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Recently I’ve been getting alot of comments from friends (who have an interest in baby toys) about my daughter’s playnest. We have a used Mothercare one that was given to us when she was born. She started using it at around 5 months. Manufacturer’s recommendation is from birth, which is slightly too early because they can’t really do anything in it until they have full head support and some hand-eye coordination.
Playnests are suprisingly hard to find though. Mothercare doesn’t seem to stock them anymore and I could only find one at Toys R Us.
It obviously depends on your baby’s interest but playnests become really handy when your baby gets to the age where they can start reaching for toys but can’t quite crawl yet. Sitting in the playnest can give them a sense of independance and helps them work on developing motor skills.
Playnests are also great if your baby hates having tummy time. You can place them on their bellies on the side of the nest and while it’s not exactly the same as being directly flat on the floor, it will work their kneck and arm muscles.
While my daughter quickly got bored of the little animals on the actual playnest, she loves sitting in it with other toys. Nests are usually covered in textured material and squeaky toys but as with most of these sorts of activity centers, they can either cause overstimulation or loose their charm after a few minutes, so be prepared to give your baby another toy that works well in the ring.
One bad point of the playnest is that if your baby isn’t able to sit on their own yet, they will need something to support them so they don’t end up slipping into an uncomfortable position. I stick a small pillow or a folded baby blanket behind my kiddo, sometimes on both sides of her, and that gives her the support to play on her own for awhile.
It’s also great for travelling. You can deflate the ring, fold it up and stick it in a bag to take with you.
PS Of course, as with most baby toys, never leave your child unattended while in a playnest.
playnests, plat mat, travel toys
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As soon as you announce your pregnancy to the world, you will most likely start being bombarded with presents, flowers, cards, clothes, toys etc…Some of it will be for you but most of it will be for the little person that is planning on making an appearance in nine months. After a while, you may start thinking “Is all this stuff necessary?”. Most of the time, the answer is YES. It’s unbelievable the amount of stuff kids needs. Especially when it comes to toys….
Sometimes you pick up a toy and you know it was designed by a bunch of marketing people who don’t have any children and have no concept of the effect that drool and tiny teeth can have on it and other times you find a toy that your kid adores and you want to go and hug the designer for making something that not only entertains your child for more than 10 minutes, but does so whilst being non-offensive and perhaps even educational.
I’ll be reviewing children’s toys and hopefully helping you decide how to fill the toy chest with items that you are happy to have your little munchkins tinker with.
by Staff Writer
Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund
April 16, 2007, will be remembered as one of the darkest days in the history of the Virginia Tech community and the world beyond.
To remember and honor the victims of those tragic events, the university has established the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to aid in the healing process and generate financial support.
The fund will be used to cover expenses including but not limited to:
- Grief counseling
- Memorials
- Communication expenses
- Comfort expenses
- Incidental needs
If you plan to give, please click the link below:
Steve Shickles
451 Press, LLC
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When I saw this toy I thought I was having a flashback to my own childhood. I didn’t come across him in a consignment store or my parent’s crawl space, he’s on toy shelves and making a huge comeback. Teddy Ruxpin is back and better than ever.
We all know this animated bear, and the stories he tells, we remember putting the cassette taps in his back and crossing our fingers. Teddy has come a long way. This new age Teddy is fully loaded. Standing tall and reciting stories from small cartridges. There are 5 software packages available this year, all complete with songs, stories, sound effects and the needed data to make Teddy more flawlessly to the story. Younger ones can tuck away for a bedtime story, while older ones cultivate their reading skills and follow along with their new friend.
Complimenting this new toy is an interactive Teddy Ruxpin site for kids. Your children can follow the adventures of Teddy Ruxpin while learn new songs and stories about their bear. There are games and coloring sheets too!
At $69.99 I think Teddy Ruxpin is overpriced, still the nostalgia gets me and I can see adding this bear to our collection soon.
Teddy Ruxpin, Teddy, Ruxpin, toy
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I’d hate for one of my first posts to be so negative, but this product gives me the heebie-jeebies in all those ways that push me to rant write. Mom’s on Edge features the Naughty Spot Time Out Mat For Tots. Well, I have my own opinions about the actual effectiveness of the typical Time Out (and by typical I mean the way they usually happen, not the way we claim they come about), but this product takes it one step further and in my opinion is completely unnessesary.
It’s one thing to ask your child to take some time away, to think about the incident, to gain their composure, then to return for a discussion. It is quite another to lay out a mat with a pouty face and send them to sit there as punnishment. Really, I mean sitting on a frowning face, let’s not forget to scold them for pouting when they’re there!
I’m not arguing the need for consistence, nor am I arguing the benefits of taking time away from a situation in order to compose yourself, but the timer feature basically affirms it’s use as a punishment. The time out is then not tied to the child’s need for space or reflection (a time that is not something that can just be set) but to a preset punishment.
This might work short term, but if it’s your “can’t live without” tool then it’s obviously not working.
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I don’t want to like Chapters. They are so big and impersonal. Still, the truth is, I simply love them. From their super fast shipping, to their endless supply of kids book, to their new and innovative toy ideas, they are a regular family playground.
This new line of paint called Funky Artist by Alex is no different. The textures brushes are big enough for little hands and the washable paint allows your kid’s to really explore the paint without leaving you with a hugs mess. At $24.95 I can’t help but feel like it’s a bit much for four paints and a few brushes, still, probably a welcomed addition to your craft cupboard.
What are craft supply essentials around your place?
