The Toy Room: A Great Room for Children And Parents

Every child needs a special, magical place: a corner of the world (or at least the house) where he can escape, have fun, and rule his tiny kingdom. And this place is the toy room.

Why You Need a Toy Room

There are many benefits to having a designated Toy Room in the house. The first, and perhaps the most convincing argument, is that the sense of ownership--"this is my space, with my things"--helps develop a child's security and self esteem. Just put yourself in your child's shoes. He's smaller than everyone else, the grown ups set the rules, and the world seems like such a big place with scary and unfamiliar things and experiences. But the toy room becomes his sanctuary. He is surrounded by everything he loves, and has complete control over what happens within the walls of the toy room. Does he play with the blocks or the ball? Will he read a book or paint? Nobody can tell him what to do. Child psychologists also believe that a toy room can help him become more independent, since it encourages him to make small but simple decisions without mom and dad hovering over his shoulder.

For parents, the toy room is an enclosed, designated area where they can leave the child and not worry about his safety. This leaves them free to attend to chores or get a precious half hour of "me time".

How to Set up a Toy Room

-Make sure that the Toy Room is completely child-proof, especially if you cannot see the child from where you will be staying. Windows should be securely locked (you can buy clips or window guards). If you have Venetian blinds, make sure that the cords are tied well above the child's reach (they can get strangled on them). Wall sockets must have plastic protectors. Other common hazards are: exposed cords, breakables, and sharp table corners.

-Invest in a baby monitor for small children. It's best if you can hear them if they cry--just so can quickly check that they haven't gotten hurt.

-Choose furniture (tables and chairs, cabinets, book shelves, or coat racks) that are specifically designed for your child's age and size. They can climb on a tall adult's and then crash down to the floor, or slip while trying to reach a book on a shelf that's too high.

-If your child's older and able to follow instructions, give simple toy room safety rules. Better yet, remove anything that would possibly cause danger beyond his ability to control himself. For example, instead of saying "Don't run around with the sharp scissors" give him specially designed scissors for kids.

Toy Room Furniture

-Toy chest. Keep small toys organized and out of the way to avoid slipping. If your child has a lot of toys, try breaking them into groups and then rotating them. Not only is this neater, it prevents a small child from becoming overwhelmed (and when you bring out an old toy that he hasn't seen in a long time, he'll treat it like it's brand new!)

-Book shelves. Encourage a love for reading by keeping books readily accessible. Make reading a special bonding moment as well--snuggle together to read aloud a favorite fairytale!

-Table and chair. A child needs a table for writing, drawing, and other activities that need a bare and elevated surface: putting together puzzles, crafting, playing with clay, or the impromptu teddy bear tea party. Make sure that the table and chair at the right height, and that he doesn't need to slouch over or arch his shoulders to reach the table.

-Art easel. Drawing, painting and other creative activities encourage imagination and creativity, and help strengthen the hand muscles for writing. (Did you know that many pre-schoolers have trouble keeping up at school just because they don't like writing?).

Other optional toy room furniture are tents (for hide and seek play), sleeping mats (for nap times and sleep overs), and clothes racks for jackets.

Classic Toys for your Toy Room

There are traditional toys without which no toy room could ever be considered complete. Be sure to stock up on these classics--and keep a spare copy of your child's favorite toy in case it gets broken or lost!

Balls. If you're worried about your child throwing it around and breaking something in the toy room, have "indoor balls" that are smaller and made of light weight materials like foam. Balls develop hand eye coordination and are one of the few toys that are more fun when shared (great for play dates).

Dolls and stuffed animals. These toys are not only comforting and fun to hug, but are handy for imaginative play. Why not treat your child to a beautiful doll house?

Crayons, paper, and other art materials. If you're worried that your child will scrawl on the walls of your beautifully decorated toy room, buy special "washable" crayons that can be easily wiped off with water.

