Thursday, December 3, 2009

Going Christmas shopping? Let the TIA help you find SAFE toys!

What is one of the main things parents want for their kids? Safety! I am happy that companies are getting smarter about wanting better quality and safer toys for our children!
The Toy Industry Association (TIA) is our industry's trade organization: the one that hosts Toy Fair in February in New York, and the one who has led American toy makers through the new toy safety testing laws and standards they must meet. The TIA is reaching out to moms to help us understand how to buy safe, and great, toys. I think this is important to share with you as you are considering toys for your Christmas shopping lists.
America Loves TOTY 2010The TIA have created two websites for consumers: Toyinfo.org (provides you with all the information you need to choose the right toys for your family. From toy safety facts to free downloadable play guides, this exciting new site is a one-stop resource for caregivers and parents to discover everything about toys and play) , and Toyawards.org. ToyAwards.org showcases the top toys in 11 product categories that have been nominated for the 2010 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY), recognized as the “Oscars” of the toy industry. Not only will you discover which toys the experts think are best, but for the first time, kids and parents can register for one (or more) of 12 prize packages, and can also vote for their favorite toys.
Celebrating it's 10th Anniversary, the TIA wants to share the finalists with us! Here is some of the TIA's holiday gift ideas/suggestions:
Trio Building Set from Fisher Price $30.00
This is a great set of pieces to encourage kids to use their imaginations, and creativity while building. This set is made easy with clicking bricks, sticks and panels, where the pieces just snap together. The kits come with suggested designs, but kids can make their own creations, too. That is what makes this kit so fun, because kids can make it their own. Includes 100 pieces in a convenient storage tub. I love that I can bring our tub to Grandma and Grandpa's house, or to a friend's house who doesn't have toys for my kids to play with. The top of the storage container makes for a great base to build upon. I like that the Trio building sets all work together so kids can collect all of them and mix them up a bit.
Mythbusters Weird Water World from Elmer’s Products, Inc. SRP $19.99
SCRABBLE SLAM Card Game from Hasbro Games SRP $6.99
UNO Moo! from Mattel SRP $19.99
This is an adorable and fun game from Mattel, UNO but with farm animals. Kids match the colors or animals in this fun game of UNO Moo! If you get a farmer, you are in luck, because he is wild. The first player to get all of their figures back in the barn wins.
Be sure to watch out for the skunk, because he will "skunk you." I think this is a great game for toddlers and preschoolers, because it teaches colors and numbers.
Laugh & Learn Learning Farm from Fisher-Price SRP $79.99
Plus other great toys: Check them out here.
TIA wants families to feel confident in the toys they buy, and they'd like to be a reliable resource for us when we need the latest in toy safety tips and news from the toy world. I am so thankful for this list, and it is very helpful when searching for a gift for my kids, or for gifts for others on our lists. I urge you to share this information with others needing ideas for the Christmas shopping. Let this Christmas be a "safer" one for our kids.

This review was provided from Team Mom and the TIA, which provided me with the information to share with my readers. I was given the information for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

1 comment:

Niecey said...

Very interesting. Thanks for the info. That looks very userful, I'll bookmark it.