Toys bring out memories

Nothing brings back the childhood memories more than toys from our past. While putting together my holiday shopping list a toy that comes to mind when I think back on the holiday get together's with my family are my Lincoln logs. 

I used to sit for hours just my brothers and I with those logs building cabins of our dreams. Not only did we create a castle for my Barbie Princess but I helped them construct a fortress for their G.I Joe's and Army men figurines. Lincoln logs weren't just for one or the other girl/boy, but for everyone to play together. That was my favorite part. It wasn't a gender specific toy so it didn't matter who was playing everyone had a good time together. Lincoln logs are such a classic toy that is still continuing to make children all across the world smile. 
   
Toys are something every culture can understand, and toys like Lincoln logs, Lego's, and Slinky's will bring joy to every heart. I'm sure this Black Friday, Lincoln Logs will be a major hit among all the top toy deals! They have all kinds of different style sets now that I didn't have back when I was a child. With all the "new" toys on the market these days Lincoln logs just seem to be one of those toys that has always and will always do well with the children. Again, one of my favorites!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Forever Stamps Difficult to find at Post offices, available at Amazon

The Postal Service release of All New Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer stamps to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Christmas special has been a huge hit. One Amazon seller has reported sales of over 20,000 stamps! If you buy a book of the Rudolph stamps at Amazon today, Social Commerce will donate 5% of net profits to UNICEF  

Train Sets by Lionel

 Nothing says the holidays to me more than a train set. I spent hours under the Christmas tree with my grandfather and his collection. Every year they added new accessories, like houses and people, and my siblings and I would exercise our creativity as we made up all sorts of adventures. The little passengers took epic journeys, even though they were really just traveling an endless loop.

The only thing more exciting than the track coming out for the holidays was the time we got to visit the neighbor that had a permanent installation in his basement. His train didn’t just go in a simple loop; it went around hills and bends and over bridges. This guy had sections that were town and sections that were grass and tress. It was such a treat for our imaginations.

We learned at a young age that these weren’t for kids to play with alone, that they were breakable and if we did something wrong the line could stop running! We were never allowed to operate them without an adult watching us, and so we grew up knowing that these were a cross-generational family item. This thought is reiterated today just as strongly as it was back then, when even one of the main characters on the hit TV series The Big Bang Theory, loves them. Sheldon Cooper collects them, and even has his own conductor hat! Train sets will continue to be a  classic and awe-inspiring gift.

VTech Toys

Ever notice the look on your baby’s face when they learn something new through their own discovery? These self-accomplished moments are a parent’s greatest reward. To help fulfill them, VTech created the Infant Learning series of toys. These unique interactive learning toys directly respond to what children do naturally – play! Using innovative technology, these toys react to baby’s interactions, making each play experience fun and unique as they learn age-appropriate concepts like first words, numbers, shapes, colors and music. More importantly, VTech’s Infant Learning toys develop baby’s mental and physical abilities by inspiring, engaging and teaching.

VTech is an award winning electronic learning toys company offering the best learning toys on the market today.

Classic Learning Resources Toys

Growing up, one of my favorite toys was my play cash register. I spent hours “selling” everything in the house to my parents and brothers, from food out of the market set set to my brother’s own plastic farm animals. It is exciting to see that sets like these that meant so much to me over 20 years ago are still popular today. Clearly the learning skills that are involved in these items are universal. The cash register helps children to not only learn how to count and sort money, but it also helps kids to understand that money is a limited resource, and once they have spent all of their “play” money they lose their purchasing power unless they can earn more! Early economics!

Of course, technology has advanced and the toys today have more features, such as voice recordings, other sounds, and interactive lights. They are also made bigger, so the money is the same size as real cash and coins. Many shoppers use coupons and credit cards today, and these devices accommodate both (something my decades old one did not). Don’t even get me started on how awesome the built-in scanner and scales are! These kids will be ready for their first retail job at the age of 4!

In addition to engaging the imagination and group play, these modern play cash registers also have built-in games, so children can be entertained for hours on end. Watch for many of these play cash registers to be featured Black Friday Toy Deals this year!

Batman Forever: Sheet of 20 USPS Forever Stamps now available at Amazon: Real US Postage in 8 Designs

Can you believe Batman is 75 years old?  First introduced in 1939, this sheet of US Postal Service Forever stamps pays homage to the iconic superhero and includes 4 bonus stickers with different incarnations of the Bat Signal.