Blocks. Stack them up into cities or kingdoms. With a little imagination your child can also use them in conjunction with toys and dolls.

Puzzles. These help develop logic and spatial reasoning...not to mention patience! Choose puzzles that are appropriate for your child's age and skill, since getting something too complex will only discourage him.

Decorating your Toy Room

Now even the busiest parents can easily decorate a toy room. There are coordinated furniture sets for quite a number of themes, from a princess toy room in a charming pastel pink to a colorful zoo toy room for children who love animals. Just by selecting the right pieces, and choosing a complementing color for the walls, your toy room has that happy, "pulled together" look--even if you didn't hire an interior designer! Complete the design with sticker decals, themed beddings, matching accessories (like lamps and curtains), and your child's own art work. Wouldn't that be a toy room that anyone would be proud of?

Wishrooms.com offers Kid Furniture for Bedrooms and Playrooms [http://www.wishrooms.com] at affordable prices.

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Are Your Children Safe With Their Toys?

You glance over at your young child and see her happily on the floor playing with her toys. Knowing she is safe, you go ahead and start preparing dinner. Between rinsing the vegetables and putting water on to boil, a tragedy could occur. Your child could be seriously or even fatally injured by her favorite toys.

This is something no parent should ever have to face, but it happens every day. Is your child safe with their toys?

In today's toy and child care marketplace, product recalls happen all the time. Even with reputable companies and after what would appear to be exhaustive development and testing.

Unfortunately, sometimes a recall happens only after a child or multiple children have been hurt. Recently, the Thomas the Tank Engine toys were recalled. The recall included various Thomas and Friends toys because the paint finish on the trains contained lead. There were about 1.5 MILLION of these toys sold nationwide from January 2005 through 2007. The same reason prompted a recall of the Soldier Bear Action figures sold between August 2006 through 2007.

Central to the recall of the 'Thomas' Products and Fisher-Price was the danger of 'Lead Poisoning' which occurs predominantly in children who are well known to sample things by putting them in their mouths. Lead poisoning can damage internal organs including the kidneys, nervous system and brain. This is particularly dangerous because in children from age infant to seven years, their little bodies are still developing, and lead poisoning can leave PERMANENT IMPAIRMENT. Your child can suffer from a lower I.Q. and physical disabilities. All of this from her favorite toy that you thought was safe. With the knowledge of this today among manufacturers, this scenario should never have to happen.

Unfortunately, there is more. Children could become blinded, scarred, or disfigured if any of their toys have a rigid edge or surface. If your child picks up a toy like this and goes running around like children do all the time, this could be disastrous. Toys that contain loose attachments or cars that have wheels that move automatically could also be tragic. Your child's hair could become entangled in the moving parts, causing laceration, scalp injuries or even strangulation. Choking can occur with toys that have small parts or pieces, balls or removable parts.

So what do you do? Buy toys and really hope that nothing terrible happens? What if you're a child care provider or you're purchasing toys for a waiting room at a doctor's office? You absolutely cannot afford to take the chance of someone else's child being injured by one of the toys that you've provided for them to play with. It sure seems like most of the toys you buy could be dangerous. But not all of them are.

Primary Risks from Toys

* Strangulation

* Choking

* Electric Shock or Burn

* Lead Poisoning

* Cuts and Scrapes

Some ideas for child toy safety at home

* Buy only toys from reputable manufacturers

* Use 'Common Sense' in toy selection

* Buy toys appropriate for the child's age

* Inspect toys carefully for potential dangers

* Expect the 'Unexpected': Look at toys with critical viewpoint

* Do not leave small children unattended for any length of time

* Packaging material is NOT a toy! Remove it from a child's presence!

* Use Safety Gear where available for the type of toy. (helmets, pads,etc)

* Checkout toy reviews and recall notices. The internet makes this easy to do.

Nothing can take the place of 'common sense' here. You have to get 'outside yourself' as a adult and see the toy from the child's point of view. In other words, you can NEVER assume what a child will or won't do with a toy.

