Toy Shopping Safety Tips

Shopping for toys during the holidays can be exciting and fun, but it can also be frustrating. There can be thousands of toys to choose from in one store, and it’s important to choose the right toy for the right age child. Here are some great safety tips I received that I wanted to share with you.

Toy Safety Tips by Malcolm Denniss: Technical Director for SGS Consumer Testing Services

1. The most important aspect of buying gifts for children (whether for holidays or birthdays) is to make sure the toy or game is age-appropriate for the child. Nearly every toy or game will list the appropriate age on the box. The guidelines were developed by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Toy Industry Association, and take into account the typical ability of children to handle certain toys. Buying toys for children that are younger than the indicated age, even though we think a child may grow into it or is capable may lead to inappropriate play patterns and hazards that a child is not yet prepared for.

2. Children are naturally excited to play with new toys at holiday times, often in a robust and possibly in an overly enthusiastic manner. It is important that parents periodically check their children’s toys for any damage or breakage, which could create sharp edges or a choking hazard. If a toy looks damaged, take it away! If necessary, contact the manufacturer to verify that it is still safe to play with.

3. While toy shopping during the holidays, check recall notices at the toy or department store to verify none of child’s existing toys have been recalled and are still in your child’s room or toy box.

4. If you are buying toys for nephews, nieces, or other children that you may not see on a regular basis, it is always a good idea to check with the parents and make sure you know what they think is appropriate for the child, particularly for very young children where maturity can vary significantly. Be particularly careful when buying for children under the age of three years. This age group often still puts toys in their mouths, so check the front of the toy package to see if the toys have small parts before buying.

5. Teach kids outdoor and indoor play safety. It’s important to teach them to not play ball games near roadways and to always look where they are running if the ball goes outside the play area. Never let them play near roads and areas where automobiles are driving. Do not let them play with flying toys indoors where they can not only knock over fragile decorations but can also hit bystanders.

Mythbusters Science Kit Review

Have you ever watched the Discovery Channel’s show Mythbusters? They have come out with a new kit to help teach and encourage children to explore science. We were sent the Weird World of Water kit to test out by Team Mom. My five year old son is a little young, but with dad’s help he still had a lot of fun creating the twister and especially launching the water rocket. It does actually work! The kit is a fun activity to spend time with your child and helps them to learn new things, so I do recommend it and would buy any of the other kits they developed. Just make sure you have some time and patience. I like toys like this because they require you to spend time with your children and build memories. The description of the kit is below.

The Discovery Channel’s popular team of crazy Mythbusters find the truth behind urban legends using the scientific method and plenty of curiosity and ingenuity. Their unique and offbeat approach to science brings excitement to this kit that teaches kids all about the properties and power of water.

Aspiring mythbusters will test the secrets of water as they uncover its many mysteries. Water freezes and boils and turns into gas – is there anything it can’t do? They’ll find the mythbusting answer to that and many more questions:

• Can water suck a ship down the drain?

• Will you find hot water at the North Pole?

• Can water blast a rocket into space?

Kids will test the power of whirlpools, create a liquid rainbow, learn how to walk on water, and much more with the Mythbusters.

Ages 9 and up.

Mythbusters Force of Flight Science Kit and Mythbusters Power of Air Pressure Science Kit. Each kit is available for $19.95 on Amazon or Discovery.com or all 3 sets can be purchased together for $49.99. A great deal in time for the holidays.

Team Mom and Discovery provided the product for this review. All my thoughts and opinions are based on my honest opinion and aren’t influenced in any way.

Frigidaire: Make Time For Change

Frigidaire has announced Jennifer Garner as their new celebrity ambassador! Thursday, Sept 24th Jennifer introduced Frigidaire’s new line of appliances, designed with features that help us Moms save time in our busy schedules, and challenged us to pledge a bit of our own time to help children in need. Frigidaire’s new “Make Time for CHANGE” campaign supports Save the Children’s U.S. Programs, dedicated to making a difference in children’s lives.

