush toys. Whether you prefer a traditional teddy bear, a jungle cat or a plush version of the ebola virus, you will be able to find it somewhere!
http://www.plushbucket.com
Shaun Boyle is a web enthusiast, author, father and part owner of The PlushBucket.com, which specializes in unique plush toys.
The bestcool, educational baby toys! Learn all about baby toys that help your baby develop two languages in this free video clip on baby safety and baby learning toys. Expert: Daniella Buettner Bio: Daniella Buettner, toy buyer at Right Start, has extensive experience in childrens goods and services. Filmmaker: Traci Holsey
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The best traveling, educationalbaby toys! Learn all about baby toys that are great for traveling in this free video clip on baby safety and baby learning toys. Expert: Daniella Buettner Bio: Daniella Buettner, toy buyer at Right Start, has extensive experience in childrens goods and services. Filmmaker: Traci Holsey
Toy blocks are far from old-fashioned. While they have been a traditional toy for many generations, blocks offer so many benefits that they continue to top wish lists for parents and children alike.
Babies and toddlers often enjoy soft blocks that are easily grasped and land more gently when they tumble. In addition, these stuffed blocks can be mouthed and gnawed without encountering corners and hard edges. However, solid wooden blocks are the most durable and offer years of entertainment. Even infants enjoy touching and holding wooden toys. From about 15 months, many toddlers like small cube-shaped blocks that can be stacked and sorted. Knocking down a tower can be the most fun – try rolling a soft ball for some basic bowling. At this age, toys still need to pass the inedibility test – so make sure you choose blocks that are too large to swallow, with smooth surfaces and non-toxic paint.
For slightly older children, a brand called Melissa and Doug offers a toddler-friendly set of cardboard blocks that stack up to three feet high. They combine different features like nesting, stacking, and have brightly decorated sides.
Blocks toys that feature alphabet letters, numbers, animals, and other shapes have a lot of potential. Starting in the preschool years, they can be used to introduce letter and shape recognition. Later, children enjoy making words as they start to grasp phonics and reading. And even when they are reading fluently, infinite building possibilities remain.
Blocks are available from Melissa and Doug and other brands in various sets depending on a child’s interests. There are blocks in vibrant primary colors, unpainted blocks in architectural sets, and even sets that come complete with a small wagon. Children can make complicated structures with a wide range of shapes and sizes – from turrets and towers to columns and cornices. Young construction experts enjoy creating amazing buildings, car-enthusiasts can make tunnels, roads and garages, and princesses may build castles and towns. The possibilities are endless, and it is this invitation to imaginative play that makes wooden blocks a part of every classroom. Blocks toys can be the building material and the cargo, as well as the people and the animals.
When children play with wooden blocks, they enjoy touching and holding the solid shapes, they learn about balance and gravity, and they can share and cooperate. Block play develops hand-eye coordination, and promotes cognitive learning. Children create things from their imaginations, they learn basic numeracy and understanding of geometric shapes, and they experiment with patterns, weight, and comparisons. Language skills come into play as children explain what they have made and how it works.
For all these reasons, blocks toys are considered one of the best developmental toys. Researchers have found that early creative play with blocks:
• increases spatial skills in preschoolers,
• leads to higher math scores later in high school,
• develops problem-solving skills,
• improves social skills (when building cooperative construction projects), and
• supports language development.
Of course, it’s not just the blocks that provide all these benefits. It is also about how children play with blocks, and who they play with. Sit down and show your young child how to build. Suggest an interesting construction project. Demonstrate how to bring pretend characters into the game. And make it a fun and cooperative game, sometimes including friends. You’ll definitely enjoy it too!
Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about blocks toys. Click here to download our free Melissa and Doug guidebook filled with tips, ideas and information.