The Toy Insider

A Day Without Tech: Getting Back To Classic Creative Play

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:30:22 +0000

As most of you know, I review kid apps for various smartphones and tablets. As a new Toy Insider Parent Advisory Board member, I’ll be seeing a lot of toys over the next year too. Yet, I think it is important to remember that play doesn’t always have to have bells and whistles.

Toys, apps, puzzles, and dolls all help kids create imaginary places or be imaginary things, but so can other basic objects. That’s where we, as parents or caregivers, come in. It is easy to rely on the iPad or the board game to provide the stimulus and play opportunity. However, we need to think outside the box, in order to teach our kids to think outside the box too.

On a rainy day recently, we put away the iPad and the Playskool Ball Popper, and pulled out empty water bottles and a blue ball. We created our own bowling alley in our family room.

Since my son is only two, we focused on setting the bottles (using the opportunity to count).

And, of course knocking them down. (Sometimes with the ball…and sometimes not.)

For an older child, you can expand the play opportunity. Create homemade score sheets, find prizes that someone can win (maybe extra dessert that night or a pass on setting the table) and simulate a real game. It can be done inside on a rainy day or outside on a sunny day.

Keep a collection of bottles, paper towel rolls, and boxes in the basement, garage or closet. Pull them out from time to time to see what sparks the imagination, and to give everyone a break from technology and toys. It will expand the cognitive development of a child, but, frankly, a simple break will make the toys and tech-gear seem fresh and new again too.

All in all, the act of play should spur imagination. But sometimes, imagination itself, is what spurs the act of play.

By Parent Advisory Board Member: Charlene DeLoach
Follow Charlene on Twitter @CharChronicles

Toys The Encourage Summer Learning

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:55:09 +0000

Brainy toys keep learning up in summer: wpri.com

Fun & Educational Todder Toy: Foam Letter Mats

admin — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:23:01 +0000

The days of my floors covered with toys disappeared as my girls grew up. When my daughter had a baby, I was excited to be able to shop for toys again.

Today, I watch my grandson during the week and my house now looks like I have a toddler, with cars, trucks, toys that talk, toys that play music, and every other kind of toy scattered about. As a grandmother I love to buy loud toys but I also love toys that help my prince learn too.

One of my favorite toys that prince has at my house are big matted letters and numbers that we set up on the floor. These are my favorite for a few reasons.

I love that they cover a large area in my living room, making the ground soft for him. When my prince comes over, we set them up on the floor for his play area. They fit together like a puzzle. You can create words or set them up so the ABC’s are in order. It becomes a fun game that is new every time.

When we set them up we usually leave them down and play with other toys on top of them. We can jump, walk, and roll all over our number mat. These are great for a playroom and when he didn’t crawl, we never worried about him finding anything on the rug.

In addition to being great for functional reasons, throughout the day we find letters and sing our ABC’s as we hop from letter to letter making it educational.

I’m still not sure if I like these more than him. When he comes over, I sit on the floor creating my masterpiece. We’ll be able to use these for years to come spelling lots of words.

Who wouldn’t love giant over-sized colored foam letters?!

By Parent Advisory Board Member: Rachel Ferrucci
Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachelFerrucci

When the toy doesn’t deliver what’s on the package

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:44:04 +0000

by: Parent Advisory Board Member, Melissa Chapman www.thestatenislandfamily.com

My seven year old boy is extremely visual insofar as just seeing a particular painting, figure or even a snippet of a television commercial will inspire him to create his own artwork and rendering of said image. Which is why I do everything I possibly can to keep from taking him to a toy store, where like a moth to a flame, the seductive pictures of boys playing with trains and cars will have my son over a barrel claiming that each one of these toys is burgeoning with a magical world that is just “waiting for him to explore” ( I promise those are his words not mine-I told you this kid was crafty)… but I digress.

Case in point-a lovely toy company sent me a train set. The box it came in bore this wintry scene, of snow capped mountains and a bristling electric blue train traversing through a village nestled within these mountains while the kids on the box acted as conductors of said train. I have to admit, even I was taken aback by the sheer glory of this picture and I’m confident the experience it seemed to evoke within me- was magnified tenfold in that of my son. My boy took one look at the box and began to regale me with all the adventures he would take his characters on, on this magical train and how they too would whisk passed these whitened mountains and oh the hijinx which would ensue- well it would be legendary.

