Outdoor Toddler Toys And Activities

Cicak Junior's Favorite Outdoor Toys &Activities

I would like to share with you to Cicak Junior's favourite outdoor toddler toys and activities.

We use the garden a lot during the summer months so we have invested in quite a few outdoor toys for our two year old toddler. But don't worry if you only have an indoor space, or you are worried that these toys will not get played with during the colder months  as they are mostly suitable to be played with indoors or in a garage or conservatory too.

If you are looking for ideas for water play, ball games, arts and crafts and bouncing toys I have it all covered.

I hope that you enjoy reading about Cicak Junior's favorite summer toddler activities and toys as much as he enjoys playing with them.

                                               Wet and Wonderful Water Play - Part 1

If you are only going to invest in one outdoor activity for your toddler then I would recommend that you choose water play. You can buy either a water table or a paddling pool – or let them use their old baby bath or a large bowl or bucket.

Water play has many educational advantages for young children:

• It encourages the development of their eye to hand coordination. Being able to scoop water out of one container and pour it into another container needs a huge amount of skill, and it is an essential skill for pre school age children to make.

• Water play encourages young children to learn about mathematical and scientific ideas. They learn that it maybe takes 5 scoops of water to fill a small bucket, that as they fill one container the other is becoming empty and that some objects float in water whilst others sink. 

Cicak Junior received this Little Tikes Sandy Lagoon Waterpark as a gift almost one year ago and I can honestly say that it was an instant hit and has been used every day.

The table is divided into two - one half has a drain hole and is designed for water while the other side is designed for sand and has a removable lid.

The table comes with two figures that are a similar size to Little People, two round plastic floats for them to sit in, a double ended scoop/rake and a cup.

In the center of the water table is a tower with two chutes and a water balance. If you place one of the figures inside the top of the tower and pull the lever they speed down one of the chutes and splash into the water - cue for lots of toddler laughing.

There are also diving board on two corners of the table, and if you place a figure on one of them you can flick the board to make the figure dive into the water - again a cue for much giggling.

The water balance and the sand spinner allow toddlers to explore how water and sand can make things move, and Cicak Junior spends hours tipping water onto these and driving his diggers through the sand.

Before I bought this my friends told me all we needed was a basic water table, and Senor Cicak was advocating for a large bowel of water rather than a table, but I can honestly say that this table was money well spent, and of all the toddler toys and activities that we have and do, this one is by far the most popular.

Cicak Junior loves playing with his Little People and the water table has become an extension of that imaginative play.

Top Tip - if you want to use this indoors either place a plastic sheet underneath it to protect the floor, or just allow the sand and not the water.

                                             Wet and Wonderful Water Play - Part 2

Whether you invest in a water table or padding pool or let your youngster use containers you already have to hand their are other things that will help them to get the most out of their water play experience:

• Collect a variety of different size containers that they can fill with water. These can be children’s buckets, clean empty containers from the kitchen – for example empty yoghurt pots and plastic jugs.

• Give them a variety of scooping utensils – for example spoons and scoops of different sizes, maybe beach spades. A sand sieve is good too, as they watch the water drain through the holes and a sponge can provide endless fun as it is soaked and squeezed repeatedly.

• Let them play with toys that won’t get damaged when wet, for example plastic vehicles, Little People, balls. Children love to see how different objects react to water, how some things float others sink and others absorb water. 

A few months back we bought a similar paddling pool to this blue pool, as Cicak Junior had outgrown his baby pool. With three inflatable rings this pool inflates to a size that is large enough to comfortably accommodate three or four toddlers.

We only fill our pool to a depth of about 15 cm's maximum - often less than that. This is partly because we are being kind to the environment (and our water bill) but also because we empty it out after each use and to be honest - 6 inches of water in a pool this size is more than enough to allow water play.

Top Tip - if you want to use this pool indoors, or fancy a change from water play - fill it with plastic balls and let your little ones enjoy!

