by admin on December 19, 2008
When a new toy to review arrived at our house a few weeks ago from Team Mom, I sure got a surprise when I opened the box!
Inside, staring back at me, were two big eyes. It took me a moment or two to realize what exactly this was…
It’s the Critter Conga from Parents!
We immediately pulled the Critter Conga out of the box and started to play.
Inside the Leopard Conga Drum and the functional Tambourine Lid, there are an additional 10 instruments.
- 2 Snake Drumsticks
- 2 Giraffe Maracas
- Crocodile Clacker
- 3 different whistles
- Monkey Rain Shaker
- Drum Toy
My daughter loved playing with all the different musical noise makers, especially the drum itself which can be played with the 2 snake drumsticks.
My friend was over with her 9 month old son and he got a kick out of the Giraffe Maracas.
We had a great time playing around and the BEST part of all was when we were done, everything fit so nicely inside the Conga Drum and was secured by the tambourine lid.
A mother’s dream…fun and storage all in one!
I loved how this toy was nothing like I’ve seen before. It’s not just 1 toy, its 12-in-1, inside a cool container.
The Critter Conga is great for toddlers as this toy is not only fun, but improves motor skills and memory.
Like all Parents toys, the Critter Conga is very well made and sturdy (can definitely take a beating) and completely safe -all Parents toys are 100% phthalate free.
Parents Critter Conga is recommended for ages 18+ months and retails for $30 at www.costco.com – made by www.Parents.com
by admin on December 9, 2008
by admin on December 6, 2008
ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, shares 4 safety strategies to make sure your holiday gifts are free of lead and other dangers:
Know what toys to avoid. Steer clear of no-name toys and, regardless of your child’s age, don’t buy toys with small magnets, even if the magnets seem safely contained within the toy. Don’t buy metal jewelry, especially the cheap stuff, for young children or allow them to play with key chains or items with metal charms. If you have an infant or toddler who still puts almost everything in her mouth, don’t buy squeezable soft plastic toys or books. Unless it says “no phthalates” on the package, there’s no way of knowing if they contain the chemical or not.
Buy according to a kid’s age. Look for manufacturer’s recommended age ranges on toy packaging. Age grading is more than a friendly hint. It can alert you to a possible choking hazard, the presence of small parts, and other dangers. And think twice before buying a toy with small parts for a child older than 3 who has a younger sibling. Keep all small round or oval objects, including coins, balls, and marbles, away from kids under
Check for recalls. Before shopping, go to www.cpsc.gov, a government Web site, to see whether the toys you plan to buy (and the toys already in your home) have been recalled. Also, sign up for free e-mail notices of recalls at www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. And if a product you buy comes with a registration card, fill it out and send it in so you will be notified directly by the manufacturer if the item is recalled. It’s up to retailers to take recalled toys off store shelves but, once a recalled toy is in your home, it’s up to you to keep it away from your family or return it ASAP.
Watch where you shop. Be leery of drugstores, airports, and dollar stores. They’ve been known to carry flimsy plastic toys with dangerous sharp edges or small parts that can break off easily. Thrift stores, consignment shops, yard and garage sales, and eBay often have toys in excellent condition, but check to see that they’re well made and have no small magnets or parts. Wash the toys before giving them.
Tips Courtesy of the January 2009 edition of ShopSmart.
by admin on December 4, 2008
