What is the best erector set to buy an 8 year old girl who likes building robots?

best kids robot toys image

Anniesgran

I want to buy a good basic starter erector set for my granddaughter -- challenging but not too difficult. She loves robots and likes to build using legos. There are so many sets out there and I don't know the best company or the best set to buy. Thanks for any help.

Answer
I was very much the same way growing up, but powered construction toys were expensive, and actual robotic constructs were practically nonexistent. I was really into Legos when I was little, and when I got a little older I was like your granddaughter and interested in creating more complex moving things.

I liked the idea of Erector Sets, being able to build sturdy metal constructs, but thought they were too limited and it would be expensive trying to get several sets that would allow for me the flexibility to build the kind of things I wanted. Fortunately around that time Lego just came out with the first "Technic" series of sets that included new sprocket, gears, pulley-wheels, and pneumatic pieces. So, I asked my family for those sets for Christmas and had instant versatility to build lost of different things because I could use all my original Legos with the new "technic" parts.

Though Loki suggested decent items to continue your granddaughter's interest in building things and robots. I think you'll need to go a different route and I suggest you go with Legos, like I did way back when.

Kids these days are so lucky when it comes to Legos. They didn't have any Star Wars sets when I was little, the closest I got was the "space" sets, and by the time I gave away my Legos the most advanced thing was the "technic" sets, but now... forget my nieces and nephews, if I had the money I be getting Lego sets for myself and restart my collection.

Today Lego not only has the "Technic" series, but also the "Train" series (more versatile that the old electric train sets I used to have and better since you can build more than just locomotives), and the "Power Functions" accessories that can really boost "Technic" and "Train" creations.

To top it off Legos have gone high-tech with the new "Mindstorms" series... ACTUAL ROBOTICS! Component pieces like senors, servos, AND a programmable memory processor... it's so cool *I* want to get. The age suggestion is 10+ but I think your granddaughter will like it...

http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8547&cn=17&d=70

It's got about 620 pieces and (combined with her existing Legos) should allow her to create several different programmable robots. I read through the reviews and a few things popped out at me that you should be aware of...

**One reviewer mentioned there is a glitch in the Blue Tooth functionality for Mac users. This isn't a real problem, unless your Granddaughter and her parents are strictly Mac users and they don't have a PC available.

**One reviewer mention the motors burned out quickly. I think this just might be a case of poor user understanding, it was the only one I saw mentioning this potential flaw. I think they may have just been trying to get the motors and servos to move or lift things that are too heavy, but since your granddaughter may have some large aspirations in her robotic constructs, you should remind her that Legos are still just plastic and they're not designed to do heavy lifting and pushing.

**A few reviewers did mention they thought it was "pricey" for only 619 pieces. Typically, the cost of a Lego set breakdowns to roughly 7 cents per piece, though it can be anywhere from 5 to 12 cents a piece depending on the size and design of the set. In this case, the $280 price tag for the 619 piece Mindstorms NXT 2.0 breaks down to about 45 cents per piece, but actually the increase in cost is for the high-tech components (sensors and servos), the CD-ROM, and the programmable memory processor. Under normal circumstances I think it's fairly reasonable, but considering the economic times most people are in right now (me included) I can see why its easy to see it as "pricey" ...I could get almost 2 months of groceries for $280. But hey it's the holiday season, spoiling the kids with presents is part of the fun.

**One of the reviewers also mentioned that there were no/few gears in the set. This could limit the number and types of constructs your granddaughter might want to design, unless she already has a couple of "technic" Lego sets. If not I suggest also getting two more Lego sets in addition to the Mindstorms robot...

The "Technic" Telescopic Handler ($90 for 1182 pieces)
http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8295&cn=57&d=70

The "Technic" Snow Groomer ($50 for 590 pieces)
http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8263&cn=57&d=70

Both sets will provide several sprockets, gears, and "technic-style" construction pieces. The Telescopic Handler will also provide 4 large wheels, while the Snow Groomer provides "Tank Treads" and blade-like scoops/panels.

Though spending $420 for one 8-year old girl may seem crazy. These 3 sets alone will provide your granddaughter with enough (2391 total) pieces for a multitude of different robotic creations. Wheeled robots, robot tanks, robot scoopers, what ever she imagines can be build out of them. This isn't even counting any Legos she already has, which will only ad

I am looking for a toy robot that resembles the Schylling robots but that is sturdy for a 3yr old. Any ideas?

3LuvBugs

I love the Schylling robots but they are made out of tin and are primarily collector items. My 3yr old would destroy it in 5mins.

Answer
Well if you're getting it for yourself as part of a collection, just keep the Schyllings Robots out of reach, but if your just looking for a toy robot for your kid with similar style/shape then maybe these...

Fisher Price Toby The Totbot
http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Toby-the-Totbot/dp/B00018H71Q
It doesn't walk around, but it does move and it is a learning toy which makes it a bit more useful that the regular walking Schylling bots.

It may not look like a Schyllings, but another robot option (especially if you have the movie and they're a fan) is to get one of these for you kid...
http://www.amazon.com/Thnik-Way-60303-Interaction-Wall-E/dp/B0019LKR8E/ref=sr_1_5/177-7469234-8201725?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1256343956&sr=1-5
Interaction Wall-E is the simplest of the "interactive" versions. It should amuse a 3 year old, and it is safer than the others (which have more small parts), technically its for 4 - 10 year olds, but it might be too simple and out easily grown.

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How do I get my puppy to stop chewing up everything in the house?

does anyone know where i can find this type of ride on toy?

best toddler toys of 2010 image

Rose

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PseAC3yTL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
its like this car but it has too seats and u can push it and it has a steering wheel my sister in law said see saw one at the zoo but i looked online evrywhere and cant find it
i have already checked amazon and toys r us and evy other place i want to know if anyone has evry seen this type of ride on car or has one

Answer
What you are
looking at is a ...

" Whisper Ride
Buggy "
http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1412
Step 2

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41jAPunecBL.jpg

http://www.step2.com/category.cfm?subcategory_id=1010&showall=1&sortby=popular&ppcgoog=rideon&002=52&004=988084896&005=6000331326&006=2759176896&007=Search&008=&gclid=CLKn3KnjxKMCFRofswod8iWyYw

This buggy also has an
accessory canopy set
for the younger toddlers ...
http://common.csnstores.com/common/products/STP/STP1264_l.jpg
http://common.csnstores.com/common/products/STP/STP1266_l.jpg

and pink for the girls
http://www.theplayroom.com.au/productImages/STEP2_Whisper_Ride_Buggy_Pink_885700.jpg

can be found here ...
http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS383US383&q=step%202%20whisper%20ride%20buggy&um=1&hl=en&biw=1575&bih=618&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=iw

***

Unfortunately,
this specific ride -on has
been recalled for a faulty handle ...
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/safety/2010/05/25-million-step2-riding-toys-recalled.html

This recall is for a fix kit that will
secure the handle to keep it from detaching
new buggies will be fixed for free

***

Bumble smilez**

***

How old was your baby or toddler when he or she could sit still in a Movie Theater and watch the whole movie?

