Stinky the Garbage Truck - Is This Hot Christmas Toy Really Worth the Money?

If you are still looking for something that little bit different for your kids this Christmas then Stinky the Garbage Truck the latest offering from Matchbox could be just that toy. With flashing lights, cool sound effects and tons of different sayings it has the makings of one of the Tops Christmas Toys for 2010. Part of the Big Rig Buddies collection, Stinky the Garbage Truck is sure to make Christmas for any kids something to remember. But he's not cheap. So is he really worth the money?

There are five interactive settings of play to stimulate your children and when mums and dads get fed up with all the noises, talking and singing from Stinky you'll be pleased that he can actually be switched off! By simply pushing him or shoving him he jumps into action and all his random movements and sound effects begin. One of his first movements you see when he comes to life is his head-like cab blinking and flashing his lights.

Sound sensors can be activated by the smoke stack and kids will love all the crazy sayings and songs he sings. There are also other sensors that can be triggered on the rear door and on the bottom. Stinky The Garbage Truck has got some really high spec circuitry built in to him that makes all his movements and dancing appear to be totally random. So you are never quite sure what he's going to do or say next!

The fun with Stinky really begins when he decides that he's hungry! And he will let you know in his own crazy way. The front grill part of the truck is basically his mouth and you can put all kinds of stuff inside including small cars. These will stay in there ready to be "dumped" out later. Stinky The Garbage Truck also functions as a normal trash truck and you can throw things into his top compartment. These will also lay there until he decides to dump them out of the back of his rear doors.

To make him dump the trash you just pull on his smoke stack and he dumps whatever you loaded him up with out of his trash holder. As he does this he makes some very funny noises that the kids will just love and then finishes off with an "excuse me!" My little boy absolutely loved this and enjoyed repeating this over and over again to uncontrollable fits of laughter. I think even my wife secretly found it very funny too!

Tugging the smoke stack triggers various other sounds and movements such as singing and dancing. It's so funny when he suddenly rears up on his back wheels and begins to perform some crazy songs. If you leave Stinky the Garbage truck on his own for a period of time he will eventually switch himself off and go to sleep. As soon as you are ready to have some more fun and games with him you just need to give his smoke stack a push and he wakes up ready to play again.

A Free Big Rig Buddies DVD is included with every Stinky the Garbage Truck which is a cool movie with all his other big rig friends. Another little bonus is that you also get four batteries to get you started playing with him. But these are really only for purposes of demonstrating him and you should put some new ones in as soon as you can. But at least you won't be stuck with a toy that can't be used on Christmas morning because we forgot to buy batteries. And we've all been there!

This has got to be the perfect Christmas gift for kids aged 3 and up and this Stinky the Garbage Truck robot toy is just busting to become your newest best buddy. It's made by top toy manufacturers Matchbox and is made of tough durable materials ready to take anything the roughest kids can throw at him. The added bonus of the DVD so your kids can watch the movie while playing with Stinky really makes this a value for money toy.

As of writing this article many retailers have actually already sold out or are struggling to get any in stock in the first place. If you do find anyone selling Stinky the Garbage Truck you should snap him up and buy one as soon as you can. Stinky is not cheap. But as a parent having seen the hours of fun my little boy has had with this toy I firmly believe it is well worth the price tag. This is going to be at the top of every little boys Christmas list to Santa - make sure your little boy isn't disappointed.

Would you like to know who has Stinky the Garbage Truck Toy In Stock and at the Cheapest Prices? Click here for more information and to get other Top Christmas Toys Ideas

Fisher Price IXL Review and How to Get a Discount on This Toy

Parents are always looking for ways to help their children learn to read, and in this Fisher Price iXL review, you'll find out how this toy will help your children do that and much more! This new interactive toy for children ages 3-7 is not only the perfect way to improve reading skills, but it also has other features that will keep your kiddos busy learning for hours!

What Can this System Offer Children?

The Fisher Price iXL has so much to offer. The first thing you will notice about it is that it has similarities to the Vtech VReader. Like the VReader, the iXL Interactive Learning System teaches children the basics of reading while increasing the number of words in their vocabulary. But the digital book reader features is where the similarities end. The iXL model has many more features that your children will love! For example, this toy has a built in MP3 player? Your kids can actually listen to their favorite tunes while accessing the other applications!

The iXL also has an art studio application for children as well as a photo viewer. Children will enjoy combining these two features as they can upload family photos and "tweak" them by drawing on top of them. This is designed to get your kiddo's creative juices flowing. Not only can your children remember important things by writing them in the Note Pad application, but they can also download and play their favorite games on it as well!

In addition to the six great features you've already read about, you will be happy to know that there are still more! The iXL comes preloaded with software, but you can also download additional data such as pictures, music and stories on to this system. It has a place for an SD memory card, headphone jack and a built in speaker. It's easy to see why the iXL Interactive Learning System is the ultimate learning toy for kids.

How to Buy the iXL Interactive Learning System

I'm sure that after reading this Fisher Price iXL review, you're wondering how you can get a great deal on this toy. Well, the holidays are right around the corner, which is great news for you because many stores are having sales right now. Of course you can purchase the iXL Interactive Learning System in stores, but if you want to get it at a discounted price, then you need to shop online. There are many online retailers that are offering great deals on toys - and the iXL is no exception. However, to maximize your savings, make sure you not only get it at a discounted price but that you find a seller that is offering free shipping as well!

Visit Fisher Price iXL Review to find out where you can buy the Fisher Price iXL Learning System online at more than 10% off and with free shipping.

Free Printable Party Games for Kids

If you happen to be looking around for something quick and easy activities there are lots of free printable party games for kids on the web. Most of these games are posted by websites that offer up theme packages for parties of all sizes and shapes. The free games are benefits that help to bring new and repeat costumers to their websites.

The good things about these free games are that they are nearly always themed so you can easily search for and find games geared towards your party theme. One website http://www.PartySuppliesHut.com has three types of printable games available on its website. These are word searches, word finds and word scrambles. There are hundreds of puzzles in each category and they are all centered on a different party theme. This includes everything from Disney to Mis Quince parties. These types of sit down puzzles are create way of getting the kids to calm down as well as sit down in one spot after engaging in some of the more active and tiring (at least for adults!) games.

Usually when looking for a site that offers free printable games, you need to make sure that the word "free" is included in your search. There are many sites that offer printable kids party games but at a cost. You may end up spending a lot of time weeding through these sites before you can find one that suits you. Remember a free printable kids party game isn't a good find or deal unless it says free. There are plenty of sites out there that offer the same for less.

There are also sites that allow you to create your own party games. One site is called, http://www.armoredpenguin.com, and it offers up numerous programs designed to allow you to input your own words and create your own word search and jumble puzzles.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. For more, go to Party Games Etc!

Free Trial Hoodia?

As with any free trial offer that you see on the internet or receive in your e-mail box, the hoodia free trial offers are not really free. You, the customer, must pay shipping and handling, provide credit card information and phone number. Shipping and handling costs almost $10.00 for the hoodia patch offer, $5.95 for one of the supplement offers and $8.25 for the other. The supplements are not 100% hoodia gordonii. It is commonly accepted that the best hoodia gordonii products contain 100% hoodia gordonii. But some people do prefer a blend, if only to limit the number of supplements they take on a daily basis. If you do choose to take advantage of one of the hoodia free trial offers, be sure to investigate the other ingredients. Many companies which sell a blended product use green tea and other natural substances which are stimulants. Cocoa, for example is used in some products and if you look cocoa up in the encyclopedia, you will find that it is a stimulant.

The supplement companies that currently have hoodia free trial offers do not mention regular price on their sites, except to value the free sample. For example, company A says the value of the seven day trial is $15.00 (shipping and handling for this product is $5.95). If a seven day supply cost $15.00, then a one month supply of product A would be $60.00. Product B regular price is even higher. Believe me, even the very best hoodia products on the market do not cost this much. In my opinion, genuine products are not going to give you a hoodia free trial offer because real hoodia is a rare commodity, with limited supply and high demand.

For example, one popular product, called Hoodia XR costs $42.50 per bottle and shipping via Federal Express is free. Hoodia XR is rated highly by many websites devoted to comparing hoodia products. Another highly rated product is called Desert Burn. And a third highly rated one is called Hoodia Gordonii Plus. The two products offering a hoodia free trial are not mentioned on most review websites, and many of these free trial offers are being promoted through illegal spam, which should raise serious questions about how real the hoodia is in the products if that's the way they are being marketed.

