Classic Retro, Heirloom Kids Toys For Christmas

By: S. Dean: Although merchants and advertisers would have us believe that kid’s tech toys are king this Christmas, many parents, grandparents, and gift givers long for the simplicity of a low-tech Christmas featuring the classics that we remember from our own childhood - wagons, toy trains and transportation, simple building blocks, and high quality children‘s furniture that facilitates pretend play. Many adults want to give gifts that are made of high quality materials that will last, be loved for generations to come, and be passed down to the recipient’s own kids.

Most classic, retro and heirloom quality children’s gifts are made of wood or metal because both are high quality materials that lasts. Although more expensive than the plastic toys of today, metal and wooden toys are worth the investment because they hold their value and they don’t break, fall apart or lose parts. Here are five classic toys that might fit the bill for folks seeking out nostalgic toys this Christmas:

1.: This is the classic red wagon that most of us remember from our childhood. It’s flared edge is what stand it apart from competitors and makes it recognizable. (The design is trademarked). This item has been in production for over 30 years and is in the Parents Magazine Hall Of Fame. It retails for about $60, which is cheap considering generations to come will use it.

2. : Every child needs a classic wooden train set. Children love making the train go over the bridge and around the town while pretend-playing situations for the passengers. This set is superbly simple, but features a cross-over bridge and a figure eight design. Includes the cargo train, 2 houses and 6 people figures for about $55.



3. : You see these little kitchens in almost every preschool and nursery today, but unfortunately most are made of plastic that absorbs spills and debris and stains horrible.This kitchen is sturdy, lasting and wooden and features a stove top with a faucet and turning knobs and a removable, durable stainless steel sink. Wooden cabinet doors open and provide storage for kitchen supplies or can function as a pretend over. Retails for about $160.


4. : No matter how high tech our children become, they still love feeling the wind in their hair and the excitement of getting from here to there on a bicycle. This classic red, tricycle is the one you remember from your childhood and has the recognizable silver, steel bell as well as the stability training wheels. Retails for about $50.


: Wooden building blocks should be required in every playroom. Not only do they encourage mobility and fine motor skills, they are also wonderful for pretend play and role playing and the combinations and possibilities are endless. This block set is for use in building a medieval castle and includes 110 pieces in 21 shapes and retails for about $35.



Christmas and gift-giving occasions provide the perfect opportunity to share your childhood with the children you love. With just a little searching, you can find many suitable retro, classic toys to share with kids who live amongst ipods and game boys.

5 “Hot” Christmas Toys For Action-Loving Little Boys

By: S. Dean: Manufacturers, toy sellers and critics are starting to come out with their hot toy lists for the 2007 Christmas season. There are several items on many of the lists that are appropriate for little boys who love action. Categories on the lists run the gamut from action figures (Spiderman and Transformers), to online gaming and collecting (Swypeout Online Battle Racing), onto transportation (Air Hogs Havoc Heli) and ending at target practice (Hasbro Nerf N Strike, Here's are descriptions of 5 "hot toys" for action loving boys:

1. Spider-Man 3 Movie Action Figures: Riding on the tale of the very popular Spider-man III movie, Hasbro is out with a fresh selection of Spider-Man action figures including several new versions of Spider-Man himself, as well as new versions of Peter Parker, the Green Goblin and the Sandman. These toys are all under $10.

2. Hasbro Nerf N-Strike Disk Shot: This nerf toy takes target practice to the next level with 12 foam, fast-moving disks that ensure endless moving target practice. A cartridge attached to the top of the blaster lets your child chose when to launch the disks at several exciting angles (straight up, 45 degrees, or left and right). About $50.

3. Air Hogs Havoc Heli: This is an extremely high tech and compact radio controlled helicopter that can fly in any direction with complete accuracy. Like a real helicopter, the Havoc can hover in one spot and can fly up to 100 feet high in the air. Since up to three Air Hogs helicopters can fly in the same room at the same time, the toy is perfect for having like-minded friends over. The Havoc fits in the palm of a hand and is extremely lightweight. Available in three colors (yellow, red and blue), no assembly is required. About $80.

4. Swypeout Online Battle Racing: Swypeout is an innovative, interactive racing game that combines two boy obsessions - online gaming and collectible trading cards. Kids logon to sypeout.com and compete to be the top battle racer. To enhance their playing, boys collect digital cards to swipe through the game’s USB scanner. Boys can collect new cars, gear and weapons for their online gaming experience. About $30.

5. Transformers Movie Ultimate Bumblebee: Other than Spiderman, Transformers was probably the year’s most popular movie for boys. The Transformers Movie Ultimate Bumblebee is a huge, bright yellow 2008 Camaro that transforms into a robot. This is a very large, (14 inches) sturdy toy which is why it commands its approximately $30 price tag.

Finally! Inexpensive Tech Toys That Encourage Education & Exercise!

By: S Dean: There’s no doubt that tech is projected to be big for the 2007 Christmas gift season. But not all parents embrace that trend, thinking that expensive technical toys for small children encourages computer-addicted couch potatoes. With childhood obesity on the rise, parents welcome inexpensive toys that can combine technology with learning and exercise. Here are five inexpensive, fun and popular toys that combine tech with exercise and learning.

