SensoryEdge Kids Furniture and Educational Toys Blog


Monday, November 23, 2009

Budget Friendly Toys that Last


Budget a little tight this holiday season? You're not alone! With recovery from the nation's worst financial meltdown since the great depression taking longer than expected, families are still pinching every penny this holiday. Luckily, spending an arm and a leg isn't necessary to give your kids a fun Christmas. In fact, we've got an entire selection of affordable games, toys, and activities your little one will love!

Here are our top five favorite gifts for $30 and under.

See and Spell Toy by Melissa and Doug - This is perfect for little tikes learning their alphabet and new words. With 10 two sided spelling boards and 70 wooden letters, there are nearly endless combinations to be explored. Illustrations are included to help reinforce learning and the store case makes clean up a snap. This is one of our favorites because not only will your kids find it entertaining, but it's also educational and perfect for small children.

Magnetic Animal Habitats Toy by Melissa and Doug - Kids love making up games and playing pretend, and this game allows them to do so using their favorite animal friends as the focal point. Three habitats and 26 animals will allow your child to match creatures to their homes, while having fun making up new stories and scenarios using each piece as a character. Plus, they come with a carrying case…making this item great for trips long and short.

Kids Tool Set by Green Toys - This is one of our favorite because it's not only inexpensive and entertaining, but it's environmentally friendly too! Each piece is made from recycled milk jugs, so you can feel good about your purchase while your kids have a blast building pretend houses and helping dad around the house. Comes with everything kids need: Phillips screwdriver, flat screwdriver, hammer saw, wrench, pliers, 2 nails, 2 bolts, 2 nuts, and 2 two hole connectors.

Deluxe Cooking Toy Set by Alex Toys - Higher quality than your typical play cookware set, and still affordable enough to avoid breaking the bank. Cookware sets are perfect for every age group; from toddlers who want to help Mommy or Daddy in the kitchen, to school aged kids who love to play house. This set is made from sturdy stainless steel to grow with your child. Comes with a teapot with lid, stock pot with lid, frying pan, colander, wooden spoon, spatula, whisk, pasta spoon, slotted spoon, and oven mitt.

Mailbox Fill and Spill by Melissa and Doug - This is one of our faves because it's soft and plush, making it great for young toddlers. Allows kids to play pretend as they deliver the mail each day, and helps them to recognize important dates and events because it comes with a happy birthday bear, a soft valentine, and a postcard.

Click the link to keep up with all the new affordable kids toys being added at SensoryEdge.

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Add a Little Drama to Your Child's Playtime


Dramatic play is different than many other types of imaginative games. Instead of dealing with dolls and cars and trucks; your child is taking an active position in pretending to be another person entirely. Whether playing teacher, doctor, or explorer, dramatic play is an important part of a children's development for many reasons.

First, kids use this type of play to learn about the world around them. The way your child's "character" is portrayed or how he interacts with those around him can give you an inside peak into your child's mind. For instance, if your son pretending to be a "daddy"; the way he interacts with his "wife" and "children" will show you how he perceives his own father (or lack thereof). If the behavior you see leaves you questioning a situation or event in real life, you know its time to take action.

On the flip side, you can use dramatic play to get your own messages across. Do this much in the same way, only instead of watching your child's behavior from afar get involved in the game yourself. This will allow you to alter the scenario and reactions to display healthy resolutions to problems.

That said, often times dramatic play accomplishes nothing but a good time for your child in which he can live and explore. You can encourage this by providing him with plenty of toys that make dramatic play more fun and exciting.

One of our favorites is the Melissa and Doug Pirate Chest. Your son or daughter will spend hours on the open seas looking for buried treasure! Make it seem even more real by hiding the "gold" around your home and offer a special surprise to anyone who finds it! This type of dramatic play is not only entertaining, but allows kids to develop mental skills like memory and problem solving.

Other toys include the pretend play food, where kids can learn healthy habits early. Encourage them to create toy meals then serve a healthy lunch to mom and dad. This is a great way to show children that eating right is cool! Instilling these habits early will set your kids up for healthier habits as they grow.

Whatever toys you choose, allow your child to freely express any thoughts or feelings he brings up during dramatic playtime. Use this time to teach him healthy ways of expressing himself, dealing with emotions and interacting with others.

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Saturday, May 03, 2008

Sand and Water Outdoor Fun!

What could be more fun than a sandbox? A sand AND water box! The Activity Sand and Water table has the best of both worlds for your kids to explore and enjoy.

And you're not limited to just sand and water, you can fill the "water" bin with not only water but pinto beans, marbles or just use good old H2O and you can vary the sensory input the kids get.

The size of this table allows four to six children to play at once and it encourages group play. For easy clean up and storage, the lid snaps on and keeps the items in the sand table - inside. The table stands 24-inches and has 4 caster wheels. There is a handy drain valve on the water side of the sand table that lets the water drain out easily.

This is a great toy for kids 3-years old and up to enjoy outdoor play along with different sensations. Your kids can spend hours creating different play scenarios and this is a wonderful toy to encourage not only group cooperation, but also pretend play.

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Thursday, April 17, 2008

Rock It! with a Cool Rocking Toy

Sometimes when you're looking for a great gift or addition to your little one's toy collection; it's a good idea to think simple and forget the toys and play gadgets with all the lights, buttons, sounds, and other additions. Instead think back to some of the more simple pleasures and let your child enjoy some of the toys you loved as a child.

A rocking horse is a great example of this type of toy. The simple rocking motion is something most child find soothing and what is a simple riding toy can turn into a whole lot more as your child grows older. Think back to your own rocking horse, did you pretend you were a cowboy, messenger, warrior or other character as you "rode" your horse? The pretend play value a rocking horse can bring is endless.

Also you're not just limited to a horse design for a rocking horse. If you're looking for a toy to have available at your house when the grandkids visit and you want to make your political stance perfectly known, there is a fun elephant or donkey and the animal wears a bib that reads, "Republican in training" (elephant) or "Democrat in training"(donkey).


Other classic designs that will literally become heirlooms to be passed down from generation to generation are the classic designs in rocking toys from Guidecraft and one of their wooden retro rocker designs in a train, boat or classic old-fashioned airplane style rocker. They are crafted with the utmost in safety in mind and look fabulous! Your child will have hours of fun rocking in one of these retro beauties.

Use these tips and give your child a fun toy that will let them expand his or her imagination instead of a yet another toy that is so advanced it does everything but play for the child. Give your child the gift of a toy that can literally do anything your child imagines it can - and give them the fun of a rocker!

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