The Great Big Christmas Book from Toys R Us begins to arrive in homes and newspapers this weekend. Overflowing with 80 pages of toys, games, bikes, electronics and more – including hundreds of items only available at Toys“R”Us – kids wait in anticipation for this holiday book so they can check off gifts they want and give Santa a hint.
Featuring thousands of toys, the book includes more than $5,600 in savings – more than any other year – and more than 50 free gifts-with-purchase, along with hundreds of amazing discounts. Throughout the season, customers can also look forward to receiving e-mailed bonus pages of holiday-themed deals and discounts that could not fit between the covers of The Great Big Christmas Book.
To help on-the-go shoppers, The Great Big Christmas Book also will be available in convenient digital formats, including an interactive iPad App, as well as through an exclusive sneak preview – available now – on the company’s official Facebook fan page, Facebook.com/Toysrus. Customers can also experience a digital version of The Great Big Christmas Book online at Toysrus.com/ChristmasBook beginning Sunday, October 31.
“Kids across the country can barely contain their excitement when they know The Great Big Christmas Book is coming from Toys“R”Us. They can’t wait to start flipping through the pages to show their parents – and Santa – the toys that will WOW them on Christmas morning,” said Greg Ahearn, Senior Vice President, Marketing and e-commerce, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “While children love seeing the fabulous playthings, parents will appreciate the incredible savings offered, including more than 50 free gift-with-purchase offers and hundreds of deals.”
The Season’s Hottest Toys, Including Hundreds of Toys“R”Us Exclusives
Building on the company’s unique value proposition of affordable fun, The Great Big Christmas Book features thousands of items – including hundreds of items available exclusively at Toys“R”Us – that will have kids jumping for joy on Christmas morning. From Sing-a-ma-jigs!, Tomica train sets, Princess & Me dolls, SCRABBLE Flash and Xbox 360 Kinect, to products from classic brands such as Hasbro, LEGO, Barbie, Fisher-Price and more, the hottest toys of 2010 can be found throughout this holiday catalog at prices sure to delight the savviest of shoppers.
Highlights of the savings and deals valid from Sunday, October 31 through Tuesday, November 24, while supplies last, include:
FREE $10 Toys“R”Us gift card with ANY purchase of $75 or more*
FREE $25 Toys“R”Us gift card with the purchase of ANY Tony Hawk bike*
FREE $10 Toys“R”Us gift Card with ANY Bratz purchase of $40 or more*
FREE $10 Toys“R”Us gift card with ANY Apple iPod purchase of $149.99 or more*
FREE $10 Toys“R”Us gift card with ANY Disney Movie purchase of $40 or more*
FREE Crayola Holiday Gift Pack with ANY Crayola Purchase of $19.99 or more
FREE Doll Food and Diapers Super Refill Pack with ANY Baby Alive purchase of $35 or more
FREE Princess & Me Royal Wardrobe with ANY Princess & Me purchase of $75 or more
FREE Monster High Cosmetic Case with ANY Monster High purchase of $50 or more
FREE NERF Ammo with the purchase of ANY NERF blaster
35% off Monopoly Electronic Banking edition, SCRABBLE Flash, Trivial Pursuit Bet You Know It edition and Bezzerwizzer games
25% off ALL MobiGo and V.Reader Software
25% off select Moon Dough items
SAVE $150 on Big Backyard Bayberry Wooden Playhouse
SAVE $100 on Step2 Play Up Gym Set
This year, customers who already receive e-mails from Toys“R”Us will receive digital pages of additional savings from The Great Big Christmas Book. To sign up to receive these special e-mails, customers can visit http://app.toysrus.com/preferencecenter/prefs.cfm?a=new_signup.
Experiencing The Great Big Christmas Book, Digitally
Shoppers interested in accessing the deals, discounts and toys available in The Great Big Christmas Book while on-the-go, will find a variety of ways to view the catalog online and on mobile devices, including:
On the Web: The entire catalog can be found online at Toysrus.com/ChristmasBook beginning Sunday, October 31. Shoppers can also search for products and deals by brand, age and category, whether looking for special sales on dolls, games, action figures or any other item. Toysrus.com offers a version that customers can see page-by-page, as if they were holding the book in their hands.
