It's Spring Break time! 

It's the NEW YEAR! A time to celebrate our children, all the new skills they will learn, all the new interests they will have and all the new toys you will buy!  It's also the time for Toy Cleaning!

Dust, dirt and grime live in the playroom, everyday. Use only all-natural non-chemical cleaner sprays to rid toys of germs.

To clean plush toys--check the label and if they are washing machine safe, use a non-bleach detergent (natural detergent free of phosphates and artificial fragrance is best). You can also freeze stuffed toys in a Ziploc overnight. This will kill bugs.

Keep toy storage clean- wipe out bins, toy boxes, and toy shelves often.

To clean plastic, wood, foam and aluminum toys, The new Toy Tips Toy Cleaner is an all-natural, non-chemical way to clean toys that was developed by Marianne Szymanski, founder of the Toy Tips Research Institute who has been professionally testing toys for close to 20 years.


"Think of all those tiny little hands holding, squeezing and loving their toys. Now think of how often they are washed and cleaned after use, rarely," says Marianne Szymanski. Made without alcohol, bleach, dyes, artificial fragrances or phosphates, Toy Tips Toy Cleaner is a pure all-natural solution to gently clean dirt, dust and grime that builds up on children's toys. It's available online:


Alternatives to the Toy Tips Toy Cleaner:
Aluminum Toys - Never use a product with baking soda.
Foam - Use soap and water.
Wood Toys - These are delicate. Dust first and use a non- bleach product.
Plastic - Avoid cleaners with Orange Oil. Avoid cleaners with artificial fragrances for children with allergies.

Official TOY TIPS Statement on the Zhu Zhu Pets. Trust the CPSC and unless a recall is announced, keep in mind that unregulated safety testing by independent labs without full disclosure should not dictate your decisions. This also goes for PAID toy awards and PAID spokespersons. Consumers need to realize that there are many sources out there that may have intentions to help assist with advice but some groups give only opinions. Without fact-checked research, there is no need to get startled.  Follow cpsc.gov for updates on recalls.   And, please don't buy the "hot" toy just to have it. It's only hot if an AGE-APPROPRIATE child truly shares in the joy of receiving it. 

THE  TOY TIPS  "I Want that"  Toy List

Kids are writing their letters to Santa and the post office is busy.

But, how do you find that very Best Holiday Present Ever?

Easy..

1. Be sure the toy is age appropriate. Start with the age guidelines on the box.

2. Toys should be chosen based on the current skills of the intended child.

Don't buy a toy that is too old for a child, they will become frustrated.

If a toy is too young and easy, a child will be bored.

3. Make sure the intended child is really interested in your pick.

(Don't buy a Zhu Zhu pet for a baby!) 

Here are some picks from Toy Tips that are both fun and smart toy choices.

You can review the independent report cards on toytips.com.

Cahootie

American Girl Rebecca Rubin Doll

Princess Tiana

Kids Preferred 70th Anniversary Madeline Doll

Stackers Noah's Ark

LEGO Mindstorms

Pirate Ship

Tetherball

 

For new toy ideas, visit toytips.com and follow me on twitter.com/toytips for a daily toy tip!

Happy Holidays!

-Marianne Szymanski

 

 Let "Hot Holiday Toy Lists " Be Your Guide

Marianne Szymanski is the founder of theToy Tips Research Institute, author of Toy Tips: A Parent's Essential Guide to Smart Toy Choices and the publisher of Toy Tips and Parenting Hints Magazine. 

As you look through  the multitude of holiday "best toy lists,"  BECOME your child's personal toy expert. Research shows that toys are developmental tools that a child uses to grow intellectually and emotionally. Each play experience enhances a child's learning process.  In this economy, now is  the time to maximize play value and choose toys that provide use again and again.

For safety sake, choices must be age appropriate. If you have a toddler, a 1000 piece construction set  is not the best pick. (Keep all toys with small pieces away from children under age 4).

There are thousands of toys to choose from, so as you start putting ideas for  your shopping list together, choose toys based on a child's individual AGE, NEEDS and personal INTERESTS.

While one personality type may like puzzles and another may like sport or social toys, this does not mean they both may want the "it" toy of the season.  Match their age group, then find out first what their current  skills are and match that.

Kids will play most with toys that they enjoy and they can accomplish.  Buying something too difficult most likely creates a frustrating play experience.  Buying something that is too easy, likely creates boredom. Buying something just because does not always end up being used.  The best thing a shopper can do is to use these lists as a starting point and follow 3 easy steps before making a decision on what to buy.

1. Analyze- What does the child have already? (Stacks of board games, tubs of building blocks, shelves of books) Take a quick INVENTORY of your child's collection and see if there is a type of toy  
missing from the playroom. A new kind of toy will trigger interest and intrigue once opened.

2. Simplify- Parents "think" kids need a lot of toys, then regret having so many around the house! It is best to have a variety of TOY TYPES, so a child uses a range of developmental skills.

3. Magnify- It is imperative that toys are chosen with care that "MAGNIFY' a child's current skills and challenges those they need to work on.

Toys are an investment in a child's development. The return is who our child will become tomorrow.

Email your questions and follow me on twitter.com/toytips for a free  daily toy tip!.

Happy Toy Shopping,

Marianne Szymanski

I am asked this question often, "What is  best baby rattle?"

It's not about the best, it's about what it does. Baby likes to hold it, shake it, chew it, swing it and fling it.
Mom and Dad like to shake it for baby to see and then baby usually likes to smile, reach for it, bat it and
take it.