If you are interested in a patch for reasons of convenience, then the hoodia free trial patch offers are probably worth checking out. Ten dollars seems kind of high for shipping, but at least you will not be stuck with a number of patches if the product does not work for you. The best hoodia results are achieved by those people who include a healthy diet and reasonable exercise. You should consult your doctor before taking any appetite suppressant or beginning any weight loss program. It is also wise to see your doctor on a regular basis while you are using hoodia, to insure that you are not experiencing any unwanted side effects. There are no known side effects associated with using hoodia gordonii, but complete clinical evaluations have not been completed at this time. So, check with your doctor before you order a hoodia free trial if you are determined to try it.

For more information about hoodia free trial offers, visit the Hoodia Info Blog.

Patsy Hamilton is an editor of the Hoodia Info Blog. Visit us at http://hoodiainfo.blogspot.com

Ideas For a Baby Crib Toy

There is an upcoming event that everyone's been waiting for, and there is another addition to your family that you are all excited about. Whether this will be your first-born or your second or your third, this soon-to-be baby is a blessing. He or she is unique and special. And so with much accordance, you want things to be just perfect in welcoming your most precious little one.

In doing so, you should be able to paint his or her nursery room with colors so vibrant that will surely excite the senses of your child. On the walls, you can put cute sticky labels or signage markers. Moreover, you should be able to create a ceiling that will surely enhance your child's mental development. All over the room the toys should be fun, colorful, but educational.

You should keep in mind your baby's safety and comfort in playing while lying down or crawling in his or her crib. Most likely, you will opt to purchase the best baby crib that will fit your budget. In addition, the baby crib that you will buy should first and foremost have the right baby crib toy which will serve as the first non-living, fun but educational thing that your child will interact and play with. With various baby crib toys already up in our world today, we have some of the few common examples which are the baby mobile and the toy bar.

Baby Mobile

One of the very common and well-known baby crib toys is the baby mobile. It is structurally attached by a bracket at the side or at the end part of the crib. It is strategically positioned just on top of the upper half of the baby's body so he or she can interact with it both with her hands and her head as well as appreciate the toy's features such as colors and sub-elements.

Aside from the main features of the baby crib toy that dangles from the bracket support, it can also extend its playful elements. One particular example would be a carousel as the main thematic object and having various animals dangle under it.

More often than not, the construction and manufacture of the baby crib toy is done with a rotational ability on its own which allows a circular movement of the baby mobile above the baby. Aside from its main technical elements, it is made to function as an enjoyable toy for the baby. Additionally, it may come in with baby sounds that will definitely add more enjoyment and development for the baby's senses.

There are many advantages of this type of baby toy. Firstly, it excites and opens the baby's senses. It stimulates the eyesight of the child which results in a beneficial advantage of having a more focused exercise for the eye accomplished through looking at the brightness and colors of the whole toy. And when equipped with sound, the hearing sense is also stimulated. Not only that, but an exercise of locating the object or the toy is also created. Furthermore, this baby crib toy also serves as an extension of the total thematic design of the nursery room.

On the other hand, parents and guardians should make sure that the baby mobile has been installed properly to the end part of the crib. Also, the total height of the toy should also be considered. It should be just above the baby, enough for him or her to play and interact with the toy. In addition to all these, the placement of the mobile should also be checked that it should not be shifted down towards the baby.

Toy Bars

Aside from the 1st baby crib toy that we mentioned there is also another one, which is also common amongst the baby toys around. Toys that can be attached to the baby crib, toy bars are another type. It spans across the crib's length and is attached to both sides by using a guardrail. It enables the baby to touch it and interact with it.

More often than not, this baby crib toy is multi-color and interactive. The colors as well as the elements included in the toy bar provide a good hand and eye coordination exercise for the baby. The elements included can either be a spinning device, a clicking device, or a reflective surface. These features are uniquely designed and well-thought of for the over-all development and enhancement of the infant.

CLICK HERE: Baby Crib Toy A Site Full Of Baby Crib Sales, Top Brand Names For Less Excellent Baby Cribs

The Joy of Toy Pomeranians

Perhaps you are visiting your local animal shelter, looking to adopt a small dog. You stop by one cage because the dog in there couldn't get much smaller, and it is very cute. The dog has pointed ears, a foxy face, wide dark eyes and a profuse coat. The bark sounds more like a yap and can get high-pitched. Could this be a purebred dog? This very well could be a purebred toy Pomeranian.

Pomeranians are incredibly popular, but this popularity comes at a price. They are often purchased on impulse and then abandoned when reality sets in. You need to know basic Pomeranian information before taking on one of these dogs. They have certain demands that need to be met, but when they are they become a loyal and chipper companion that will be unforgettable. You need to get used to their yappy bark, their shedding and their delicate skeleton.

Toy Pomeranians look like sturdy little sled dogs with a proud head, high curling tail, profuse coat to keep out the bad weather and a blockish body. However, they are far more fragile than their looks suggest. Cats and even Chihuahuas are far more robust than toy Pomeranians. Reliable Pomeranian information books and websites are filled with instances of Pomeranians dying from falling off of a couch or being rolled on by a sleeping owner.

They look utterly charming and tend to stare directly at you, tilting their heads this way and that to show off the full effects of their bright, dark eyes. It takes time, patience and dedication to live with these dogs. In order to keep their fluffy coat clean and tangle-free, it needs to be groomed every day. Their teeth need to be examined and brushed on a daily basis, as their teeth are about the most delicate in the canine kingdom.

Because of the tiny size of the toy Pomeranian, they are difficult to housebreak completely. Males will always lift their legs to mark territory unless you get them neutered. Many toy Pomeranians have been successfully litter trained, more so females than males. Pomeranians know very well to go outside, but their tiny bladders often cannot hold onto the urine long enough for you to let them out. Pomeranians are very intelligent and very trainable.

The amateur dog breeder should never breed Pomeranians, because of their tiny size. They almost always require lap breeding, Caesarian sections and have many other complications due to pregnancy and birth. Males that are not neutered can become aggressive. Since most Pomeranians have health problems with their eyes, skin, heart and skeletons, only the healthiest should ever breed no matter how cute they look. They are better off with quiet adults rather than a family with young children.

Rosie Allan is an expert on British royal dogs and lives in the countryside of London with two Pomeranians. The Pomeranian, a favorite of royalty, is a descendant of the Spitz sled dogs. Queen Victoria of England, who once had 35 Pomeranians, made the dog popular in England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Helpful Pomeranian information such as that found here is also available at libraries and through the American Kennel Club.

American Flyer Toy Trains - A Tradition in Collecting

Ask any avid collector of toy trains about American Flyer, and chances are they'll be able to talk about these classic toy trains for hours. That's because American Flyer is a tradition in the production of toy trains and has been for years. Since the beginning of the 1900's, American Flyer has been producing top-quality toy trains and brought smiles to the faces of millions of people who received them as gifts or heirlooms. A truly unique find in toy train systems, American Flyer continues to be a popular name in toy trains and continues to bring happiness to today's children and collectors.

American Flyer toy trains began as an idea to develop a clockwork motor for toy cars in 1901 by a man named William Fredrick Hafner. In 1905, he developed a train that could be operated by a clockwork motor on O gauge track. After receiving several requests and funds for orders, Hafner enlisted the help of his friend, William Coleman, to begin producing these new models of toy trains. At the time, Coleman had taken over control of Edmonds-Metzel Hardware Company, who had experienced financial hardship in 1906. The two friends immediately started to produce toy trains by using the surplus manufacturing potential of Edmonds-Metzel. The production was a success, and by 1910 Edmonds-Metzel left the hardware industry and changed its name to American Flyer. Originally American Flyer toy trains were thought to be generic in comparison to its competitor manufacturer, Ives.

During the First World War, American Flyer's business expanded and eventually knocked out the German manufactures that produced the majority of toy trains sold in the United States. American Flyer introduced the first electric train in 1918. A windup device replaced the clockwork motor developed by Hafner and quickly became a popular toy among American children. Even with the growing popularity of American Flyer, the company still took second place to the Lionel Corporation - a rivalry that continues among toy train collectors today.

American Flyer toy trains are a popular display item at modern toy train conventions and shows, and are usually at the center of heated auction bidding. Although finding pieces from American Flyer toy train systems are not difficult, you can expect to pay top dollar for these classic toys. Even American Flyer catalogs are hot items up for sale and bidding at auctions and on the internet.

A simple search of the internet will provide you with a complete listing of where to find American Flyer toy trains and accessories. You'll find several options for attending shows and conventions that carry American Flyer trains, and you'll find several items up for bid on eBay. The prices range from $20 for accessories to $500+ for toy trains, box cars, cabooses, and tank cars. Once you find a collectible from American Flyer, it can be a quite addicting hobby to add more pieces and accessories to your collection!