Frigidaire and Garner are asking Moms to think ahead to November 1st – the day all of us change the clocks and get an extra hour – and pledge to use that time to help make a difference in the lives of children. Save the Children created the CHANGE program (Creating Healthy, Active, and Nurturing Growing-up Environments) to promote healthier lifestyles for children living in poverty by providing nutritious snacks and regular opportunities for them to be physically active.

Starting today, everyone who goes to Frigidaire and raises her hand with a pledge to make time for a child, will commit Frigidaire to donate $1 to support the CHANGE. As an added bonus, everyone who pledges her time will be entered for a chance to win a new Frigidaire Professional double wall oven. Click on that link and tell us about your pledge and how you would give back your time to children in need. Mom Central will pick one lucky winner in a random drawing from all entries received. Thanks Frigidaire and Mom Central!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Frigidaire and received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Kushies My Bag Giveaway

I am a HUGE fan of KUSHIES BABY and their latest product is a must have for busy moms!

My Bag is an overnight bag packed with accessories to make sleepovers, and the items you send with them a breeze to pack and unpack when they return. First, you start off with a fun choice between a girly pink and brown or boyish blue and brown My Bag. I love that the design is simple yet still fun for kids. When you invest money into a child’s overnight bag like this you want it to be something they can use for years.  Next, all the fun accessories included with each bag:

• 1 insulated snack box

• 1 insulated medicine box

• 1 clean clothes bag

• 1 dirty clothes bag

• 1 soiled clothes bag with laundry insert

• 1 spare shoes bag

• A pillow and blanket

• A handy hook for hanging

If I had to pick my favorite feature of the My Bag, I would say it’s the medicine tote. Often our children have medicines and supplies that really need to be with them. For instance, my son has asthma, this tote makes it easy for me to include his inhaler and any instructions I may have about his diet/allergies, etc.  Kushies is more than just the My Bag though. I reviewed their activity toys over Christmas and they are absolutely adorable and educational.  Right now you get a free CRITTER with a purchase of MY BAG.  You have to check out all of their other great products at www.kushiesonline.com.

Kushies Baby designs, manufactures and markets an innovative collection of quality baby products and accessories. The company strives for excellence in all areas to ensure its customers receive the highest attainable workmanship and quality. This is exemplified in our continued dedication to service – an uncompromising commitment maintained for more than 50 years.

KUSHIES had generously offered a Bookroom Reviews Reader their own MY BAG!

TO ENTER: GO TO WWW.KUSHIESONLINE.COM, LOOK AROUND AND COME BACK AND LET ME KNOW WHAT OTHER PRODUCT CATCHES YOUR INTEREST.  ALSO LET US KNOW IF YOU WANT TO WIN THE BOY OR GIRL BAG.

FOR ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND TWEET THIS GIVEAWAY, SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG, OR STUMBLE THIS CONTEST.

Contest will end April 13th. U.S. and Canada only please. Good Luck!

I See Me Personalized Book Giveaway

I remember one of the first books that had the biggest impact on me was a personalized book about me at a circus. I was enthralled that I was special enough to have my own book.  I couldn’t believe my brother’s name was even it the book.

I am so excited to have the chance to not only get a personalized book for my son, but participate in the creation. I See Me is a wonderful company and website where you can order personalized gifts for children. Their newest book is The World According To (YOUR CHILD)

This beautifully printed book features your child’s own drawings and classic comments. The kit includes interview questions that the parent asks the child, such as what he/she wants to be when he/she grows up, the child’s favorite things, and more.  The kit also includes color markers and drawing sheets for the child to do 6 drawings, including a self-portrait and a drawing of the family.  The parent sends the interview answers and drawings to I See Me! in the enclosed postpaid envelope. Three weeks later, a colorful, professionally typeset book arrives, ready for all-about-me story time!  The new kit/book makes it very easy for parents to document this precious stage in their child’s life. It’s for children ages 3-10.

You can take a virtual tour of the book to see if you want to buy it first. We have been busy answering the questions and making the drawings for his book. The instructions are so easy to follow, and making the book together is a special time to share with your child. I can’t wait until we get it back so I can see the look on his face. This book will be a treasure for years to come. The sample book they sent looks professional, much more realistic then when I was little. I am very impressed. You can order the kit for $39.95 and other personalized items at www.iseeme.com.