Q. I see that Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland is coming out next March. My son will be turning 2 then, and I want to take him. Will he even be able to watch it? He's 15 months now, and we have never really watched TV, or movies... we usually just play with toys and other things... But a few times I have put a children's movie or sesame street on for him, he'd look at it briefly and then go back to playing. So is the cost of the Movie worth my time when he's 2? If not, when will a child at what age will they start to get interested in Disney movies?

Answer
I wouldn't take my 2 year old to that. (She's 2 in November.) Tim Burton is going to do justice to the book... and it's going to be CREEPY. Think huge screen, darkened room, creepy music and situations (the pig-baby for instance...)... no, I wouldn't.

My daughter is showing some interest in Disney movies. I could probably count on her sitting still for a movie for 30-40 minutes. We considered taking her to Up but then decided it would be too intense and still too long. Most of the kids I knew were able to sit through a movie at about 2-4, depending on the child (I have 15 nieces/nephews/greatnieces/greatnephews, and all are older than her except 1.) Disney or something similar is good, but be careful since a lot of them are going 3D now, and honestly... 3D requires them to wear those glasses, and I don't think you can count on that until they're 4-5.

I'd keep an eye on Thundercats (could be intense, depends on how they do it), Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are being rereleased in 3D (again, keep in mind the glasses), and Shrek Forever After. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs may be alright (the book was great for kids, but the movie looks like it's deviating quite a bit, still I don't think there will be many crowds which may make it easier to help quiet him.)

Beauty and the Beast is coming out next year in like January or so, but again 3D. How to Train Your Dragon looks promising. Furry Vengence, Marmaduke, Smurfs and Rapunzel, all are coming out 2010 and could work.

Since I don't remember any movie until I was about 4... I don't plan on taking my daughter until she's at least 3.

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What are some ideas to keep a one year old occupied on the plane?

best toddler toys plane image

klatu80

Any ideas of toys or things I can bring to keep her from crying and being bored?

Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my three children.

With little ones, less is more. What does he like at home? Often simple toys work the best.

Not all of these tips are mine but some have worked for me as well;
-Something to write and draw on. My kids like those small Magadoodles and other erasable boards. Paper and chunky crayons work too.
-Stickers. Always a winner and with so many age groups.
-Pipe cleaners, although you want to keep an eye on him while he's twisting away.
-Play dough. Don't bring too much and don't make my mistake. Take fresh play dough. I had some sitting on the shelf a bit too long (saved especially for a flight) and we had crumpled bits all over the floor!
-Books, chunky books and those with flaps are especially appreciated.
-Small plastic toys, things with wheels work well but anything without too many small parts.

No toys which make *any* noise. Not even a little, quiet noise. Played over and over and over again, your fellow passengers will not appreciate it.

Bring at least one new thing she has never seen before. Give it to her at some point when she's bored. Works like magic. If it's a long flight, you may want to bring more than one.

I have a portable DVD player but only got it once my youngest was three years old. This is a great suggestion for older kids but the problem at this tender age is that they wont wear the headphones. You cannot play it through the speakers on the aircraft (unless there's no one else in your entire section). If you are connecting and have a long layover, it might be worth taking it for your wait.

If you already have one (don't buy one unless you have other ideas for it), experiment at home. Will she wear the headphones? Or will she watch it without sound? Either will work but it is a heavy item to drag along, if you're not sure it'll earn it's place in your carry-on bag. If you do, make sure you also have the recharger (in case of delays).

I do have to admit that the babies on flights who had their car seats were calmer and slept better. This is also much, much safer than having her in your lap and guarentees your car seat, if you need it at your destination, doesn't get lost and/or broken in the hold. Ask nicely for an extra seat if you didn't purchase one.

Just some other small tips;
-Bring a change of clothes
-Bring way more diapers than you think you'll need
-Learn to change her standing up (don't try to fit her on one of those tiny babychangers and toddlers hate to lie down in strange places)
-Wean her off the bottle if she's still drinking from one (easier said than done!)
-Bring an empty sippy cup to fill during the services. This will prevent spills in the air.
-Get up and move around with her but keep an eye out. Those carts the F/A's use are the perfect height for hiding little ones
-Bring extra socks to put over her hands if she mostly crawls. This will keep her hands clean and keep her from picking up nasties on the floor.
-Bring snacks. Don't fret security. I've never had anything taken away (yes, water but not snacks) and that's the only risk. If you have something not allowed, they simply remove the item. No scenes, no speeches, no arrests!
-Try to sit in a bulkhead seat so that there's no one in front of you
-Bring slippers, especially if you're not in the bulkhead!

For more information, about 9 years ago I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with kids. It's totally non-commercial and other parents have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

An edited version appeared on the Expat Women website in December;
http://www.expatwomen.com/mothers/flying_with_children.php

Good luck and have a good flight!

How to deal with toddler on a 4 hour airplane ride?

girlk

Any advice if you traveled with a toddler? The only problem is that she'll get bored too easily and start throwing a tantrum, she doesnt cry at all, only when she doesnt get what wants lol.
she will be 13 months,
Noo! Shes only 13 months she cant watch tv, are you crazy.

Answer
I once went on a 21/2 hour plane ride with my husband and 18 month old. We didn't buy him his own seat to save money. That was mistake #1 lol....get her a seat to buckle her in. She doesn't have to sit there the whole time but it will help. Bring toys, books, snacks, drinks,etc...actually not sure if you can bring a drink but you know what I mean...and lolipops! Break out one thing at a time, not all at once so she has enough to entertain her the whole time. Try to get her a window seat. That might be entertaining to look out the window. :)

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What do you get for two kids who have everything and an old woman who wants nothing?

best toys for kids in the car image

HeyThere

My family Christmas is coming up this Saturday, and my father has recently told me that he still hasn't gotten my grandmother or my two young cousins anything.
Troy is a 3 year old little boy who loves everything trains. Addison has just turned 5, and she used to be a fan of princesses. This faze has gone by the wayside for tea parties and jack in the box toys. These kids are spoiled by their parents and grandparents.
Troy has boxes full of trains and enough track to wrap around the house almost 3 times (yes, we tested it out.) I was thinking of getting him an old conductor uniform. He already has the hat, but I feel like there is something more entertaining that we could get him.
Addison has anything you can think of related to tea parties. She has multiple sets of every shape and size. We got her a jack in the box last year for Christmas. Both of the kids are sharp as a tack, and would notice if we got them similar toys two times in a row.
My grandmother is a nice God-fearing old woman. She is very generous, and never asks for anything. Everyone in the family usually gets her gift cards for car washes or her favorite dining places and rolls of quarters so she can do laundry. I want to try and get her something different this year, but I am drawing a blank.