1. LeapFrog 100 Hoops Basketball Counting Game: This is the only child’s basketball game that teaches number recognition and counting (all the way to 100 in both English and Spanish). It features built-in rally and cheering sounds to encourage your child to exercise while he learns regular and skip counting (by 5s and 10s) to 100. The game is completely portable and can he attached to a chair, wall, or door knob or can be taken outside and hung on a tree. Priced under $25.

2. Fisher-Price Smart Cycle: The Fisher-Price Smart Cycle combines exercise, education, and video game-type fun all into one toy. This toy is a bike that attaches to your TV. Your child has to petal the bike in order to play the game and “steers” handlebars that actually move. In essence, children are getting exercise and learning coordination while in video game nirvana. The games included are educational and allow your child to pursue alphabet letters, take a trip to “math mountain, and explore “shape lake.” Fischer Price also offers software with favorite TV characters (like Sponge Bob, Barbie and Dora) so your child doesn’t get bored. Priced at about $90, it’s the most expensive toy on this list, but still pretty cheap by tech standards.

3. Leap Frog Leap Learn & Groove® Alphabet Drum: It’s no wonder this toy was winner of the 2006 iParenting Media Greatest Products Award. Priced at under $15, this toy not only encourages physical activity, rhythm and fine motor development, it also teaches language and music. It has two programs. Children can either simply make music with it, or it can be programmed to display or speak letters of the alphabet to encourage early letter recognition.

4. Discovery Exclusive Ready Set Learn! Jump & Dance Music Mat: This item is among the Discovery Store’s best sellers. This toy allows your child to exercise by dancing and hoping, while it also encourages problem solving, creative play skills, and fine motor skills. Kids can chose to either dance to their own routines while the music follows their moves or they can repeat pre-programmed lighted routines. This item is under $30.

5. LeapFrog Learn & Groove® Counting Maracas: Similar to the above mentioned Alphabet Drum, the counting maracas operate on the same principal of children making music and exercising while learning. The maracas teach counting from 1-10 in English and Spanish and introduce colors as well. This gem of a toy is under $15.

Top 12 Holiday Toy Predictions, Wal-Mart Toy Price Slashing and Worries About Recalled Toys Top This Week's Holiday Toy News

Despite the recent recall of more than 20 million toys made in China, toy merchants claim they are not overly concerned that parents will be reluctant to fulfill their children‘s wishes of holiday toys - even those made in China. Toy companies must be somewhat nervous that this indeed proves to be true as we approach the holiday buying season, with an estimated 80 percent of toys sold in the US are made in and imported from China.

More of a concern for toy merchants coming into the holiday season might be the economy. The months of November and December account for an estimated 50 percent of retailers' annual profits and sales. Although the toy industry is typically somewhat immune from economic troubles (because parents will cut back on spending for themselves rather than their children), The National Retail Federation recently (NCR) estimated that 2007 total holiday sales will grow a mere 4 percent. This is somewhat weaker than last year's 4.6 percent increase, thanks in part to more Americans with less spending money due to a housing market slowdown and credit market crunch.

Toy industry expert Jim Silver (editor of Toy Wishes magazine) said that the industry is seeing more holiday demand for tech-centered toys, those that can be connected to the Internet of television. Silver also predicts that toys tied into popular Hollywood television shows or movies, like Hannah Montana, Transformers or High School Musical are sure to be hits. Silver predicts that parents will snap up the hottest must-have items during the upcoming holiday season, despite the economy and concerns over toys made from China.

Silver released his annual "Hot Dozen" list on Tuesday and predicted what he feels will be the most popular toys this holiday season. What items made the list? They were:

American Idol Talent Challenge;
Aqua Dots Super Studio;
Barbie Girls (MP3 player);
Eye Clops;
Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock;
Hannah Montana Singing Dolls And Pop Star Stage;
Nerf N-Strike Disc Shot;
Rubik’s Revolution;
Smart Cycle;
Spin Master;
Spotz;
Swypeout Online Battle Racing;
Transformers Arm Blasters & Transformers Movie Ultimate Bumblebee.

Wal-Mart stores has already fired it’s first strike in the retailer toy wars, announcing on Monday that it would offer deep pricing discounts ( 10 to 50 percent off) on some popular toys for the holiday shopping season. Examples of the savings include a Tonka Truck (discounted to $19.76 from $27.44), Kid Tough Digital Camera (originally $64.88 now $54.88) and the Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? game (discounted to $12.88 from $18.96.)

While they were at it, Wal-Mart announced it’s own Top 12 Toys For Christmas (some of which overlapped with Silver’s list. Making the cut were:

Air Hogs Havoc Heli;
Aqua Dots Super Studio; (also on Toy Wishes List)
Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader Game;
FurReal Squawkers Parrot;
Kid Tough Digital Camera;
Little Mommy Real Loving Baby Doll Smart Cycle;
Littlest Pet Shop Paws Off Electronic Diary;
New Elmo;
Power Tour Electric Guitar;
Razor Ripstik Caster;
and
Spider-Man 3 Movie Action Figure.

We will be discussing and highlighting some of these toys in coming posts.

Welcome To Best Kids Christmas Gifts

Welcome To Best Kids Christmas Gifts. As parents ourselves, we will strive to discuss with and share the best toys for the holiday season, along with information about merchants who offer the best pricing, selection, age appropriate suggestions, and customer service. Please feel free to email us at bestkidschristmasgifts@mail.com with any tips, suggestions or questions. Thank you!