                                                        A Rainbow of Possibilities, Part 1

You might not think of painting as being as outdoor activity, but if you have ever tried to paint with a toddler you will know I am right. And if you haven’t had the joys of toddler painting, trust me when I tell you that one toddler can manage to get paint in places that you would have never thought possible.!

We bought our easel last summer as an end of summer present to keep Cicak Junior occupied when his beloved Daddy returned to work after his long summer vacation.

It’s permanent home is outside on our covered verandah, where he is allowed to use his chalks (which we banned from the house after he “decorated” my lounge suite!!

When we want to paint I move it out onto the lawn, strip Cicak Junior down to just his nappy, put on some old clothes and let the fun commence.

The joys of painting outdoors are that you can turn your garden into a temporary art gallery – I peg his paintings to dry on our washing line.

This Crayola Magnetic Double Easle is double sided, with one side having a chalk board and the other a magnetic white board. Each side has a clip at the top to hold sheets of papers for painting or drawing and compartments to hold your little one's art supplies.

The easel comes supplied with a  board eraser and a set of 77 magnetic numbers and letters.

The easel is sold as being suitable for age 3 plus, but average height toddler has been using it since he was 18 months old with no problems.

With the easel able to be used for chalks, dry markers, painting, drawing and magnetic letters it is excellent value for money.

Top tip - if you are worried about the mess when using this indoors limit it to chalks and magnetic letters.

                                                    Rainbow of Possibilities, Part 2

As well as improving eye to hand coordination, painting and drawing allows a child to explore their creative side.

Creative activities such as like painting are important in helping brain development, and in particular the right side of the brain.

It is the right side of the brain that is responsible for creativity and emotions, with the left side responsible for analytical and logical actions.

Painting uses both sides of the brain simultaneously and the benefits of this are believed to help children to achieve their full potential and to improve their self esteem.

Painting and drawing are also an excellent form of stress relief, and in the ever stressful world that we are bringing our children up in it is important that they are allowed time to kick back and do something that’s fun.

Bouncy - Bouncy!

It is important for young children to develop their gross motor skills, and one way to do this is to encourage them to bounce.

By the age of two most toddlers should be able to:

• Jump down from the bottom step
• Jump to a distance of approximately 6 to 8 inches (15 – 20 cm’s)
• Bounce on a trampoline while holding someone’s hands

My two year old is more tan capable of doing all these, and I’m sure that the fact that he walked at 9 months helped, but even if your toddler is not so advanced there are exercises you can do to help.

I would not advocate buying a trampoline, even a small one, for a two year old, unless you are prepared to provide constant supervision. An alternative would be this bouncing horse. By bouncing up and down on it your toddler will strengthen their leg muscles whilst having oodles of fun.

Cicak Junior loves to jump, run and generally bounce around.

We bought him this inflatable Red Horse Hopper for his second birthday and he absolutely adores it.

He is not an overly tall two year ld but he can easily sit astride the horse, with the ears giving him something to hold on to.

We also bought him a space hopper, but this is by far more age appropriate for him, as the shape is much easier to sit safely on.

There is nothing better that Cicak Junior enjoys than to sit astride his horse while we sing "Horsey horsey don't you stop" while he bounces to the rhythm, and he is able to use this in the garden, on the grass, and also in the house.

The Wheels on the Trike

Learning to ride a tricycle is almost a rite of passage for toddlers, and by the age of two most toddlers should be able to at least attempt to ride a trike.

Cicak junior received his trike a month ago as a belated 2nd birthday parents from his grandparents, but as yet he is not able to pedal it.

He has learned how to climb on it, his feet can reach the pedals, and he loves to be pushed around the garden. I am sure that before too long he will have mastered the whole pedalling concept – and in the mean time he is having a whale of a time learning.

This Kettle Primatrike is similar to the one that Cicak Junior has, and if this one had been available in El Salvador then we would have bought it.
It is not a very  expensive trike but it is very well made with wide quiet running wheels and a low centre of gravity that makes it safe to ride without the fear of toppling over.

Please read the Toddler Trike Reviews for more reviews of trikes that are suitable for toddlers.

