Kids these days seem to be overwhelmed with amount of toys they have in their possession. Just walking down the toy aisle at the store can leave a mom or dad with a headache if you pay attention to all the toys with battery operated flashing lights, songs, sounds and movements. Even with all the different toys on the market these days if you find yourself looking for a toy for a gift you might be unsure as to whether or not your gift idea is unique enough that the child receiving it doesn't already have it. Rest assured there's an easier route to go when it comes to picking out children's gifts and the best part is you can do it right from your computer. Some of the best toys and learning materials for children can be found on smaller independently run websites.
Maple Landmark is an American company that makes wood toys as well as other gadgets and trinkets. The best products are their train sets which are compatible with other name brand wood sets. The track is very beautifully made and there are various train cars that are available like safari animals and zoo cars. There are also name trains available which is an awesome gift idea. Each letter is sold separately and you can piece them together to spell a child's name. They are magnetic so they stick together and they fit on the wooden track. This is a great toy to play with as well as a great decorative piece for a child's room.
Parents are very interested in wooden toys these days because they can be trusted. There's no worry with wood like there is with plastic- wondering what the plastic is made of, what chemicals are involved in the production and what will happen if your child chews on it. Another great wooden toy company is CircaToys. The company began just last year by Gary Murphy and is family run. The great creation by CircaToys is a toy that the creator had as a child, remade into a beautiful timeless creation. Wood planks with pegs sit upon wheels and a variety of shapes can be fit onto the pegs. The entire toy can be pulled along and different pieces can fit in whatever combination the child chooses. The toy is made entirely of natural wood and there's no paint to worry about. You can also find great wooden animals, cars and other unique toys by shopping North Star Toys. These toys are extremely well made and safe as they are rubbed with non toxic mineral oil as a finish. Customers praise North Star Toys for being so affordable and the company has been around and trusted by their customers for 30 years now.
If you want to stray away from battery operated toys that decide what to do next themselves, a great imaginative toy is the This Little Piggy's House. These playhouses are completely made of cardboard, are shipped flat and are very easy to put together. They have chimneys, windows with shutters, doors and mailboxes. They're rather sturdy for being made of cardboard and the best part is that your child can do the decorating! 5% of the profits from each house is donated to two separate organizations that help feed hungry children. The houses are not huge but large enough for a toddler to crawl into and sit. When your child outgrows his or her house you'll find it's a great home for toys, stuffed animals and pets will even love hanging out in this creation.
Another great toy for developing imaginations is the Cate & Levi puppet. These handmade creations are adorable, durable and will provide your child with tons of laughs and fun. Cate & Levi also makes adorable stuffed animals, zoo cubes and wall art. The animals that are featured are very cute and friendly looking. Teddes are another great designer handmade stuffed creation that you won't find in every toy store on the block. These are reinvented creations similar to teddy bears but far more colorful and unique. Each one is made with love and your little one will be sure to love their Tedde. And for even the youngest playmate, the Zadyball is a great idea for a toy that is safe to chew on, throw, snuggle and throw. It helps teach hand eye coordination and dexterity. There's a ton of different colors and sizes available at www.zadyball.com.
For older children who may want to sit in front of video games for hours, but their parents would like otherwise, a great creative way to play is Citiblocs. These blocks are like small wooden planks that can be stacked or built up together to create large boats, helicopters, houses and towers. They are sold in packs of 50 blocks and upward to 250 blocks. Instructions and ideas are provided. Colored blocks are available and the prices for each pack are very affordable.
Playdoh can be a great toy that will occupy your kids for hours but if you're concerned with it's safety you can try an all natural version of the dough made by For My Kids. This Happy Fun Dough is made from water, flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil and citric acid. A gluten free version is also available and there's many colors available as well as sizes. For My Kids also sells a number of safe products like balms, face products and hand washes. You can also get a variety of colors of safe dough from Mary's Softdough. Scented versions and glow in the dark dough are also available from www.softdough.com.
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