About Toys

Licensed to Play

2009-11-13T20:44:17Z

When my son was 2, he shouted,�"ELMO!" when he spotted a balloon in the drug store. He recognized the Sesame Street brand immediately, but he was so little! Companies spend billions to attach Elmo or Dora or SpongeBob to everything from diapers to snacks, and they're counting on kids to want them and parents to buy them.

Some licensed items sell well because the quality is great and the character smiling back at the child is a bonus. Others sell because we know what our kids like, and sometimes we'll buy just about anything with that character on it.

My 4-year-old son was completely obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine. Aside from the lead-paint problems that caused some Thomas cars to be recalled, the tracks and trains are generally well made and will last far beyond my son's obsession with them.

Now that he's seen Disney's Cars movie, he only wants to play with his die-cast cars. Let me tell you...he can spot a Cars character a mile away. If it was on a box of light bulbs he'd want me to buy those light bulbs.

The bottom line is that there's nothing wrong with licensed products. I mean, I put the Dora Links doll in my Top 10 list of new Christmas toys this year! But all of us should think hard, stick to our guns and insist on high quality when buying any toy.

Some questions to consider include:

� How long will the toy keep your child's attention?

� Could it be passed on to his little brother, or even your grandchildren someday?

� Would you still buy it if it didn't have Cookie Monster all over it?

Companies will listen if parents insist on quality and only buy the best toys, whether they feature favorite characters or not.

Photo � Sesame Street

Licensed to Play originally appeared on About.com Toys on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 20:44:17.

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Safety Proofing For Dummies

2009-11-13T07:40:26Z

Like every mom I have a box of gizmos from outlet-finger-stoppers to doorknob-no-turners in my house. Mine is labeled (in big letters with my label maker) "Safety Proofing." This is because I think "Safety Proofing" is a hilarious term and I like to amuse myself at any opportunity. I mean, you've gotta keep that safety away from the babies, right?

I've used the phrase in public and I've gotten a few chuckles, but today I feel truly validated. One Step Ahead, which is a great site with clever kid-related gadgets and toys, sent out a marketing email with the subject, "Holiday Safety-Proofing Solutions."

I laughed. I can't help myself! I mean, what's in the catalog? Recalled toys from Christmas past?

The holidays do pose many safety hazards for babies and toy safety should be taken very seriously, but it's baby proofing or child proofing, not safety proofing!

Safety Proofing For Dummies originally appeared on About.com Toys on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 07:40:26.

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Shopping Locally Requires Dedication

2009-11-11T12:38:51Z

I think I'm probably slightly ahead of the "green" curve, and in an effort to reduce my impact on the environment, I try to shop locally whenever I can, but even I have my limits.

Yesterday I (stupidly) bribed my 4-year-old with a specific car from the Cars movie. He performed like a champion and now I'm on the hunt. By the time the preschool bell rings, I must locate and purchase Doc Hudson with blinking eyes.

Easy! Sure! Three local toy stores later, (One clerk said with a wink, "Good luck with that!") I'm headed for the big box stores. I wish I lived on Sesame Street and I could walk down the street to Mr. Hooper's store and get everything I needed, from TP to toys, but it just doesn't work that way.

Our local toy stores are wonderful but they're small. If you're looking for something specific (like Doc Hudson with the blinking eyes) you're often out of luck. And their hours are funky. They are open one evening a week, closed on Mondays, and it's hit or miss when Guy Fawkes Day rolls around or one of the employees is getting married.

So exactly how dedicated am I to supporting local, family-run businesses? Is it worth the hassle of hauling two kids in and out of car seats three times and zigzagging across town before I find what I'm looking for? I guess I get karmic credit for starting there first, and I'll have to live with myself for driving 12 miles (one way) to the giant toy store to make a little boy happy. Next time we need something, we'll try to plan ahead so we can patronize the local toy shop.

The child did, after all, put ALL his toys away so I could vacuum.

How dedicated are you to shopping locally?

Shopping Locally Requires Dedication originally appeared on About.com Toys on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 12:38:51.

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Baby Dolls Aren't Just for Girls

2009-11-09T19:13:36Z

When I was pregnant with my second child we bought a baby doll for my first son, who was 2 1/2. The plan was to introduce a baby into his daily routine before the real thing arrived. We didn't know the baby's gender so we sought out a gender-neutral doll that would appeal to a toddler boy.

He promptly named the doll "Donarina." We will never know why.

Donarina went with us to the store, where she rode in the shopping cart in her toy infant seat. She went on walks with us and my son pushed her in a toy stroller I had scored at the consignment store for five bucks.

Donarina didn't make baby noises or baby smells, and she didn't take away my attention from my precious firstborn, but she was a good tool for us. It got him excited about having a little brother or sister. (In the end, he got a brother!)

The classic French doll company Corolle has some of the loveliest baby dolls around, so I've reviewed a pink doll, a blue doll and a plain white baby doll that would all be perfect for preparing a toddler for a new sibling.

Photo � Corolle

Baby Dolls Aren't Just for Girls originally appeared on About.com Toys on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 19:13:36.

