Site: About Toys
E-Z Bat Baseball Bat Toy is a Hit with Toddlers
 The E-Z Bat (by Monkey Business Sports) was invented by a dad, probably because he was tired of pitching then retrieving 5000 baseballs a day. It's a simple concept that works! Kids thread the firm, foam-rubber donut-shaped ball on the end of the bat. A little stopper keeps it in place and it's a base hit every time. If you want to pitch the balls, the stopper comes off and that works just as well.
The bat is small enough for toddlers and is also covered with noggin-friendly foam rubber. My 2-year-old son can manage it easily and it stops the "My turn! My turn!" discussions from the batter's box.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
E-Z Bat Baseball Bat Toy is a Hit with Toddlers originally appeared on About.com Toys on Friday, September 3rd, 2010 at 15:02:36. Permalink | Comment | Email this
American Girl Doll Felicity Retired - Felicity Doll Moves To American Girl Archives
The American Girl doll named Felicity, (Compare Prices) an American Girl doll from Colonial America, will soon be moved to the American Girl Doll Archives. All of the Felicity dolls and accessories will be removed from retail stores and catalogues to make room for new American Girl products. Felicity books will still be available for sale at retail. Felicity was introduced in 1991.
Did you have a Felicity American Girl doll when you were a child? What do you remember about her? American Girl Doll Felicity Retired - Felicity Doll Moves To American Girl Archives originally appeared on About.com Toys on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 15:14:43. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Paper Hat Press - Gorgeous Custom Books For Kids
 I don't normally cover books because Elizabeth Kennedy, About.com's Guide to Children's Books is so good, but I felt like I should tell the world about Paper Hat Press.
They make beautiful, gorgeous, artistic, elegant, customized hard-back books for kids. Each book is unique, but it doesn't just feature your child's name. It has his favorite pet, favorite food and super-hero qualities. Input your child's skin tone, hair color and texture and eye color to make the super hero look just like her.
I love the softly lit artwork because it really celebrates happy kids, and if you're worried that the child already has the book, fret not! They double check on several points and notify the sender if the child already has one.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
Paper Hat Press - Gorgeous Custom Books For Kids originally appeared on About.com Toys on Saturday, August 28th, 2010 at 00:20:01. Permalink | Comment | Email this
New Toddler Toy Becomes a Choking Hazard in My Office - Detached Part from Toddler Toy Fails "Small-Parts" Test
Every week I write about toy safety and toy recalls. I recently had cocktails with the toy-safety experts at the Toy Industry Association and I have the CPSC and ASTRA on speed dial. Imagine my surprise when my 5-year-old discovered a manufacturing problem with a brand-new toddler toy, right on the floor of my office!
My son was playing with Learning Resources' new Smart Snacks Gingerbread Shape Sorter while I was focused on my computer. He said, "Look, Mama! These candy canes come off so you can decorate the front of the house!" I looked up and said, "WHAT?"
The candy-cane decoration detached from the front of the house during normal, quiet play on the rug. The candy-cane piece slipped easily into my small-parts test cylinder, which means that the toy cannot be recommended for children under age 3. The shot-glass-like plastic tube replicates a child's esophagus and is a handy thing to have around if you ever wonder if a toy is appropriate for toddlers. (A toilet-paper tube works, too!) The age recommendation on the Smart Snacks Gingerbread Shape Sorter is 2+.
I spoke with the CPSC and filed an online report, which is what any parent should do if they encounter a dangerous toy. It only takes a minute and could save a child's life. I also spoke with Larry Lynn, Learning Resources' Quality and Compliance Director, who assured me that this is the first report of its kind for this product.
"We take this very seriously," Lynn said. "We will not continue to manufacture this toy in this fashion. There are other ways to build it. If we have an opportunity to make it better, we will."
Fortunately the toy is brand new and it's a Christmas-themed product, so only a few have been sold to consumers. Learning Resources has put the product on hold and, though the toy already passed all of the rigorous third-party safety tests, the company is re-testing all of its inventory to identify the problem and determine a solution.
"In 25 years of doing business, Learning Resources has had one recall that affected 130 pieces," Lynn said. "The company is at the forefront of CPSCIA legislation and toy-safety compliance."
I'll keep in touch with the company and share any news about this issue. In the meantime, pull, tug and try to break your child's toys. Maybe you'll discover the next dangerous toy before your toddler does.
Parents who have this toy and would like to send it back to the manufacturer for a full refund should call 800-222-3909.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
New Toddler Toy Becomes a Choking Hazard in My Office - Detached Part from Toddler Toy Fails "Small-Parts" Test originally appeared on About.com Toys on Friday, August 27th, 2010 at 15:34:41. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Toy Recall - Lakeshore Learning Magnetic Maze Boards' Magnets Can Detach
 The CPSC and Lakeshore Learning have issued a recall of 18,500 Lakeshore Learning Magnetic Maze Board toys because the wand can detach and expose a magnet. Magnetic toys are among the most dangerous toys and are frequently recalled. If children ingest magnets or small, magnetic parts they can cause internal injuries and, in some rare cases, death. The company has received 10 reports of the wands separating and magnets detaching and fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
The tops of the boards read "Who's Hiding in the Garden?," "Who's Hiding in the Ocean?," "Magnetic Counting Maze," "Magnetic Alphabet Board" or "My Community Magnetic Board." The board pictured is just one of the recalled toys. Please consult the CPSC website to see the other styles of recall toys.