ONE PERSON WILL WIN A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR THE PERSONALIZED BOOK KIT! WOW!

TO ENTER: VISIT THE ISEEME WEBSITE AND COME BACK AND TELL ME WHAT OTHER PERSONALIZED GIFTS YOU LIKED.

ANOTHER ENTRY: STUMBLE THIS CONTEST, TWITTER(FOLLOW AND TWEET,(HEART BUTTONS BELOW) OR SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER OR BLOG. (IN SIDEBARS) LET ME KNOW LINKS

ANOTHER ENTRY: GRAB MY TWILIGHT GIVEAWAY BUTTON(BELOW) AND LEAVE ME THE LINK AND COME BACK THEN TO PARTICIPATE, IT WILL BE FUN!

THIS CONTEST WILL END MARCH 13TH AND RANDOM.ORG WILL CHOOSE THE WINNER. U.S. AND CANADA ONLY PLEASE. PLEASE RESPOND WITHIN 48 HOURS OR YOU WILL FORFEIT THE PRIZE AND I WILL RE-DRAW ANOTHER WINNER. GOOD LUCK! DON’T FORGET TO ENTER ALL OF THE OTHER FANTASTIC BOOK GIVEAWAYS GOING ON ALL WEEK

NanaStar Book and Plush Doll Giveaway

We love to discover great children’s books and NanaStar books are a child’s dream. They have adorable children’s books and toys that are imaginative and encourage values. My five year old loved the books and I loved the message. The illustrations are gorgeous and the dolls are well-made and so cute. NanaStar books was created by two sisters, Elizabeth Sills and Elena Patrice, who developed the world of Nana Star, based on magical characters created by their grandmother years ago. It’s no surprise they have won multiple awards. You can buy the books and dolls on their website at www.nanastar.com. Keep your eyes out for a new book in the series coming in the spring.

The Nana Star book is a grand new classic for children. You can join a little girl’s magical adventures as she promises to bring a lost baby star home where he belongs. It won’t be easy–he lives high up in the heavens. The book comes with a plush doll, The sweet and oh-so-very-pretty Nana Star doll is crafted with love and special attention to details that Little Twinkles will appreciate. She even comes with the baby star for them to care for!

The Nana Star and the Moonman book is the inspiring story of Nana Star’s journey to bring the lost babystar back home where he belongs, but the world has gone to bed and she feels scared and alone. With help from a new friend, she learns that she is never alone, that the Moonman is always watching over and guiding her, even when she can’t see him. Made to be loved to pieces, the Moonman Lovey doll glows when Little Twinkles cuddle him and plays a sleepy “luvaby” when they hug his tummy! He’s a comforting presence as they drift off to dreamland.

The Nana Star website is a wealth of information including:

• Games and Printables for children

• Nana Star Videos and Songs

• The Little Twinkles Club

and goodies for Mommies and Daddies too:

• Happy Learning Lessons for Parents and Teachers

• Information about the Nana Star Foundation

• Online Shop to purchase all the Nana Star goodies for your little ones!

What is Blaphhing? You will have to go to the Laugh Friendly Site to find out. A portion of all Nana Star product sales goes directly to the Nana Star Foundation, dedicated to two main causes: helping make life easier for children attending under-resourced, inner-city schools and for terminally ill children.

ONE PERSON WILL WIN THE NANA STAR BOOK AND DOLL COMBO! YEAH!

TO ENTER: TELL ME WHY YOU WANT TO WIN

ANOTHER ENTRY: STUMBLE THIS CONTEST, TWITTER(FOLLOW AND TWEET,(HEART BUTTONS BELOW) OR SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER OR BLOG. (IN SIDEBARS) LET ME KNOW LINKS

ANOTHER ENTRY: GRAB MY TWILIGHT GIVEAWAY BUTTON(BELOW) AND LEAVE ME THE LINK AND COME BACK THEN TO PARTICIPATE, IT WILL BE FUN!