On Facebook: Members of the official Toys“R”Us Facebook fan page can find an exclusive preview of The Great Big Christmas Book available now at Facebook.com/Toysrus. Additionally, fans can choose to “like” items featured within the catalog’s pages or share a link to the items with their friends.
On iPad: Apple iPad owners can download a complimentary App that includes two different views of the catalog – one for kids and one for adults. Children can browse the pages of The Great Big Christmas Book, without prices, and drag items they want to receive into a “gift box” to create their “must-have” list for parents or Santa. Adults can view their child’s list, including price information, edit the toys their children add and e-mail it to family and friends. Customers can visit Toysrus.com/ChristmasBook to find The Great Big Christmas Book iPad App beginning in November.
All of the digital versions of The Great Big Christmas Book offer additional product information and links to online reviews, as well as video demonstrations of select items
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
10 classic toys for preschoolers
Editors picks! We have come up with a collection of popular toys or play stuff for preschoolers (ages 2-5 years) - from our experience as parents and our research. We feel all preschoolers should have an opportunity to play with these. Some common threads
Play is a young child's "work". They have fun playing with their toys and they learn a whole lot in that process as well. The important thing is not to take away the fun element from playing.
it is relevant for both boys and girls.
Most of these are open-ended (there is no set way to use or play with these and can use them in many different ways, boosting creativity and imagination).
They are food for their physical, cognitive, social and emotional development - in a fun manner. Of course, we parents love that so we have pointed those development related attributes.
Kids also get turned-on by stuff they see in their daily lives - cooking, driving etc.
And the toys are...
Balls
Variety of balls - bouncy ones for basketball, kicking balls for fotball, small cricket balls for juggling...
Great for physical development and great for hand eye coordination.
Kids can play alone or with others. Great for getting them to interact and have fun with peers also.
Playdoh or clay
Kids love messing around with playdoh or clay.
Open-ended. Encourages kids to be creative.
Great for developing fine motor skills. And provides tactile sensory exploration and stimulation for the little hands and minds.
Also, as you knead, press, squeeze, roll etc. you flex many of the same muscles as those used in writing. No wonder playdoh is popular in most play-based preschools. So that kids can have fun messing around and getting ready for writing at the same time!
Pretend Toys
Pretend play encourages creativity and imagination.
Pretend kitchen stuff
Tea-sets, pots, pans and other “house” stuff
Fun for the budding cooks. Both genders enjoy playing with these. Great way to avoid gender stereotypes for boys right from the start.
Pretend costumes and props
Whatever gets them excited and sparks their imagination. Examples: Spiderman, princess, lehenga for the bollywood belle. masks, pretend doctor sets.
Basic board games
Some popular games are Snakes and Ladders, Candyland etc.
Teaches kids basics of playing games, taking turns, learn how to lose and win, counting etc.
Funskool has versions of many imported classics.
Basic puzzles
Different kinds - 10 pieces, 20 pieces...49 pieces and more.
In India, Creatives and Frank Bros. are popular brands. You can get themes that interest your child - animals, princess, dinosaurs, etc.
You also get the imported German classics Ravensberger in some shops. These are expensive but durable and pretty.
Enhances their spatial intelligence (mental ability to help make mental models for understanding and learning), ability to focus and other cognitive skills.
Colours and crafts
Keep lots of crayons in a big box and lots of paper handy. They can take them out whenever they are bored and keep themselves occupied.
At times, make them do painting - messy, creative and fun. It is very good for them to explore different colours. Let them make a mess and have fun. Do not try and teach them too much at this time. Remember that the process of making is more important than the end result. Read Parentree tips on How to talk to kids about their art or work
Keep kids scissors handy as well.
This is again an open-ended activity. It develops fine motor skills and encourages imagination and creativity.
Wheels: Trucks, cars and trains
For our budding formula one drivers, truck drivers and engineers.