Do you guys have any suggestions? I'm not great with gifts. I mean well, but I don't really do a good job at this kind of thing.

Answer
Kids: maybe go outside the material box. Get them knowledge (a book) - or a puzzle game, or a video game similar to the ones you used to play. Give them some of your own life experience.

Kids need to learn. The old need to teach. I bet that collaborating on a family history project would mean a lot more than a card would.

What do you get for two kids who have everything and an old woman who wants nothing?

HeyThere

My family Christmas is coming up this Saturday, and my father has recently told me that he still hasn't gotten my grandmother or my two young cousins anything.
Troy is a 3 year old little boy who loves everything trains. Addison has just turned 5, and she used to be a fan of princesses. This faze has gone by the wayside for tea parties and jack in the box toys. These kids are spoiled by their parents and grandparents.
Troy has boxes full of trains and enough track to wrap around the house almost 3 times (yes, we tested it out.) I was thinking of getting him an old conductor uniform. He already has the hat, but I feel like there is something more entertaining that we could get him.
Addison has anything you can think of related to tea parties. She has multiple sets of every shape and size. We got her a jack in the box last year for Christmas. Both of the kids are sharp as a tack, and would notice if we got them similar toys two times in a row.
My grandmother is a nice God-fearing old woman. She is very generous, and never asks for anything. Everyone in the family usually gets her gift cards for car washes or her favorite dining places and rolls of quarters so she can do laundry. I want to try and get her something different this year, but I am drawing a blank.

Do you guys have any suggestions? I'm not great with gifts. I mean well, but I don't really do a good job at this kind of thing.

Answer
I'd stay away from giving trains and tea sets ... It sounds like they are already in over their heads in those areas. If you are able to take them someplace they might still be a good thing to include. Could you take him alone or with his family to a train museum? Or to any museum, or activity place? While there take pictures of him & whoever's involved. And with the girl, take her out dressed up in her special tea party clothes. A pretty Victorian type dress, or better yet, skirt & fancy blouse with hat, purse & scarf would be fun for her ... again, take pictures.

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What is the best inexpensive vac um cleaner to buy?

best inexpensive kids toys image

Pip

I need to buy a new vac um.what would be the best inexpensive one to buy that does a good job?

Answer
Eureka has a few vac's for less than $70, that looked like they would do a decent job, however, in the vacuum genre', you pretty much get what you pay for, so buy a cheap unit, but don't expect much from it. They will all work decently for a while, but considering as how they are made mostly of the same kind of plastic that kids toys used to be made of, they are quite brittle, and break quite easily. If you do go this inexpensive route, you're going to have to take very good care of the unit, be careful not to bang into things, don't shake it, clean out any threads or hair that gets wrapped around the agitator, etc., ...........change bags frequently.

What are some very inexpensive gifts a 3 year old would like?

BNM

I have a daughter who is 3 and I am going to go Christmas shopping for her but I swear the kid likes the cheap toys or the box it comes in better than anything else! LOL
What are some good ideas for gifts?

Answer
Just get her a big box. Then it can be a house, a car, a space ship or anything that she thinks it can be. You might even cut windows in it that she can open and close.

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am i allowed to sell brand name kids toys on a website?

kids best selling toys image

Purecloud

I am opening a eCommerce site, i will be carrying toys for kids along with many other items for men women and for the household. I just wanted to know if i am allowed to sell toys that are trademarked on my website. Please advise.

Thanks

Answer
Yes, you need absolutely no license from anyone to sell items that happen to have a trademark on them, provided the items were purchased from a licensed manufacturer, i.e., not counterfeits.

For instance, I could advertise "GMC van", where GMC is a trademark owned by someone else.

What is a good name for a new general household products shop?

Lily

It will be selling toys, pet products, everyday essentials, gifts, small appliances. Everything will be new but fairly cheap. Simple and catchy please, thanks x

Answer
Goodwill...just kidding.

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When and what should i buy for nearly walking boy?

best toddler push toys image

stefanie

My son has been standing on furniture for almost a month now and I'm wondering what is the best push/walking toy for him? I'm also not looking to spend a million bucks. Thanks!

Answer
They don't actually need anything, and walking with a hand on the furniture for balance is more than enough to get them going. In fact, not not having a push toy to help them get across the middle of the empty room is usually the final motivation they need to let go and take their first few free steps.

If you do want to get a toy for them though, try to make sure it has variable speed wheels. We got a fisher-price car that doubles as a walker but the wheels are all free-moving so for someone just starting out walking it would just slide out from under them (on hardwood anyway - would be better on carpet). Others have adjustable settings on the wheels to make it harder to push.

Something like the classic popper (http://toddlerstoys.org/push-toys-for-toddlers/fisher-price-corn-popper-push-along-toy) takes a bit more time to get the hang of but once they do have the hang of it, it will encourage them to run (after they have the hang of walking).

What are the best toys for baby that are not too expensive to buy?

Jill Tregr

Looking for the best toys for baby that are affordable. We are buying tons of toys and we are trying to cut down on expenses so what toys for baby would you recommend we get?

Answer
Babies at this age need basic toys, and not all the expensive electronic gadgets.

I would look for something that encourages the baby to crawl/cruise - often toys where you push a button down, and then the toy moves further ahead.

musical toys are always a hit. I would look for something that encourages cause and effect, and better hand/eye coordination - xylophones, drums (which you can make out of an empty plastic container and a small wooden spoon), tambourines, bells, maracas and rainmakers. There are lots of baby-proof toys out there, and the baby sets can be fairly inexpensive because they are plastic and small. Also nothing wrong with pots, pans, plastic containers and wooden spoons, and spatulas.

Books - this is so important for speech development, learning how to read, setting the precedent for enjoying reading, and getting some quality time with a parent or caregiver. There are all different types of books for babies and preschoolers, just be prepared for some chewing. I still buy board books for my toddler and preschooler, because they are cheaper than the paper ones. And, some of the board books have the entire story and illustrations for 1/2 the price. Get a family library membership - libraries also offer story time even for babies.

Stacking toys and shape sorters - Wal-mart and TRU each make their own cheaper version than Fisher Price, but the FP is a thicker plastic. Be prepared that your baby will not be able to sort shapes for quite awhile. Stacking toys just need to be varying degrees of sizes, shapes and colors (to help differentiate the shape, and keep their interest). Great for hand/eye coordination and motor skills.

Blocks - get something that is easier to grasp in their small hand - larger, or squeezable, or even small. Just not too small that they are a choking hazard. TRU and Wal-mart each have their own knockoffs, which will save you a bunch of money.