For 75 years, Batman has protected Gotham City from the forces of evil. Since his debut, he has become one of the most iconic super heroes in history. This year, the U.S. Postal Service® chronicles the evolution of the character, from his origins to present day. This new issuance showcases eight unique designs in a sheet of 20 stamps. Four versions of the iconic DC Comics super hero are depicted from four eras of comic book history. In addition, there are four incarnations of the Bat-Signal. The first row of stamps features Batman with his fists clenched. This muscular, determined Caped Crusader has spent the Modern Age of Comics defending Gotham City from its most notorious villains. The second row of stamps displays Batman dramatically staring up at the Bat-Signal.

By the Bronze Age of Comics, artists had encased the super hero's spare black bat emblem with a yellow oval. The insignia became the crime fighter's trademark. The third rowof stamps shows Batman swooping into the frame with his cape flying behind him. The image, from the Silver Age of Comics, accentuates the super hero's signature glowing white eyes and utility belt. The bottom row of stamps highlights Batman as first envisioned by creator Bob Kane during the Golden Age of Comics.

 The super hero's black cape and cowl and gray suit formed his iconic visual identity. A column on the left side of the sheet includes four different circular stamps. Each is affixed with a different Bat-Signal, the spotlight Gotham City Police Commissioner James Gordon sent into the night sky to summon Batman. The background illustration features a silhouette of Batman standing on a bridge with the skyline of Gotham City looming above him. The flip side of the sheet features two illustrations of Batman and text about the history of the character. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp sheet. Made in the USA.

The Snow Glow Elsa Doll

Parents of little girls everywhere are on the lookout for the best Black Friday toy deals that include Frozen merchandise! Frozen has taken the world by storm since its release before Thanksgiving last year, 2013. This holiday season Disney has released the Sing-Along version of the DVD as well as plenty of dolls to satisfy the needs of all parents of Elsa, Ana, and Olaf fans.

The most popular Frozen doll (as well as one of the most popular toys out there this year) is the Disney Frozen Snow Glow Elsa Doll. It is in so much demand that there have already been news reports of parents getting into fights over this item in stores. This interactive doll speaks movie phrases and sings the most favorite song, making it no wonder that she has claimed so much attention. Elsa has a magical snowflake necklace that, when touched, will illuminate and prompt her to speak one of 15 movie quotes. Lifting her arm will get her to sing “Let It Go”, the megahit song from the film, while her dress sparkles and her necklace lights up.

Elsa’s crown is included, as is her little snowman friend, Olaf. Elsa can speak and sing in English or Spanish, and requires three AAA batteries that are not included. The doll is 15” tall. The dress is covered in screen printed snowflakes with glitter outer layer, and an inner satin layer printed with a teal snowflake pattern. The glitter may flake off, but the design will remain, as will toddlers love for the Frozen characters, quotes, and songs.

The LeapFrog Activity Band

The latest trend in technology is the smart watch, and LeapFrog, ever known to create children’s technology that spares parents the pain of having their own devices smashed by little hands, has created a new smart watch toy that integrates gameplay with physical activity encouragement. This device is high on holiday wish lists, and is one of the Black Friday toy deals that everyone is hoping for.

On first glance, the gadget consists of a mini-video game featuring a “Pet Pal” that harkens back to the Tamagotchi toys that were so popular in the mid-to-late 1990s. Of course, the Pet Pal in this band features full color attractive animation, and has many more interactive gameplay options than its predecessor. Kids can choose a cat, dog, dragon, monkey, panda, penguin, robot, or unicorn pet, and then customize their color and name before taking them onto games such as Pet Boogie and Pet Chef.

The main thing that makes the LeapBand innovative is the fact that it integrates the same motion technology used in high-priced adult activity bands, and uses it to encourage children to get active to win game challenges. Kids can earn medals and unlock accessories for their pet while they play games that teach them about staying active and living healthy lives.

The toy comes loaded with 10 active challenges and 4 cool-down challenges, and parents can add 36 more through the LeapFrog Connect. The band comes in green, blue or pink with a 1.44” shatter resistant and LCD hi-res color screen. It is water resistant with a battery that lasts 3-4 days before needing to be recharged with the USB cord. Parents can easily set Silent mode on the device or program School and Night mode through LeapFrog Connect.