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Toys "R" Us Hiring 35,000 Seasonal Employees

2009-11-07T12:22:03Z

Toys "R" Us will hire 35,000 seasonal workers to staff stores throughout the busy holiday season. Toys "R" Us employs roughly 70,000 workers in 34 countries, so this marks a 50 per cent increase in manpower for the Christmas shopping period.

Given the current economy, this is relatively encouraging. The company is hiring the same number of seasonal employees as last year.

Interested in working at Toys "R" Us this holiday? Visit their employment website to apply.

Photo � Toys "R" Us

Have you ever worked in a toy store at Christmas time? What was that like?

Toys "R" Us Hiring 35,000 Seasonal Employees originally appeared on About.com Toys on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 12:22:03.

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Enter to Win a Toy Kitchen and an Amazing Real One!

2009-11-06T12:25:06Z

Cooking with kids is a hot trend right now, and Step2 and Frigidaire are running an amazing contest to encourage families to spend quality time together in the kitchen. Simply visit Step2's website and write an essay about how your family gets creative in the kitchen and you'll be entered to win any of Step2's great play kitchens, plus a real, adult-sized dishwasher, microwave, fridge and oven from Frigidaire.

I think parents could whip up some pretty amazing grilled cheese sandwiches with brand-new appliances like those!

How does your family get creative in the kitchen?

Photo � Step2

Enter to Win a Toy Kitchen and an Amazing Real One! originally appeared on About.com Toys on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 12:25:06.

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Toy Hall of Fame Has a Ball

2009-11-05T12:55:01Z

Today the National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, NY has just announced three new inductees, the Big Wheel, the Game Boy and...(drumroll please) the ball.

The ball? Sounds wacky, but sure! The ball is an all-time favorite. It's been around almost as long as there have been children to toss it, kick it or whack it with a stick, which was inducted last year. (Honest!)

At a special event today, the ball, the Big Wheel and the Game Boy were unveiled, and they take their places among other classics like Barbie, Slinky and Silly Putty.

Can you picture the ball watching the unveiling year after year, wondering when its time would come? The Susan Lucci of toys is sitting there thinking, "The stick? Seriously? The stick got in before the BALL?"

Now all is right with the world.

Photo � National Toy Hall of Fame

Toy Hall of Fame Has a Ball originally appeared on About.com Toys on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 12:55:01.

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Christmas Windows Unveiled

2009-11-05T10:53:01Z

One of my family's favorite Christmas traditions is going to the city, be it New York, Chicago, San Francisco or any other major metropolis, to look at the stores' holiday displays. They really kick off the Christmas shopping season in style, with glitz and glamor and holiday fantasy, and window shopping is free!

American Girl doll lovers who are fortunate enough to be in New York tomorrow (Friday, November 6) should visit American Girl Place where, at 3:30 p.m. the curtains go up on the store's special Christmas windows. The address is 609 Fifth Avenue. The event is free open to the public and I understand that there will be treats.

The picture is of last year's beautiful Christmas window at American Girl Place.

What makes you feel like it's really Christmas time?

Photo � American Girl Place

Christmas Windows Unveiled originally appeared on About.com Toys on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 10:53:01.

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Halloween Costumes Make Great Cheap Toys

2009-11-03T08:23:47Z

In the days following Halloween, many retailers drastically cut prices on costumes. I took this opportunity to stock up our dress-up box for 50 per cent less than I would have had to spend last week. Here are a few suggestions for post-Halloween costume-buying strategies.

Look for costumes that come complete with accessories like a hat, a shield or fairy wings. They can be mixed and matched for longer play value.
Be prepared to rummage for the good stuff. Displays aren't in the best shape after the rush.
Fit isn't really important in most costumes. Buy a size larger so they'll last longer.
Keep the new toys hidden away until you really need them, like on a snow day.
Get a couple of adult-sized costumes so you can join in the fun.
Let friends and family know you're starting a box so they don't throw away that charming, flowered hat.
Use the pictures on the package to decorate your box.
Visit Halloween stores now. Some are already closed and moving on, but some have great deals.

Some children can plan ahead to next year's Halloween. Not mine. It was down to the wire when they decided what they'd be this year. In that case, costumes can also make fantastic Christmas gifts!

Halloween Costumes Make Great Cheap Toys originally appeared on About.com Toys on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 08:23:47.

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Mind Games: New Toys That Harness Brain Power

2009-11-01T03:18:23Z

I love toys that use cutting-edge technology in fun and innovative ways, and this Christmas there are two really clever new games that are powered by EEG waves (and lots of batteries!)

Mindflex from Mattel and the�Jedi Force Trainer from Uncle Milton both come with funky-looking headsets. Just put it on and make sure that the contact points are touching the skin, then you simply stare at a little ball until it levitates! A fan's motor accelerates and decelerates as you concentrate.

The big question is, "Do they work?" The answer is, "YES!"

Both games are easy to use, but one is more fun than the other. Read my review to find out which one will have your family playing mind games for hours.

Now, if I could just get all the clocks to change by staring at them. That would be a feat!

Photo � Uncle Milton

Mind Games: New Toys That Harness Brain Power originally appeared on About.com Toys on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 03:18:23.

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