by Contributing Blogger Maytal Wichman
I am a planner so I like to get a head start on my holiday shopping. Between my kids, nephews and niece I have a lot of work cut out for me and I am always on the lookout for cool and unique toys. I recently attended a showcase of all the hottest toys for kids of all ages hosted by Southard Communications. Many of the toys are available now and many will be available in a month or two so save this article for when you’re ready to go shopping! (Read more after the jump)
Out of all the amazing and innovative toys that I saw, one really stood out: the elephant ball pit from PLAYWOW Toys (pictured above). It’s a ball pit that’s shaped like an elephant and also has a ring toss (on the elephant’s trunk). It was easy to inflate but keep in mind that it only comes with 20 balls, so you either have to buy more, or do what we did – added some soft balls that we already had at home. My 3 and 5-year-olds both had a blast throwing the balls around and were both able to sit in it at the same time. It’s made for ages 3 and up but I think younger kids will enjoy it as well. $29.99. Check out other fun toys for infants and toddlers on the site: www.playwowfun.com
Another really cool toys was a Mobo Cruiser which is a bike for young toddlers (ages 2 and up) and is very safe. It’s more sturdy than a tricycle and comes in a few cute colors. Visit Mobocruiser.com for more information.
Little girls will love the Nenuco doll line which has dolls like look like real babies, as well as the Pinypon doll sets. The Pinypon dolls are colorful mini dolls that can swap clothes, accessories, hairstyles and even faces. These adorable dolls love going on vacation so you can get them a little caravan for a road trip, or put them up at their own Pinypon Hotel. Learn more about the Nenuco dolls here and at www.Pinypon.com
What school-age boy doesn’t love dinosaurs? GeoWorld has a plethora of dinosaur-related toys that will keep your budding paleontologist entertained for hours, such as the Sea Monsters Excavation Kit and a replica of a T-Rex which includes a kit of 54 pieces that are easy to assemble. Learn more at www.Geoworldgroup.com
Board games are always popular and can provide hours of fun. North Star Games has the latest edition of an award-winning board game coming out in August called Wits & Wagers Party, which mixes trivia and Vegas-style betting. Learn more at www.Northstargames.com
Classic toys like Etch A Sketch never go out of style and a limited edition of the product will be available in July. This edition is with conjunction with the Presidential elections and comes in red of blue, depending on your party affiliation. Learn more at www.shakeitupamerica.com
Do your kids beg you for a goldfish? Robo Fish is the newest technology from Zoro and looks and acts like a real fish when it is placed in water. You can also purchase a fish bowl and watch the fish swim there with life-like movements. The best part? No need to feed it! Available in July. Learn more at www.Zuru.com
Children love teddy bears and Zylie the Bear is a special one: she is the size of a doll and loves to travel. She’s got adorable outfits from all over the world and comes with a book about her adventures, a passport, a map and even a diary. She also has a friend called Shen the Panda. Learn more about these cute bears at www.zyliethebear.com
Happy shopping and remember: the more gifts you buy now – the less work you’re have to do in December!
I was not paid for this post. I did receive an elephant ball pit for review purposes.
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Contributing Blogger Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Healthy Bites and also writes for Savvy Sassy Moms. She has been living in New York City for eleven years. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but writing about nutrition and helping families eat better is her true passion. She grew up in both California and Israel, which explains her love for California cuisine (fresh, local ingredients), as well as Mediterranean food (flavorful, heart-healthy ingredients). Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to two kids (ages 5 & 3) and works hard to ensure they eat healthy, unprocessed food, while trying to make it as delicious as possible. Married to a vegetarian and being a pescetarian herself, this can be quite a challenge. On an ordinary night at her dinner table, you can hear things like “More cauliflower, please!”, “How come I didn’t get a lot of tomato?” and “Fish oil! Yaaaay!”
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