Melissa and Doug Dolls - Alone and With Friends

Your precious little one will always have friends with Melissa and Doug Dolls. Alone or with other friends, playing with these dolls will always be fun and creative. There is so much to choose from.

Nurture the next budding Vera Wang or Versace with the Decorate-Your-Own Wooden Fashion Dolls. Perfect for kids 4 years old and above, this kit includes two double-sided wooden fashion dolls. It comes with stands to hold each doll up, glitter and craft glue, sparkling jewels, and colored pencils to adorn and dress these dolls up with their latest fashion collection.

Children 3 years old and up will love playing dress up with Maggie Leigh. She is a magnetic wooden dress-up doll who comes with her wardrobe. The Maggie Leigh Magnetic Dress-Up Set comes with a magnetic wooden doll with stand and an array of colorful and attractive magnetic outfits and accessories that will always fit Maggie Leigh perfectly.

Your little princess will love hanging out with her best friends Ava, Sarah, Hannah, and Mia - the four wooden dolls that come with the Best Friends Forever Magnetic Dress-Up Play Set. Each of the four girls have their own stands ready to get dressed up to the nines for any occasion with their wardrobe of tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, and a lot more.

If a family of dolls is what is desired, there is the Victorian Doll Family Set. This set comes with Father, Mother, big sister, and baby girl. These vinyl dolls come with bendable limbs for easy positioning and are perfect for a 1:12 scale dollhouses. There is the delightful Victorian Doll Family, Caucasian, the charming Victorian Doll Family, Asian, and the amiable Victorian Doll Family, Black. A family affair has never been this fun.

Time will pass quickly when your kids are playing with Melissa and Doug Dolls.

For the best toys deals and toy reviews from real moms, check out Zach's Toybox at http://www.zachstoybox.com. There you will find great deals on classic toys like Melissa and Doug and other quality products.

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Why Little Tikes Items Are Great Gifts For the Little Ones

It's Christmas time once again. The clock is ticking and soon, children all over the world will be waiting for midnight to strike and will try with all their might to stay awake to see Santa Claus deliver their rightful gifts.

With the deadline drawing nearer and nearer by the minute, people with children should be already prepared for the inevitable: Christmas Eve - and the look on their children's faces when they see what they've gotten as presents this year. Of course, no parent would want to see an unhappy kid, so those glossy paper-wrapped items under the Christmas tree best be worth a toothy grin or two.

Little Tikes Playhouses

When it comes to gifts, not only for the Christmas holidays but for every occasion all throughout the year, some of the most trusted choices are Little Tikes Playhouses. These outdoor playthings have become tradition in many families blessed with children.

As parents everywhere know, kids love to go outside and explore their environment. They want to be with their friends and play all sorts of games. But aside from children's predisposed and unstoppable desire to go out and play (luck is very much needed by any parent who wants to stop their kid from doing so), parents should know that there are actually a number of reasons why getting a Little Tikes Swing Set or a Little Tikes Slide is much better than getting the latest video game console for their kids.

As already mentioned, kids love to be with their friends. This is only natural, given the inherent social nature of man. Well, having a Little Tike Playhouse not only gives children a chance to be with other children, but it also allows them to develop their social skills, which are important if they are to have a normal, happy childhood.

Kids need to know how to handle peers as early as possible so that when they reach puberty, they can cope rather efficiently with the problems that plague that difficult stage. And soon (much sooner than parents hope), kids will grow older and become adults, and in order for them to survive this tough world we live in, they must be armed with properly developed mental, emotional and social skills.

Playing outside with their Little Tikes play sets also allow children to become exposed to nature. The fresh air they breathe as they go about their little business and create their own little world will make them stronger and healthier, and so will the sunshine they enjoy - as well as the occasional exposure to rain. These natural elements are essential in the development of children's immune system, which as we know is prone to being attacked by various viruses and bacteria.

Little Tikes Race Car Bed

To make the Little Tikes experience complete, parents should also consider getting the Little Tikes Race Car Bed or the Little Tikes Sports Car Twin Bed. These must-haves can make a child's bedroom a wonderful haven for sleeping, a safe and warm refuge after all that playing in the winter snow this Christmas season - and every other night of the coming years.

These beds also make the transition from crib to the "big bed" a whole lot easier for parents and child alike. Your child will love to show off to there friends their new bed which will provide an ownership feeling making them want to sleep in their own bed.