THIS CONTEST WILL END MARCH 12TH AND RANDOM.ORG WILL CHOOSE THE WINNER. U.S. AND CANADA ONLY PLEASE. PLEASE RESPOND WITHIN 48 HOURS OR YOU WILL FORFEIT THE PRIZE AND I WILL RE-DRAW ANOTHER WINNER. GOOD LUCK!  DON’T FORGET TO ENTER ALL OF THE OTHER FANTASTIC BOOK GIVEAWAYS GOING ON ALL WEEK

Recommended Books On Autism

TOP TEN TIPS BY TERESA A. CARDON M.A.

I get by with a little help … Do you ever feel like you’re in this parenting thing alone? Like no one understands what you’re going through? Parenting children on the autism spectrum is an adventure with countless twists and turns. However, with a little help from 44 fellow parents and professionals your daily journey can be a little less bumpy.

Top Ten Tips offers 520 practical, tried-and-true tips. The book is organized so that you don’t have to read through theories or lengthy descriptions – it is all practical; short and sweet. The stuff you want to know NOW! The book is broken down into nine chapters with topics ranging from family outings, holidays, and frequent activities (bath time, meal time, etc.).

This at-your-fingertips tool will help families with a child on the autism spectrum navigate their way through everyday activities and occurrences in. Contributors include speech language therapists, occupational therapists, autism experts, parents, and individuals on the spectrum.

I immediately was impressed by all the topics Top Ten Tips covers.  Everything is covered, from the everyday topics such as eating and bed time, to the infrequent such as Disney World.  In fact, we just happened to be going to Florida for Christmas and the travel tips and theme park tips saved me.  The tips are practical and cover the Autism Spectrum.  I found Top Ten Tips easy to read and will be referencing it for years.  The appendix guide and reference guide at the end of the book are worth the price alone too.  I already found an amazing documentary to send to my family from the tips that has helped tremendously.  I highly recommend this book to parents, family and care givers to learn more about how to help the amazing child with Autism in their life.   You can read an excerpt here and buy Top Ten Tips for $19.99 at  AAPC Publishing Company.

WHAT’S THAT LOOK ON YOUR FACE BY CATHERINE S. SNODGRASS

Recognizing and interpreting facial expressions and the feelings they represent poses great challenges for children with language and communication difficulties, including those with an autism spectrum disorder. This strikingly illustrated book helps young readers link faces to feelings by presenting situations they can all relate to. Each page spread is devoted to a feeling expressed through an exaggerated facial expression accompanied by a short poem that further elaborates on the expression to reinforce its meaning.

The Foreword by Diane Twatchman-Cullen includes activities designed to help children develop the skills necessary to recognize common facial expressions using the accompanying poster-size chart of the twelve basic feelings covered.

What’s That Look On Your Face  is recommended for grades 3-5th but my five year old and I enjoyed reading it tremendously!  I adapted it more for his age by having him act out the facial expressions.  The words are definitely for older children.  I absolutely adore the illustrations!  My son really responded to them.  They are unique and impressive.  Twelve feelings are covered and with each one is a rhyming poem of other words for those feelings. The activities in the beginning of the book are a great additional resource. What’s That Look is available for $18.95 at AAPC PUBLISHING COMPANY.  Below is an example of the adorable illustrations.  You can read an excerpt here.

MY SENSORY BOOK BY LAUREN H. KERSTEIN L.C.S.W.

*   This text is set up for adults to use with children and older children to use on their own (although adult facilitation may be quite useful).

Children struggling with sensory integration issues have limited, sometimes even no, ability to do anything else. My Sensory Book: The More I Know About My World, The Better I Will Feel is a workbook designed to assist children with establishing a clearer understanding of their sensory systems and the impact sensory input may have on their emotions. The book provides clear descriptions and specific information about sensory systems and illustrates the link that can exist between sensory input and emotions.

This relationship can be useful in children and adults establishing and understanding the triggers for their strong emotions, which helps make it easier to put strategies in place that may mitigate these feelings and ultimately help them cope more effectively with the world around them. The workbook includes activity opportunities for self exploration in the areas of sensory systems, arousal levels, and emotions and walks children (and their adults) through determining a personal plan for difficult situations.