Let's be careful out there!

Barry Chickini is author and webmaster for [http://www.ChildTherapyResources.com] and writes and edits numerous articles on Child Therapy and Safety.

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How To Find Safe And Quality Toys For Your Children

Buying safe toys for children is always a concern for parents, but increasing numbers of toy recalls have made safety an even greater concern. Parents do not want to spend a small fortune for toys, but they do want quality toys that will stay in one piece during play, and they do not want toys to pose a danger to the child. Fortunately, there are alternatives to most retailer offerings that can help parents meet all of those goals.

One of the easiest places to find safe, quality toys for children is through online retailers. Online retailers are often more able to offer unique, quality toys than retailers who are subjected to the limitations of corporate purchasing. At 1888toys.com, for example, there is a wide selection of toys for all ages, including toys and furniture for bedrooms and waiting rooms, which are tested not only by the manufacturer, but also by the merchant, in order to ensure quality and safety. Such retailers are also able to offer a variety of toys that have been designed, and tested, to be safe for children.

Among the quality toys that parents can look for are handmade wooden toys and wooden puzzles. Wooden toys and puzzles are painted with water-based child-safe enamel, although some may be purchased with an organic natural finish. The enamel used meets all government standards as a lead-free paint, and is perfectly safe for use by children. In addition, the toys are more durable, and generally have few to no small parts, helping to eliminate choking hazards.

Of course, wooden toys are not the only options for parents. Because babies tend to chew on everything, educational baby toys must pass government standards regarding the possibility of transmitting any toxic elements to the baby. Hand puppets and marionettes must meet the requirements of flammability and heavy metals testing. Most board games are required to pass certain standards regarding the safety of the ink, paper, and game pieces.

Finding safe, quality toys may not always be easy for parents, but there are specific things they can look for in toys. Typically, toys that are made in the U.S.A. are less likely to be subject to product recalls. The U.S. government has imposed strict regulations regarding flammability, presence of lead or heavy metals, and general safety of toys. Any toys that fail to meet government standards may not legally be sold or purchased.

Parents should also look for toys from reputable manufacturers. Individual toymakers, craftspeople and artisans are also good option as the manufacturer of safe and quality toys for children. An individual typically does not make a toy simply to make money. Instead, the toys are expressions of their creativity, and they are made with a genuine love for the toy and the child in mind. Toys made by individuals will rarely contain parts or chemicals that are harmful to children.

There are options for parents who want to buy safe toys for their children, and who also desire a quality toy. Knowing where to look, as well as knowing what to look for, can help parents find safe, quality toys. While those toys may not be on the shelf of the local mass retailer, they are well worth spending the time to find.

Marina Neiman, author and mother of two, writes for 1888Toys.com ? Educational Toys Store, featuring classic wooden toys and selection of safe and quality toys for children.

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Toy Boxes for Children - Opportunity for Learning and Play

What do you do when you have tons of toys for your children and no place to put the toys away? This is when it's time to choose one of the many practical toy boxes for children and solve your 'toy dilemma'. It is easy to accumulate a multitude of toys in just a matter of a few weeks. When you have small children there is always someone who decides that a new toy is going to be the perfect gift and this just adds to the already cluttered look of your home.

You can always try to stay on top of the situation and help your child put the toys back on a shelf or in a closet when playtime is over, but this practice can quickly lose its appeal. With a kids toy chest you can solve a number of problems at once.

Kids toy chests are meant to be functional items in your home. With one of the many toy chests for kids that are now available you can have a convenient storage space for their toys and you will enjoy the decorative appeal of toy boxes for children as well.

Toy chests are a wonderful way to help your children learn responsibility and organizational skills while they are young. Having a brightly colored toy chest appeals to children because they will want to use it to keep their toys safely put away. With a toy chest of their own your children can not only keep their playthings organized they can also retrieve them whenever they wish which fosters a sense of responsibility and true ownership.