Delight your child or grandchild with a wonderful surprise this Christmas morning or anytime during the upcoming year. Check out: Little Tikes Playhouses and while there check out the Little Tikes Race Car Bed.

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Children's Gift Ideas For Christmas - What to Give

Christmas, the most awaited season of the year, is drawing near. As the holiday approaches, we get busier with what gifts we will be buying especially for children.

The most best-selling toys are from the most popular themes: cartoons, movies and other icons.
If you plan on surprising the youngsters with something worthwhile and meaningful, there will be a wide variety of gifts to choose from.

Dolls never go out of style. For girls, it is always a must-have! Lots of new dolls have been made available in the market. Aside from the never-ending craze for Barbie dolls, Hannah Montana dolls are also one of the bestsellers this year. The singing Hannah Montana doll is one of the most sought after gifts little girls want this Christmas. Dolls are playthings kids can play and interact with in an educational manner.

Kids love something to cuddle in the middle of the night especially on a cold season such as Christmas. So, another thing that gets kids excited about is receiving a furry animal stuffed toy, especially those that are almost life-sized. Modern technology has advanced such toys into something mobile and almost alive! There are even robotic toys that can whine, move and react to talk or touch! This can be a great load of fun for kids.

As for boys, their eyes will shine with delight upon receiving a gift of Bakugan battle pack or a Transformers toy. These are action figures that have been derived from the popular anime series and movie. These will make your child recreate scenes and go role-playing, thus widening his imagination. Though they are becoming less preferred nowadays but a bicycle is an option you might still consider. This is one of the best gifts you could give to your child if he happens not to own one yet.

To enrich your child's intelligence and keen interest, it will be a wise choice to pick board games as a gift. Board games are gaining popularity again. They require thinking and skills which help develop your child's brain abilities. Aside from being educational, they also are enjoyable and entertaining which can be shared by the parents and the child. Monopoly City has upgraded to 3-D sets where you can build the perfect city with skyscrapers and infrastructures. This is an addicting game! Other new board games are Scrabble Diamond, Candy Land Castle game and so much more to choose from.

Actually, there is an astonishing selection of gifts for Christmas. It does not really matter what it would be. It is the thought that counts!

Sarah Stevens has been writing articles on a range of topics. Come and visit her latest website which provides information on selecting Brio Train Sets and discusses a variety of other Wooden Train Sets available plus a great deal more.

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Christmas Toys For School Children

Sometimes it can be difficult to find Christmas toys and gifts for children which will help them develop the skills they need to succeed in school. Here are a few suggestions which may help.

Super Mario Brothers Chess

Combining chess with Mario Bros? What a great way to get kids playing one of the best learning games ever! Gorgeous painted pieces in a tin, featuring Mario, Luigi, 1-Up Mushroom, Birdo, Bowser Jr, Bowser, Daisy Goomba, Hammer Bros, Magikoopa, Princess Peach, Toad and Yoshi. This is the toy they are likely to still have when they grow up. For ages 7 to adult.

My Book of Number Games 1-70 & My Book of Number Games 1-150

These books are fantastic for teaching and reinforcing math concepts such as number recognition and sequences. The second book introduces double digit numbers. Perfect for first graders. Each page has two sides - one with a complex and challenging dot to dot puzzle which when solved reveals a beautiful picture. The other side is a picture which is completed by coloring numbers certain colors. Also great for fine motors skills. Very entertaining and definitely not your usual coloring books!

Trading Faces

A card game which teaches awareness of facial expressions and body language. The game is made up of a set of cards, each which name and illustrate an emotion. Players trade cards until one player has 3 of a kind. That player makes the emotion and the other players they to guess it. Winner of a Dr Toy award. For ages 6 to 8.

Meta-Forms: Logic in Shapes

This is a visual game which will challenge children from 5 to adult to use their logic skills and solve problems, which become more difficult as you progress. You place different colored and shaped pieces on a 9 square grid. Simple. No. Fun for all ages. Yes. A complex and satisfying game that is very enjoyable. Recommended.

SpringFree 12' Trampoline

My husband almost had a fit when I suggested we buy this. But he was very happy (and I was vindicated) when he saw amount of time our son and his friends have spent on it, well worth the investment. No springs means hands, feet and faces can't get trapped. The walls of the trampoline stop children flying off, but they are soft and seem to float next to it so there's nothing hard to hit or lean against. Nice to have a safe area where children can really get moving. Fabulous. Parents Choice award winner.