My Sensory Book is laid out effectively and simply to understand more about sensory issues that some children may struggle with.  Each chapter covers each sensory and describes symptoms, strategies and resources for the parent and the child to utilize.  It includes effective worksheets and activities parents can work on with their child to help them understand their triggers and how to effectively manage them.  I think My Sensory Book is a wonderful resource for parents and children struggling with this topic.  You can read an excerpt here and My Sensory Book is available for    $21.95 at AAPC Publishing Company.

Olive Kids Holiday Guide and Giveaway!

OLIVE KIDS is a fabulous online store that sells colorful and fun children’s bedding and room products.  They believe children’s rooms should inspire creativity and play and not be an advertisement for a t.v show or movie.  I love their concept and completely agree.   Their products are adorable and affordable!  Below are just some samples of what they have.  I love their personalized collections.  You can shop for the Holidays at www.olivekids.com. Keep reading, they are also offering a great giveaway!

Printed Raschel Throws
I wanted this for myself, but it was quickly adopted by my four year old.  Love it!  The designs are darling and the throw is perfect for the winter.  I will just have to borrow it from him to wrap up in while I read, or we can share.
Cozy, cuddly, and oh so comfy! Our micro Raschel fleece throws are the softest throws you’ve ever felt. Your kids will love them. They come in five great patterns, measure 50″ x 60″ and are machine washable.

Olive Kids personalized bookmarks makes reading fun!
Our adorable kids bookmarks are encased in heavy-duty clear laminate, have an attached colorful tassle with beads.

They are generously sized (2.25 in x 6 in), available in a range of great designs and are personalized just for your little reader! Makes a great gift!

Name your mess! Your kids will love seeing their name at every meal on our exclusive personalized kids placemats. Our kids placemats are made with heavyweight laminate so clean-up is neat and easy with a damp cloth.  They have many adorable designs to choose from including, seasons, pirates, fish and dinasours.

Personalize your kids placemat after you Add to Cart. Personalized placemats are made to order and are not returnable. After the order is placed the product will ship out within 2 weeks.

Olive Kids Personalized Name Tags are perfect for attaching to your kids backpack, luggage, sleeping bag, sports bag, music case or even clothes!  Perfect for mom’s and kids to keep track of all of that stuff!  They would love it too!

Our name tags are fun and brightly colored and more importantly personalized just for your child! They measure 4.25″ x 2.5″ and are made of a heavy duty clear laminate. The back of the name tag lets you write address and phone with a Sharpee (not included). Comes with a clear 9″ lanyard. Perfect for the kid on the go!

OLIVE KIDS WANTS TO SEND ONE OF YOU A PERSONALIZED PACK OF A PLACEMAT, BOOKMARK AND NAMETAG!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

TO ENTER:  VISIT OLIVEKIDS.COM AND COME BACK AND TELL ME WHICH DESIGNS YOU WOULD LIKE FOR THE PERSONALIZED PACK.

FOR SECOND ENTRY:  STUMBLE, TWITTER OR SUBSCRIBE( NEW ONLY) AND LINK IT BACK HERE IN A SEPARATE ENTRY.

THIS CONTEST WILL END AT MIDNIGHT DECEMBER 13TH.  I WILL E-MAIL THE LUCKY RANDOM WINNER.  GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! DON’T FORGET MY OTHER GIVEAWAYS AND COME BACK TOMORROW FOR ANOTHER ONE!

Holiday Guide for Children

Our little angel thrives with routine and schedule.  I found this wonderful company called Bee Visual that developed The Choiceworks Visual Support System.
The main board is a 5-step schedule system, complete with magnetic icons to identify it as a morning, daytime, or nighttime schedule. At the bottom of the board are icons for preferred activities that the child may choose when his or her schedule has been completed. Icons are stored on the inside of the easel. When a board is snapped on to it, the icons won’t get easily lost.   There are also two other snap on boards, Waiting and What are You Feeling Boards.   Both of these boards are solution-oriented, and shows the child what he or she can do to cope with these difficult circumstances. There is also a timer, that can be used during the Waiting time.  We also use it during play time, so he learns to moniter his play and switch activities.
The Magnetic pictures are easy for him to understand and engaging to look at.  They cover just about everything, from going to school, brushing teeth, cleaning up, and much more.  The boards are durable and just the right size to take with you on trips.  My favorite is the When I am Upset board, which helps you teach your child appropriate ways to handle their feelings.  The boards also come with a parent guide and booklets you can read with your child.