Shop for babies and toddler at the Online Baby Store [http://exceptionalbaby.com] with over 20 merchants featuring over 2,250 products. [http://www.ExceptionalBaby.com]

Cyber Monday - Shopping For Toys

So what is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday, is a term coined by the company Shop.org and every year is on the Monday following Thanksgiving. This phenomenal shopping day is pretty much the twin to the famous Black Friday that comes immediately following Thanksgiving. Like all twins there are slight differences between the two though.

Black Friday is more of a physical shopping day, i.e., you actually have to physically go out and hunt around the stores for the bargains and sales. Stores open incredibly early and offer drastic price cuts and savings for early bird customers. Not a bad little deal if you are ok with the pushing and shoving that is inevitable in the stores on days such as these.

Cyber Monday, however, is more for the shopper who isn't a fan of driving to shopping malls and spending the rest of the day moving from one toy store to the next hunting for a popular toy that is obviously sold out! It is the only day of the year that you can get massive savings on toys and other products and have the whole lot delivered to you for free just in time for Christmas. It is the Christmas kickoff for online shoppers and retailers.

Here is a day that has become a shopping phenomenon as people spend the better part of this day ordering gifts online. Hence the name, Cyber Monday. Every year this day grows more and more popular as retailers try to find bigger and better ways to direct customers to their online stores.

Now into its fifth year Cyber Monday follows a tradition where retailers offer discounts and savings opportunities for web customers who get their orders in early on. Store owners have realized the potential for sales on the internet and understand that it is fast becoming an incredibly powerful way to market and sell their products.

Of course, shoppers don't always buy direct online at first glance. Many use the internet as a research tool to browse through online shops during Cyber Monday and then purchase their gifts either online or in-store purchases a few days later.

If this is what you do then that's fine also, just remember a few things here before you whip out your credit card:

1. As Christmas gets closer product sales will increase and so will some of the prices all the way up until Christmas Eve. This will even escalate further after Christmas Day.

2. Regarding toys, if it is a popular product you may find that it sells out quickly in the stores. This could leave you in the lurch if you cannot find another store that stocks the product. Order the toy online in advance. Wrap it, put it under the tree, and relax.

3. Do not buy with your emotions. Prepare a list of gifts you hope to buy.

4. Make sure you have a specific budget set in your mind and stick to it. With so many deals going on during Cyber Monday you will be surprised how many toys you can buy up from your list and still have money to spare.

For a look into the newest trending toys that are predicted to be hot for Christmas go to http://hubpages.com/hub/Cyber-Monday-2010-Toy-Sales.

You could also have a look at all the hotest Christmas boys toys by following Cyber Monday 2010 Boys Toys.

Organizing With Wooden Toy Boxes and Book Display Cabinets

Whether a home has a playroom for the kids or not, there is generally one room in the house that can always use some extra space. One way to accomplish this is to provide some quality bookshelves or durable wooden toy boxes. There are many different styles that consumers can select from so it is important to know all the essentials about them, like which ones are the most durable and will suit the playroom the best.

As one is looking at bookcases for their child's bedroom, they should look for sturdy bookcases as opposed to weak ones to ensure the bookcases stay safe and sound. Synthetic or plastic is not recommended, as it can easily split and break over a short duration of time. One should really look into wood as an alternative. Wood has long been used for book cases, since it has proven to be not only stronger, but it has a more finished look to it. Consumers should try to find those made of real wood, not MDF or particleboard.

Playroom wooden toy boxes are ideal for those who are looking to add extra organization to their playrooms or bedrooms. They are good for holding items such as games, books, cars, and puzzles, dolls, stuffed animals or favorite toys that one may play with on a daily basis such as construction toys or dress up clothes.

Those who are seeking additional storage space or more room to organize books in their playrooms should mull over investing in some quality wood book display cabinets. Book display cabinets are ideal for storing books because you can display them and easily select traditional size books from the five tiered shelves. This type of furniture piece offers lots of storage because of the different sized shelves of this ergonomically designed, mobile storage unit. While the display cabinets are great for smaller toys that are used often, many parents enjoy having the boxes to store items that the kids may not use on a daily basis.

There are a number of different wood toy boxes, bookcases and book shelves one can select from to match the decor in their playroom or bedrooms. As with the toy boxes, wood is a frequently used material for book cases, as it is very strong and will hold lots of toys. There are a number of different types of wood available for these pieces, including oak, pine, mahogany or cherry. Toy manufacturers feature many designs and details for these pieces including designs that are uncomplicated and basic to hand painted styles with detailing, depending on your individual taste and room decor. These book cases, display cabinets and wooden toy boxes can be found at toy stores or can be personalized by adding a child's name to the chest. These can be found online by doing a search. Cost will vary, depending upon wood quality, styles and details, as well as who manufactures them. These are worth the investment though as your children can pass them down to their children someday.

Jennifer Boris is a freelance writer with lots of swing set experience. For more information on Wooden Toy Boxes, and Bookcases visit Best Price Toys.

Toy Pianos For Children Help Their Development

Toy pianos for children are great for helping their development, not only musically, but also in their education in general. Playing the piano, even a toy piano, helps to promote creativity and also provides the child with a self confidence that enables him or her to easily interact socially with others.

There is a wide range of toy pianos online, from the very small suitable for little toddlers to multi-octave spinets that are not so much toys as genuine musical instruments. But why a piano? What is it about a piano that is specifically effective in promoting these important educational benefits and socially acceptable skills?

It is generally accepted that if a child learns how to play the piano, and is able to play in front of others, her or she will also be more able to stand in front of others to make a presentation, present an argument and generally be confident in front of a crowd of people. This is an important social skill that is frequently ignored in a general school education. In addition to that, the hand-eye coordination needed to play helps to develop and enhance motor skills that will help the child in other fields such as sports and the play essential to the development of any child.

The development of creativity in a child is also an important part of development, and young children like nothing more than making sounds that they have created themselves. Have you ever seen a child banging away on a drum, perfectly contented with simply making a noise? With a piano, that noise can have varied tones that provide the child with an opportunity to be truly creative.

If a child is provided with a real musical instrument that has been designed and built as a child's piano rather than as a toy, then this creativity can be developed even more, since it will produce the same sound every time from the same key, or combination of keys. This dependability on the sound achieved through specific actions is important to children in their learning that the same actions will give the same effects. Consistency in results provides the trust in, and understanding of, cause and effect. The same actions give the same effects time and time again.

Children's pianos of all styles are available on the internet, and typical among them are the 18 key table top models by Schoenhut that are complete in every detail, including the black keys. The tuning is perfect and the sound obtained by small hammers striking carefully crafted and tuned metal rods. This type of piano is suitable for preschool toddlers who will have great fun just making a sound. However, they will soon begin to recognize that certain keys provide them with certain sounds, and while as yet unable to create or even distinguish tunes from random sounds, will have favorite keys for their favorite sounds.

Once your toddler is able to knock out the same sounds consistently with a bit of help from you perhaps, you might want him or her to graduate to something a bit bigger to provide them with a bigger challenge. They can have their own 25 key 2 octave piano with its own little piano stool that will delight them since they no longer need to have their piano on the table. It is free standing, just like mom's or dad's.

That would give them a great boost and make them feel like they are growing up. If you have any aspirations for your child to be musical, then this is the way to go. Impress on them that they have a musical instrument and not a toy, though this can be hard with a three or four year old!

However, as they improve, there is no reason why they should not progress to a full three octave keyboard. With 37 keys, this is probably about as much as a young child can handle, but if you don't keep your eye on them, they will be trying to get at your full sized upright or even baby grand!

There is no doubt whatsoever, and the vast majority of educational experts agree on it, that introducing a child to a piano from an early age is very advantageous, not only to their future musical abilities, but also to their education and development in general. However, this is particularly true if the piano is a real working model with consistency in tone and tuning, and more than just a toy.

So take that step to give your young son or daughter a push up the ladder. Toy Pianos that were designed just for children are available at under $60 online.

Ron Loeffler is the owner of an online kids toys store RonJun eShop that provides quality kids toys and children's furniture at discount prices including a wide selection of toy pianos.

Toys R Us Top 15 Toys For Christmas 2006

Finding that perfect gift for children always seems easier than finding a great gift for adults. Just head to a toy store, pick something out and be on your way, right? Wrong. Unfortunately, it's not that easy. Sure, the kids might love the gift right out of the box, but will it get played with months (or heck, even weeks) later?

That's the question you have to ask yourself each gift buying occasion when shopping for children. Luckily, there are guides and "hot lists" to help you in your search. For Christmas 2006, there are a myriad of "hot" toys. If you don't wait until the very last minute to shop, you should have no trouble finding most of them.

To help us, Toys R Us has released a list of the top 15 toys and has provided suggestions for toys in each age range as well.