Some of the toy chests even have additional features such as built in shelves or little cubbies that help make organizing a big collection of toys a lot more fun. These toy chests can be painted to match a certain room decor or you can choose a color option that is a favorite of your child.

Now you need to discover how to choose the right toy boxes for children to use. It is best to begin this process by starting with the type of construction material that you prefer. Most of these toy chests are made from either wood or a type of plastic. The wooden chests will be more durable and are often more visually appealing than the plastic versions.

If you want to personalize your kid's toy chest by painting it to match their room or stenciling their name on the front then a wooden chest will be your best bet. There are unfinished models of these chests available that can be stained or painted any color that you wish. Then you can add stenciling, decals or other decorations to create a truly one of a kind storage area for toys.

Larger sized toy boxes for children are often preferable to the smaller ones that are offered for sale. Even if your child only has a few toys now the chances are that this collection will grow rapidly over just the next few months. It is better to have a little extra room at the beginning than try to limit the amount of toys in the future.

Make sure that the toy chest fits the size of the room. A chest that is too small or too large will seem awkward in a child's room. Measure the available space at your house and compare it to the dimensions listed for the product you are considering.

Think about versatility when choosing toy boxes for children Some of these have wheels to help move them about a room. There are others that feature built in book shelves or a lid that is designed to double as a reading bench. A toy chest that has a cushioned top will be a good place to keep those toys tidily put away and will provide your child with a comfortable place to sit and play, or read.

A safety lid is a must have feature on any toy chest designed for kids. This feature will prevent your child from getting their fingers trapped by a top that suddenly 'slams shut'. Make sure that there are ventilation holes cut into the sides of the toy chest. This is an additional safety feature that provides a flow of air just in case any curious toddler decides to secretly investigate the interior of the toy box.

Neutral colors will also add extra value to a toy chest. Instead of pink toy boxes for girls and blue for boys why not choose gender neutral shades instead. This expands the use and interest of toy boxes for children.

No matter which style of kids toy chests you may decide to select you will quickly realize that toy boxes for children are some of the most practical and useful items that you could purchase for your child's room.

Nicole Roberts
Welcome to My Kids Play Time, inside you will discover an amazing selection of low priced and excellent quality toy boxes for children.

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Categories to Think About When Selecting the Top Toys For Your Own Children

If you are shopping for toys to give your own kids, then there is a large selection available for you. The fact that toy sections in department stores occupy such large portions is a obvious testament to the amount of toys that are being offered for sale nowadays. However, sheer number alone should not be sufficient if you want to offer the very best for your children. There are a large amount of toys out there that are not worth purchasing. Here are a few categories to consider for choosing the top toys for your own children.

Functionality

In selecting the top toys for your children, one of the most useful things to take into account is the toy's functionality. How much purpose does the toy truly offer? Is it only utilized for playing? Or is there something else that the toy is actually good for?

Aside from the fact the functionality is related to the price of the toy, it is practical to understand that the toy can also be good for some other functions, such as for teaching. There are toys out there that can teach your kids to read, write, spell, or even draw. Wouldn't it be great to find out that your child is learning while playing?

At the same time, there are also toys, such as portable game consoles, that your own kid could use not just for playing games, but also for listening to melodies and even for watching shows. In reality, several of these electronic game consoles could also be utilized to browse the internet. These toys are top of the list in terms of performance.

Age Appropriateness

Toys generally have a target age. There are toys that usually are supposed to be played by 3-5 year olds. There are those that are designed to be utilised by older children. The top toys generally cater to a wider range of ages. This makes them helpful for a extremely long period. It also proves that they are more versatile than others. Giving your children toys which are not age-appropriate may just irritate them or expose them to real danger. Age limits make sure that your kids possess the required abilities, and discipline for playing the toys. Don't forget that.