I tried to explain to my son, that this train scene he beared witness to on the box was not likely what he would experience once he opened said box; that these wintry scenes he expected to pull out of the box more than likely would be pieces of cardboard that would act as a back drops for his train scene. Of course not one to be deterred and far too influenced by the tantalizing pictures of fun filled scenes on the toy box, my seven year old gingerly pulled the train tracks out of this box along with those cardboard snows scenes. And then he continued digging into the box for more…until he looked and me and said, ” Mommy this is not the train set I thought I was going to get. Are you sure there are no mountains and snow in there?”

Lesson here parents-…beware of toy boxes that promise scenes of the great outdoors (oh and of ones that show a train moving on its own when indeed that train is NOT electric!) Not only will they more likely than not be disappointed, but then you’ll be stuck with one more toy in your house to attempt and find space for…and I don’t know about you but I’m trying to hoard less not more!

Follow Toy Insider Parent Advisory Member, Melissa Chapman on Twitter @MelissaSChapman

Learn more about our Toy Insider Parent Advisory Board here.

Toy Insider Mom On Today: Toys Using Your Smart Devices

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:35:57 +0000

The biggest trend we are seeing with toys right now is the use of technology in them, with them, and controlling them. Whether it’s driving, or flying, augmented reality, games for all ages, or tablets for the family, these toys are aging up, keeping “kids” in the game longer, and are using what’s already in kids (and adults) hands..their smart devices. This is the beginning of an entirely new generation of how we play.

Today, our Toy Insider Mom visited with the Today Show to give a the scoop on this hot new toy trend.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Porsche and Enzo Ferrari (Silverlit)

Age: 10+
MSRP: $79.99
www.Silverlit.com
- This R/C Car designed to run using the power of your iPod touch, iPhone or iPad as the remote control. The Bluetooth connection requires NO other attachments.
- Full gesture control allows you to control the car with the tilt of the controller.
- The app recreates the dashboard design from Porsche.
- Headlights, tail lights, signal lights are triggered from the app.

Wi-Spi Helicopter (Interactive Toy Concepts)
Age: 14+
MSRP: $99.99
Available fall
www.interactivetoy.com
- Live Video Feed direct to device
- 3 channel Wi-Fi Flight Control
- Apple/Android compatible
- Record Video and pictures while in flights
- Upload instantly to FB, You Tube, email, etc.

HELO TC Assault (Griffin Technology)
Age:14+
MSRP: $59.99
www.griffintechnology.com
- Plug the included Flight Deck module into the headphone jack of any iOS or Android device, download the HELO TC Assault app, and users are ready to fly and attack from the sky.
- Flight Deck translates commands from phone into infrared signals that beam to the helicopter
- Fly and attack, this heli is equipped with six live-fire missiles
- App also provides features not available with other RC helicopters, such as Auto Land
- Fly in one of two ways, Touch Control (using a virtual joystick on the touchscreen display) or Tilt to Steer (tilting the smartphone to maneuver the chopper)
- Similar to the original HELO TC, features a twin-rotor design and ability to record up to three flight plans for easy repetition

zAPPed (Hasbro)
zAPPed Games (Hasbro)
2 to 4 players
Ages: 8+
MSRP: $24.99 (THE GAME OF LIFE available now…other games in fall)
www.hasbro.com
- zAPPed games are available for THE GAME OF LIFE, MONOPOLY and BATTLESHIP.
- Elements of these games will come to life when apps on iOS devices join with a game board to create a unique social twist on the digital gaming experience.
- The first game available is THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed,
- With more than 100 laugh-out-loud clips from “America’s Funniest Videos” mixed with humorous animations, the game provides a new spin on the beloved classic game.
- Simply download the THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed app onto the iPad, cue up the game, place the iPad on the game board, and watch as game comes to life on each turn as you travel around the game board.
- Players can create and upgrade their own Peg Person and spin THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed virtual spinner in the accompanying iPad app.

iPieces (Pressman Toy)
Compatible with iPad
For 2 to 4 players
Ages 4+
MSRP: $9.99 each
www.PressmanToy.com
- iPieces introduces a new generation of board games for the whole family, played with physical game pieces made specially for the iPad
- Buy the iPieces for the game you’d like to play and then download the corresponding iPieces app for free from the App store.
- Your iPad serves as the game board and iPieces game pieces activate astonishing animations and special effects, which literally bring the game to life.
- Assortment includes: Fishing Game, Air Hockey, Snakes & Ladders, and Game of Goose

Kurio7 (Techno Source)
Ages 4 to 14, and fun for the whole family
MSRP: $199 (8” and 10” models also available)
www.KurioTablet.com
Available July
- Kids today want real tablets like mom and dad’s, not toy versions; but, parents are often hesitant to hand theirs over because they are expensive and they have unrestricted access to online content
- Kurio7 is a real Android tablet for families that offers parents a more affordable kid-tough option and complete parental control; everything from internet access and time control, to app access and purchasing control.
- Parents can create up to 8 different user profiles, including their own offering complete online access, and customize profiles for each child allowing access to age appropriate content—as the child gets older, they can allow for more access
- The Kurio app store will launch with 4,000 Android Market apps approved for children under the age of 14. The apps will have no in-game advertising or micro-transactions. Kurio7 will also come pre-loaded with 3 to 5 well-known apps (TBD).
- Includes a durable protective shell.