The top 15 toys, in no particular order, include:

Dora's Talking Cash Register (Fisher Price)

Laugh & Learn Baby Grand Piano (Fisher Price)

ESPN Fast Action Football (Fisher Price)

"T.M.X" Elmo (Fisher Price)

Kid-Tough Digital Camera (Fisher Price)

Sound City Railway (Imaginarium)

Tap Dancing Mumble (Thinkway)

Wii (Nintendo)

Blue Man Group Percussion Tubes (ToyQuest)

Speed Stack StackPack (Play Along)

Mindstorms NXT (Lego)

Designer's World (Tiger Games)

My Scene My Bling Bling Styling Head (Mattel)

Power Rangers Deluxe Manticore Megazord (Bandai)

Pink Nitro Notebook (Vtech)

Now, if you are looking for the best toy buys for each age group, here's a sampling of Toys R Us' recommendations.

For Baby's First Christmas

Let's Play Together Peek 'N Play Discovery Dome (Playskool)

This is an interactive toy that lets parents get in on the fun, with peek-a-book curtains. Fifteen Activities are designed to encourage hand-eye coordination

Laugh & Learn Learning Bunny (Fisher Price)
This bunny is plush, but he's no slouch. He can help babies learn how to count to 10, learn their colors and textures and other skills. He also plays music.

Laugh & Learn Baby Grand Piano (Fisher Price)
This is one of TRU's "hot picks" listed above. It teaches colors, numbers and opposites while also teaching about various elements of music.

For children 13 months to 2 years old

Learn & Groove Alphabet Drum (LeapFrog)
LeapFrog always offers innovative toys for young children. This toy introduces the alphabet while also playing music, encouraging physical activity and teaching numbers. Also introduces Spanish!

SmartVille Alphabet Train Station (Vtech)
The train here heads from stop to stop, all while introducing colors, alphabets, numbers, animals and time.

"T.M.X." Elmo (Fisher Price)
This new Elmo, which has been flying off toy shelves since its introduction in September, not only laughs, but gets on the floor and giggles until his belly shakes.

Darla (You & Me - a TRU brand)
Darla can be woken with a light tap, and will cry for "ma ma". She's a fully interactive doll that also makes realistic feeding sounds.

For children 2 to 4 years old

Kid-Tough Digital Camera (Fisher Price)
This "hot pick" features big buttons for tiny hands and a rough exterior that helps it hold up to the tough love preschoolers can dish out.

LeapsterTV (LeapFrog)
This console plugs into the family TV for big-screen play. Works with all Leapster software programs and tracks the play of each player, so they can see their progress on the big screen. Good for pre-K to 4th grade players.

Tap Dancing Mumble (Thinkway)
This is based on the main character from the fall-release movie "Happy Feet". It dances/taps every time it hears music, or the children talk to it.

For children 5 to 7 years old

Amazing Allysen (Playmates)
This doll is designed to be your child's best friend when her "real life" friend isn't around. Allysen responds to key commands and comments with lifelike expressions and emotions. She also knows your child's favorites, so she can "chat" with your child about her favorite things.

Wherifone GPS Locator Phone from Wherify Wireless
This phone will help you keep tabs on your children, as with its GPS capabilities, it tells you the location of your children at all times (assuming the phone is with them).

Pink Nitro Notebook (VTech)
Designed for budding readers, this pink laptop computer reads stories aloud, and has a variety of games designed to help children with literacy and other skills.

For children 8 to 11 years old

Blue Man Group Percussion Tubes (ToyQuest)
Kids can hook their MP3 players up to this toy and manipulate the sounds and play music of their own.

Giga Pets Explorer TV Game System (Tiger Games)
This game that you hook up to the TV takes kids to the Giga World, where they can play games, go on mission and solve the Giga mystery. This also includes a handheld game

Star Wars Ultimate Collector's AT-ST set (Lego)
Kids can build their own AT-ST with the more than 1,000 lego pieces included in this set. TRU exclusive set.

Cathy Franklin is an author and the owner of Toys Store Online. She features the hot new toys, video games, and top brands like Fisher Price, Lego, and LeapFrog. www.toys-store-online.com [http://www.toys-store-online.com]

D-REX Interactive Dinosaur Price - Worth More Than it Costs

Retailing at approximately $149.99, the D-Rex Interactive Dinosaur price is worth every single penny. While there are numerous technological advances both in the materials used, but also in the behavior software that operates the D-Rex, those are not the only reasons why at any price, the D-Rex is worth every penny you'll pay for it. It's simply the best of its kind and any child who receives it as a gift is getting more than a simple toy. They are receiving and educational tool in disguise, a guard dinosaur, and quite possibly, a best friend, which can make the D-Rex Interactive Dinosaur price seem like a great deal.

The software that operates the D-Rex was written specifically with both movement and advanced interactivity. It succeeds in both areas, but especially in regards to the interactivity between dinosaur and owner. That owner can be a child, a teenager, an adult, or even senior citizens. Yes, even senior citizens have shown a fair amount of interest in the D-Rex. This toy's ability to cross traditional markets and demographics is testament to the successful development of behavioral software that truly works and touches people on a level other than purely a technical standpoint. Perhaps that's one reason for the higher D-Rex Interactive Dinosaur price. Kids love the D-Rex for a reason and that reason is because he isn't like any other toys on the market.

Obviously there are other electronic toys, or pets out there, but none of them have the attitude or the fierce demeanor of the D-Rex. Another characteristic that none of them have is the proper balance of a scowling growl with a protective nature that warns intruders away simply by its presence. D-Rex isn't the normal, cuddly toy dinosaur that they make children's movies about. In fact, D-Rex actually is probably not suitable for very young kids and is recommended for children of six to fifteen years of age. Of course, that doesn't mean that adults don't enjoy D-Rex's company just as much as any child does. Although they may not admit it, some parents come to care for the little dinosaur just like they would a cat, or dog. There is just something about him that makes him special, and that's part of why the D-Rex Interactive Dinosaur price is so worthwhile.

As opposed to a soft and furry outer shell, D-Rex actually has skin that closely resembles a lizard's skin. It's rough, rubbery and scaly to the touch. Little details like these are also what make the D-Rex Interactive Dinosaur price a second thought. The creators and developers spent a considerable amount of time to make sure that they got everything just right. They wanted to create a totally different electronic toy experience than the ones that were already available, such as when you purchase an electronic cat, or dog, or even other dinosaurs on the market.

With a height of 14 inches, a length of 21 inches and a width of 9 inches and teeth that look like he could devour a small hamster, this is probably the most fearsome miniature dinosaur ever created. Throw in the highly realistic and responsive behavioral software and what you have is a sophisticated toy that elevates the science of robotic interaction. That alone easily makes the D-Rex Interactive Dinosaur price worthwhile. Moreover, though, he actually acts and responds both to touch, and sound signals which only enhance the overall experience. When you sit down and play with him there will probably be moments where you will be surprised at how well he behaves, and how much he appears to actually be thinking like a live animal. Of course, we all know that dinosaurs became extinct millions of years ago and how they truly behaved is still a mystery. However, after a few minutes of playing with it, you'll understand why the D-Rex Interactive Dinosaur price is only just a number.

Please visit us to learn more about drex interactive dinosaur.

Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Mr Squiggles - Is Mr Squiggles the Right Hamster Choice For Your Kids?

There are four main hamster toys available for your kid to choose from, each with their own unique personalities and characteristics and each different in color. After just a short time from the date that these interactive toys were launched, the Zhu Zhu Pets hamster Mr Squiggles quickly became a firm favorite choice and has more or less fought off Pipsqueak to maintain the coveted hamster number one bestseller position.

Mr Squiggles is perhaps the closest in coloring that any hamster toy can get, his main body is predominantly light brown, with small splatters of white, just like a real hamster. With his bright pink nose and piercing black eyes, Mr Squiggles will be able to fool your real household pet. It is not only the coloring that draws children, both girls and boys alike to him, but also his individual characteristics.

Zhu Zhu Pets Mr Squiggles could quite easily be called Zoom Zoom as he is by far the greatest and nimblest hamster explorer of them all. Although all of the hamster toys have an affectionate and exploring mode, it is the exploring mode that really makes this particular fellow shine and come into his own. Set him up with a new set of batteries, give him plenty of space and he will literally zip around like a mad hamster explorer nosing into every nook and cranny in sight. Kids love to chase Mr Squiggles around and from an on looking parent perspective, you can't help but chuckle as that little furry critter runs circles around your hysterical child.

When it comes to choosing to indulge in one of the many and varied hamster accessories that are readily available, unless your kid is specifically wanting a particular one, then you should get the most out of your purchase by buying the ones that will suit your child's particular hamster personality the most. Mr Squiggles is best suited to the action accessories, such as the hamster car and garage set, the surfboard, skate board and hamster wheel. All of these add-ons let him go crazy like no other pet hamster and express all of his unique sounds and capabilities to your kids.