Balls - I would get a bunch of softer balls. I would buy them in different sizes. If you have trouble finding them, my toddlers seem to be into the dog’s balls (we won’t go there). I don’t mind because they are indestructible (no chewing off small pieces) and most are squeezable.

And a couple of plastic containers in which to put stuff in. The stuff can be the shapes from the shape sorter, blocks, balls or other small toys. Older babies like to put stuff into a container, dump this into another container or out on the floor.

Babies are fascinated with themselves (actually I think they just see "other" babies). One of our babies went to daycare. They have a mirror, mounted behind Plexiglas) that was about 3 feet tall and 6 feet long. All the babies and toddlers were fascinated with it. A small unbreakable mirror would do. We hooked up a baby car mirror (unbreakable), that was too small for the car, up to the side of the coffee table (in this house we attached it to the railing that runs along the living room).

And the very best toy is YOU! Babies want to interact with their parents/caregivers. They want to play interactive games like Peek-a-boo, or pat-a-cake or sing nursery rhymes or children’s songs. This is the best place to find the tunes and lyrics for nursery rhymes http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/musicchild.htm Because I was never great at remembering the tune or the lyrics, or both.

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How did your older kids react to a new baby in the house?

best kids toys 18 months image

Stacy W.

My son will be 18 months old when his little brother will get here. I'm pretty worried about how he will react. A lot of other answers I've read say prepare him for baby's arrival by talking about it and explaining that there's a baby in my tummy etc. I'm not quite sure how to do that, or if it will even benefit at all since he is so young still.

Has anyone else had a second baby right on top of the first one? How did you deal with the jealousy issues?

Answer
I have a three year old. I have been involving her every step of the way. We told her before anyone else, and we even got her to tell other people, including my parents and my friends in mother's group. It was really cute and made her the center of attention too. She has helped me pick some toys and baby clothes for her little brother, and we are talking to her about names and things like that. I try to get her to feel the baby move, tho he always stops when she touches my belly lol. Eventually she'll get a kick.

And if she has lost her cuddle toy, i let her borrow the one she helped pick out for the baby, and tell her 'Squeaky said you could borrow his for now.' She says 'Awww, that's nice of him. And then Squeaky can share MY woobie!'

She comes to all the scans, and most of the Drs appointments. And my parents will bring her in soon after the birth to see the baby. I am even thinking of taking her on a tour of the birthing unit and maternity ward so she knows where mummy will be when she goes to hospital to push the baby out. (I've explained in non graphic terms, like 'i'm growing the baby in my tummy, like i did with you.' and i'll have to push it out when it's finished growing etc).

If you start making the baby a part of everyday life now, it will be less of a shock when they get here. It will still be a shock, i doubt my daughter quite gets what it means to have a new baby in the house, but it will hopefully be less. And i can back up what i've said before 'remember, i told you that the baby wont be able to play yet.' or 'we talked about how mummy would have to spend time with the baby.' So the concepts aren't new to her.

how do i introduce my 18 month old to daycare?

CaraLoder2

my son is 18 months old and has mainly been at home with me since he was born. he has never been in daycare, but i want to put him in daycare for sociialization so he can interact with other children. how do i go about the process with my son, and how do i prepare him for it? what are the pros and cons of daycare, and what should i look for in a daycare?

Answer
Introduce him gradually. Most daycares are flexible and will let you bring your son in for an hour or two during the week and build up until he is there for a full day. He will probably love it. Lots of kids, new toys, and interesting things to look at. However, once you try leaving him there one of two things could happen: he will scream and cry OR he will wave good bye and go off playing. Either way, it will make you cry, lol.

Look for a daycare center with a good teacher to student ratio. At 18 months, the teacher-student ratio is 1:6. Make sure the place is clean, bright, has friendly staff, current toys and updated educational tools, and that you feel comfortable there.

Daycare can be a great thing. Best of luck to you!

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What outdoor toys do you have for your kids?

best kids sprinkler toys image

Proud momm

I'm looking for a little tykes play structure for my 21 month old or something similar. Just wondering what kind of toys you guys have in your back yard and what you like and don't like. I don't wanna buy something she will outgrow too soon. Do you have a toy your kids love??

Answer
My 24 month old has a Naturally Playful Clubhouse Climber from Step 2 (its huge...has a slide, tunnel, climber stones, bridge, playhouse area with fold down table, stools, and chalkboard), a little tykes sand and water table, a power wheels jeep, water squirting bug (like a sprinkler), balls and golf clubs, trucks for playing in the sand and the yard.

My son loves the Step 2 climber and asks to play on it everyday. He will be using it for a few years!

Best thing for kids to do outside in the summer?

Missy

Whether it's a water toy, or a playground, what do your kids enjoy and what are there ages?

Answer
That depends upon what is available in your area, your budget, and the ages of the kids. Playing in water is fun (sprinkler, pool, lake, etc), riding bikes, playing tag and other yard games, sports, going to parks. Be careful to limit exposure to sun and heat during the middle of the day though.

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How do you ensure that your kids get enough exercise during the winter?

best kids music toys image

punchy333

With the winter we've been having (blizzard one day, rain the next, repeat) what indoor, physical activities do you do with your kids to make sure they'll sleep during their nap. My 4-year-old refuses to nap, and then is cranky the latter half of the day because he hasn't been particularly active the last few weeks.

Answer
We live in Quebec, Canada and go outside everyday, irregardless of weather. My 2 boys, age 3 and 5, are so active that it is the only way to let them be sane. Some days we are just out for 10 minutes but we always go. Once we are back inside they play a lot on hopper balls for kids and we use couch cushions for sliding. They also have an exercise mini trampoline that they jump on to music (with adult supervision).
Another great toy that we have is a play tunnel. It folds up for easy storing and the boys run around and crawl through it.

We also love having musical parades. Gather a bunch of musical instruments and then have an energetic musical parade. Hide and seek burns loads of energy!

On high energy days we head to the mall and walk around, visit the pet store, and at the end they each get to pick a ride

Have fun with it!

What are the 3 most important toys for a toddler ages 1-3?

Lindsey

I would like to know the 3 best toys for a toddler. Toys that can help them learn and grasp different sersory skills. Can you answer why those toys you picked would be best for the child?
Thanks sooo much!!
Would help me a lot!

Answer
If I have to limit myself to 3, this is what I pick:

1. It's not technically one toy, but a toy kitchen. Pretend play helps with vocabulary, social skills and story telling narrative. The little pots, pans, dishes, etc are good for motor skills.

2. A water table. For one, it will occupy them for HOURS. Pouring is a good fine motor skill and pouring from one vessel into another helps kids learn to conceptualize spatial concepts like volume.