The Best Baby Toys

Are you looking for baby toys and in need of inspiration, or searching for gift ideas for a baby shower, baby's birth, christening or first birthday or maybe looking to spend money that your baby received as a gift?

Below are reviews of the best baby toys. Not necessarily the top selling toys, but the toys that in my opinion are they ones that are going to be played with again and again by your baby.

As a mother to Cicak Junior, who is now a lively toddler I can remember how confusing it was knowing which toys to buy for my then baby. As a new parent it can be difficult knowing which toys will last the test of time and be more than a passing fad.

The most popular baby toys that I bought were not necessarily the most expensive, and are the ones that he still revisits now. I remember asking my mum for advice about whether a toy was too advanced for him and her reply was that he would play with it at the level he is currently at. This is very true, as many baby toys have features that babies cannot operate alone until they are toddlers.

Choosing a good baby toy that is age and development appropriate for a baby can be difficult. Baby's need colour and sound to stimulate their senses and hands on activities to help to develop their coordination. During the first year of a baby's life their developmental curve is steep, seeing them progress from a helpless newborn to a mobile and vocal one year old.

You also have to remember that anything you give a baby will, at some stage, end up in their mouth, being explored for taste and tgexture. It is therefore very important to be careful what you buy for your baby. Whilst it might be tempting to cut corners and buy a cheap toy that is not made by a reputable manufacturer, you could well be risking the health of your baby, with toxic paints and loose parts a real danger. If money is tight then it is safer to buy fewer toys from well known toy makers, or take advantage of second hand or pass-me-down toys. Just be sure to check that everything is good and secure and give them a clean with an antibacterial wash or wipes.

By researching the best baby toys, you will be helping your baby to get the most from their play experience.

All children love music and sound, and the Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes provides your baby with an introduction to music.

With large buttons that are easy for baby to operate and a cute caterpillar handle to grab hold of this music player has a repertoire of seven classical tunes, lights and buttons that will provide your baby with hours of fun.

Most importantly, from the point of view of a parent who tries to tidy toys away once baby is asleep, it has a volume control and an on and off switch!!

Take Along Tunes from Baby Einstein is currently the number 1 best selling baby toy from Amazon.com with the second highest number of positive customer reviews, so you can be sure you are buying a toy that is going to entertain your child and remain a popular toy for more than 5 minutes.

This Munchkin Figure 8 Teether is exactly the same teether that my own child had as a baby and I would fully recommend it to anyone with a teething baby.

Because it is not gel filled there is no benefit to be gained by placing it in the freezer, but don't look on this as a disadvantage because it makes it the ideal teething ring  to take with you when you are out of the house.

Divided into eight sections, this teether is easy to hold and has different textures for your baby to chew on. I was a little concerned about making sure this teether was thoroughly cleaned, because of all the textures on it, so as well as washing it in the dishwaher I also sterilised it on a regular basis, more often if Cicak Junior had a cold.

All babies and toddlers are fascinated by reflection, and it forms an important part of their development to realise that their reflection in the mirror is not an entirely different person to themselves.

The Sassy Crib and Floor Mirror gives a true undistorted reflection that can help babies to focus and has textured animals for baby to reach out for.

Having a mirror will help your baby's sight and communication skills, and I still find it really sweet when my toddler talks to his reflection.

Cicak Junior had several Lamaze toys and they were all built to the same high standard as the Lamaze Play and Grow Freddie the Firefly, which is currently a number 1 best seller in baby toys.

Young children really benefit from toys that offer a multi sensory experience, and this is exactly what you get with the Lamaze Firefly.

With crinkles, squeakers and mirrors in the wings, textured knotted feet, a teether, plastic rings that clack together this firefly is going to keep your baby happy for a long time! And most importantly - it is completely safe for your baby to suck and chew - as all babies do!

I particularly love the very useful plastic ring at the top that can be used to attach the toy to a stroller, car seat or indeed crib. If you have ever retraced your step through a crowded mall, frantically scanning the floor junior's favorite toy, you will know exactly why this is important!