The funhouse itself, although not a 'go fast' set, is also a great addition as a core hamster hub and Mr Squiggles likes nothing more than to scoot between the different rooms and in the adjoining tunnel. He makes his own individual hamster movements and cute sounds in each of the rooms and children of all ages really get a laugh out of seeing and hearing these.

Push Zhu Zhu Mr Squiggles into love mode and he turns down to an even calmer state and makes all sorts of cute hamster noises and movements. Turn him off and sleep it is... until the next mornings' exploring adventures begin!

Visit ZhuZhu Pets Hamster Mr Squiggles for some great price deals on this toy hamster and accessories and for detailed information, parent reviews and hamster action videos, visit Zhu Zhu Pets Mr Squiggles.

Kids Preschool Games Free Online Learning

Are you looking for kids preschool games free online to entertain your child? There are many websites offering kids preschool games free online such as kids typing games, nick kids games, sight words games, and many more. Preschoolers will not only be entertained by playing games on the web but they can also have a great computer learning experience as well.

While online kids preschool games free up parent's time at home by keeping their kids entertained it can also provide for a very educational experience by helping children become familiar with the keyboard, the mouse and computer technology. Having exposure to computer technology and becoming familiar with the use of a keyboard and mouse can make it easier and more comfortable for the child to learn how to type later on.

Preschoolers often enjoy the interactive learning experience kids preschool games free can provide. This can be a more educational experience than watching television which provides no interaction. Parents can enjoy watching their children interact with the games provided on the computer rather than watching their child veg out in front of a television tube.

Lastly, kids preschool games free can improve a preschoolers fine motor skills. Find motor skills generally refers to the small movements of the hands, wrists, fingers, feet, toes, etc. Using a computer keyboard and mouse can provide practice and improvement in a child's finger, hand and hand-eye coordination. And since the development of fine motor skills plays an important part in school readiness and cognitive development it is integrated into every preschool curriculum.

As noted above, preschool kids can not only be entertained by all the preschool games offered on the computer today but they can also benefit from improving their fine motor skills and have very educational learning experience at the same time.

© 2008 FishForWords.com

Fish for Words - Sight Words Game for Kids is an online sight words game that will give kids a jump start on their new school grade by helping them learn how to type sight words (i.e. Dolch Sight Words List, Fry Sight Words List, and more) - which is the foundation for learning to read and is taught in every elementary school. FishForWords.com helps children learn/spell sight words quickly - and ultimately helps them develop into efficient readers.

Medicine Online Stores

Every home has a fast speed Internet connection that has become a basic necessity today. People book their tickets, study on line and buy almost all things online including cloths, toys, books and music even. Banking to insurance is sold through online marketing.

Now you do not have to roam about looking for things to buy for your dog. Very simply you can order online and have all things delivered at your doorstep. You get dog food, bones, medicines, syrups, shampoo, and flea collar, chain including insulated coats for dogs for winter ware.

Check out the online pharmacy which stocks prescription and over the counter medicines for all animals and you will find that they are cheaper than the ones you buy from the local pharmacy. There are special websites that deal with veterinary medicines alone.

For those buying regularly and in good quantities, online stores will give better discounts. If you are wondering why they are priced lower and how they can afford to give discounts, well it is because they do not have the regular overheads of paying rents and employing staff in a store and also because they buy directly from the manufacturers in bulk.

Not all items may be different in price from the local pharmacy. You may find some things to be having the same price as that of the local store goods. Well then why would nay one want to buy from online stores at all?

Most people prefer buying through online stores even if there is no price advantage, because they stand to gain in other ways. Their valuable time is save, effort is save and fuel too. With online ordering one can keep buying repeatedly and get them delivered at the doorstep within 24 to 48 hrs.

While buying medicines online too you can save quite a bit of money, by comparing prices and products of various company websites. Quite a few offer good discounts too. Besides you may earn reward points for paying through your credit card too.

Make your life easier and hassle free by ordering online all the medicines. All that is required from your end is one time effort of checking out and comparing prices and then you can go on repeating your orders every time and get them all door delivered within a day.

TV projector and DLP projectors enhances your home theater experience.

Choosing Promotional Stress Toys That Compliment Your Business

If you've decided to add stress toys to your range of promotional products, you have several important choices to make, which will most likely depend on what goods or services your company provides. There is quite an extensive variety of stress toys available, so it's relatively easy to choose items that reflect the business you're in.

While one of your important considerations will be the price of the items, with most items ranging from ₤0.50 to ₤1.00 each, there is not a huge amount of different in price with the majority of stress toys. In addition, most are made from fairly similar materials and manufactured in similar ways, so there are no big decisions to be made when it comes to the materials used in making the items.

Your most important decision in choosing your stress toys will most likely be the shapes of the printed stressy toys you choose--and there is a great deal of variety in this area, with toys that are appropriate for companies in a wide range of industry and business sectors.

Pharmaceutical, Medical and Healthcare Stress Toys

For companies in the medical or pharmaceutical industry, there are several different stress toy themes available. There are toys in the shapes of organs, such as the heart, brain and kidney, as well as toys shaped like teeth, hands and noses, and capsule and tablet-shaped toys, too. There are even some slightly more unusual toy shapes, such as vertebrae and others.

Financial and Housing Stress Toys

For companies involved in housing and real estate, there are several varieties of house-shaped toys, including Alpine homes, thatched huts, and even igloos! There are money bags, pound signs, gold bars and gold nuggets for the financial sector, too.

Transport and Travel Stress Toys

There is a wide range of stress toys shaped like vehicles, suitable for any company in the transport or travel industries. Choose from aeroplanes, ships, ocean liners, trains and trucks, as well as sports cars, motorbikes, and racing cars.

Construction and Industry Stress Toys

Hard hats, bricks, fire extinguishers, screwdrivers and bricks are just some of the shapes that might be suitable for companies in construction and other industries. There's even a giant brick-shaped toy that can be gripped with both hands, or even thrown--completely damage-free!

Seasonal Stress Toys and More

If you'd like your stress toys to be a little more general, and less focused on the goods or services your company provides, you have plenty of options. Choose from simple ball-shaped toys, dice, cubes, stars or paint drops, globes, animals such as cows, cats, elephants, toucans, and dolphins, stress toys in the shape of mobile phones, or toys that double as mobile phone holders.

If you're planning on giving seasonal gifts to commemorate holidays throughout the year, stress toys can meet your needs there too. Choose from Christmas-themed toys such as Santa Claus, a Christmas pudding or a snowman, St. Patrick's Day shamrocks, Halloween pumpkins, or a simple gift box for any other festive occasion.

For additional information on promotional stress toys, business gifts and marketing promotional products why not check out the market leading online promotional gift suppliers where you will find a massive range of items to choose from and also get exceptionally low prices combined with highly professional fast service levels.

Gareth Parkin is the co-founder of Ideasbynet, the UK's leading online promotional stress toys and promotional items company based in the north of England. Established in 2001, he has taken the UK gift market by storm by the application of modern business thinking and the latest search engine marketing techniques. For more details visit www.ideasbynet.com

Craigslist Free Stuff - Save Your Time With These Tips

Craigslist.org is popular for many reasons, but one of the most common is their free section. By finding your local Craigslist page and searching with the word "free," you can find hundreds of items without a price tag. But wait, how can you save yourself time and a hassle?

Don't bother with free items listed without pictures. Yes, a person giving away free stuff on Craigslist really doesn't have much incentive to post a picture (they aren't getting any money in return). However, it can save you a lot of time and big hassle. Don't find out too late that the free television listed on Craigslist is not only from the 70s, but that it doesn't work.

Ask questions if you aren't provided with any pictures, but some posters may not care to answer your questions. This is because they believe saying "I have a free TV," is enough. It won't be a big deal if you find out this person lives three houses down the street, but who wants to bother driving 35 minutes for something free, only to leave disappointed and empty handed?

Don't bother a day or two later with curb alerts. Curb alerts are phrases that Craigslist posters use to say "I put a bunch of free stuff by the side of the road; come and get it." Not only do other Craigslist posters see this stuff, but people passing by too. The only curb alert items left after 24 or 48 hours are junk and not worth the trip.

Don't get all excited when you find something neat listed for free on Craigslist. So, you are getting ready to move into a new apartment and find a neat painting listed for free on Craigslist. You automatically start planning the rest of your décor around that single painting; the single painting you haven't stopped to ask if was still available. It is okay to get excited when you find an expensive item on Craigslist for free, but drop what you are doing to email or call the person. Good free stuff on Craigslist rarely lasts for long.