SPRING INTO SUMMER WITH TOP FUN IN THE SUN TOYS!

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:45:10 +0000

Here’s “What’s Hot” in the Toy Aisles This Coming Season…

New York, NY (April 24th, 2012) – The Toy Insider, the preeminent consumer publication for toys, has released its Spring Edition online at www.TheToyInsider.com. Featuring five categories for both spring and summer toys, the Toy Insider assists gift givers in selecting the “hottest” toys for the outdoor and travel season.

Entering its seventh year, the Toy Insider is made up of a panel of industry experts that review hundreds of products each and every year. As parents first and toy experts second, the team reviews each product to evaluate product features and overall value, narrowing their selections to the best of the best.

“After reviewing hundreds of products, we created a list that is jam-packed with play value and includes something for everyone,” says Laurie Schacht, Toy Insider Mom. “Whether you’re shopping for a 5-year-old boy or 13-year-old girl, we’ve got you covered.”

The five categories listed below offer a variety of products for boys and girls of all ages at varying price points:

OUTDOOR TOYS- Kids are ready to get outside and break a sweat with these fun toys!
WATER TOYS- A little H2O can go a long way with these toys. It’s amazing to see what the addition of water can do for a game of tag!
TRAVEL TOYS & GAMES- Whether you’re taking a ride across the country or just visiting grandparents a few towns over, these toys will help pass the time.
PHYSICAL/ACTIVE TOYS- Keep kids off the couch with these hands-on toys for great indoor or outdoor fun!
NATURE & EDUCATIONAL TOYS- Discover, learn, and explore with these unique products.

Log on to www.theToyInsider.com to view the complete list of toys, including product descriptions and photos. Visit regularly throughout the season for updated blogs about all things of interest to gift givers and children.

For more information, contact pr@thetoyinsider.com.

Introducing Our Toy Insider Parent Advisory Board!

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:01:25 +0000

The response to our call for applications for our very first Parent Advisory Board was amazing! We had so many truly brilliant parent bloggers that applied (THANK YOU to each and every one of you!). The task of selecting just four was not an easy one- and we are seriously considering adding additional members in the near future.

But, after 2 wks of sifting through 200 applications and Pinterest boards, we are excited to tell you that our search for our first 4 members is officially complete!

Each board member has children of a various ages that they shop for and play with– one them is even a Grandma! We are confident that together these Moms will provide a keen insight into how parents today define “cool toys”.

Lead by Corine of ComplicatedMama.com, our parent advisory members will be contributing to our site every Wednesday giving you their thoughts and feedback on all things play.

The Toy Insider Parent Advisory Board will be meeting in the upcoming weeks to check out some of the toys we’ve begun checking out for our Spring List and voting on their favorites. We could not be more thrilled to meet with them and see which toys they pick as their favorites!

Now without further adue,
Meet our very first Toy Insider Parent Advisory Board–

Joey Fortman
www.joeyfortman.com
Twitter: @joeyfortman
Joey’s Toy Insider Pinterest Boarhttp://pinterest.com/joeyfortman/top-toys/

_________________________________________________________________________
Melissa Chapman
www.thestatenislandfamily.com /www.marriedmysugardaddy.com
Twitter: @Madijack
Melissa’s Toy Insider Pinterest Board: http://pinterest.com/melissachapma/toy-insider/

_________________________________________________________________________
Charlene DeLoach Oliver
www.charlenechronicles.com
Twitter: @CharChronicles
Charlene’s Toy Insider Pinterest Board- http://pinterest.com/charchronicles/toy-insider/

_________________________________________________________________________
Rachel Ferrucci
www.rachelferrucci.com
Twitter: @rachelferrucci
Rachel’s Toy Insider Pinterest Board: http://pinterest.com/rachelferrucci/toy-insider-top-picks/
_________________________________________________________________________
Lead by:
Corine Ingrassia
www.complicatedmama.com
Twitter: @Complicatedmama

Travel Toys With The Toy Insider Mom

admin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:59:52 +0000

Schools all over are getting ready for their Easter/Passover break. Many families plan on traveling to relatives houses and for mini get aways with the kids. If you have an upcoming trip with the little ones, our Toy Insider Mom, Laurie Schacht, visited with ABC Money Matters to giver her suggestions for travel toys this spring!

video platform
video management
video solutions
video player

Hello Kitty Small Case Ice Cream Palor or Pool Party (Mega Bloks)
Age: 4+
SRP: $14.99
- Portable cases to create and decorate on the go!
- Have Hello Kitty make some yummy ice cream for her and her friends or help her throw them a fun pool party for all to enjoy!
- All pieces included fit perfectly inside the cute cases and are easy to transport with the carrying handle!