If you have this recall toy in your home, you should take it away from children immediately. Visit the CPSC website to read more information about this recall and to sign up for free email alerts for future toy recalls. Toys.about.com is also keeping a list of recent toy recalls with recall toy pictures.
Does your child play with a recall toy? Find out here.
Toy Recall - Lakeshore Learning Magnetic Maze Boards' Magnets Can Detach originally appeared on About.com Toys on Friday, August 27th, 2010 at 09:49:09. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Ride The Dinosaur Train with New Dinosaur Train Toys
Learning Curve has just released a line of new Dinosaur Train toys based on the Dinosaur Train TV series for kids. It's one of my favorite properties because kids enjoy watching and really learn from it.
 Dinosaur Train InterAction Figures
These clever hard plastic dinosaur toys (Compare Prices) talk when you press a button, but the really cool part is that they talk to each other! When one figure says, "I'm an herbivore!" his friend replies with,"I'm a carnivore!" Each has articulated legs for "stomping action" and 40 or 50 dinosaur sounds, facts and phrases. I really like these unusual toys and think they would be a good gift for a child who likes Dinosaur Train toys.
 Dino Fun Buddy
Dino Fun Buddy (Compare Prices) comes with plastic cards that look like train tickets. Buddy asks a question like, "Which dinosaur is the heaviest?" and the child is supposed to insert the Brachiosaurus card. The toy has a couple of design problems that bothered me. It is recommended for ages 3 and up, but my 5-year-old child had trouble putting the cards in their carrier and inserting them in the slot. It's also too loud and it has no volume control. Like many toys, I'll be putting Scotch tape over the speaker on this one.
Of the new Dinosaur Train toys from Learning Curve, I prefer the InterAction Figures over the Dino Fun Buddy toy.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
Ride The Dinosaur Train with New Dinosaur Train Toys originally appeared on About.com Toys on Thursday, August 26th, 2010 at 00:01:54. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Playmobil Playsets - New Furnished School Building Toy
I'm a huge fan of Playmobil toys. Their terrific Playmobil 123 playsets let toddlers and preschoolers play together. The new, creative Takealong Puppet Theater toy encourages children to expand their imaginations.
Now Playmobil has a fantastic, over-the-top extravagant Playmobil playset called the Furnished School Building. It sells for about $170 but it has something like 100 accessories inside and these playsets really do last. The Playmobil Furnished School Building has an art room, science room and a music room and a fully functioning chalk board.
I think that's a splurge toy that might just make kids look forward to getting back into the classroom! So what if we can't afford to send them to college after we buy it.
(Relax. I'm not buying it either, but it sure is cool!)
Disclosure: Review samples of the Playmobil 123 playset and the Playmobil Takealong Puppet Theater toy were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
Playmobil Playsets - New Furnished School Building Toy originally appeared on About.com Toys on Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 at 19:25:48. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Playskool Wheel Pals Animal Tracks Rolling Acres Farm
 Toddlers love just about anything on wheels, but unfortunately the Playskool Wheel Pals Animal Tracks Rolling Acres Farm (Compare Prices) doesn't really deliver. It is solidly made and the chicken and cow figures are easy to roll down the little chute, but the play value only lasts a few minutes.
The Wheel Pals Animal Tracks toys are intended to link together with other toys from the system. Two other toys, Wheel Pals Jungle Journey and Wheel Pals Polar Party are also available and, without them, this toy loses its appeal fast.
Unfortunately, at launch time, each set costs about $20. Parents who buy all three at launch time will have $60 invested in a toddler toy that should cost around half that, in my opinion. It's just not worth it.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy. Playskool Wheel Pals Animal Tracks Rolling Acres Farm originally appeared on About.com Toys on Sunday, August 22nd, 2010 at 00:50:19. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Vtech Learning Fun Tool Box Toy
 Vtech just released the Learning Fun Tool Box, (Compare Prices) a cute little tool box that teaches shapes, numbers and colors. Toddlers can use the four chunky tools: a saw, a screw driver, a wrench and a hammer to pound, tighten and twist.
My own 2-year-old was able to turn the screws and operate the wrench with ease. The nails, screws and bolts are all permanently attached to the tool box so there's no choking hazard.
I must complain that this toy is noisy from the pounding and the music and sound effects, and there is no volume control. I also wish the tools were all contained inside the tool box when the kids are done playing. Otherwise, they end up scattered around the playroom.
In all, this is a cute tool box and a safer version of a tool-box toy for toddlers.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
Vtech Learning Fun Tool Box Toy originally appeared on About.com Toys on Friday, August 20th, 2010 at 00:30:24. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Wild Creations Ecoquarium - The Easiest Pets EVER!
 This is such a crazy job! I got a box of live frogs in FedEx. The Wild Creations Classic Ecoquarium is a little four-inch-by-four-inch aquarium with a base and a lid. It comes with gravel, a plant, tiny food pellets and two African dwarf frogs. They're cute little frogs that stay little. (We named ours Frank and Beans.)
Twice a week you drop in four food pellets and you have to change the water every three months. That's it! It's that easy. They are very cute and fun to watch. I think it's the easiest pet around and they're perfect if your small child is nagging you for a pet.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy. Wild Creations Ecoquarium - The Easiest Pets EVER! originally appeared on About.com Toys on Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 at 00:29:38. Permalink | Comment | Email this
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