Do not claim everything free on Craigslist just because it is free. For starters, you will end up with too much junk in your house. Your friends and family will nominate you as a guest on Oprah's next closeted hoarders show. Moreover, free things aren't always free on Craigslist; there are some strings attached. You have to pay for your gas to pickup the item and then there is the time and hassle.

These Craigslist free stuff tips were mostly for the takers. If you have something you would like to give away for free, use your best judgment. You will likely find some takers on Craigslist, but don't waste your time or theirs. A t-shirt covered in stains should make its way to the trashcan, not the free stuff section on Craigslist.

Click here to search free stuff on Craigslist use the Craigslist Reader to search multiple categories and locations at once.

Ride on Toys - Ride on Toys Consumers Love the Most

All the ride on toys listed below have been rated excellent by consumers.

Ride on Toy #1: Pooh Orchestra Ride On

Product Description: Compose and play endless fun as Pooh & his orchestra move to your music. Children can hear delightful songs and music. Steering and riding encourage gross motor skill development.

Price: $34.99

Recommended Age: 12 months - 3 years

A Customer Review: "My 1 year old daughter received this as a gift for her birthday. She absolutely loves it. From playing with the music, to riding on it, to pushing it around. She loves it. It keeps her very busy. The seat opens too and she loves to hide things in there. We love this toy."

Ride on Toy #2: Pooh Bubbly Fun Activity Choo Choo

Product Description: "Children can hear delightful songs and music. Colorful buttons introduce different shapes. Your children can steer and scoot to develop gross motor skills."

Recommended Age: 12 months - 3 years

A Customer Review: "My son received this as a gift at his first birthday. At first I thought, great another riding toy, he got 4 total, but my son immediately started pushing buttons before I could even get it out of the box. He absolutely loves it! And the bubbles are so much fun too. However, I better invest a large bottle of bubbles because it has only been a week and the supplied bubbles are already gone!"

Ride on Toy #3: Rocking Pony Brown

Product Description: "The only Rocking Pony with moving mouth that coordinates with the Pony's singing, talking phrases and sound effects. Sounds & Mouth Motion are activated by buttons on the ears. There are five sounds that include 1 song, 2 Talking phrases & 2 sound effects. The pony is soft, thick plush body with styable mane. Battery pack has on/off switch and "try me" mode. Designed for safety with no-slip foot steps and easy grip handles."

Price: $29.99

A Customer Review: "Bought this item for our almost two year old daughter and she enjoys riding the pony and pulling on his ears to hear the music!!"

Hope

[http://www.top-10-gift-ideas.com/index-christmas.html]

Toy Dropshippers - How to Find Suppliers

Engaging in selling children's items can be profitable. Parents buy toys for their children daily. Using toy drop shippers is a good decision because the costs of maintaining inventory, packaging and shipping logistics are left to manufacturers.Customers place orders through retailer's websites and then the retailer requests the dropshipper to deliver the toys. The customer pays the retailer who in turn pays the wholesaler keeping while keeping his commission. What the customer pays the retailer is inclusive a mark up which is the retailers profit.

The advantages of selling toys are:

Demand- It is easy to know the demand. Internet provides information to determine the type of toys that are highly selling in the current market.

No requisite for brand name- Selling of toys do not require a brand name because children are not interested in the company rather the type of toys for example a teddy bear.

Retailers should deal with toy drop shippers that stock varieties of toys like fire trucks, MLB themed pedal cars, die-cast cars and dollhouses. This is because children need different varieties.

Choose a company that sells at a lower price. This maximizes the profits realized by retailers. Too low prices can however compromise the quality of toys. The average market price is the best offer.

The fee charged determines the amount of profit to be made. If a supplier charges per article delivered rather than per the cost of the item, it might be expensive in the long run.

Customers expect toys ordered to reach them as soon as possible. Any delay means loosing credibility as an online retailer. Choosing a company for drop ship that delivers toys to customers quickly is important because this can determine whether a customer will come back again or not. Satisfied customers can refer friends to one's website..

Toy drop shippers with catalogs in their websites enables a retailer access information easly. It is important for the catalogs to be updated regularly. Online directories contain lists of suppliers. Retailers should access them to gather vast information to aid in choosing a drop shipper. The advantages of using directories include:

1. They avail a variety of options. Online directories contain lists of many companies that deal with drop shipping toys. One has an option of choosing from a wider spectrum. This option allows online retailers to chose the best supplier.

2. Confidence- Because these companies listed in the directories are vetted, one's confidence in exploring the many options is reaffirmed.

3. Global catch-Online directories give lists of distributors around the globe. This enables one to venture into selling toys even to the international clients. This will increase the profits realized

Conclusion

Venturing into toy drop shipping business can be rewarding if all considerations are effected. This includes ensuring that customers are satisfied with the products, selling of high quality toys; making customer follows ups, Good customer relations, provision of adequate information and updating customers on new toys in the market. A retailer can dominate in the market and eventually make good profits in return

Dropship General Merchandise

If you think working from home and making six figures sounds good, check out his site and get a free dropshipping minicourse at eBay Dropshippers.

The Best Toy Ever

What's the best toy ever made? There's more than one way to answer this - you could go for the best-selling toy of all time, or perhaps one that has been a perennial favourite for generations of children. You could even stage a poll and let the majority decide the argument.

I favour a more personal approach, and when I think of the best toys of all time a few favourites from my own childhood put their hands up for recognition - so my shortlist inevitably includes Action Man, LEGO and toy soldiers.

But the winner? The winner is a toy that nobody else I know has ever even heard of. I'd never heard of it myself when I ripped the paper off a satisfyingly big box one Christmas morning and wondered what on earth it was.

It didn't take long for me to catch on, though. Sky Battle, by Ideal, was a World War I flying aces game with two plastic bi-planes at each end of a curved cardboard sky. Underneath each plane was a ball-bearing gun, much like those used in Crossfire, which you used to shoot out the supporting struts underneath the wings of your opponent's plane, causing it to go into a nosedive. Then it was home in time for tea and medals.

Simple, addictive and with a surprising level of skill involved, Sky Battle remained a favourite toy for years. Like all of the best toys from your childhood, I have no idea where it disappeared to, but I do know that finding another one will be difficult when nobody else seems to have heard of it.

Movie legend has it that when the cast and crew of Casablanca were making the film, they thought they were just churning out another B-movie that would soon be forgotten. They had no idea it would be hailed by many as the best film ever made.

I wonder if the creative department at Ideal knew that when they were churning out yet another game back in the mid '70s, they were actually making the Best Toy Ever? In my opinion, anyway.

David Smith is the editor of ToyTalk, your online source for toy news, reviews and features.

www.ToyTalk.co.uk

Toys to Encourage Sharing - Games and Toys That More Than One Kid Can Play With at a Time

Playing is one of the most important parts of growing up. Even kittens and puppies play. Through playing, we learn basic motor skills, we learn how things work, we learn to use our imagination, to build, to function in daily life, and, we learn to share.

Unfortunately, some kids hate sharing.

The solution is to encourage playtime that is most fun when there is more than one person on hand. What this basically means is games. Sports, board games, video games, if it's more fun with two people than it is with one, you're on the right path.

Of course, you have to choose carefully, and remember that teaching your kids to work together requires some guidance on your part. Some toys may seem to encourage sharing, but the bossiest of your kids might want to take charge of everything (we all had a brother, sister, or friend who would make up new rules on the fly when they were losing!), and might not respect the input of the other kids.

So of course, you don't want to just hand your kids a football and hope they get the picture. Talk to them, play with them, and teach them in a hands-on way about sharing and living, playing, and working with other people. The lessons kids can learn through playing board games and sports can be carried on well into adulthood.

To put it more in perspective, think of the brattiest kid you knew growing up... they were an only child, weren't they?

Sports

The only setback with getting kids to share with sports, is that most girls aren't really into sports all that much. If you can encourage a game of driveway basketball as a family event, though, it should be a heck of a lot easier to get all of your kids interested.

No real specific recommendations for any individual sport here. Whatever ball your family is most inclined to throw, kick, or knock around, go for it. Indoor sports can be great, too.

Board Games and Cards

If you can find some board games focused more on teamwork, this is ideal. Sometimes, all you need is a deck of cards, and if you know some good team-based games, teach your kids and have a ball. Even with games that usually don't use teamwork, you can still assign a single game piece to two of your kids in say, Monopoly, and have them take turns, or encourage them to discuss any decisions and come to an agreement before they buy or sell boardwalk, for example.

If you want to encourage your kids to get along and share toys with one another, it usually works best to divide the teams up into parents and kids.