Legos – From wooden toys to those things we step on in the night…

Legos are another timeless toy that has delighted children and adults for generations. The ancestor of what we know today was born in Ole Kirk Christiansen’s wooden toy workshop in 1934.  The company was named Lego from the Danish leg godt – play well.  By the early 1950s, about half the toys produced were plastic (although it was felt they’d never replace wooden ones.)  Ole Kirk’s son improved the design of the interlocking feature in 1958, but it would be another 5 years until just the right material was found and the Lego as we know it today was born.  It was also in the 1950s that themed sets were first released.  Themes found today include Star Wars, Superheroes, City, and Creator. They aren’t just for kids – check out Legos and see what YOU can build!

ALEX Toys - Active Play, Super Parachute, 777X

Parachutes have been a staple of physical education classes in elementary schools for years - now bring the fun anywhere you go!  This 10 foot diamter parachute has 12 handles and includes 16 colorful balls and ideas for lots of play time activities.

Ever After High Hat-Tastic Cerise Hood Doll

Created by Mattel in 2013, Ever After High is a web series and dolls about high school students based on popular fairy tales.  Cerise Hood is the girl who has kept her parentage a secret - her mother is Little Red Riding Hood and her father is Mr. Badwolf.

Green Toys

 Green Toys are made entirely from recycled plastic milk jugs (HDPE #2 plastic), making it an environmentally responsible product. As sturdy and durable as toys come, it is designed to withstand active play. The packaging is also made from recycled materials, printed with soy inks, and contains no plastic films or twist ties.Use these toys to teach your child about recycling, helping the environment, saving energy, and reducing greenhouse gases. By showing that environmental responsibility can be fun, you can encourage your child to protect and respect nature.

K'nex Titanfall - Ogre Titan Building Set

As the battle in Angel City rages, the Ogre Titanfall is the heavy hitter that can inflict and withstand more damage that other models.  Build your own Ogre Titanfall with the special K'NEX set.

Playmobil – Enchanting children 40 years later

2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the first Playmobil toys produced for sale.  What was first sold at the International Toy Fair in Nuremburg, Germany, has grown to become a staple of childhood for millions of people.  The creator of Playmobil had a couple of specific ideas in mind – make the toys flexible but not too complex and a facial design based on children’s drawings.  Playmobil people are intentionally not given names to help spur on a child’s imagination – they can be whoever the child can dream up.  They quickly relate to these little figures that have faces the way they would make them!

But Playmobil isn’t just for kids.  Many adults own and collect sets and there have even been licensed products marketed for adults, such as a BMW Z4 that was available only with a test drive.  Adults can spend quality time with their children and share in the joy of Playmobil – these classic toys are only limited by imagination.

Magformers: Magic Magnetic Building Sets

One of the most talked about toys in recent years are Magformers, and they are sure to be scooped up as Black Friday toy deals this year. These early engineering sets work like magic, with magnets that easily attach pieces to each other across all the sets. They make building various structures easier for young builders, and the quick-attaching magnetic panels allow more creativity to build whatever their imagination designs. These sets use all the same ingenuity that blocks, Legos, or Erector sets demanded, and they make it incredibly easy for kids to be able to construct anything their imagination can create.

Magformers work because of the magnets that are in each colorful piece. Kids can easily make 3D towers, bridges, or even just simple geometric shapes. The packages do come with an idea booklet to follow along with recommended shapes and figures, so kids can get used to both making items by imagination or following directions.

Magformers are recommended for ages 5 and up, due to the small size of the pieces. However, the tiles connect no matter which way they are facing, which means that even younger builders will be able to play, frustration free. They are made from safe and high-quality ABS plastic and they come in many vibrant colors and shapes such as square, triangle, pentagons and hexagons. Sets are mix-and-match, and can be purchased in basic piece sets, or specialty sets, such as the cruiser set (which comes with wheels for making vehicles) or the carnival set (which comes with a turning base, squares with chairs, and little people to ride the rides). Magformers are super simple and intuitive, so kids can start building the second they have their hands on the tiles.

Click here to learn more or buy Magformers at Amazon

K’NEX – building toys for older kids

Tinkertoys have been a staple of childhood since 1914 – wow, can you believe they’ve been around 100 years?  The simple wooden spool and stick sets have delighted children for many generations now.  In 1992, Joel Glickman was sitting at a wedding reception one day, fiddling with a straw.  He thought what could I do with straws if I could connect them?  Thus the idea behind K’NEX was born.

