This (very early) morning I was featured on The Local 6 Today morning show on WPSD sharing unique toy ideas for this holiday season. We all know the hot toys this season - rainbow loom anyone!?! - but I wanted to share some products from smaller toymakers who are truly passionate about kids and play.
For the preschool to early elementary set
Ages 0-99
Magnetic blocks! Why didn't I think of that?!? I first saw Tegu at the ABC Kids Expo last year and they were one of the few booths filled with children (and adults) playing with their toys. Because the blocks are magnetic, imagination really is the only limit to what your child can build! And they don't have to stop with buildings either.
The blocks are fantastic but what I really love is the story behind the company. Founded by brothers Will and Chris Haughey, Tegu was created to support the local economy of the Honduran village where the wood is sourced and the toys are produced. Instead of just profit, these toys create a positive social impact!
Starter sets begin at $25.00 and the company is currently running several Christmas promotions.
Mini Micro 3in1 from Kickboard USA
Ages 1-5
With two boys close in age, I'm always looking for toys that can fit the needs of multiple ages which is why I LOVE the Mini Micro 3in1 from Kickboard USA. Start with the ride-on seat at age 1, moving to a stand-on scooter with short O-bar at age 2, and convert to the Mini Micro with TBar for ages 3 to 5!
Your child will be scooting like a pro without your garage filling up with discarded toys!
The 3in1 is $114.99 and available in pink or blue.
Begin Again Animal Parade A to Z Puzzle
Ages 3+
I absolutely love this company BeginAgain was founded on the ideas of Benjamin Barlowe, an early 20th century inventor from Fort Collins. He believed every child is a writer, inventor, sportster, and hero and the toys of BeginAgain seek to bring out each side of child through play.
For the writer and inventor, there is the Animal Parade puzzle which requires problem-solving to make a vulture ride a unicorn AND helps your child learn their letters since each piece has the uppercase letter on one side and the lowercase on other.
The Animal Parade puzzle is $40.
For the older elementary set
Ages 3+
This new little creation from Fat Brain Toys has taken the toy scene by storm. It's simple. It's fun. It's for kids of all ages (and some adults from what I've heard!). These little suction cups stick to any smooth service AND stick to one another - which is where the fun comes in!
I think they would be perfect for bathtub toys since they don't take on any water and wouldn't get all yucky. However, van windows or sliding glass doors or kitchen counters would work just as well.
A starter is $24.95.
GoldieBlox and the Parade Float
Ages 4-9
GoldieBlox is a very cool company with a simple goal - get girls building! They are using story-telling and basic engineering tools to take back the princess aisle and get little girls interested in science, engineering, technology and math.
The company was a Kickstarter darling and created quite a viral phenomenon with their video "Princess Machine". Each toy comes with a book and several DIY projects and all sets are compatible with one another.
GoldieBlox and the Parade Float is $19.99.
Marvel Science Spider-Man Web Creator Lab
Ages 6 and up
From Uncle Milton's Toys, the Marvel Science lab encourages your little superhero to channel all that energy into science! My boys are obsessed with all things comic book so I love the idea of less jumping and less "flying" and more science-based learning.
The Spider-Man Web Creator Lab allows them to make red and blue sticky webs, stretchy webs, web balls and web nets. There are also Iron Man labs and a Thor Energy Hammer.
The Spider-Man Web Creator Lab is #34.99.
Marvel Science Spider-Man Web Creator Lab
Ages 6 and up
From Uncle Milton's Toys, the Marvel Science lab encourages your little superhero to channel all that energy into science! My boys are obsessed with all things comic book so I love the idea of less jumping and less "flying" and more science-based learning.
The Spider-Man Web Creator Lab allows them to make red and blue sticky webs, stretchy webs, web balls and web nets. There are also Iron Man labs and a Thor Energy Hammer.
The Spider-Man Web Creator Lab is #34.99.
Ages 6 and up
This is "for your little one" only if you feel like sharing. I did not. Therefore, this toy actually belonged to me, until I solved it then (and only then) I decided to pass it along to my children. Lucky them, because this thing is FUN.
Remember the little ball mazes of your childhood? Where you had to roll the ball through the little flat plastic maze? Ok now take that multiply it by a million and pump it full of caffeine and you have the Perplexus!
The ball maze is now 3D and incredibly challenging and will steal days of your life. Still, so much fun! There is the Perplexus Original, the Rookie, the Epic (I will best you one day Epic!), and the Twist.
The Perplexus Original is $20.27 on Amazon.
Would you like to win some of these fantastic toys? Good! Leave a comment below telling me your favorite toy as a child and then rack up easy entries using the Rafflecopter box below! I'll draw a winner for each toy so there will be four chances to win!
