Santa’s elves make all kinds of toys at the North Pole. From lavish electronic devices to simple board games, those in St. Nick’s employ are a versatile group. Unfortunately, however, not all toys are safe for all age groups. In fact, children under three or four years of age are particularly prone to choking on small objects (they put everything in their mouths!). To avoid dangerous toys, it’s imperative that parents of toddlers closely monitor what Santa places in the stocking and under the tree on Christmas Eve.

When making a purchase for your little one this holiday season, keep a watchful eye by closely inspecting not just the labels, but the toys themselves. Does it appear rugged and able to withstand the rigors of rough play, or does it look as though it could break into small pieces? If so, move on to something else regardless of what the label says.

Labels are good guidelines, but they aren’t foolproof. In fact, some believe that manufacturers intentionally over-label toys to insulate themselves from potential lawsuits. Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry. While toys made for children three years of age and younger must, by law, be large enough that they do not present a choking hazard, it’s best to closely inspect them yourself. Some sources suggest taking a 35-millimeter film canister with you. If the toy or parts of a toy will fit into that canister, they say, the gift is not a good choice as it presents a choking hazard. While it’s not scientific and probably isn’t a surefire measuring stick of what is and isn’t too small for your child, it does give you a general idea and help to avoid dangerous toys when doing your holiday shopping.

Aside from choking hazards, be sure to avoid toys that are sharp. Most toys made for children three and younger have smooth, rounded edges. If a toy has sharp or jagged points, it may be a dangerous toy for your toddler.

Despite the fact that hospitals in the United States treat thousands of children each year for toy-related injuries, many people get caught up in the buying frenzy and sometimes forget that what’s hot this year isn’t necessarily what’s safe for toddlers. For example, baby dolls with buttons or small accessories, like miniature bottles, present choking hazards. Toys that plug in to the wall could present a burning hazard. For that reason, if a toy utilizes light and sound it is best to make sure it is battery operated.

If you have a little one at home, here are some gifts that are good ideas for one- and two-year-olds:

* Cloth or plastic books
* Building blocks
* Push and pull toys
* Soft, washable balls, animals, dolls (make sure the
eyes can’t come off and there are no buttons)
* Toy phones

Remember that while Christmas needs to be fun, it also needs to be safe. Sure, you want to get your child the perfect gift. But no gift is perfect unless it is safe and age appropriate. Finally, to avoid dangerous toys for your toddlers, keep in mind that children under three years old, regardless of how safe you deem the toy, need adult supervision when playing with the gifts Santa leaves under the Christmas tree!

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Incoming search terms:

• Powered by Article Dashboard children
• Powered by Article Dashboard foam
• Powered by Article Dashboard top of the line gardening tools
• Powered by Article Dashboard garden advice
• Powered by Article Dashboard state board
• Powered by Article Dashboard gardening tips oregon
• Powered by Article Dashboard halloween sound
• Powered by Article Dashboard gardening tools manufacturer garden tools
• Powered by Article Dashboard may gardening tips
• Powered by Article Dashboard kids toys

Dressing up your toddler for Halloween is a lot of fun. Enjoy it while you can. Before you know it your sweet little toddler will be in kindergarten or first grade and will have developed a much stronger opinion on his or her costume choices and you’ll no longer be able to dress him in the costume of your choice. Here are a few ideas for a toddler halloween costume to get you started. Of course there are plenty of other options out there as well. With a little creativity, the possibilities are endless.

Pumpkin    

Start with a large orange sweatshirt. Cut eyes and a mouth shape out of black or yellow felt and glue them on the front of the shirt. Put the shirt on your child, fold up the sleeves, then stuff the belly and back area with newspapers or quilt batting to make it look nice and round like a pumpkin. Top it all of with a green cap. You can even cut some leaf shapes out of green felt and glue them to the top of the cap.

Dwarf

Start with earth tone pants and shirt. Brown and dark greens work well. Put your child in some boots as well. Make a simple hat out of felt, similar to a witch’s hat but with a smaller brim. Finish the outfit with some gardening tools. Your little dwarf right out of “Snow White” is ready to go trick or treating.

