Toy shopping can be overwhelming for any parent. Luckily for you, we have created gift guides for all of your toy buying needs! When buying toys, it is important to keep in mind the age of the child, the educational level of the toy, the child’s personal taste, and most importantly, safety. It is vital that parents with young children make sure toys do not have any small removable parts that the child could choke on. Toys made of fabric should be labeled as flame resistant, art supplies should be labeled as non-toxic, and painted toys should be painted with lead-free paints. Stuffed toys should be washable– most children are eager to hug their favorite teddy bear during a case of winter influenza, so it is best that stuffed toys be easy to sanitize.
Games
Find the perfect activity, whether you’re looking to pass the time on a rainy day, make the most of a seaside vacation, or just have a great time bonding as a family.
Educational Toys and Games
Never stop learning! Help foster your child’s love of learning and brush up on your own logical, mathematical, or verbal skills!
Outdoor and Active Toys
The more your child enjoys the outdoors, the more likely it is that he or she will remain an active and healthy adult. Get them up off the couch and away from the TV!
Creative Toys
Mini Monet? Kiddie Callas? Baby Baryshnikov? Encourage these artistic aspirations with a variety of creative toys and games.
Classic Kid’s Toys
Some toys just never go out of style. From hula hoops and Radio Flyers to dollhouses and tricycles, this guide has it all.
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Get ready, because on November 17th you’ll have the chance to get one of the brand spanking new PS3s. Choose from the basic ($500 for a 20GB drive) or premium package ($600 for an 60GB drive with WiFi capability) and take pleasure in being one of the first to witness the power of this incredible system. The features that make it stand out include backwards compatibility, wireless Bluetooth controllers, and a Blu-ray disc drive. There will also be a wide selection of premium games available for approximately $60 to $100 a piece. This is the ideal console system to choose for teenagers. Read the full description in the PlayStation 3 Guide.
First known as the Nintendo Revolution, now known as Wii, we are still waiting to see what this thing can do. Better priced than the Playstation3 or the Xbox360, it is expected to hit the shelves just in time for the holidays, November 19th, retailing for about $250. The game selection should be very well suited for younger gamers especially, as were the Nintendo gaming consoles that have been previously released. Among some of the cool features that this console will boast are the Bluetooth compatible, wireless, remote control shaped gamepads, a virtual console capable of playing all games even released by Nintendo, and WiFi connectivity. For the full listing of specifications and more, see the guide about the Wii.
This compact handheld gaming console will be 21% lighter than the original DS and 42% smaller. Besides being smaller and lighter, it is also built to be more durable, more scratch-resistant, and brighter. Otherwise, the hardware and the games will be the same, as will the clamshell design, two LCD screens, and touch screen capability. Wireless multiplayer capability is another high point. Two limited edition models are available, the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (a black model) and Final Fantasy III. The system will cost about $130 for the original model and slightly more for the special editions. For more information, see the guide about the Nintendo DS Lite.