3. Nesting cups. Stacking and balancing is a good motor skill. Nesting cups allow a child to stack just like blocks, but they also allow a child to experiment with size and again, conceptualize the spatial relationships of the cups.

There are others that are important, but those are my top 3. If you wanted a longer list, I would add:
Puppets for building narrative skills which is vital for pre-reading.
Art supplies for fine motor and color recognition.
Small pretend play sets such as little cars/trains, doll houses, action figures, Little People sets, etc for narrative skills and fine motor skills.
Dolls, household items, stuffed toys, doctor/vet kits, costumes, etc for pretend play to encourage imaginative narrative play. Copy-cat play is the primary vehicle through which kids learn.
Tricycle for gross motor.
Musical instruments (emphasis on rhythm instruments) for pattern recognition (both a pre-reading and pre-math skill), learning rhythm (improves math abilities because music is applied math) and vocabulary (the more you sing and particularly the more you RHYME the more your child is likely to pick up on new words and pick up on the phonemic relationships between words).
Balls. Lots of balls in lots of sizes. Great for gross motor.
Puzzles. Spatial relationships and object manipulation.
And books that your kids can handle without fear of messing them up. Pretending to read is part of print concepts which is a pre-reading skill.

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What are the top toys kids are wanting for christmas this year?

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willwork4u

So has your kids told you what they want for christmas yet? Let me hear some good ideas say for girls around age 7-10 yrs old? This info will help me alot!

Answer
Webkinz are quite popular--they are stuffed animals that also "live" online.

There's also a new Barbie MP3 player that, in addition to playing music, also allows users to log onto an online Barbie community. http://www.popgadget.net/2007/05/barbie_mp3_play.php

If you can find a Wii (and want to spend the money on it), there's a lot of really nice girl-friendly titles.

Build a Bears continue to be hot items.

There's a Monopoly "Boutique" Edition that is all about shopping at the mall. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2627189&cp

There's also a Monopoly Jr. focused on the super-popular Disney Channel movies and shows. http://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-Monopoly-Junior-Disney-Channel/dp/B000R6V9HU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-9104986-0724864?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1191237391&sr=1-2

Anything High School Musical will be very popular as well--there is a DVD of the live concert tour, plus keychains, poster books, dolls, and more. Hannah Montana dolls will also be big sellers.

For a 7-year-old, if she's still into dolls, consider the new Newborn Cabbage Patch doll. They're on sale this week at Toys R Us for only $12 with free shipping--and they're really cute.

Other ideas:
Activity kits (including jewelry kits) from companies like Klutz ( http://www.klutz.com/catalog/category.php?goto=1000&for=girls&age=8to10&srt=1&x=10&y=15 ) and Creativity for Kids ( http://amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-9104986-0724864?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=creativity+for+kids&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go )

Gift cards. Kids love being able to pick out their own gifts.

How do you know if a Bakugan is authentic?

Oswin

McDonalds has the Bakugan toy in its opened warrior state as a happy meal toy. These do not collapse back in the sphere---it has no sphere. If I want to purchase a Bakugan say on Ebay or just from a photo, how do I know it is not a knock off or some cheap toy figurine?

Answer
With all the fake Bakugan turning up everywhere, shady sellers are always gonna be on ebay and trying to fool us. The trick is to out smart them… know your bakugan, if it’s sounds too good to be true, chances are it’s fake. These non-authentic bakugans are usually easy to spot, as the attributes are not correct, the packaging is cheap and even the colors are a little off.

For Success When buying Bakugan on ebay, it’s good idea to keep a few key points in mind.

1. If your going to buy Bakugan that’s not yet released in Your country, be careful and be aware that 99% of the time, the item is not being shipped from with-in Your country… remember Bakugan is also a game of rarity, and they are released in different countries at different times to increase the hype. Some sellers have taken advantage of this by offering early Bakugan, and can be trusted to deliver, but this is at a risk, because its hard to compare that to something official.
2. Know Your local market… Walmart, Target, Toys R Us even Walgreens don’t care what is what… don’t pay 15-20 unless you just can’t find it anywhere. If overnight e-commerce on ebay is trendy, then selling bakugan on ebay is like “Twilight” in a high school. Everybody and everyone with a local walmart seems to think just listing any random bakugan on ebay makes it worth 15-20… We know this is Not so… so check around and make sure you can’t find it local for 5.00-7.00 first.
3. Feedback is important, but really take a look at it… If You see anything about fakes, avoid it like the plague…also keep in mind that these are toys so many feedbacks are from kids. I look for Tips, from other buyers about Fast Shipping.
4. Contact the Seller, if they-do good business and have a legitimate product, they should have no problem in responding to you even publicy on the auction, that they are infact offering an Authentic item.
5. Again, Know Your Bakugan…I can’t stress enough how just being familiar with whats current can help and not to plug my own site again, but use BakuganBay! All pictures and details are official… You can search by Name, then Attribute and get a general idea what is on the market and what it worth. Think of it as a big Bakugan Price Guide. I can guarantee You, that if it has been released, then it’s on ebay.

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what do kids play with in impoverished countries?

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siennaruth

what type of toys or objects would children play with? or how do they entertain themselves?

Answer
anything they can, due to the lack of resources they have to improvise, I saw kids playing football with an old ball of tape in India, and kids having a sword fight with twigs

When have Corporations ever put profit above consumer and work safety?

No Chance

And just so you know the following things don't exist for this question:
The Industrial Revolution
China
Other Sweatshop factories
Large Scale Farming like those salmonela incidents
The Ford Pinto
anything that accidentally explodes
toys that can get caught in your little kids' eyes
and anything other things that prove that Corporations do put profit above safety.

Answer
India doesn't exist either. FACT.
Corporations are perfect. FACT.
I love corporations so much, that believe that we should be able to marry one; since they are people. FACT.

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What, in your opinion, is the most stupid way the government spends our money?

best gadgets for kids 2011 image

Mary

Answer
The federal government spent billions of dollars in 2011 on some unusual projects.
Here are some that seem utterly outrageous to me...

1. $764,825 for a study on how college students use cell phones and social media

The National Science Foundation awarded the University of Notre Dame this grant to study the mobile and social media habits of college freshmen. I can tell you exactly how college freshmen use mobile phones and social media: for 3 a.m. texts and phone calls to that guy in American History. I could have saved the government a lot of money.

2. $136,555 for teachers to retrace Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales in England
Ads by Google

This grant, awarded to teachers from Kent State and Eastern Illinois Universities, allowed Middle English lit fanatics to take the trip outlined in Canterbury Tales. I'm betting £10 that the tour guides just make up half of the landmarks.

3. $55,660 on butter packaging

Kriemhild Dairy Farms received this chunk of change to package their grass-fed cow butter. The funding isn’t the only thing that’s too big: The butter itself is 85 percent fat.