Alison Bennett

For more information on how to use learning toys for school children, and examples of toys, see Learning Toys Develop Your Child.

AllAboutLearningToys.com website.

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Top 5 tips to avoid the ER from toy injuries during holidays and afterwards

This is a great checklist to make sure your little ones aren't hurt by any toys they receive this holiday season.

It covers things like age appropriateness, recall notices, checking with parents and monitoring your children when they play.

"According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were an estimated 235,300 toy-related injuries treated in emergency rooms in 2008. Here are some useful toy safety tips from Malcolm Denniss, technical director for SGS Consumer Testing Services, to avoid the ER this holiday season:"
Top 5 tips to avoid the ER from toy injuries during holidays | Parents Talk Back | STLtoday

Mind Control or Skin Control? The Mindflex from Matel

The Mindflex strikes me as one of those games that are so cool but after a day and a half you're done with it.

The proposition is simple - use the power of your mind to control a ball going through a 3D maze.

In reality you use a head band that measures something (skin reaction, alpha waves, whatever) and then alters the air flow under a ball. The ball goes up and down as you turn an obstacle course.

The reviews on Amazon are mixed - some love it and some are disappointed it's not as cool as it sounds.

My view is that it is cool, but you should expect to use it with a group for the most fun, or get it out occasionally on family game night.

It has a rating of 3.7 stars on Amazon as of 11/4/09.

Here are some quotes from the reviews:

• Great for my autistic son
• Fun for kids, but not for adults
• Mind bending fun Fun challenge for everyone
• Great gift
• Novelty value, not worth the money
• Fun but only for a short time

You can read the reviews here.

Top 10 Birthday Gifts For Girls

Kids love opening "real" presents-don't resort to offering a gift card for your next birthday gift. You can offer a fun present that your child (or a friend) will enjoy playing with, and get some other real benefits as well. Choose outdoor toys to encourage physical activity, or an art set to get the creative juices flowing. Consider bringing one of the following "girl" gifts to your next party:

1. Barbie with clothing: If you are at all crafty, you can knit, crochet, or sew a unique, one of a kind Barbie wardrobe. Looks for scraps of sparkly and embroidered fabrics or yarns to make your child's Barbie the best dressed on the block.

2. Sewing Machine: Choose a basic "grown up" sewing machine equipped with a simple zigzag and straight stitch for an older girl. Girls under 9 may prefer a child sized machine with the same functions. Include a basic sewing book and some fabrics to get her started. This is an "old fashioned" gift, but learning to sew and craft at an early age promotes both creativity and manual dexterity.

3. Salon Trip: Plan a mini salon day, including a haircut and style, and a simple manicure and pedicure. This is a great way to spend some one on one time with your daughter, no matter how old she is.

4. Sports Equipment: Sports are not just for boys! Most little girls will enjoy a t-ball set or similar item, and girls of all ages can play basketball or soccer. Playing sports builds confidence and fitness, and a child that enjoys sports will develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.

5. Play House or Kitchen Set: Even young toddlers enjoy pretend play. If you provide your daughter with a pretend house or kitchen, you are providing her with the opportunity to play "pretend", and role play as well.

6. Bicycle, Skates, or Skateboard: Provide a fun way to get around, and add a matching helmet and safety gear as needed.

7. Cooking or baking set: Depending on your child's age, you can provide a "real" set of cooking utensils, and possibly some cooking lessons. If your child is interested, you can seek out classes in cake decorating, artisan breads, or other specialty items. This gift is not limited to girls-many boys enjoy cooking as well!

8. Art set: Assemble your own art set using a tackle box and basic art supplies. Include paint and brushes, paper, pastels, canvas, scissors, and other fine art supplies. You can also include a collapsible easel for your budding artist to work on.

9. Scrapbook Set: Select or make a scrapbooking kit, including an album, specialty papers, scissors, punches and stickers. Include an inexpensive camera, and your child can scrapbook using her own photos.

10. Petting Zoo party: If your child is the birthday girl, rent a petting zoo for the big day- hire a travel petting zoo for the day. These small businesses will set up in your backyard, and bring along a variety of kid-friendly animals for your child to meet and learn about. The best travel zoos include an "animal talk" as well, and let your child and her guests meet and learn about animals right in your own backyard.

Denise Sanger is the owner of NewCoolToysOnline.com which features a fantastic selection of outdoor toys including ride-on toys and battery ride on toys for girls. The company is located in Sunny Florida and may be reached 877-950-7665.

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