Safety

The toys on your list must also be safe. The materials, paint, and other parts that make up your kids' toys must have passed international safety standards. Not too long ago, there have been toy firms that have recalled several products in the market after being discovered to utilize leaded paint. (Lead is proven to cause dangerous effects on humans particularly children.

In addition to the actual toy being safe, your toys should also train safety. Never acquire your children toys that encourage violence. They only reproduce violent behaviors in your kids. Not to mention, these toys are often close to accidents. Being handled by kids, they must be strong enough to withstand a lot of rough plays, but soft enough not to hurt your kids or make them choke on damaged parts.

Value for money

When shopping for toys for your kids, always remember to consider prices. Do not smother your kids with expensive toys. Teach your kids the value of money by placing a restriction to the cost of their toys. Remember, playthings such as toys are in general accident-prone or accident-bound, because kids are generally clumsier than grown ups. It might be much easier to let them to play their hearts out knowing that the toys they might break are easy to replace. Not to mention, they're cheaper. You could reserve the more expensive toys after they've proven capable of taking care of their things. It's more practical and much safer too.

My name is Henry Ballard and i invite you to find out valuable details in selecting the perfect toy for your kid by visiting my website about top toys. Also it's very important to have the necessary knowledge when you decide to look in after a toy. On the market there is a wide variety of toys and not all of them are the right one for your kid. Here are the Top 5 Toys that are well enjoyed by children around the world.

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Guide To Choosing Educational Toys For Children

In the last few years, parents started getting more and more interested in choosing all sorts of educational toys for their children. Because a parent wishes the best for his child, a toy that is labeled as educational is very likely to be bought easier than others. But what is an child educational toy?

Well, there is no definition of the term "educational toy" from what I know. However, what I do know is that an educational toy is a toy that helps a child learn something good, something that will help in the future. Play is the most important activity of any child.

Learning thru play is a reality; it can and it is done unknowingly every time your child plays. The parent must however control the play so that it remains on an educational course. There are also toys that aren't exactly educational for children ... Toy guns and other such toys that somehow tend to violence and other bad behaviors are not recommended. You must avoid such toys. Although these toys may be a good source of fun for youngsters, on the long term they will only do harm.

How do child educational toys and games work?

A I said above, play is a child's main activity. During the play, a child learns many new things. Toys and games must be integrated into the play to make their job. This is not hard, because play consists of several games that require using toys.

Any toy can be educational, as long as it does not develop a bad behavior, and it is used in your child's play. A toy must be used in order to be educational for a child.

To be clearer about how child educational toys and games work, I will take one example: Hide and seek.

Let's take a look at Hide and Seek. You do remember this game, right? Can you remember the rules? Ok, I will still list them here, and comment on them and explain its educational side.

The first rule is that every player must obey the rules. I know, I know it's obvious, but if players would not respect the rules, would there be any point for the rules to exist? Every child must learn and obey them, or else they are not allowed to play the game. The educational part of this is that the child learns to accept the fact that he cannot do everything he wants, that there are some limits and he must not pass them in order to keep his privileges.
One of the children in the group is chosen to count to 100 at the home tree (this helps young children learn the numbers in a pleasurable way, not like in school), without peeking (this educated the child to use fair play in all areas of the life). Meanwhile, the others must find a good hiding place, one that is both hard to discover and close to the home tree. This stimulates the child to think fast to the best solution to a given task.
After he finished counting to 100, the child says "Ready or not, here I come" and then he must search for the other players. He must be very careful. Once he finds a player hiding, he must run back to the home tree and shout his name. He must be vigilant so that he can hear any sound that might indicate the position of the other players.
The players who are already spotted must not tell where the others are hiding. This too educates children to use fair play.
The first player spotted is the next one to count to 100.

You'd never think that hide and seek, one of the most common games in childhood, could be so educational, right? Yes, it is a very educational game. And it's not the only one. Pick any game you liked playing when you were a child, and analyze its rules, as I did above. You'll be amazed. Hide and Seek is oriented mainly towards developing fair play and physical skills. Here's another example of child educational game that helps developing more advanced skills: Monopoly.