LEGO® Star Wars™ ZipBin® Small Millennium Falcon™ Minifigure Case (Neat-oh!)
Ages: 3+
MSRP: $14.99
- This Millenium Falcon shaped case is home for 23 LEGO Star Wars Minifigures, each in their own pocket.
- The detailed artwork creates an awesome play experience and playmat on the inside and outside of the case!
- Race through space and dodge the pursuing Tie Fighters, all while keeping your figurines neatly tucked away.
- Weighs less than half a pound and wipes clean with a damp cloth.

LEGO Star Wars Mini Figures (Lego)
Ages: 6 to 12
MSRP: $12.99 for Star Wars Endor Rebel Trooper & Imperial Trooper
- The Star Wars line has sold in excess of 200 million boxes worldwide since its 1999 launch.
- More than 340 LEGO Star Wars models have been developed, replicating iconic scenes and starships, as well as more than – - 425 minifigures from the Star Wars universe.
- Sets depict everything from the feature film Saga to the animated television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
* These mini figures are not sold separately, but part of larger sets.

DIZZY DANCERS Assortment (HASBRO)
MSRP: $8.99
Ages: 4 & up
- Take a spin with DIZZY DANCERS pets, a playful assortment of twirling, spinning animals
- Simply pull the included dizzy cord to set these pets in motion and watch as they spin and dance wherever you place them.
- Each DIZZY DANCERS pet comes with a spinning base, dizzy cord and a twistin’ tricks card that challenges girls to complete cool tricks with their pets. Girls can collect more than 50 DIZZY DANCERS characters this year, and interchange the top and bottom of any pet to create a custom DIZZY DANCERS collection of her own.

My First Crayola Dry Erase Activity Mat (Crayola)
Age: 24 mo. and up
MSRP: $9.99
- Perfect for colorful on-the-go creativity, the My First Crayola Dry-Erase Activity Mat features 12 activities that slip into place in the map so little ones can draw, erase and draw again with Crayola Washable Triangular Dry-Erase Crayons.
- The crayons’ triangular shape guides little fingers into a “tripod” or writing grip.
- The mat folds up easily and features carrying handles and built-in storage for convenience and portability.
- The fun is endless, as the dry-erase colors cleanly and easily wipe off the mat.
- Includes a portable activity mat, 12 reusable activity sheets, 4 Washable Triangular Dry-Erase Crayons and an erasing cloth

PLAY-AWAY PUPPETS (Demdenco)
Ages: 0+
MSRP: $12
- Kids can play the day away with Nat & Jules’ new line of Play-Away Puppets!
- Made of super soft plush, the Play-Away Puppets are available as eight different animals, so kids can put on a show with the entire cast of friendly animals.
- Styles available include: Gunda (Giraffe), Griff (Lion), Bingley (Monkey), Elma (Elephant), Colbie (Pig), Graizey (Cow), Horace (Horse), Vert (Frog). Surface washable.

Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure (Activision)
Ages: 6+
MSRP: $7.99 each
- Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure is a boldly innovative adventure game and collectible play experience that allows you to “Bring Your Toys to Life.”
- Through a revolutionary use of technology players can collect real-world toys and transport them directly into the game using a mystical Portal of Power – a magical gateway between our world and the Skylands that allows players to bring their toys to life by teleporting them directly into the game.
- The additional cost of a new toy offers new content and play experiences on the consoles, the web, 3DS and soon on mobile devices – providing families with hours of additional entertainment in the virtual worlds, as well as in the real world.
- The game’s innovative online and offline play experience can spark kids’ imaginations in ways that neither a toy or video game alone can do.

Ryan Oakes Magic Sets (Poof Slinky)
Ages: 8+
MSRP: $5.00
- So easy to travel with with these travel size boxes
- Each has 15 magic tricks
- Keeps your little magicians busy and engaged

Nuzzles Alice Bunny (Gund)
Age: 1+
MSRP: $20
- This is the plush that hugs you back.
- This soft bunny with the extra large head (and cute bunny teeth!) is designed to lay gently and comfortably against your neck and cheek.
- A great addition to any child’s bedroom or playroom, Alice also offers a soft place to lay your head on longer car or plane rides, or while you’re watching TV!