They can keep wheeling the same truck again and again.
Of course most boys love anything with wheels and want to be truck drivers. But give cars and trucks a chance with girls as well. Great way to get rid of gender stereotypes right from the start.
Construction toys (Legos, blocks etc.)
For the young engineers and builders at work!
Wooden unit blocks (different sizes, some fraction can be the larger ones) enhance early math skills as well.
The tub of Legos are also popular. They are expensive but are very durable. The ones for kids under 5 are different from ones for older kids. They can be "worth it" because kids play with them for many years. And of course you will be able to use them for your subsequent children.
There is also the Mechanix construction set (also referred to as Mechano in India). There colourful plastic ones for younger preschoolers that are comfortable and easy for their little hands (different from the metal ones for older kids).
Great for enhancing fine motor skills, cognitive skills and creativity.
Cuddly animals, dolls...
Stuffed toys, teddy bears, baby dolls etc.
For both girls and boys. Kids find these comforting and fun since they love cuddling and being cuddled. They will see mom taking care of a baby and then will pretend they are too. Teaches them a lot in that process.
Scrap
Scrap? Yes, you read that right. Scrap. Keep scrap material that you do not need in a big box. Call it your scrap box.
Let your child play freely with these and even try and make things out of them. You will be surprised how creative they can be. And keep themselves occupied. Do not be surprised if this scrap box becomes their favourite "toy". Good for the pocket and the environment as well.
For example: small cardboard boxes, curtain rings, small plastic containers, buttons, eggs cardboard trays, gems containers, used gift wrapping paper etc.
The list is endless. But these are the evergreen ones most loved by children, parents and preschool teachers. Share your child's favourite toys.
Play is a young child's "work". They have fun playing with their toys and they learn a whole lot in that process as well. The important thing is not to take away the fun element from playing.
it is relevant for both boys and girls.
Most of these are open-ended (there is no set way to use or play with these and can use them in many different ways, boosting creativity and imagination).
They are food for their physical, cognitive, social and emotional development - in a fun manner. Of course, we parents love that so we have pointed those development related attributes.
Kids also get turned-on by stuff they see in their daily lives - cooking, driving etc.
And the toys are...
Balls
Variety of balls - bouncy ones for basketball, kicking balls for fotball, small cricket balls for juggling...
Great for physical development and great for hand eye coordination.
Kids can play alone or with others. Great for getting them to interact and have fun with peers also.
Playdoh or clay
Kids love messing around with playdoh or clay.
Open-ended. Encourages kids to be creative.
Great for developing fine motor skills. And provides tactile sensory exploration and stimulation for the little hands and minds.
Also, as you knead, press, squeeze, roll etc. you flex many of the same muscles as those used in writing. No wonder playdoh is popular in most play-based preschools. So that kids can have fun messing around and getting ready for writing at the same time!
Pretend Toys
Pretend play encourages creativity and imagination.
Pretend kitchen stuff
Tea-sets, pots, pans and other “house” stuff
Fun for the budding cooks. Both genders enjoy playing with these. Great way to avoid gender stereotypes for boys right from the start.
Pretend costumes and props
Whatever gets them excited and sparks their imagination. Examples: Spiderman, princess, lehenga for the bollywood belle. masks, pretend doctor sets.
Basic board games
Some popular games are Snakes and Ladders, Candyland etc.
Teaches kids basics of playing games, taking turns, learn how to lose and win, counting etc.
Funskool has versions of many imported classics.
Basic puzzles
Different kinds - 10 pieces, 20 pieces...49 pieces and more.
In India, Creatives and Frank Bros. are popular brands. You can get themes that interest your child - animals, princess, dinosaurs, etc.
You also get the imported German classics Ravensberger in some shops. These are expensive but durable and pretty.
Enhances their spatial intelligence (mental ability to help make mental models for understanding and learning), ability to focus and other cognitive skills.
Colours and crafts
Keep lots of crayons in a big box and lots of paper handy. They can take them out whenever they are bored and keep themselves occupied.