Family Time

Something that really helps to quell sibling rivalry is just to get more involved, yourself. When the parents and kids are playing together, it tends to be a lot more harmonious, with children being happy to feel the inclusive, family atmosphere, and wanting to contribute to household peace.

http://www.Yogee.com.au is a leading Australian online toy store. Visit yogee for a wide selection of Kids Toys at discounted prices. To save money on your next purchase, please visit Toys.

Branding Your Company Logo on Toys

Marketing and promoting your business, no matter how big or small, is a tough monster to handle. Many companies find that their marketing efforts are well-founded when they offer no-cost logo toys as promotional gifts for their existing and potential customers and target niche audience. Promotional toy gifts are well-liked by the recipient and can provide them with a great way to imprint the image of your business into their minds - giving you a great amount of brand recognition at little cost.

Popularity of Toys With Your Logo

One reason that logo toys are so popular is that there is a "big kid" hiding in all of us, no matter how old we get. Toys bring back a sense of nostalgia for the past, making us reminisce of carefree days gone by - which makes them great promotional items as far as enjoyment goes. Most adults will admit that they have at least one toy at their desk that they use to relieve stress or boredom, or to help them focus. Additionally, everyone knows a child that would enjoy a toy. Many airlines, hotel chains, restaurants, medical practices, and other businesses have been using promo toys for years as a way to connect on a more personal level with parents and their children - and giving a promotional toy item out that is stamped with your business name is a great way to show your appreciation for families with children. And while serving this purpose, the toy item can be personalized with contact information and your business' logo - giving the parents the contact information they need to reach you.

Choosing Appropriate Toys To Give Away

There are a wide variety of different promo toys on the market that you might consider having your business' contact information and logo imprinted upon for marketing success. From toys for the 'kid at heart', like stress balls to more traditional types of toys, finding your company's perfect promo item or items is easy with a huge selection of affordable and quality toys to choose from. When purchasing your customized toy promo items, be sure to take into consideration that dealing with a reputable manufacturer or distributor can give you the assurance that the toy you choose will meet all national safety standards and be nontoxic and harmless for the recipients of your promo.

Affordable Logo Toys

Promotional toys items for your business no longer have to eat a huge hole in your marketing budget for the year. In fact, prices have been reduced in recent years as the market has broadened and is more competitive. Further, to find the best deal on customized logo toys for your business, order in bulk to get a better per piece rate.

Build your brand and get noticed with a custom small business logo design. Joseph has been helping businesses build their brands and raise awareness by providing professional but cheap logo design services for new start ups on a budget.

Top Five Outdoor Toys That Children Want In The Backyard

Children of all ages will always have a blast playing outside, especially on wooden swing sets. They enjoy activities such as swinging, bouncing, jumping, sliding and swimming. As a parent, it is enjoyable to watch your children have fun when they are playing outdoors. Children take comfort knowing mom or dad is right there, which makes them feel safe. When parents join in the fun, the kids usually are laughing and having a good time while bonding and creating lifetime memories with mom or dad, which will be treasured forever!

The new trend over the last few decades has been turning the backyard into a playground, an environment that resembles the local parks. Most parents will buy outdoor toys such as wooden swing sets, bounce houses, inflatable waterparks, trampolines and play tents, turning their backyards into a play area full of these types of big toys.

One of the most common backyard toys is are wooden swing sets. Wooden swing sets normally come with fun activities that keep kids entertained, exercising, playing and using their imaginations. For example, it helps keep them physically fit as they climb on the monkey bars, or use their leg muscles as they swing back and forth. Another example is children will learn to take turns, share and interact with siblings and friends while playing on these units. Backyard playsets will capture the attention of children as they often come with a wide variety of accessories and play options. They will enjoy playing in the forts because they are a great place to hangout with friends. Kids really enjoy wooden swing sets because they provide them with a vast array of fun activities.

Another type of fun toy for the backyard is the inflatable bouncer, also referred to as moonwalks, jumpy castles and bounce houses. Bounce houses are easy to use and kids literally will play inside jumping for hours. Bounce houses let children experience the thrill of bouncing and most can easily convert into a ball pit by tossing in 100 or 200 play balls. This is great fun for young toddlers because they can jump around and play with the balls.

Inflatable waterparks can bring a whole new level of fun to the backyards on those hot summer days. Splashing around in waterparks is a fun way to cool off and most come with small splash pools and multiple slides. Just turn on the garden hose, make the connections, inflate and you are ready to play. There are a few combination models which incorporates a scaled down version of large bounce houses along with the inflatable waterparks.

Trampolines are another great activity. They are available in many configurations such as square, rectangle and oblong. Most units are designed for a single jumper so children will learn to take turns along with being patient. It is recommended to always have the cage attached so the jumpers are safer.

Outdoor play tents and teepees round out the list of the top 5 favorites as these are designed made to left outside. Who doesn't like climbing inside their own play tents or teepees and pretending they are someone else in some other place in time. Kids love to play pretend and this is the perfect outlet for that. These are also the perfect units for backyard sleepovers!

As you can imagine there are many types of toys that are specifically designed to engage children in outdoor play. This provides a valuable experience for children as they enjoy playing outdoors.

Jennifer Boris is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Wooden Swing Sets, visit Best Price Toys.

Simple Homemade Cat Toy Making

For making a cat toy you can let go your imagination and use material you have at home, from simple paper, cardboard, hodgepodge, rags, patches, towels and old socks, to modeling clay, wool, rubber, latex, felt, flannel and plush.

As follows we teach you how to make a 4 inch cat toy pet out of the old socks you have in your chest of drawers:

o 3 socks long socks of small and big size (brown, grey, black, etc.)

o Dunlopillo for the filling

o Wires or cables for the whiskers and tail

o Scissors

o Thread (matching the socks color) and needles.

o Glue or liquid silicone

o Plastic eyes and nose or buttons (black, brown, green, etc.)

o Black or brown cloth rags

o Others: Ribbons, clips, etc.

o Black cardboard

You can find these and other materials at any wholesale or retailer notions store and online of course.

o Head

 Fill the small sock with the dunlopillo giving it a round shape.

 Cut the rest of sock and sew it in the part that is going to be attached to the body.

o Body


Fill two big socks with dunlopillo giving it an oval form, cut the rest and sew it in the part where the tail is going to be attached.

o Tail

 Cut a piece of wire or cable (the size it's up to you).

 Cut a very thin square of dunlopillo (5 mm tall approx).

 Pour glue or silicone over the wire and wrap the dunlopillo around.

 Once the glue or silicone has dried, wrap a long cloth rag around.

 Cut it and sew it in the part that goes attached to the body.

o Face

 Paste the plastic eyes.

 Cut very short pieces of wire of about the same size (3 ½ inches approx.) and insert them on the face, leaving a small space in the middle for the nose.

 Paste the plastic nose in the empty space.

o Ears

 Cut two small triangles of the cardboard

 Paste them on the head's top with glue or silicone.

You can make really unique cat toys, by making innovating designs (you can make a green cat for instance!). We can give you some hints on this, but at the end the result it's up to your imagination and preferences.

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Testing Elmo Live

Every year a toy comes onto the market that sends some parents wild, fighting over the last of its stock in supermarkets and high street shops. In recent years parents have become more accustom to frantically checking websites for stock levels. Another trait of these toys in recent times has been the annual doubling of price for the toy on eBay as parents become desperate to avoid disappointing their children.

This year that toy is highly likely to be Elmo Live. There are two good reasons why I suspect this. One is that after I posted information about the new toy, m1y website's statistics show a large volume of people coming to the site after searching for "Elmo Live" along with one of the following; "shortage", "sold out", "will it sell out", "supply" and "in stock". The second reason is that the toy is simply very impressive.

The problem however, is that until recently there has been very little information available on Elmo Live. All the information posted on websites seems to be based on a 3 minute video posted on YouTube of Elmo Live being demonstrated at a conference.

Finally we are able to buy Elmo Live and experience him fully to judge whether or not he is really worth the £60 retail price.

One concern before purchasing my own Elmo Live was that in one of the lesser viewed videos online, the motors inside Elmo seemed quite loud, taking away from his life-likeness and giving him a more robotic feel. However when I experience Elmo myself, this was not a problem. You can hear the robotic sounds still but you have to listen carefully. I'm not sure why this isn't as much of a problem as it seemed in the video, but it could be due to an over-sensitive microphone or that the model being demonstrated was an earlier version and they have somehow reduced the motor noise.

I quickly realised that the abilities shown in previous demonstrations of the toy were only a small proportion of Elmo Live can really do. Elmo sings and dances to 3 songs, all of which last around 3 minutes. That alone is very impressive in comparison with other toys which rarely say more than a few short phrases.