Furry Couture (Douglas Company)
Ages 3+
MSRP: $25
- Meet Rachel Chihuahua who is crazy hot in regal purple cheetah print outlined in sheer purple ruffles that are trimmed in satin. And elegant in hot pink cheetah print is Kira Shih-Tzu.
- Each animal print Furry Couture bag wears a full feather boa around the animal’s neck for an extra touch of glam.
- Great for little girls to carry their most important items on the road with them

Goodnight Moon Bunny™ (Zoobies)
Ages: 3+ (safety tested for all ages)
MSRP: $39.99
- The polite and refined little bunny is the perfect cuddle buddy.
- From his cute rabbit ears to his soft, striped pajamas, Goodnight Moon is too adorable.
- This is a plush toy and it’s also a pillow with a printed cozy coral fleece blanket zipped inside.
- 100% polyester and easy to wash.
- Blanket unzips to machine wash and spot was the plush

LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet (LeapFrog)
Ages: 4-9
- LeapFrog will continue to be a “must have” item in 2012 thanks to its growing content library of educational entertainment offerings.
- Educational and fun, comes built in with 4 apps
- New Self-paced Ultra eBooks such as the new Disney Princess Cinderella and LeapSchool: How Not to Clean Your Room are unique because kids read at their own pace with auto adjust for reading levels, have on-demand phonics help and comprehension activities
- Disney Cinderella has kids playing games and learning activities as they help her get ready for the ball which comes in cartridge and app form

The Little Tikes Bubble Camera (Imperial Toys)
Ages 3+
MSRP $12.99
– This is a great way for young photographers to enjoy hours of picture snapping fun while creating tons of magical bubbles!
- The Little Tikes Bubble Camera blows tons of bubbles out of the lenses
includes an easy grip handle and activator made especially for small hands.
- The Little Tikes Bubble Camera encourages active play, imagination, and love for the arts while mimicking mommy and daddy with their cameras!
- Includes Super Miracle Bubbles Premium Plus Solution in 100% recyclable bottle.

Lay N Go: Simplifying On The Go Play & Clean Up

admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:00:19 +0000

You are trying to leave the house and your child asks–

“Mommy can I bring a toy?”
“Ok, but just one!”

Fast forward 10 minutes and 12 toys later, you are finally ready to leave with your suitcase of toys- knowing you are inevitably going to come home with one less.
As a Mom of two, this scenario is all too familiar. Other playtime scenarios that are familiar? Losing puzzle pieces, and stepping on legos {ouch} which is why I had to share with you this genius item below that was developed by a Mom!

It is called the Lay-n-Go.

The Lay-n-Go is a a play mat that cinches up to store toys, puzzle pieces, Legos, Matchbox cars or whatever else your child loves to play with, making it not only easier to travel with toys but to clean them up as well!

Product features:
- Quickly closes for hands free carrying and storage
- Washable and wipeable high quality fabrics
- Velcroed storage pocket to stow the drawstring
- 5′ Lay-n-Go features inside pockets / shoulder strap
- 18″ Lay-n-Go LITE is perfect for life life on the go
- Lead and Phthalate Free

This play mat/storage system is also a perfect baby shower gift because Moms of infants are always bringing toys on the go and also looking for a clean space for baby to play.

The Lay-n-Go retails between $ 24.95 – $64.95 and is currently available in 2 sizes-
Large (5′ pictured above) which is perfect for storing toys with many pieces- think Legos or in my sons case, a large collection of action figures and accessories.
Medium (18″)- which is ideal for taking along a few favorites on the road.

What do you think of the Lay-n-Go? How could you see yourself using it?

Little Tikes TykeStix: Indoor Fort Building Fun

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 06:11:45 +0000

For decades kids have used pillows, blankets and boxes to create forts, houses, racecars and more.
Well now, Little Tikes is taking that indoor building fun to new levels with their new TikeStix construction sets.

TikeStix allows kids to build their own large play environments with jumbo size interlocking building stix and connectors.

We love how these construction sets promotes child parent interaction! It is the perfect indoor activity for a rainy day!

The TikeStix™ building sets come with 30-50 pieces each and are all interchangeable.
There are currently four different play sets available for ages 4+ : clubhouse $49.99 , playhouse $49.99 , rocket $29.99 , and doghouse $29.99.