CASA CICAK'S TOP CHILDREN'S GIFTS

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Best Toddler Toys:18-24 Months

In the run up to the biggest toy shopping period, Walmart released it's 2013 holiday top toy list Chosen By Kids, and from that list I have taken the five best toddler toys that were chosen by their panel of children.

Getting the opinions of 1,000 children between the ages of 18 months and 10 years, Walmart really have drawn on a wide cross section of the population, and these are toys that are going to be popular as birthday gifts right through 2014 and beyond.

With Big Hugs Elmo winning the Infant/Toddler Toy of The Year 2014 and the VTech Go! Go! range runner up in the same category, Baby Alive, Fisher Prices Farm and Crawl Around Car they really are quality toys.

Who knows better what children would love to receive as gifts than the children themselves. No more worrying if you are choosing the right toys, espescially for younger children who are not yet capable of verbalising their wishes.

What I especially like is the fact that the top twenty toys has been divided into 4 age groups, so it makes it easier to see what age the toys are appropriate for, unlike most top toy lists that do not specify age.

However, do not feel restricted by the age groups as it will depend on individual children if they would like and enjoy a toy from a different age group.

If you are shopping for older children, or a just interested to see what the children recommended, then please check out my other reviews of the choices for: 3 to 5 year olds, 6 to 7 year olds and 8 to 10 year olds.

All the toys reviewed below can be ordered direct from Amazon.com, saving you the hassle of trailing around the stores looking for toys. 

This collection of toys really has included many tried and tested brands, and Sesame Street is another, celebrating its 44th anniversary this year.

Big Hugs Elmo featured in many of the 2013 top toy lists that were compiled by the best toy stores, including Walmart and Toys r US and was voted Infant/Toddler Toy of The Year 2014.

Originally an educational US TV series, Sesame Street lends itself perfectly to being marketed as a range of toys.

It is popular at the moment for toys to be interactive, able to react to the child who is playing with them, and Elmo is just such a toy.

When you cuddle Elmo expect to be hugged right back. He will dance and sing and when he's tired he will fall asleep if you lie him down.

This toy is almost guaranteed to be loved by any young child that is lucky enough to get the opportunity to play with it.

Voted a "Runner Up" in the Infant Toddler section of the Toy of The Year 2014 awards, the Vtech Go! Go! Smart Wheels selection is going to be winner with kids, in much the same way that Fisher Price's Little People range is.

Currently the number 1 best seller in the Toddler Train & Train Sets category at Amazon.com you can read this review on the Smart Wheels sets, or if you would prefer you can buy this VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Train playset now.

First introduced by Kenner in 1973, Baby Alive was an astonishing 40 years old in 2013!

Now owned by Hasbro, Baby Alive has been through many reincarnations since then, with the Real Suprises doll being the latest.

So what does Baby Alive Real Surprises do?

This is a truly interactive 21st century doll. We expect Baby Alive to be fed and to be able to pee and poop, and need diaper changes, but Real Surprises does much more.

Reacting to what your child does to her, she will shake her head to show that its not what she wants and she will talk to your child, just like a real baby would.As an added bonus Real Surprises is bilingual, and can talk in either English or Spanish.

This toy was voted as a top toy for children aged 18/24 months in 2013, but the manufacturers do not recommend it for children under 3 years.

I see no reason why you could not buy this doll for a younger child, provided that you maybe kept all the small parts to one side until they were old enough not to be at risk of choking.

The Laugh & Learn Crawl Around Car is not a car in the sense that it moves, but rather a car shaped activity center that will give your toddler hour upon hour of educational fun.

This car has a huge amount of activities, with more than 75 phrases, tunes and songs, an interactive dash interface and 3 different categories of activities.

The fact that this car is not able to move, and is built to be very stable, means that it will encourage your pre-walking babies to use it to develop their standing skills, newly mobile children will be able to safely cruise around it whilst older mobile toddlers will love to sit in it and pretend to be driving.

