I just got back from the holiday toy showcase hosted by Time to Play Magazine. I’m sharing some of the editor’s picks (denoted by the MW icon for a lot of wanted List) as well as my own discoveries. I was especially on the lookout for baby and toddler toys, while also hunting on behalf my own children (2 to 8 years). and I inadvertently fell in love with a crazy big budget toy for big kids parents.
So, with an eye on what’s great for ages 0 to 40, this is what I liked!
Cuddly toys for babies:
With a toy year dominated by Zombies, Robots, and Robot-Zombies, it was not as easy as I expected to find the baby toys. LeapFrog’s My friend which comes in “Scout” or “Violet” characters (for ages 6 to 36 months) is a cute talking stuffed animal with a hidden agenda of education. Shh, don’t tell your baby.
More toys for bambinos:
The Laugh & learn Crawl around car is one of those living room-hogging plastic toys my kids love (that I love to hate). For about $50, you’ll probably get at least three years of use out of it whether you like owning it or not. It includes gross motor, fine motor, and driving skills and I know Sawyer would go bonkers for it, so what’s not to love? We have had the Laugh & learn playhouse from this collection for eight YEARS now and its still going strong. I think this would be an exceptional Santa gift for a baby or toddler.
Tranquil Turtle; parents love the sleep-friendly products by Cloud b. this one combines a twinkly nightlight with multiple versions of soothing white noise. I’d get this for a baby or a baby shower.
For ages 1 and up, the Lil Chirpers Sorting Eggs are completely cute for kids who love to open and close things. They are contained in their own plastic carton.
Learning toys for toddlers:
I loved this Go! Go! smart Wheels airport Playset by VTech. As the parent of vehicle-lovers, I am a sucker for an interactive interchangeable set of cars, airplanes, buildings, and tracks that also strengthens the brain. This retails for about $25, other sets and add-ons available at lots of price points.
See full review on timetoplaymag.com >
Other sweet toddler toys I played with:
Big Hugs Elmo is the next in a long-line of interactive, walking, talking, silly Elmo dolls that little kids cannot resist. and this one hugs back. If you can stand listening to the voice 24/7, throw down the $50 and make your toddler the happiest on the block.
Eric Carle floor puzzle of the alphabet; very cute and you’ll be delighted to have it in your home to do over and over again. (I cannot for the life of me see why it is recommended for ages 8 to 18, it has 26 basic chunky pieces).
Magformers building tiles. For toddlers and their big siblings, this construction set has a ton of repeat-playability. and the magnets are so sticky, you can pick up your creations with one hand!
Big toy for preschoolers:
Doc McStuffins get better check Up center leverages a popular new TV character and brings some state-of-the-art creativity to the old game of playing doctor while teaching empathy. At about $100, it would be a incredibly splurge (maybe to replace the beloved play kitchen) unless you have a ton of space and money. See in-depth video review on timetoplaymag.com >
Smaller playthings for preschoolers
Neat-oh! ZipBin and playmat. This road scene zips up as a toy bin to minimize the “dump out” instinct when our kids start to play. other versions (like LEGO star Wars!) convert from playmat into backpacks to take on the go. around $20.
RoseArt Magic fun Dough: For about $20, this set of molding dough includes transfers (think momentary tattoos) that can let children easily build ships, princesses, dinosaurs or farm animals without the frustration of really sculpting. Of course, real molding is always an option. I like this for all 3 of my kids.
ArtSee studio by WowWee: add your iPad (any generation will do) into this protective case and a creative play world opens up to your child. I know my kid would love this, I’m not so sure how I feel about handing over my iPad though. about $35.
Shop and cook 2 in one playset. For about $50, it is another big toy but it’s a twofer: you get the shopping cart and the tiny kitchen with lots of noisy learning features and a healthy dose of play food. Sawyer would love this.
Digital fun for 6 and up:
Barbie digital Makeover
I wish they’d have let me play with the Barbie digital Makeover. It’s an iPad extension that lets a gal (or guy) put on pretend makeup and accessories on a live video of your face. I wish it were more affordable than $70 but I have to admit it looks so much fun. See full review on timetoplaymag.com >
Disney Infinity
I haven’t figured out yet if this game play experience is for my big kids or my husband, but the Disney Infinity video game is an epic digital world that includes beloved PIXAR characters facing off against each other, a build-your-own world (called toy box), and seemingly gajillions ofdobrodružstvá založené na misiách. Hlavným problémom recenzentov bolo, že bol príliš masívny. Asi 60 dolárov za základnú hru. K dispozícii v Xbox, Wii, Wiiu a ďalšie. Pozrite si celú recenziu na Timetoplaymag.com>
Analógová zábava pre 8 a viac:
Balón Boom Florish je hra otočenie, ktorá testuje vašu metódu a nervy súčasne; Rovnako ako Jenga, ale strká sa drží do balóna. Môj jediný problém s tým je, že moje veľké deti to lepšie nehrajú počas napňatu. Asi 20 dolárov.
Air Hunterz Z-Curve luk. Penový luk a šípka, ktoré sa stane Zingom, je veľa zábavných v interiéri a vonku. Aj keď môj vlastný cieľ trochu nasáva, je to celkom presné a návykové. Menej ako 20 dolárov.
Obrovská hračka pre mamu:
Keď už hovoríme o toľko zábavy, nemohol som mať dosť šialeného krčmu z žiletky. Ale vzhľadom na to, že sa predáva medzi – kašľom, kašľom – 440 a 900 dolárov (a žijem na rušnej ulici a moje deti by to pravdepodobne chceli použiť!), Nemyslím si, že je to v mojej budúcnosti! Ale ak má Santa Claus veľký rozpočet a žijete na priateľskom malom slepej uličke, hlasujem, že je to „zábava z povodia“ pre rodičov aj staršie deti. Odporúčané pre vek 9+.
Súvisiace odkazy:
TimetoplayMag.com je veľa hľadaných: Holiday 2013
Najlepšie darčeky pre hračky pre jednoročné (nováčika mamičky)
Najlepšie darčeky pre hračky pre dvojročné (Rookie Mommy Picks)
Zverejnenia: Čas na hranie časopisu hostil môj výlet do NYC, aby som sa pozrel na tieto hračky a ďalšie na prehliadke Holiday Toy Showcase. Všetky názory sú moje vlastné.