I HIGHLY recommend the Choiceworks Visual Support System for parents of ASD children.  You can buy it at www.beevisual.com and Amazon.  Details are below:

The Schedule Board [Blue] makes daily routines a lot more fun and easier to do. Supported by 40 visual symbol magnets, your child can get through morning and bed time routines, get ready for school, go to appointments, and more. Your child chooses his/her reward for successfully completing the tasks.

The Waiting Board [Orange] teaches your child the skills for waiting, turn taking and not interrupting. Through pictures your child is shown what they can do while they are waiting. It even includes a convenient timer!

The Feelings Board [Green] supports your child’s ability to gain self-control by providing clear alternatives and expectations. Once they have gained self-control the choice wheels provide options for what to do next.

A parent manual is included which explains how to use the system and provides helpful hints and suggestions.

The Choiceworks™ System includes: 40 Visual Magnets, 1 Universal Storage Easel, 3 Choiceworks™ Companion Books, 1 Dry Erase Marker, 1 Digital Timer, 1 Parent Manual, 1 Wall Mount Hardware

Educational Insights is a great website to find educational toys and games for the Holidays.  You can find some unique and really fun games!  Their mission is to find the highest quality “hands on” learning products that engage minds, and inspire play in the classroom and beyond.  These are some of our favorites!  They are available at www.educationalinsights.com

Safari Undercover

In each brain-teasing logic game, you must arrange the four jungle pieces on the animal-filled game board so that only specific animals remain “out in the open.” Sound easy? You’ll need to stretch your spatial-reasoning and logical-thinking muscles for these wild puzzles. Each challenge has hundreds of possible puzzle-piece combinations, but only one solution. For one player

Royal Rescue

The knight and the princess are locked in separate towers. Can you help the princess build a rescue route, or the knight build a bridge, to get them back together? Children will enjoy days and “knights” of mind-bending fun as they create a path for the royals to reunite! With simple puzzles for beginning builders, to complex puzzles that challenge skilled architects, Royal Rescue is designed to develop spatial reasoning abilities and stretch a player’s logical thinking skills. Includes 11 durable wooden pieces, and a full-color, richly-illustrated booklet featuring 48 multi-level puzzle challenges. High-quality wooden pieces, and a timeless theme, give Royal Rescue the look and feel of a classic children’s game.
For one player.

Goofball Rally

It’s time for Goofball Rally, the fast-paced, color-matching marble race! Place your goofballs on the starting line and get ready to go. On your mark, get set…roll! Launch your goofballs one by one down the winding race tracks. When all of your goofballs have crossed the finish line, hit the red button. The first player to score 20 points is the Goofball Rally Champ! Includes goofball stadium game board, 10 race cards, and 20 goofball racers (in 10 bright colors). For 2 players.

Pixel

Don’t let the situation slide out of control in this fun strategy game of slide, point, align, and win! Move a slider and place your piece in the intersection. But there’s a catch! Only one slider may be moved on each turn. You don’t have to block your opponent—but be careful not to leave those sliders in point blank range. The first player with three in a row wins!  Pixel is the perfect strategy game for the whole family. Includes game board, 95 game pieces in four colors, and game instructions. For 2 to 4 players.

Have you heard of The Chocolate Cake Club?  No, it’s not a food club, it’s something a lot lighter on your hips.  It’s a fabulous online shop for unique and fun products to make parent’s life easier.  They sell everything from toys, kids clothing, organic living, organization tools for parents and much more.  Make sure you visit at www.chocolatecakeclub.com. Below are some of my favorite finds for the Holidays.