At times, make them do painting - messy, creative and fun. It is very good for them to explore different colours. Let them make a mess and have fun. Do not try and teach them too much at this time. Remember that the process of making is more important than the end result. Read Parentree tips on How to talk to kids about their art or work
Keep kids scissors handy as well.
This is again an open-ended activity. It develops fine motor skills and encourages imagination and creativity.
Wheels: Trucks, cars and trains
For our budding formula one drivers, truck drivers and engineers.
They can keep wheeling the same truck again and again.
Of course most boys love anything with wheels and want to be truck drivers. But give cars and trucks a chance with girls as well. Great way to get rid of gender stereotypes right from the start.
Construction toys (Legos, blocks etc.)
For the young engineers and builders at work!
Wooden unit blocks (different sizes, some fraction can be the larger ones) enhance early math skills as well.
The tub of Legos are also popular. They are expensive but are very durable. The ones for kids under 5 are different from ones for older kids. They can be "worth it" because kids play with them for many years. And of course you will be able to use them for your subsequent children.
There is also the Mechanix construction set (also referred to as Mechano in India). There colourful plastic ones for younger preschoolers that are comfortable and easy for their little hands (different from the metal ones for older kids).
Great for enhancing fine motor skills, cognitive skills and creativity.
Cuddly animals, dolls...
Stuffed toys, teddy bears, baby dolls etc.
For both girls and boys. Kids find these comforting and fun since they love cuddling and being cuddled. They will see mom taking care of a baby and then will pretend they are too. Teaches them a lot in that process.
Scrap
Scrap? Yes, you read that right. Scrap. Keep scrap material that you do not need in a big box. Call it your scrap box.
Let your child play freely with these and even try and make things out of them. You will be surprised how creative they can be. And keep themselves occupied. Do not be surprised if this scrap box becomes their favourite "toy". Good for the pocket and the environment as well.
For example: small cardboard boxes, curtain rings, small plastic containers, buttons, eggs cardboard trays, gems containers, used gift wrapping paper etc.
The list is endless. But these are the evergreen ones most loved by children, parents and preschool teachers. Share your child's favourite toys.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Most Expensive Classic Toys
Classic Toys
Toys that appeal to most children can be the old standbys. Kids respond well to toys even if they are not made of plastic, and sometimes even when lacking in glitter. A lot of the toys that we all enjoyed playing with, and even some of the toys from our parents generation are still accessible and even fun. Of course, even this new generation of tots have their own classics in the toy aisle, So take into consideration if this is a gift, not only the classic toys, but the newer ones as well. Also try to think about what the recipient child prefers, for example, she may enjoy Barbie , but she might enjoy Dora The Explorer more. Or Thomas the Tank Engine versus Spongebob Squarepants . So remember, no matter what kind of toys you're looking into getting, take the child's taste into consideration, but above all, remember your budget. It's very easy to spend a lot when it comes to toys, and it's good to remember that children will be very pleased with your standard gifts like a stuffed animal or matchbox car , it's dependent on how you present it, as well as the child's tastes. There are a lot of toys, kits, and activities to choose from when shopping for children, but if you're not sure what kind of gift or toy to purchase, call their parents and ask what sort of toys the child is interested in, or ask a salesperson, they can generally tell you what is popular. Yes, the newer toys are popular, but classic toys never go out of style.Classic and Retro Toys
Remember all those cool toys you used to have back in the day? Those same toys that will be loved indefinitely for decades to come? Well, it's time to check out those relics again! Spark your memory and remember what every kid has played with at some time in their life. Whether for yourself, as an avid collector, or for a child who is still growing up, there are plenty of fun classic and retro toys on the market to suit everyone's inner child. With a selection like this, you are bound to find what you are looking for!
You may also be interested in seeing the toys resources page, which has links to reviews, recalls, and more.
Physical Activity Toys and Games
Here are some of those classics created as far back as a century ago or more. They have been reinvented and enhanced throughout the years and continue to amuse both big kids and little kids alike. And at a time when child obesity is at an all time high, these toys provide kids with the physical activity they need.
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