Fisher Price's Little People are another range of toys that have stood the test of time, with them first being made in the 1960's under the "Play Family People" brand.

I have written countless reviews about Little People toys, and I cannot speak highly enough of them.

My own toddler has a huge collection of Little People buildings, vehicles, people and animals, including a farm that is identical to this.

The Fisher Price Little People Animal Sounds Farm is small enough to not take up to much storage space, yet it opens out to provide lots of pretend play opportunities. Your toddler will be introduced to animal sounds when the sheep, horse, pig, cow and chicken are placed where they live.

My toddler does not often play with this farm in a way that you would expect (unless you are a parent to a toddler, then you surely expect the unexpected!), but that is part of the fun of Little People. You are more likely to find a parrot or a vulture nesting in the chicken coop, a dinosaur drinking from the trough or a collection of trains parked inside the farm building.

Cicak Junior also has the tractor and trailer, complete with a delightful peek a boo pig hiding in the haystack, and I have showcased that below, along with a couple of other add on sets.

You really can't go wrong with Little People for children aged between 1 and 4 years of age.

CASA CICAK'S TOP CHILDREN'S GIFTS

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Top Toys For a 12 Month Old Boy

The best toys for a 12 month old boy, chosen by a Mom

Are you looking for the best toys for a 12 month old boy, maybe as a first birthday gift or for Christmas, and want to choose wisely?

Look no further because I have reviewed the best toys for 1 year old boys.

As a mother to a 3 year old boy I know that the best gifts for a one year old boy are toys that will last the test of time and become more than a brief diversion, something that will grow with your baby and last well into toddler hood. Indeed, many of the toys that my one year old played with are still firm favorites now that he is three.

One year of age is a time of transition, from being a baby to a toddler, and you want to choose toys that will reflect his increasing mobility and independence.

Children need a variety of toys to provide different stimuli to encourage their brains to develop and reach their full capacity. Here you will find an excellent range of toys that are guaranteed to keep your 12 month old happy.

I have also included useful information about the development of 1 year old babies, and how the toys that I have chosen will help them to develop these skills. This is particularly helpful if you are buying toys for someone elses toddler, or if you are planning ahead and are not sure what toys will be suitable once your baby is a year old.

If you are looking for inspiration for an upcoming birthday, I hope that the toy reviews for boys age 1 year old will give you ideas for your own one year old boys, and please remember that all of the top toys I have reviewed here would also make suitable gifts for 1 year old girls.

Between the ages of 12 and 18 months of age your child will become more mobile and will love to play with toys that can be pushed and pulled across the floor. 

Learning to pick up smallish objects encourages fine motor skill development which is important for tasks learned later, like writing. and using imaginative play to role play with the figures aids speech development.

Little People are a definite favourite with toddlers, and this Fisher Price Little People Lil' Movers Airplane will provide endless fun as they role play with the three figures provided and sing a long to the catchy song.

My 3 year old son loves all his Little People, but the airplane is probably his favourite. This was one of his first Little People wheeled vehicles, and the carry handle on the top of the plane helps him to push it along the floor, or indeed more recently to whoosh it through the air. 

Cicak Junior has been playing with this airplane now for almost two years, and I fully expect him to get a lot more play time with it.

As your baby approaches their first birthday you will notice that they are beginning to make more recognisable sound, and are also using non verbal language, for example shaking their head to mean "no".

Toys that encourage them to talk are therefore beneficial in developing their speech.

Children see and hear people using their cell phones all the time and children love to copy what adults are doing. This Smilin' Smart Phone is the perfect phone for them to be practising calling their friends.

This toy phone provides hours of educational fun for your one year old, with sounds, phrases, and songs accessed by pressing the buttons, which are good and big and easy for little fingers to manipulate.

My son has two toy cell phones and he by far prefers this one. Even though it is a lot bigger than our phones he holds it to his ear and has pretend conversations with it.

Cicak Junior got this phone as a gift at a little over 1 year of age and is still using it three years later, which definitely represents excellent value for money.