Glickman tried to market K’NEX to four major toy companies – all of which turned him down.  His attempts ultimately lead to contact with Toys R’ Us, which received the first shipments of the toy in Oct. 1992.  Since then, K’NEX has been a staples of building toys.  K’NEX is similar to Tinkertoys, but more intricate parts such as gears and motors are available, making them suitable for slightly older children (5 to 12 years according to K’NEX website – 5 to 100+ as any adult that loves Tinkertoys and K’NEX knows.)  

K'NEX Education - Intro To Simple Machines: Levers and Pulleys

K'NEX doesn't just make fun toys - they make educational ones as well, such as this Intro to Simple Machines: Levers and Pulleys set. Great for use at home or in a classroom, instructions are included to make 8 replicas of real working machines (one at a time).

Board & Card Games – Brings Families and Friends together!

Board and card games have been a staple of the American family for many years.  They’re a great way to have a family night of fun.  There are great classic games that are still going strong and a lot of new ones that are just as much fun.

Monopoly:  The first version of this classic was called The Landlord’s Game in 1904 and was very similar to what became Monopoly.  By 1935, Parker Brother’s had acquired the rights to the game and it’s been around ever since.  These days there are numerous incarnations of the game, from Classic to Empire (modern companies), Electronic Banking, and licensed specialty versions – even the Walking Dead version!

  

Risk: This game was invented in France in 1957 and acquired by Parker Brothers in 1959. Much like Monopoly, there are numerous versions today – Classic, Legacy, 2210 AD, and licensed specialty version like Dr. Who.

Apples to Apples:  This game is a personal favorite of mine.  Cards are dealt, players take turns being the judge who puts down a card, then the other players put down a card that they think compares ‘apples to apples’ with the judge’s card.  The judge rules on whose card is best.  Because of the wide variety of cards, some of the comparisons are truly hilarious!  This game has won numerous Game of the Year awards and expansions decks are available.

CardsAgainst Humanity:  Okay, okay, this isn’t for the kids… but adults like games too!  Cards Against Humanity has been called ‘the party game for horrible people.’  One player asks a question from the black cards and the other players answer with a white card.  Description sounds a little boring, right?  Not when black cards say things like ‘When I was tripping on acid, ______ turned into _____.’  A white card played might say something like ‘a cooler full of fresh organs’ and ‘samples.’  See why it’s called Cards Against Humanity? 

Retro Toys – Do you remember these from your childhood?

Retro seems to be a new buzzword these days – retro clothes, retro shoes – so how about some retro toys?  There are a LOT of toys still around that delighted us (and our parents, and even our grandparents.)  We’ve already mentioned a few, such as Tinkertoys and Playmobil.  How many of the ones below do you remember?

Spirograph – I loved this toy.  I spent hours making all kinds of designs in all kinds of colors… on every piece of paper I could find, including those I shouldn’t have used.  Spirograph is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Simon – I still remember when Simon first came out.  As soon as I saw what it was, I said I have to have one of these!  (Yes, this was before computers and game consoles were everywhere.)  

Operation – I didn’t have one of these, but my friend did and I was so jealous.  The premise of Operation is so simple, yet so challenging.  The one piece I could almost never get out - the charley horse.  I’d lose every time on that one!

Rubik’s Cube – Released worldwide in 1980, the Rubik’s Cube exploded in popularity.  I had a love-hate relationship with the Rubik’s Cube.  I was completely determined to solve it but never could get more than 4 sides.  Finally got a hold of a hint book so I could ‘solve’ it myself! 

Trouble – Admit it – you sat there at some point just repeatedly popping the dice to get on your parents’ nerves.  But it was so much fun to do!  This board game is still around, both in classic and new editions.

Board games… I think that’s a topic for another day (like tomorrow.)

Fisher-Price Octonauts Gup Cleaning Station on Sale at Amazon!

The Octonauts from Fisher Price are based on an animated British series about undersea adventurers.  The characters use vehicles called GUPs in their exploration - this set is great to wash GUPs as part of bathtime fun!

From the Manufacturer

When missions get messy and leave a Gup in less than shipshape condition, the Octonauts can pull into the Gup cleaning station! Use the foam roller to clean up your Gup and then squeeze the pump to activate the station's Gup wash! Includes Tweak in a mini Gup-D water squirter and suction cups so you can secure your cleaning station to the tub wall!