4. $606,000 for a study about online dating

Columbia University researchers received over a half-million dollars to study online dating. Maybe the Ivy League nerds who conducted this study should put down the lab coats and go to a bar — or at least the library.

5. $484,000 for a pizza restaurant

Arlington, Texas has one more beer and pizza joint, thanks to this grant to a private developer. The groovy Mellow Mushroom, a national chain, is known for its hippie theme.

6. $48,700 towards the Second Annual Hawaii Chocolate Festival

These funds were awarded to promote Hawaii’s chocolate industry. The Aloha State is already full of sandy beaches, clear blue water, and sun. Why do they get all the good stuff... (That’s the mayor of Hershey, Pennsylvania on Line 1.)

7. $147,138 to build a magic museum

Maybe the wizards at the American Museum of Magic in Marshall, Mich., can make the federal deficit disappear. The grant was awarded to promote the “history of magic entertainment.”

8. $96,000 on iPads for kindergarteners

One school district in Maine was awarded this grant to buy every kindergarten student the latest Apple gadget. These kids can’t add yet, but thanks to Uncle Sam they’ll never need to.

9. $175,587 for a study on the link between cocaine and the mating habits of quail

The funding for this super-important scientific study is down from its 2010 level of $181,406. But I think the amount is ridiculous for research that proves what the film “Blow” already did: that cocaine is linked to high-risk sexual activity.

Parents: What do you think was the best invention between 2000 and 2011?

Emily

Just wondering :)

Answer
I would have to say jump drives. Those little gadgets are genious!

OR, smart boards at public schools. If your kids' school has one and you've actually seen or used it, then you'd know how useful of a learning tool they really can be. They're just awesome:)

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What is the best christmas present you have ever given to your kids?

best kids toys age 9 image

mtkarens@s

I have three kids ages 5, 9, and 12. They have tons of toys and games. I know it's only June but am already thinking of some great presents that they would really love.

Answer
Books. I have three kids about the same ages as yours. They also have plenty of toys and games. What's great about a book is that it's compact, portable, inexpensive, doesn't require batteries and provides hours of entertainment on long car/plane trips :-)

How do i make my kids behave?

I have 4 kids ages 9,3,5,6. It seems I have to chase them screaming and yelling all day just so things don't get broke or kids getting hurt. They don't listen to anything they are literally climbing walls and hurting each other they wont even play with their toys much they just grab things they know they can't have and brake them

Answer
1ST OF ALL YOU ARE GREAt. i have 3 1/2 year old twins and its hard. god bless you. be firm, say no on things, dont give in on things they want to make them quiet. my kids are testing me so im trying now before they get bigger and its hard. reward them if they good. take things away, give them warnings that they wont get a snack or whatever treats they get if they dont listen. time out or send them to there room. if there certain hours that they act up, start giving them minor chores to pre occuppy their time. maybe if your kids start seeing one is getting reward for good behavior that other sibblings will follow. good luck, being a mother is the hardest job

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How do you take care of a parakeet?

top kids toys age 6 image

Novedeep

So I just bought my Parakeet from Petco, and I bought some necessities, for example the cage, toys and other items. However I do not know how to actually tame and entertain it. I believe he is too young to actually determine his gender. At the moment he seems very nervous. He's not at the bottom of the cage, but is perched on a rod. Are there any ways I can keep him calm and relaxed? If possible can someone provide me with some information I should know about parakeets?

Answer
I think Wolf means kids aren't very good with parakeets? Parakeets need people to be kind and patient with them and learn how to interact with them over time... and kids just want to try and MAKE them do stuff by grabbing or poking etc., which is very frightening to a little parakeet.

Yes, it is difficult to know gender until a parakeet has reached sexual maturity (anywhere from 6-9 months). When the cere (thing that looks like nostrils) is pink or brown, it is a female. When they are blue, it is a male. My keet's nares were bright blue until she reached sexual maturity at about 9 months of age, so it can be deceiving when they are young!

*i'm going to refer to your parakeet as a "she" to make it simple

As for how to care for a parakeet… a keet from Petco will be difficult to tame, especially without prior experience. It is possible, but difficult. Hand-raised birds are very easy to tame, since they are weaned away from their parents and fed by the human hand a week or two after hatching. I would still encourage you to try to bond with your parakeet. Once you have bonded (or if you ever "give up"), please do get her a companion so she isn't so lonely. If you bond with her and can spend a considerable amount of time with her, you may not need to get her a companion.

Cage should be as large as you can afford/place in your home. Birds are winged animals. They are born to fly, or at the very least "flutter" if you choose to clip her wings (a practice I don't like but that can be helpful during taming period). If she can't fly out of her cage throughout the day, do make sure she has plenty of room to fly/climb/hop around in her cage, along with plenty of toys! I leave my keet's cage open all day and she still has a big cage with lots of toys!

Wean your keet off of a seed-based diet as soon as you can. You want her to eat a good quality pellet diet (such as Zupreem) and ideally fruits/vegetables as well. You need to look this up online. There are many things that are toxic/poisonous to birds that you wouldn't think of. Also, proportion of pellets to vegetables (and other foods) is something you need to research online if that is the route you go.

There is so much to tell you about how to care for a parakeet. Before getting my parakeet, I read several books on how to care for her in addition to blogs and websites. The books aren't usually very long. Do buy yourself a few… you can look for recommended books on websites and there is a wealth of information online as well. If you have any specific questions, I would love to help you answer them.

Good luck!



P.S. I forgot to answer your question about how to calm/comfort her...

You can put a little chamomile in her water to calm her if she seems agitated. Don't put the flakes in there- she'll avoid her water… you can brew she tea and put a little of it in her water. Make sure it is organic (has no other chemicals or herbs that could be toxic to her).

Make sure her cage is against a wall, preferably in a corner. You don't want it to be covered with direct sunlight either. You also want it to be in a place where there is the most traffic (where she will be around people the most during the day) and where she can see what's going on in the room & other rooms if possible. Don't put her cage where someone might pop out from behind her and startle her or something.

At night, make sure you cover her cage with a special cage cover, sheet or blanket. This keeps drafts out of the cage and makes her feel more secure when it's dark.

While she gets used to being in your home during the day, you can fold the blanket and place it on top of her cage to provide her with more security (some places in the cage will be darker and might help her relax to go there).

Talk sweetly to her and sing to her. You can read from a book or put some calming music on. You can put the radio on a low volume too if you like when you're away. Don't take her out of her cage right away… allow 2-3 days for her to adjust to the new environment first.

Again, read read read! There is a wealth of information out there!

How do you stop the housework getting overwhelming?