Building with blocks is an excellent way to develop a child's eye to hand coordination, and all children love it when they get to knock over a stack of blocks that you have built together.

Mega Block First Builders building blocks are perfect for developing a toddler's eye to hand coordination. This brightly coloured set has 80 pieces that are large enough for little fingers to manage, and it also comes with a handy storage bag.

At one, my son loved to pick the bricks up, throw them around, explore their texture and "help" me to build things.

Now at three years of age he will sit and play with his bricks. He can build basic objects, add bricks onto wheels to make vehicles and build towers.

A building block set will last your child for maybe three years, and if you buy a set such as these Mega Block ones they are compatible with the smaller bricks that are suitable for older children. 

By the age of 1 your baby will probably be rapidly developing into a toddler, and toys that enable them to stand alone, and walk by holding onto it will be very popular and will also help their gross motor development. 

The VTEch Sit to Stand Learning Walker is consistently a topseller with Amazon and is the walker that I would personally recommend. 

My own baby had this exact same walker for his first Xmas and when he walked less than three weeks later I thought we had a toy that would no longer be used - but I was wrong. He loved the activity panel on it and still loved to push it around.

We eventually gave it to a friend with a baby, but Cicak Junior still loved to play with it when we visited them.

Around the one year mark babies should be able to manipulate items in order to get a response, for example shaking a maraca. 

They should also have the necessary fine motor skills to be able to hold the hammer and attempt to hit the keys with it.

This extremely well made and durable Hohner Kids Glockenspiel is designed for ease of use by little fingers, and is currently the number one best seller in the Kids Instrument Accessories category with Amazon.com.

With safety in mind, the musical bars are designed so that they cannot be removed, and the color coding on both the keys and the songsheet will enable even quite a young child to attempt a tune.

My three year old boy has had a similar glockenspiel for a while now, and whilst he is too young to play an actual tune he loves to hit the keysw and make a "tune".

Casa Cicak's Top Children's Gifts

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Little Tikes Sand and Water Play Tables

Are you considering purchasing a water play table or sandbox for your toddler or young child?

Water and sand play is very beneficial to a toddlers development and every young child should have access to at least water play, whether this is in the bath or with a bowl of water or a specially purchased play water table.

If you are looking for a water play table, a sand and water play table or a sandbox, I have reviewed the best that are on offer from top outdoor toy manufacturer Little Tikes.

I chose to concentrate on play tables made by little Tikes because they are a well known company, with forty years of quality toy making experience and I also have personal experience of the quality of their products.

If you are looking for water and sand play options you will find a wide range of Little Tikes water and sand play equipment reviewed here.

From water tables to water and sand play tables and stand alone sandboxes there really is a sand and water play option that will appeal to almost everyone.

Benefits of Water Play

Playing with water is beneficial for your child’s cognitive, physical and social development.

Children love to pour water, and by doing so they are helping to improve their eye to hand coordination and physical dexterity.

By exploring why some objects sink and others float in water children are learning concepts such as empty versus full, shallow versus deep and heavy versus light in a hands-on way.

Water play helps to develop fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination by learning how to lift and pour water filled containers.

Cognitive Development is enhanced with maths and science concepts like sinking, floating and volume and realising that water can be poured into containers of different shapes and sizes.

Water Tables

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Water and Sand Tables

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Sand Boxes

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Best Toddler Toys for 2 Year Old Boys

Are you shopping for a gift for a 2nd birthday or Christmas, or looking to spend money that your child has received as a gift and are looking for the top toddler toys for 2 year old boys?

The top toys for 2 year old boys are toys that will last and develop with them, and toys that will encourage their development.

The choice of toys for 24 month olds is huge, and it can be difficult to know where to begin, particularly as toddlers are developing new skills almost daily.

The best toys for toddlers are ones that will stand the test of time and grow with your child: Duplo that can be later added to Lego, Little People that are aimed at 1-5 year olds and toys like water tables that are perfect for preschoolers.