Sunflower

Dress your child in a green shirt and pants. For smaller children, especially those in colder climates, a one piece pajama-type outfit with feet works well. For the flower part, start with a brown hat or cap. Cut flower petal shapes out of yellow felt and glue them all around the hat. If you’d like you can cut two large leaf shapes out of green felt and glue them at the back of each of the shirt’s sleeves. A little plastic watering can makes a cute pail to carry candy in.

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Would you like to quickly make creative Halloween costume that you and your children will be proud of — for a fraction of the price of store-bought? Susanne Myers has co-authored a book to show you how — no sewing involved. Visit www.ILoveHalloweenCostumes.com to learn more.

Here’s another option for an adorable halloween costume as well.  Have lots of fun, enjoy every minute and stay safe.

Incoming search terms:

• Powered by Article Dashboard gardening tools
• Powered by Article Dashboard gift ideas
• Powered by Article Dashboard get gardening advice
• Powered by Article Dashboard gardening tools for children
• Powered by Article Dashboard gardening flowers
• Powered by Article Dashboard flower garden
• Powered by Article Dashboard gardening gift ideas
• Powered by Article Dashboard gardening for kids
• Powered by Article Dashboard professional gardening tools
• Powered by Article Dashboard flower gardening tips

Toddlers are learning to walk, learning to run, and exploring their world in full force with all five senses. Toys that stimulate their curiosity and aid in their development are the best choices at this age. Toddlers have graduated from their baby toys, needing traditional toys that encourage more manipulation with fingers and hands and toys that develop large muscles, but they have not yet developed all the skills needed to play with preschool traditional toys. There are a wide selection of toys available that are designed just for the toddler age and offer lots of opportunities for development and learning.

Push and pull toys are often favorites of toddlers. Push toys allow toddlers to practice walking and are great for balancing during the first steps, while pull toys are best for those who are already walking to gain more of a mastery of balance and coordination. Push and pull toys that create sounds or lights with movement are especially delightful to toddlers.

Blocks and stacking toys are also appropriate toddler traditional toys. Look for blocks that are too large to fit inside a child’s mouth with simple, easy to manipulate shapes. Stacking toys that encourage size discrimination are excellent for enhancing cognitive development and logical thinking.

Foot powered ride on toys are enjoyed by most toddlers. These scooter styled ride ons develop large muscles used to walk, run, and jump, and are available in many designs to spur imaginative play and creativity. Many ride on toys are available in convertible models that include a detachable handle for an adult pushed ride until the toddler is ready to power herself.

Simple puzzles and activity toys are ideal choices for educational traditional toys. Wooden puzzles with one large piece or no more than five big pieces are easy for toddlers to manipulate. Toys with buttons and knobs that cause noises, lights, or things to pop up are perfect for developing problem solving skills, as well as fine motor.

Books are good, quality traditional toys at any age. Toddlers will do best with thick, chunky board books. These books are designed for young children that may rip pages or chew corners. Board books typically have lots of colorful pictures that attract the attention of toddlers. They are great to read aloud at story time or for toddlers to explore on their own.

Soft dolls without loose hair and stuffed animals are toys that many toddlers cherish into their preschool years. Look for stuffed toys that feature painted or sewn facial features to avoid choking hazards. Encourage your toddler to engage in pretend play by providing baby blankets and toy doll furniture as props for playtime.

Toddlers are developing large muscle skills at a very rapid rate. Encourage this development with soft, squishy balls to roll, bounce, toss, and kick. Beanbags are also great toys to develop arm muscles as well as hand and eye coordination.

The best traditional toys for toddlers are those that are simple to use, yet invites the child to think and explore various outcomes. Toddler toys should stimulate their natural curiosity and lead them to discover new skills. Traditional toys that exercise large motor skills are also ideal for toddlers.

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Gary Clay is an authority on traditional toysand owner of MonkeyShine the stylish kids shop selling a wide range of wooden toys

Incoming search terms:

• Powered by Article Dashboard ideal toys
• Powered by Article Dashboard fine arts
• Powered by Article Dashboard developmental toys
• Powered by Article Dashboard learning
• Powered by Article Dashboard educational toys for infants
• Powered by Article Dashboard best toys for adults
• Powered by Article Dashboard art models young
• Powered by Article Dashboard infant learning toys
• Powered by Article Dashboard plush toys stuffed animals
• Powered by Article Dashboard their toys