Transform any room into a starry night sky. The Twilight Turtle by Cloud b is the first and only plush constellation nightlight ever created which gently transforms nurseries and bedrooms into a starry night sky that comforts and calms children and adults alike. Press a button on the turtle’s shell and the Twilight Turtle will project a starry night sky onto the walls and ceiling of any room and keep them glowing for 45 minutes – just enough time to drift off to sleep. It then shuts off to preserve battery life. The turtle comes with three soothing color options green, blue, and amber, each illuminating different brightness levels to create magical, tranquil environments that are ideal for helping children of all ages fall asleep easier.

Twilight Turtle is more than just a soothing bedtime companion, he is also an interactive and educational toy. Within the star pattern are 8 actual constellations. Parents can sit with their children and identify these major constellations using the wonderfully illustrated Twilight Turtle Star Guide.

# The Twilight Turtle won several awards:
2005 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
# Baby Talk Editor’s Choice

Give your kids’ toys a home. A portable, environmentally-friendly home. These kid-friendly portable cardboard houses by Dutch company Kidsonroof, are perfect for little kids to build, color, and customize a house for their dolls or guys. Constructed out of 100% recycled and biodegradable cardboard, you‘ll feel good about them playing with this toy!   Imagine what your child could make of this fixer-upper house with crayons, colored pencils, markers, stickers, or even fur or fabric. Watch your kids turn this house into a work of art.

Playful Chef Cooking Kits
Looking to have some fun with your kids and teach them the joy of cooking? The Playful Chef Kids Cooking Kits will help you tap into your kids’ eagerness to help in the kitchen. These kids cooking kits provide the nutritional know-how, kid-sized cooking tools, and fun recipes you’ll need to get your little one cooking! We can’t think of a better Chocolate Cake Moment than to have fun in the kitchen making Chocolate Mountain Lava Cakes (recipe included in kit.)  They have kits for both younger and older children.

# 5 delicious, easy-to-follow laminated recipe cards that follow a ten-system plan complete with helpful illustrations and color-coding
# An overview of how to teach your child in the kitchen
# Child sized cooking tools: whisk, spoon, spatula, pastry brush, mixing bowl, timer, baking pan, and safety scissors. Tools are all dishwasher safe.
# A cool, red tool belt apron for easy tool storage and handy access that is adjustable for all sizes
# A set of color-coded measuring spoons
# A set of color-coded measuring cups
# A kid-sized baking pan for baking special treats
# A kid-sized mixing bowl for mixing magic
# A vinyl kid-sized Playful Chef backpack that’s chock full of fun just waiting to happen! There’s space on the back of the backpack for your child to write in his or her name.

Carson-Dellosa sent over some wonderful games and we love playing games, and are thrilled to let you know about their company and the games.  As you know, I try to buy toys that are fun but also educational.  Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company takes pride in providing teachers, parents, and children around the world with the best possible educational materials.  You can buy the following games at www.carsondellosa.com. They have a ton of other great educational items too!

Pirates’ Gold Game
Price: 14.99
1 game board, 5 ships, 40 playing cards, 3 dice – Grades 2 – 6
Search out buried treasure in this swashbuckling, high seas adventure! Travel from island to island battling other players and collecting the most gold coins to win. Build strategic-thinking abilities while practicing skip counting, basic counting, and addition skills. 2 to 4 players.

All Around the Farm | Game
Price: 14.99
1 game board, 4 player pieces, 24 cards, 2 dice – Grades 1 – 6
Moo, cluck, and oink your way to victory with this noisy game for all ages! Be the first to fill your wheel barrow with food and return to your animal in the barn. Strengthen strategic-thinking, counting, addition, and subtraction skills. 2 to 4 players.

Where Do I Live? | Game
Price: 14.99
12 Home Cards, 12 Animal Cards – Grades PK – 2
Everyone has a home and it’s the players’ job to get them there in this colorful memory-matching game. Twelve homes complement 12 animals to strengthen visual distinction, classification, and recollection skills. No reading required. 2 to 4 players.

Chicken Count | Game
Price: 14.99
6 piece coop, 52 playing cards – Grades PK – 5
Flip cards to collect chickens, outfox the fox, and construct the coop in this easy-to-play collecting game! Player with the most chickens when the coop is built wins. Strengthen counting, adding, and sorting skills. No reading required. 2 to 6 players.

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