One of the most impressive features that I hadn't seen before is that if Elmo falls over, he asks you to pick him up. Along with that, he gets an itchy back and asks you to scratch it. His head bobbing motion is another nice feature.

There is no denying Elmo Live really is a great toy. He is aimed at toddlers but I've seen 9 and 10 year olds that would love Elmo Live for Christmas. In fact you'll be hard pressed to find anyone at any age that is not impressed by him.

There is one downside to buying Elmo Live however; the price. When Elmo was conceived the economy was not a worry, now the UK economy has taken a major down turn and parents will be acting more cautiously with what they spend their Christmas budget on. A relatively expensive toy for toddlers has been released at the worst possible time.

It's hard to imagine any young child not enjoying this year's Elmo toy. The only consideration really is whether you can afford to pay this much for toy at this time. A good way to find out is by showing your children a video of the toy and decide whether to buy Elmo Live based on their reaction. Personally, my decision was to buy this one toy which I expect will blow my children away, and if I have to, cut back a little on other toys which will quickly be put away and not touched for several months.

Parents in the UK who wish to buy Elmo Live should consider carefully where they want to buy it from. For example, while some shops appear cheaper than others, they often do not include delivery in their prices. Another consideration should be the low supply of Elmo Live in comparison with the demand. You can see where Elmo Live is in stock and where he has sold out on my website before choosing where to make an order.

Cheap Zhu Pets

One thing is sure and that is that by Christmas there will be very few cheap zhu zhu pets left. It seems that prices are now going up on an almost daily basis and this is sure to continue.

It will continue to be much harder to get them at low prices as more and more parents rush to make a purchase before it is too late. This is why anyone who really thinks that their children will be upset if they do not get one is well advised to buy as soon as possible. It is either that or risk having to pay very high prices nearer to the end of the year.

It really is quite amazing just how popular they have become. There is seldom a toy that has quite as much interest and popularity. We can see why though, they are a perfect toy for the children. With over forty sounds for each of them there is no doubt that they are a very individual toy that they can love and play with. They are seen as very personal and the fact that they are all unique is a very strong selling point.

For the perfect toy this year there really is very little else that compares so favorably. And with so many extras for them available they are sure to be a real winner. Just make sure to buy a zhu zhu pet as soon as you can as there is little point in spending more than you need to when you simply do not have to if you buy early.

For cheap zhu zhu pets please see the where to buy zhu zhu pets resource. There you can buy the cheapest zhu zhu pets online.

How to Get Free Color Contact Lenses

Did you know that it is possible to get a trial pair of color contact lenses absolutely free of charge? Find out how you can get a free trial pair - or even several pairs - of beautiful color contacts.

Large color contact lens manufacturers have to compete for your attention. Some of them are even willing to give you a free trial color contact lenses, hoping that you will like the lenses and stick with the brand. Currently, you can get free pairs of Acuvue 2 Colors and Freshlook color lenses.

Many people search for free color contacts online; unfortunately it is not this simple. All contact lenses - including color and special effect lenses - are medical devices, so you can't just order a trial pair and have them delivered to your home without having a doctor's prescription

However, there is a way to get a free pair. First, go to the official site of the contact lens manufacturer. There you will find a link that says "try for free", or something like that. You will have to fill in a form, but the company will either mail or e-mail you a certificate, that allows you to get a trial pair of color lenses from your eye doctor. If it is an e-mail, you will have to print the certificate.

With the certificate in hand, make an appointment with your eye doctor, to get your prescription and a trial color lenses. Make sure to ask in advance if this particular doctor has heard of color lens certificates and can give you a trial pair.

Tip: print 2 certificates for different brands of color contacts and ask the doctors for two pairs so you can compare the comfort and look.

When discussing, with your doctor, what brand of color contacts would be best for you, make sure to go for a popular brand, which you can order from online contact lens shops. Some doctors tend to prescribe brands that you can only order through their office. While there might be a good reason for the arrangement, an optometrist's motivation can often be simply to monopolize your custom. Unfortunately, you would probably have to pay 3 or 4 times more than if you were prescribed a popular brand of color contacts, which you can buy online.

After you get your trial pair of color lenses, wear them for a few hours. Look in a mirror under different light conditions - you will be amazed how different your eyes will look under the sunlight, compared to interior lighting. You should try your new lenses for comfort as well as a good look - watch some TV, try reading a phone book (usually the smallest type) and see how well your eyes feel when you work with your computer. Typically, you can wear a trial pair for a few days.

If your trial lenses look good under different lights and feel comfortable, then it is time to order yourself a box of these lenses. When you buy color contacts online, the prices are quite affordable.

http://www.1-Contact-Lenses-Consumer-Guide.com published by Tanya Turner helps you chose best color contact lenses. It provides reviews, photos andcomparisons, of all types of color contact lenses.

Day After Christmas Sales in 2009

If you are a thrifty shopper you have probably already been thinking about all the great day after Christmas sales in 2009. This is the one day of the year when you can find a huge assortment of outstanding items at amazingly discounted prices. Amazon is a perfect place to find many of those bargains online right from the comfort of your own home. Many items have prices slashed up to 75% at this time and you won't want to miss out on these fabulous deals. It's a great time to save money on everyday items or even special holiday products and gifts.

Some of best day after Christmas sales in 2009 you will find will be on Christmas decorations. This is truly the best day of the year to find extreme discounts on Christmas trees, indoor decorations, and even the normally expensive outdoor decorations. Prices are cut in half and sometimes even more on ornaments, holiday yard decor, and basically anything holiday related. This is also a great time to stock up on the things you will need for the next Christmas season, such as, gift wrap, bows and ribbons, and gift boxes.

Another area that has fantastic discounts during the day after Christmas sales in 2009 is the clothing department. Apparel such as coats, sweaters, scarves, boots, and all winter outwear will be drastically reduced in price. Most winter casual wear such as jeans, sweatshirts, and pajamas will also be on sale. Other items such as blankets, quilts, and comforters can be purchased as great discounted prices as well. This is the perfect time to stock up on everything you need to keep you warm and cozy during those cold winter months.

Finally, one of the most favorite departments that has tremendous deals at the day after Christmas sales in 2009 is the toy department. This is a great way for parents, grandparents, and all family and friends to find the perfect gifts for those children they love. Discounts can be found on all toy items including video games, dolls, plush toys, and many more. This is a great time to find toys and gifts for all the kids in your life. You can get stocked up for any upcoming birthdays or even an early start on shopping for the next Christmas season. If you are looking for an easy way to find items without spending a lot of money, the day after Christmas sales in 2009 at Amazon can be the perfect place for all your shopping needs.

Rick Swanson is a full-time article writer who enjoys writing on a variety of topics and personal interests. His latest is Zhuzhu In Stock [http://www.myazbutler.com/zhu-zhu-in-stock] which you can read more about at his website. The website allows anyone to search the Amazon.com inventory for out-of-stock items and be notified automatically when they become available. It's free to use. Check it out at [http://www.myazbutler.com/zhu-zhu-in-stock-now].

Use Price Comparison Websites to Get the Best Prices Online

In this current financial climate it is essential to make what available money you have stretch out as far as possible by finding the best prices and spending wisely with your shopping. With prices going up and people losing their jobs, affording those gifts for Christmas this year is going to increasingly difficult.

How can you save money?
Here's where price comparison websites can help you. A price comparison website can help you save money by comparing the prices of products offered by different retailers. Many retailers compete against each other by selling the same products at different prices. With so many retailers out there competing to offer the product you are interested in at the best price, it would be very time consuming to go around comparing them all yourself to find the cheapest deal.

Price Comparison
Typically, a price comparison website will place products into categories and sub-categories to help you find a particular product within a certain area such as LCD televisions and digital cameras. The site will almost certainly feature a search box so that you may enter the exact name of a product that you are already interested in purchasing. There may be other tools on the comparison site to help you locate a product, such as filtering your search results to within a certain price range. This is very useful if you have a budget for the type of product you want to buy.

Find the Best Prices
Once you have found the product on the price comparison site it is time to start comparing its prices offered by other retailers. This is where you can try to find the best price and best deal online for the product. Along with displaying the price offered by a retailer, the current stock levels and shipping costs may also be available to you. This information can be very helpful with your decision on which retailer can offer you the best price and value for money. A retailer who offers the best price, free shipping and has the item in stock would be an incredible find for you.

Your Next Purchase
Next time you plan to purchase something online be sure to compare its prices with several retailers so you can get the best deal that's out there. Price comparison websites and their tools can be very effective in saving you as much money as possible. Be sure to use them as often as possible to find yourself the best prices and best deals online!

I'm Chris from PriceProbe and enjoy spending my time helping consumers make the best out of their hard earned cash by saving money with their online purchases.