Image from Amazon.com

There are so many toys out there. Developmental, playful, skill enhancing, you name it.  So when I was at a toy store with my infant son, I was browsing the shelves and a strange toy caught my eye. With bright colors, cute name, dumbbell shape and a giggle sound when shaken, it was an intriguing little object called the Wiggly Giggler.

I started to play with it for my own entertainment value, but when I looked down at the stroller, I found that my son was enchanted with it too.  While it was not in the infant area, it was a toy that captured his attention.

For about $4.00, I made the purchase and brought it home.  It was five months ago and it has been the best $4.00 I have spent on a toy. As a newborn, I could entertain him with the giggling sound and the bright colors. Later, the shape was perfect for his new hand grasp. Recently, it has been a great rattle.

The product is described as “durable and easy to grip, this 3 1/4″ rattle promotes fine motor skills and provides multiple sensory skills (sound, touch, balance/weight).”

Huh, I guess it was a skill development toy after all.

Is it safe toy? The product description states it is for children 3 months and up, but what they mean is that it is developmentally appropriate for that age range. However, the product generally is not suitable for children under 3 years because it does have small parts that a child could figure out how to access. So it is your judgement call. We have found it great for the early months and probably will put the toy away for the next couple of years and reintroduce it again at a later date.

You can find it at many local toy stores and online. Like all toys, it should be used with supervision and it may not be interesting to all children.  However, with so many aspects to this one little object, it may have something to please your child.

Rhino Toys Inc. Recalls Bead Toy Due to Choking Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of the Beado handheld bead play toys by Rhino Toys Inc., of Santa Cruz, Calif.

No injuries have been reported (thank goodness) but the toys’ wires can detach from the hubs due to insufficient adhesive, allowing the beads to slide off and pose a choking hazard to young children.

According to the press release, the recall involves the “Beado hand-held beaded play toy with model number 1501 and date code 02910 04323A. The product measures six inches in diameter and is composed of four blue plastic “hubs”, six white plastic “wires” and twelve multi-colored beads that slide along the wires. The model number and date code are printed on the bottom of the packaging and the date code is also inside of the blue hubs. Beados that have a date code different than 02910 or have a date code of 02910 and an inspection sticker on the bottom of the packaging and a black mark by the date code inside the blue hub are not included in this recall.”

The Beado toy was sold at specialty toy and juvenile retailers from March 2010 through May 2010 (Magic Beans and Isis Parenting are two local stores).  If you have one, you can return it to the store where it was purchased to receive a full refund or a replacement Beado hand-held beaded toy when they are available.

For additional information, please contact Rhino Toys toll free at (877) 887-4433 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.rhinotoys.com

I am in love with the Tickle Monster Kit by Josie Bissett.

There is no other way to describe this book, other than enchanting.

It is about an adorable monster that has just flown in from Planet Tickle. His mission is to bring joy and laughter to Planet Earth by tickling. Parents read and tickle while kids wiggle and giggle. It has received great accolades such as the Mom’s Choice Award, Parent’s Choice Award and the Parent Tested Parent Approved Award too.

I recently received my Tickle Monster Kit from my brother as a gift. It comes in a beautiful box with a hardcover book and two fuzzy monster mittens for tickling. My son is 9 months old and while the book is meant for older toddlers (more detailed writing), the flow of the words is melodic and he loves the tickle parts. He laughs his way through the book and giggles when he sees the “magical monster mitts” come out.

It is a daily routine for us now because, as the kit says, “There is no better childhood memory than time spent laughing together”.

(Prices range from $22-$35 from Amazon.com, Borders.com and other book retailers)

Rainy days are the worst with kids afoot. Even worse is rainy days two days in a row. Yet here is a great activity to keep boredom at bay (even if it is just for an hour). I remember my Mom making homemade playdough when I was a kid. I loved to help make it and then get to play with it. I hope your kids enjoy it too!

Isis Playdough Recipe