I won't bore you with its rules. This game introduces your child into the basics of modern business life. Acquiring high value properties, negotiation, taxes. Yup! This game educates your child to become the biggest businessperson on the Wall Street. Monopoly has rules that are more complex and it requires greater concentration.

Specific jargon and names that mean much to the entrepreneurs get your child closer the world of business. Toys are amongst the first objects a child gets in contact. Understanding how things work is a direct result of solving problems with toys like "Why this fits there?", "Does that fit here?", "How big is that?".

Educational toys help your child learn to grab, pull, push, synchronize the movement of the head with that of the hand. Toys are indispensable when playing. Playing with a great variety of child educational toys helps your child develop his imagination, understand that different objects have different properties, and learn how to combine them to create other interesting objects.

Read the whole article on choosing child educational toys.

Eugen Lisov is the creator of http://www.Child-Toys-Guide.com, a site that helps parents worldwide to choose the best toys for their children. Please feel free to browse my site; it will only help you when choosing toys for your child.

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Science and Discovery Toys Provide Wonderful Educational Experiences for Children

Whether your child wants to be a future geologist, archeologist, chemist or scientist there are a wide variety of excellent science and discovery toys for them to have fun and learn with. There is an endless array of kits, toys, play sets and devices available to experiment and explore some of which include; animal kits, archaeology and geology toys, astronomy tools and play sets, bugs and insects, chemistry and physics sets, electronic and robotic kits, geography and globes, habitats, microscopes, telescopes and binoculars.

Most children are enchanted by anything to do with animals. There are plenty of fun and exciting habitats and play sets to keep your child entertained for hours. Frog habitats, horse and stable play sets, plastic dinosaur kits, a variety of sea monkey habitats from magic castles to mini aquariums, creature keeper (for catching beetles, butterflies and praying mantis etc.), farm animal play sets, plastic wildlife animals, hermit crab kits, reptile habitats, sea life plastic toy sets, plastic reptile sets, foam t-rex dinosaurs, foam lizards and foam great white sharks to name only a few.

The archaeology and geology sets and educational toys offer wonderful educational experiences for children, allowing them to have fun while enhancing their learning skills. Some of the great toys and ideas for play are; rock polishing kits, metal detectors, wooden dinosaur bone building kits available in different sizes (no glue or hardware needed), volcano making kits, outdoor adventure equipment kits (available with flashlight, compass, working camera, binoculars, digital watch and telescope) and 3D wooden dinosaur puzzles.

For a future aspiring astronomist anything to do with the planets, stars, galaxies and universe causes excitement. Some of the great astronomy items that can be found for children include; telescopes (if this is something your child is very interested in, be sure to find a quality telescope that will last and work properly), rockets (complete with sound effects and vibrations), 3D solar systems that glow in the dark, binoculars, space mission play sets, glow in the dark stars and planet sets, solar system mobiles and hand held star navigators (electronic devices used to locate and identify stars and their constellations).

Bugs and insects are interesting to children and adults alike, there are some excellent kits and observatories great for viewing and keeping critters. Something to note with most kits is the larvae or bugs will only be sent separately once the kit is purchased). Some of the exciting kits available are butterfly gardens (complete with supplies for feeding and observation chamber and informative booklet), ant farms, lady bug gardens, butterfly flowers seeds and net sets, silkworm sets, plastic bug play sets, creature viewer (magnifying scope) and special bug jars. The butterfly kit allows a child to see the complete metamorphosis from larvae to butterfly, both an exciting and wonderful learning experience.

Aspiring chemists and physicists will love the great snap circuit kits which allow your child to build an array of exciting projects from radios to light bulb testing set ups. Other great chemistry and physics kits available include; science kits (color mixing, making soft crystals, or rainbows in test tube), water wizardry kits (allowing children to make snow, gels and rainbows in test tube all with the addition of water), and wonderful chemistry sets complete with microscope, accessories, material and equipment allowing first time scientists to conduct simple and fun chemistry experiments.