So with that in mind, there are 3 kinds of rattles:

The first rattle mom and dad holds:
Any  rattle that make sounds and is colorful and appealing to look at is what is most important.  
This will attract  baby's attention and as mom and dad moves it side to side, baby can practice eye tracking and following the object.

A bit heavy, this one is for mom and dad to use and play with baby or it makes a great keepsake on a shelf in the nursery.
Holgate Baby Rattle Block
http://www.amazon.com/Holgate-HZ2051-Baby-Rattle-Block/dp/B001LQWVOA


The rattle baby holds:
Choose wisely and  look for anything that can have pieces pulled off (choking hazard). I always  tug at everything before  we test rattles to be sure of this.  You don't want baby to see or touch any rattle that can be a potential danger.

If baby can hold it, keep it soft.  Tactile development starts with the recognition of touch.  he trend is organic cotton coverings and natural wood .

Organic Cotton Knitted Bear
http://www.dovelightinternational.com/b-165797011-B00175YU7G-Organic_Cotton_Knitted_Bear_TeetherRattle_Safe_Non_toxic_Toy.html

Eco Friendly Dandelion Organic Cotton Baby Cloth Ring Rattle
http://www.amazon.com/Friendly-Dandelion-Organic-Cotton-Rattle/dp/B00282Y7OS

Sassy Earth Brights Wooden Cherry Tree Rattle
http://www.amazon.com/Sassy-Brights-Wooden-Cherry-Rattle/dp/B000X4NYS8

This Waldorf inspired Cheery Rattle is made of natural wood and the moving bead encourage sensory development.  This one makes an excellent choice as a natural toy gift.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dbaby-products&field-keywords=B000VKYBYA&x=0&y=0

Whimsical rattles are just fun to look at, not just for baby, but only for mom and dad!
Kushies Zolo Cha Cha Iota
http://www.amazon.com/Kushies-Zolo-Cha-Iota/dp/B001UOKK78/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1253597984&sr=1-1

Most likely if baby can hold it. baby will chew it, so when you are making choices keep in mind the controversial issues of BPA and Phthalates in soft plastic rattles.

The heirloom baby shower gift:
Silver Barbell Baby Rattle by Harmony Ball Co
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dbaby-products&field-keywords=B002J9ATEM&x=0&y=0
Marianne

My daughter's Candy Land Birthday Party 

 Eleanor Abbott, who was recovering from polio, created the CANDY LAND Game as a lighthearted activity to entertain children affected by the disease. In 1949, Ms. Abbott sold the game to Milton Bradley, who marketed the game for $1.00 with the slogan, “a sweet little game … for sweet little folks.”  Since the game’s introduction , the distinctive red-and-white peppermint name has been printed on more than 40 million CANDY LAND games.

It was my daughter's 5th birthday this past weekend and we wanted to throw an all-kids backyard party.  Since her first word was "candy" she always asks for it and we barely give it to her, we thought  this may make a great surprise theme. So, we transformed our backyard into Candy Land!
Candy Land is the most classic board game I can think of that makes a great gift for any age. I mean, really, who does not enjoy visiting Lord Licorice, Queen Frostine or Gramma Nut?  If you considering this theme for your child's birthday, here is how we did it:

Every tree is my yard had red and white crepe paper trunks with pinatas in every tree. The "Candy Bar" had tall glass ( I didn't have plastic)  containers filled with Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, Laffy Taffy, Bubble Gum and every other kid-friendly candy you can think of. Taped pieces of colored construction paper made the path from the driveway to the entrance and giant gumdrops made of ccolored poster board taped onto wooden stakes made a nice gumdrop pass down the hill to our yard.  The playset was King Castle and the kids had fun swinging, sliding, climbing and digging in the sandbox (sans sand) which was filled with dry dirt  for the "molasses swamp." Hand-passed chocolates were the hit of this station if you dared to listen to  the "scary story" of the swamp.

For games, we played pass the peppermint on a spoon (2 teams race to carry the peppermint to the finish line) and Gramma Nutt made an appearance for a special peanut shelling game (only if all guests are nut-free with no allergies)

The kids frosted Pepperridge Farm Ginger Men Cookies with colored frosting to make their own game piece and snack.

The younger guests  made candy necklaces from licorice string and Froot Loops  while  the older children made friendship bracelets. The jumping tent let kids burn off energy and their sugar high!
Hula hoops hung from the trees (we called them gigantic lifesavers) and the parent-child the big hula hoop contest was a big hit. The finale was a bubble gum blowing contest.

I made a white sheet cake and decorated it like Candy Land.

Playing Candy Land with your child creates memories for a lifetime but there are many versions of Candy Land, not just one with a new version being introduced this Holiday Season. (Candy Land Sweet Celebration).
  
Candy Land - Milton Bradley Board Game
Hasbro Candy Land Castle Game
Candy Land - Dora The Explorer
Candy Land Retro Edition Board Game by Milton Bradley
Deluxe Candyland
Pooh Candyland
Candy Land Book Series
Candy Land DVD Game
Candyland Sweet Celebration
Candyland Carabiner Keychain

If you just can't get enough candy, try these toys too!
  
Scientific Explorer's Tasty Science Chemistry in the Kitchen Kit
Barbie Candy Glam Style Station Styling Head
Candy Matching Game
Grab It!
Thames & Kosmos Candy Factory
Junior 11" Classic Gumball Machine
Carousel King Gumball Machine
John Deere JR Gumball Machine
Make Your Own Gummies

For more toy ideas,  visit toytips.com and follow me on twitter.com/toytips for a daily toy tip!

--Marianne Szymanski