Q. The chores seem to be piling up non-stop!! i have 4 kids and a busy lifestyle, which I love and wouldn't trade for anything - but just cannot seem to get on top of all my housework! The washing is all clean - but the pile is HUGE to fold and put away (6 people, 6 pairs of socks per day x 7 = 42 pairs of socks a week!!! - not to mention all the underwear and other clothes).
Besides that - the general cooking, cleaning, tidying up, and I want to help the kids with homework, do some baking and have some fun and spend time with others...
What ideas for organising the cleaning better? Any tips of perfect chores for kids? (ages 12, 9, 4 and baby). They only make their beds, lay the table, clear the table and pick up their toys is really all they do at the moment... they are good kids and will gladly help out - but how to structure it?
Any ideas of storage or tips on how to keep the toys tidy in the family room? Help, I'm really getting overwhelmed

Answer
I know how you feel. This past summer I had 7 kids plus myself and my husband in our home. One of them was terminally ill on a vent that required alot of care (my daughter may she rest in peace 9-3-07) The ages of the kids were at the time 17-15-14-13-12-7-1(the 14yr old and 1 yr old are here full time, 17-15-13yr old my sisters kids, 12yr old my husbands ex gf's son, 7yr old is my sd)

Anyhow the older ones basically cleaned up after themselves. Rule in my house you arent playing with it or using it and its on the floor it goes in the trash. Took my SD 2 times of having her things thrown away before she knew I ment business. I did NOT ask any of them to help me with my son (1) They all put away their own clothing and my SD has been doing this since she turned 5. They all had to maintain their rooms and that includes DUSTING and Vacuuming. As for the main living area as with most moms before I went to bed it was picked up, twice a week doesnt take me no time to go through and dust. The bathrooms maintained daily after my own shower and they ALL knew to clean up after themselves.

As for laundry..Holy buckets! At first I was going to stick with the "one day a week" which I did when all the other kids were not here and it was just myself, my husband, daughter and son. Well that didnt work I was doing laundry all day. And I folded as they came out of the dryer. So instead I did a load a day and it wasnt so bad on me. We also had baskets in each room and in some rooms we had 2 baskets one for socks/underware the other clothing. Even now my husband and I have 2 baskets in our room and one in the laundry room and my sons room.I'll be honest though I was so glad when everyone left I could finally relax!

The meal prep was also something else as i was use to cooking for 3 I was now cooking for 10! Dinner was at a set time they were to be here for it (17yr old and husband worked so came in later) if they were not here they were to fend for themselves when they came in. Dinner dishes was the LAST dishes I did for the day, again anything used after dinner they had to wash and put up themselves. When it came to grocery shopping and putting stuff away my husband said "if you plan on eating any of this help put it away" even at age 5 my SD could put up the fruits, carry cans to the pantry, knew where everything went so she could help sort. And she'd always say "I did such a good job didnt I" and I'd respond "Yes you did ty for your help" and she was proud of herself

My SD's mom thought it was a bit "concentration camp" but then again her house is a mess. But it worked for us and next summer when everyone is here again and a yr older they will help again. I started doing my own laundry at age 9 I remember it fondly made me feel "grown up" your oldest is 12 and I think with a little time devoted by you he/she can do their own laundry as well as help with the meals. Dust the living room and vacuum.

Also where is your husband in all this? Mine works 60 hrs a week but is more then willing to help out when we have the "herd" here and now that its just down to the 3 of us he still helps me out. As for storage my sons toys and he has a TON of them are in baskets large wicker baskets or a Toybox with sliding doors. They are thrown all over within 20 minutes of him being awake at naptime I pick them up, when he wakes they are again all over, at bedtime he helps me pick them up and he's only 16 months old! My SD who is now 7 does the same thing so I started to "rotate" her toys she doesnt miss them she hardly played with any of them just the same ones over and over and thats helped with the mess up in her room. With my son if he doesnt play with something "out of sight is out of mind" get the idea?

All I can say is do not try to do it all in one or two days. Do a little every day and it wont be so overwhelming

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Oil painting from 1970: what should be done to preserve it?

best paint for kids toys image

Rosey G

The painting is in oil colors and on a normal support frame. So far it has been standing on top of a closet behind some kids toys and boxes. I really don't think that it should be left there because it seems to me that some toys or boxes have sharp edges that could rip through it. Can you give me some advise. Also bear in mind that I can't spend big sums of money on it but nevertheless I want to save and protect it.

Thank you in advance for your ideas.

Answer
The best thing to do is to dust it off and hang it up. Hanging on a wall, it is more protected then leaving it behind some toys.It does not cost anything to hang it up on your wall.

Has your kids toys ever went off by themselves?

Q. I'm a little parnoid because the house we lived in before was haunted for those who believe me. Now were living in a apartment & this 1 particular toy(riding toy) keeps going off during the night by itself. How could this happen? AND has your kids toys ever done the same thing?

Answer
Oh yes this has happened a lot. Very creepy.

But there are a few reasons for this.

My son got a remote control air plane when he was little. It was preschool type toy and he would hold the controls like a steering wheel and drive the plane around the house.

We noticed sometimes while watching tv the airplane would make noises when no one was near it. It would beep, wheels would turn & so on. Other times the tv would flicker too or get static on it.

Turned out that the remote for the airplane and our tv remote were on the same what is it called frequency. My husband discovered this himself. He's an electronic engineer.

Another time in our old house during the middle of the night we'd hear a preschool Mr. Potato head game going off by itself. We'd hear out of the blue "Opps, I lost all my parts can you help me?" lol Drove us crazy! The toy didn't have an off button & would time out making itself go to sleep. It would go on & off by itself often. At first thought it was our dog or even our daughter sneaking out at night bumping it. But we'd put it on top of the tv stand out of reach and it would still do it!

My daughter loaned the toy to our neighbor one weekend. Late one night around 11pm our neighbor knocked on the door in his robe. He looked tired and had the game saying it would shut up. lol

Turns out it was the batteries were low. We found replacing them more often when the screen dimmed it stopped doing it.

We've had other toys too that do this. Toys that light up and play music are creepy. We had a stuffed bear that would start to play Twinkle Twinkle little star on it's own.

I do believe in haunted houses. I grew up in Columbus, MS. I saw it profile on tv a few years ago as one of the most "Haunted towns in MS." Dateline or Primetime profiled it. I grew up being one of the kids in the victorian houses for tour groups. We'd make butter, decorate a christmas tree, sew and stuff like that while tour groups walked by.

All the homes in the area were haunted. My best friend & I often changed clothes in a room where a baby had died. You would see the form of the baby on the feather bed. The maid would fix the bed before tours and sometimes while standing there changing we'd see the form appear by itself. It was a high bed so we thought maybe something was pulling on it from under it but that never happened.

