v 3 issue 5: The Great Toy Review

This issue is full of some of our favorite new toys on the market to keep your children entertained, educational and bring out creativity.

Cover by Allison Cottrill












1 88 color coded Bee cards and a 10" inflatable bee hive are the main ingredients of a game capable of 8 variations. The primary object is to spell words faster than your opponent with the Bee Cards pulled from the hive. A Bee C Buzz is the name, and learning letters and spelling is the game. Available @ learningresources.com. Enter code: CLEAR40 for an additional 40% off of clearance items on the site!

2 Clips from all three Ice Age movies are included in a fun DVD formatted game with tileboard. Players play along with favorite characters to solve on-screen puzzles and collect acorns by winning video challenges. A perfect gamenight challenge for fans of the Ice Age trilogy. Amazon.com

3 18" dolls with gorgeous life-like characteristics and personality traits offer friendship and a little something extra. Each Friends Forever Girl has a unique story about her family life and friends. Kyleen is special because she shares a story of shyness which her friends are helping her to overcome most triumphantly. Enter code: 1065 for Free UPS ground shipping

4 Pool Sharks adds a little bite to the traditional game of pool. A spring-loaded shark stick snaps balls into the fish shaped corner pockets for the twist that makes this game a hit! Fine tune some hand-eye coordination with this game from Gamewright.

5 Miss Sugar Pops makes dolls full of wild and crazy love. Meredith is a funky little girl born on November 7th. Tulle poofs, striped leggings, and sparkly shoes are some of Meredith's fine accoutrements which compliment her soft black hair and beautiful blue eyes. So gorgeous, you may want to leave this one on the shelf! Enter code: KTW to receive 20% off your purchases.

6 Visit Wee Little Sprouts for this natural stained wooden board piece that is carved with a tic-tac-toe pattern and indentations for marble playing pieces. Brass keepers hold the red and blue marbles inside the board when not in use, hence the name...Tic Tac Traveler. Toss it in a bag for on the spot fun in a restaurant, waiting room, or wherever you need a little distraction. Enter code: tottrends0909 to receive a FREE BC Mini Eraser with any purchase greater than $15 thru 10/20/09.

7 Hours and hours of dairy delight can be yours with the Magic Swirl Ice Cream Shop from Play-Doh. Comes with cones, cups, and spoons to aid the imagination, and three unique stations for pouring pleasure. Sprinkle and decorate ice cream goodies with endless possibilities...yummy fun!

8 Citiblocs 200 piece set is the perfect size for builders who are just starting out. All blocks are sized and shaped the same, compatible with all Citibloc sets, and all Kapla sets too! Size and compatibility account for the unlimited building possibilities children will experience. Great play for kids from pre-school to elementary school and beyond.


This weeks mom tips:
Green Tip:
Refrigerators and freezer units account for one-sixth of a home's energy use, so select energy-efficient models when buying replacements. Today's appliances consume three times less than old appliances.

The federal government is making money available to states so consumers could get rebates of $50 to $200 for new, more energy-efficient appliances later this year in a so-called "cash for appliances" program. Check with your state's energy department for details on when the rebates will be available.

Organizing Tips:
Stuffed animals must go! They not only can cause health problems due to buildup of dander and more but they cause massive clutter chaos. For those favorite stuffed animals consider a hammock for them up near the ceiling or Boon's stuffed animal holder is a great pillow that keeps them contained.

Time Saving Tips:
Prioritize items on your to-do list if you feel like you're spinning your wheels. Use A for the items that have to be done today, B for the things you should do today, and C for the tasks you hope to do.


Toys allow creativity to blossom
Toys are among a child's first possessions. They entertain kids, but they also help them learn about the world around them. Early experiences with toys can have lasting effects on a child.

There has been much debate about which toys are the best for children. Some argue that high-tech toys provide the best educational opportunities, while others say that simpler toys that require imagination and creativity teach a child to think for himself. But most children end up with a mixture of both types of toys and perhaps that approach gives them the best of both worlds.

Imagination is a great way to learn. Years ago, children did not have electronic toys and video games to play with. All they had were things like dolls and doll houses, toy cars and jump ropes. No matter what toys they played with, they had to use their imagination to a certain extent. Today, kids have all sorts of electronic toys to choose from. Even many books talk and allow children to interact with them. While there are benefits to these types of toys, it is still important to let a kid's imagination flourish.

Imagination is not only a fun way to learn, it is also effective. While children may learn such things as letters, numbers and even phonics from electronic toys, they are no substitute for learning by doing. Imaginative play often leads children to figure things out for themselves and things learned that way are not soon forgotten.

Some great toys that push imagination and creativity:
Play-Doh, Dress-Up Clothes, Building Toys, Art Toys, Craft Kits, Dolls and Action Figures.

Creativity comes naturally for kids. Giving them toys that help them express themselves is a great way to encourage them to do so. Kids who are allowed to be creative often have a greater interest in learning and as a result they are more likely to do their best in school and life.