Please look at the top toys for boys aged two that I have reviewed, along with the child development stages that I have included to help you to buy the top rated toddler toys.Don't forget that all these toys will also be suitable for girls of the same age.

TOY FIGURES HELP TO DEVELOP IMAGINATIVE PLAY........

IMAGINATIVE PLAY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF A CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT.

FISHER PRICE LITTLE PEOPLE

Fisher Price's range of Little People are perfect for helping your little one to develop their imagination. 

Take time to read these reviews - these Little People toys have been tried and tested by my own toddler, and I know that they represent a good quality and value for money, and will be played with for many years to come. 

More reviews of Little People playsets will be added soon.

LITTLE PEOPLE FUN SOUNDS FARM

The Little People Farm has recently been updated, but I am sure you will agree that it has lost non of its appeal in the process.

This was the first larger Little People playset that my toddler received as a gift, and two years later it is still a firm favorite.

I hope that you enjoy reading my review of this delightful farm playset.

LITTLE PEOPLE LIL' MOVERS AIRPLANE

The Little People Airplane was the first Little People item that my toddler received, and almost three years later it is still very much a favorite toy. Please read my review of this excellent vehicle.

ROLE PLAY Is essential for toddlers & Pre-schoolers.......

Melissa and Doug Fire Chief Outfit

Dressing up costumes and props help young children to get a greater benefit from make believe play.

It does not have to be pre-made outfits, with a dressing up box of unwanted adult clothes, scraps of fabric, accessories etc helping them to extend their imagination.

It is widely thought that preschool age children who are given the opportunity to experience role play have a greater chance of being more advanced intellectually and possess greater concentration skills.

If you like the look of this Melissa and Doug Fire Chief Outfit then you can read my review on it.

THE BENEFITS OF BALL GAMES...

Ball games HELP YOUr TODDLER TO have GOOD HAND to EYE COORDINATION and to develop their GROSS motor skills

Little Tikes T-Ball Set

Hand to eye coordination is how your toddler learns to use his eyesight to control his hand movements. You might wonder what importance this skill has for your toddler, so let me explain.

If they are lacking in this important area it will affect their ability to draw, color, write, use scissors, tie their shoe laces, catch a ball.....the list goes on.

It is therefore important for them to learn these skills early on in life, if they are not to be at a disadvantage when they start school.

One easy way to help your child to develop these skills is to encourage them to play with a ball, and later a bat and ball, and a really easy way for toddlers is with the Little Tikes T-Ball set, which is pictured to the left and reviewed here.

HELP YOUR CHILD TO DEVELOP PHYSICALLY

CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN 2 AND 3 YEARS OF AGE ARE INCREASINGLY BECOMING INDEPENDENT, AND MOST LOVE TO PLAY OUTDOORS.

Wagons, tricycles and scooters are all excellent ways for toddlers to develop physically whilst playing outdoors.

I have reviewed this traditional and classic Radio Flyer Wagon and I have also reviewed an excellent selection of tricycles that are aimed at pre-school age children.

HELP YOUR TODDLER DEVELOP THEIR FINE MOTOR SKILLS

BUILDING BLOCKS AND BRICKS ENABLE CHILDREN TO BUILD A LITTLE WORLD OF THEIR OWN, AND ALLOW THEM TO DEVELOP A VARIETY OF SKILLS.

Duplo Building Bricks

Duplo is perfect for babies and toddlers with the larger bricks being easier to handle, and the risk of choking on a small brick is greatly reduced.

Building blocks help to develop childrens fine motor skills, as they learn how to pick up and build with the bricks.

Recently it has become popular, espescially with DUPLO and LEGO, for bricks to be sold as a set that makes a specific item. However, it is beneficial if you allow your toddler to explore their own imagination and give them the flexibility to build their own designs, free from the constraints that sets give. Buckets of bricks are perfect for allowing children the freedom to design and build their own models.

You can read my review of this excellent starter bucket which also highlights more Duplo sets that are suitable for this age.

For more top toy reviews please visit Casa Cicak's Top Children's Gifts