I grew up in an area where part of civil war took place. Ditches were dug all through out neighborhood. They were ditches the soldiers would hid behind while they fought against the north. Plus many indians died in the area too. We had a famous trial near us & as you walked through the woods trees marked in red paint were where indians had been buried. Very creep.

My 14yr old says we have ghosts in the house. We have an old piano from the mid 1800s. My daughter says she often sees a little girl around 10 sitting near it at night. The idea scares me to death. lol

I've often smelled and felt my grandfather's presence. I smell Old Spice & Peppermints.

Now I don't believe ghost can move things or touch things. Ghosts are mentioned in the bible after Jesus dies and he is seen in ghost form. http://www.jesusreligion.com/ghosts_bible.html Ghosts are more the spirit that moves our human body. We pass easily from Heaven to Earth.

My brother in law is a Baptist pastor and we've often spoke on this subject.

Demons are the ones who attack, move things and throw things. Demons, I believe are after the spirits who belong to God. Demons can trap the spirits. Demons also want to attack us and use us to attack others.

you can't believe in the good with out believing in the bad

Edit - "I do believe in ghosts but they don't play with little kid toys, that's just silly. " - very true. It is more the engery not ghosts can't touch things but their energy can.

I watched a tv show that showed a demonologist talking to a ghost child who was trapped by a demon. They tested the power of the little girl to make sure she wasn't a demon. she was asked to turn and move the flashlight which she didn't. Then she was asked dim it which she did.

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What did the children in 1910 not have, but 2010 does?

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Maddi

The children in 1910 may not have had the advantages that 2010's children do. Such as iphones and cell phones.

Answer
Television, Air Conditional, Central Heat & Air, Most did not live in homes with electricity and many did not have running water, no microwaves. Wells were common and I understand they were a great place to chill up a watermelon. Toys were limited. They had to make their own or use their own imagination. Definitely no Barbie Dolls. Little girls played paper dolls even when I was a child and I was born in 1935. We did have dolls then but paper dolls we considered fun. My mother use to talk about how they would cut paper dolls out of old catalogs and find poses similar to their paper dolls to get extra clothes for them. She even sent her paper dolls by mail to visit her cousin's paper dolls and her cousin sent hers to visit my mother's.
They didn't have any motorized toys.
My mother born in 1908 remembers getting on a train and going about 10 miles from Manchaca to Austin, Texas to get an ice cream cone. I don't know how old she was but that was something new.

Most kids born that far back had chores they were expected to do around their home. If they lived on a farm boys were expected after school to take advantage of daylight to get as many outdoor chores done as possible. Usually they had some to do before they went to school in the morning.

Now life use to be safer for kids. People were not so confined inside their homes as they are today.
Front porches weren't just decorations but places for people to sit in the afternoon. People would talk to each other from porch to porch and they saw children as they played. Walking home from school was safe as someone would be looking out the window or their open front door and see you as you walked home. Mothers stayed at home and took care of the home and the family so they knew what was going on in the neighborhood. Kids played from yard to yard. We knew our neighbors back then. There are about 25 houses in from the corner to the cul de sac at the other end. As a kid I at least knew the family name of every house and some on across the street that intersected. Today I don't know who lives 2 doors down from me.

Which one of these movies should I watch tonight?

Colm

I can't decide which one of these movies I should watch on Saturday night and Saturday is my favourite day to watch movies. Which one should I watch and why?

Lost in Translation
The Prestige
Jaws
The Karate Kid (2010)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Inception
How To Train Your Dragon
Public Enemies
Get Him To the Greek
Toy Story (1, 2 or 3?)
Bandslam
Closer
Iron Man 2
L.A. Confidential
The School of Rock

Answer
how old are you? Inception is good (hard to understand if you are real young) how to train your dragon if you are a kid.

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How do I entertain a 15 month old all day?

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Jo

I am a stay at home mom and need ideas on how to entertain my son all day now that his is so much more active and curious. He has all kinds of toys ranging from very simple blocks to complicated electronic toys. I play with him off and on during that day and give him alone play time while I'm cleaning. I want to start doing more educational activities with him but I don't know what to do. Is it to early to start doing educational activities other than reading to him? Also what are some fun activities we can do?

Answer
My daughters 18 months and the best thing I ever started doing was flipping her toys around.
I spent a couple days sorting every single toy she had, I made sure the pieces for certain toys were bagged and together with that toy.
Then I split things into "groups". For example she has a full kitchen set with cups, a play kitchen, a shopping cart etc...I packed all those things together.
She has some animals, a barn and a few trucks and cars I grouped
And she also has some dolls, play stroller, blankets, fake diapers, clothing etc..

I swap these groups of toys out once a week :), its amazing how she actually plays with those toys now that theere isnt hundreds to just pick up, throw and walk away from.
Then I spend some one on one time with her and teach her the animals, or have tea partys, we play grocery store etc..

Also dont take for granted the trips to the grocery store, tons of opportunity to learn about shapes, colors, how to say hello to little friends who walk by.

I also really recommend taking your son to some programs offered in your community. Look for open gyms for toddlers, library reading time, pre-school/toddler mommy and me meet ups, tots swimming lessons.
Social interaction is super important and social skills cant be taughter, rather they are "learnt" and the only way to learn the skill is to be exposed. Also kids tend to want to mimic other children, so finding a group with kids a little bit older then your son will model some new skills he might not have yet, or is working on right now.

Get out once a day, even if its just to check the mail, or walk down the street. Getting some fresh air (even if its raining) is so important to their health and burning off some pent up energy is a savour to you as well :).

My daugher LOVES to help me around the house, she's bring me a piece of two of laundry to put in the washer, she helps me sweep, she even puts the cutlery away out of the dishwasher, cleaning u her toys (I try to include her in these things and she loves the immediate praise).

Singing songs is SUCH a great way to learn. Take the classics (like twinkle twinkle little star) but sing your own words as your changing your son or giving him a bath (sing what your doing, the body parts etc..).

You really dont need to buy education toys- theres so much around you to get him involved. Google some home made playdoh recipes, get some paint and do art (finger paintings alot of fun and the textures are great), if you have corn starch add a bit of water to it and let him play (another great texture activity).

Be as verbal as you can in your everyday, the more you do it the more itll just come naturally...the more enthusiam you have to the tone of your voice, the more interest your son will be, its really the simpliest things like WOW we have 3 blocks here , look 1, 2, 3!!!!

What electronics do i have to put out in airport security?

Sophie Pup

will i have to put my hexbug (little kids toy that vibrates...) out on the trays? i want to keep it in my bag, i dont want it to be obvious what i use it for...... not as a kids toy........ itll be embarrassing

Answer
I think its just the larger electronics like laptop, or if somebody happens to bring a game counsel on (like Ps3 or Xbox) I think that hexbug thing doesn't have to be put out, since its small and like a portable electronic.

Just leave it in there and see what happens.

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