The electronics and robotics choices for children come in several exciting devices and kits. Metal detectors are one device that offers children a sort of "treasure hunt" experience through use on a beach or the backyard where they will find all sorts of lost treasures and trinkets. There are great electronic kits which allow children to build everything from clock radios to robots and aliens that will respond to sound. Other fun and educational toys available are walkie-talkie kits, snap circuit kits and moving robot kits for building an endless array of moving vehicles and robots. These wonderful kits teach your child a variety of great skills while proving that learning really can be a lot of fun.

One of the most practical and great learning aids for geography is without question the globe. Globes today come in all sorts of different designs some with raised relief land formations and others with lovely prism designs. Popular electronic globes come with geographical facts, trivia, national anthems and world clock times. There are electronic interactive books available with talking maps giving names of states and capitals offering children excellent and fun learning opportunities. Puzzles are also another popular learning aid made in a variety of designs and sizes. Regardless of the globe you choose for your child it is sure to be of use for years to come.

Lastly there is a vast selection of children's microscopes, telescopes and binoculars available for viewing bugs, stars and wildlife. Microscopes offer future scientists and biologists a view of the physical world through magnification. While telescopes give a glimpse of the wonderful night sky and binoculars bring wildlife up close. All these devices will change the way your child looks at the world. These toys are made in both plastic sets and higher quality metal sets. Which set you choose will depend on the age of your child and how often they will be using the device. An older child will probably prefer a better quality set that will withstand wear and tear and be more optically correct.

Science and discovery toys, sets and devices should inspire fascination and inquisitiveness in your child helping to encourage a love and desire for learning. All the wonderful toys in this category are sure to provide any child with hours of entertainment while providing an awareness of science and how it works. These toys are sure to open doors and teach skills on a variety of different levels. The endless array of choices can at times be a bit overwhelming, it's always a good idea to do a bit of research before making your purchase. Reviews and recommendations on toys are a great way to get a bit of an idea on what to expect.

Valerie Giles owns and operates Toys-4-Kids; Educate your child through play. Toys-4-kids is a web site full of resource information and online toy stores. Purchase the right educational toys for every child throughout their growing years. The site focuses on many categories of toys from baby toys to outdoor toys and bikes for kids, as well as Barbie Collectibles. http://www.toys-4-kids.com

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10 Tips on Choosing Safe Toys For Children

One of your main concerns as a parent is your child's safety. Making sure that he's got safe environment to grow in is essential for a great childhood.

Toys play an essential role in a kid's development, so it's important that you make sure they are both education but also that they pose no threat. But I don't want to you get overboard with this. It's ok to be concerned and careful, but don't get into the over-protective mode! Or, at least don't appear to be so.

So here are ten tips to help you chose safe toys for your child:


Consider your child's age. This is obvious, and it will determine the range of toys you need to look for. If you're out of ideas, most toy stores have their shelves organized on age groups so you can easily get huge list of appropriate gifts for your kid. Read the labels. These provide lots of useful information like instruction of how to play with the toy, how to assemble it, the age groups it is recommended for, whether adult supervision is required or not and so on. Be flexible with the age groups. If your kid is 3 and the toy is labeled for kids of age 4, it's still a good idea to choose that toy, given you're supervising the play. Check for the sturdiness of the toy. If there are small parts that are very likely to come off after a light drop, it's a good idea to look for something else. I'm thinking of the wheels of toy cars, eyes from teddy bears and so on. Are they easy to clean? It's a good practice to clean the toys at least once a month to avoid any germs that may spread this way. For stuffed toys, they should be easily washable because they tend to gather lots of dust. Bath toys should also be washed pretty often because they tend to be covered in soap and leftovers from the bath. Given the pleasure young kids have to chew toys, it's a good idea to have them clean all the time. Chose toys that have large parts for younger kids. Toddlers and babies like to chew things. Having a great selection of teething toys is great, but most often, they just grab any of the toys they have and have their way with it. Get toys with no detachable small parts and watch for any potential flaws in the toys when he's playing. Avoid toys that make sharp noises. Young kids are more sensitive to powerful noises and it is possible to damage the hearing for life and, more or les dangerous, it may be a powerful shock that will psychologically traumatize him and make him scared of everything. Avoid toys that shoot things in the air, like arrows or small balls. Toy guns are a definite no! Still in the same category, toys with sharp edges should never be found in your kid's toy collection. They sometimes throw toys, more or less powerfully, and if there's another kid close, he might get injured. Be careful with crib toys. If there are any cords attached to the toys, remove them. Never tie a toy to the crib because there's a very high risk of strangulation. Just leave the toys with the kid, and if he wants them, he'll play with them. Store toys in a safe toy chest that does not automatically lock when closed. It should be pretty difficult for the kid to climb in, but they should always get out of it easily.
And there are much more safety tips you can consider, but as previously mentioned, don't get overboard with it. Focus on making play a fun and educational experience for your child and you'll have a happy kid.

Eugen Lisov is the creator of http://www.child-toys-guide.com, a place where you can find great information about choosing toys for all ages and also lots of reviews of the most popular toys today. For more on toy safety, visit http://www.child-toys-guide.com/safe-toys.shtml.

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Toy Safety For Young Children

Kids love to play with toys, and parents' love that their kids are being entertained. When you're standing in the middle of the toys at a store, it can be overwhelming to choose the best toy for your child. Is it safe, what's this toy made out of, is there lead in the paint, will my child like this toy? Most importantly, when you are choosing a toy for your child, make sure that it is safe. Here are some tips on toy safety that can help you make your decision when buying children's toys.

The most important safety tip is checking to see if the toy is age appropriate. Most toys or games have an age level somewhere on the box. Buying a toy designed for a three year old could be hazardous if you are letting a small infant play with it. The age levels on toys and games are defined by the Toy Industry Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The age levels take into account the ability of a child's age to handle a certain type of toy.

Once you have found toys that are age appropriate, look for sharp edges or other harmful aspects on a toy. Are there small pieces that may easily break or be removed from the toy that a child could swallow? Is the toy broken and will it scratch my child? Toys can be damaged during the shipping process, and should be returned because they are unsafe to play with. Also, if your child breaks a toy it is best not to let them keep it or repair it yourself. Children often put toys in their mouths and glue can be harmful or toxic.

Recently, the toy industry has had to recall toys from stores. There has been lead found in the paint and some toys have been malfunctioned. Check with toy stores to see if they have a list of recalled toys or research online. Once you have the list of recalled toys, go through your child's toys and make sure you don't have any of those toys. If you do, return them to the manufacture.

If you are buying toys for another kid for a birthday party or holiday, it never hurts to ask their parents what they think would be an appropriate toy. Some parents may have their own guidelines for age level appropriateness of a toy. Also, some parents may have a personal preference on the types of toys their child plays with. Some parents may only allow educational toys in their home, while another parent only allows toys made in the U.S. in their home. A parent knows their child best.

When you have made a final choice for the toys you allow your kids to play with, it is best to teach your kids toy safety. If you bought your kids a basketball, teach them not to run in the street to chase after ball especially if they are young. Also teach your children the difference between indoor and outdoor toys. Flying a plane in the house could break something fragile.

About the Author: Jim Ford is the President of KinderMark, a family owned and managed business which sells waiting room toys and waiting room furniture used in doctor's offices, hospitals, auto dealers, dentists offices and libraries. Preschool toys such as an activity table and learning toys are favorites for pediatric offices. For more information, visit http://www.kindermark.com.

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