All posts in: Toys

6 toys to keep kids moving indoors

Family & Pets
By Kelly Burgess on January 25, 2013 in

6 toys to keep kids moving indoors

Childhood obesity is a serious concern these days and experts say a big part of the problem is the trend toward increasingly sedentary activities like TVs, computers and video games. When the weather's nice, there's an easy fix for that -- just send the kids out to play. But during the winter it gets a little more complex.

The experienced parents here at ConsumerSearch have you covered. Here are 6 great toys that will keep kids active even when they're stuck in the house. The bonus is that they're also fun for the whole family! Read more

7 gifts to keep kids moving

Family & Pets
By Kelly Burgess on December 14, 2012 in

Girl with tricycle on Christmas morning

There's a lot of talk these days about the issue of childhood obesity. Many experts worry that part of the problem is that kids spend too much time sitting, and not enough time in active play. The best way to get kids moving is to give them something fun to do. Put any one of these 7 classic toys under the tree, and kids will be running to the great outdoors to try them out. Read more

7 summer toys that make a splash

Family & Pets
By Lori Soard on June 15, 2012 in

Beach ball in the pool

Instead of pulling out those tired beach balls from summer's old, why not invest in some of the latest summer gadgets on the market? Whether you plan to spend the day at the pool, drive down to the beach, or just splash around in the backyard, these new toys are sure to get everyone involved in the fun. We dove for information on the newest and coolest toys on the market that get rave user reviews on the toy manufacturer websites and on sites like Amazon.com. You might find a revamped favorite or two as well.

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Spring safety slip-up: Not checking your child's swing set

Family & Pets
By Sandra Gordon on April 29, 2012 in

A child's swing set as seen from inside a home

You've spruced up your lawn (check), gussied up the patio furniture (check) and washed the windows (check), but have you inspected your child's backyard playset? If not, play it safe and give it a spring assessment for action.

Each year, more than 50,000 kids go to the emergency department because of injuries on home playground equipment and about 15 children die each ear as a result of playground-equipment-related incidents, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Read more

Toying with bubbles this summer

Family & Pets
By Lori Soard on April 24, 2012 in

Bubbles

With warm days of summer on the horizon, we are reminded that bubbles are one of the simplest summer pastimes for kids. Last year, we reviewed the top new water guns for a blast, and this summer we bring you the latest toys that take bubble-blowing to an entirely new level. We've rounded up details on the hottest -- from lawn mowers to unique bubble flavors. The toys listed below were chosen because they get high user reviews. With so many choices, your child can play with bubbles every day of the week and never grow bored. Read more

Toys get a new "app-titude"

Family & Pets
By Lori Soard on March 23, 2012 in

The Game of Life zAPPed

As classic toys get rejuvenated with iterations that allow them to work with today's technology, new games are launching that innovate the way we play with our smart devices. Common Sense Media estimates that about half of 5-8 year olds use devices like tablets and smartphones and toy manufacturers are moving with this trend to produce games that meld easily with these devices. If you want to convert your phone or tablet into a playground for your child (or even the kid in you), check out these "app-cessories" and games. Read more

The Little People grow with the times: Then and now

Family & Pets
By Rachel Coyne on December 23, 2011 in

Little People School Bus

Originally conceived as a series of small dolls with round heads and cylinder-shaped bodies, the Little People have grown and changed a lot over the past 50 years, but they continue to spark the imagination of young children just as they have always done. For many preschoolers, Little People are the first role-play toys they're introduced to, and with the variety of characters and playsets available, the playtime possibilities are endless. Read more

Game Boy: A pioneer in the hand-held gaming market

Family & Pets
By Lori Soard on December 22, 2011 in

The original Game Boy

In the summer of 1989, a phenomenon took place that left parents scratching their heads as youths clamored for a new gadget they couldn't seem to get enough of - the Nintendo Game Boy. Video games, now portable in mass, left living rooms and basements and entered the back seats of cars, airplanes, waiting rooms and anywhere else a young gamer could carry their new gizmo. Read more

Which of these five kids' games are worth buying?

Family & Pets
By Alex Nunez on December 21, 2011 in

Children's games

While expensive gadgets seem to get all the attention at Christmastime, there are plenty of kids' gifts that not only offer plenty of fun (for the whole family, in some cases), they won't break the bank. We took a look at five different (non-video) games to see whether they'd be hits or duds under the tree. Read on to find out which ones are worth grabbing, and which you should leave on the store shelf. Read more

The American hero: G.I. Joe, then and now

Family & Pets
By Kelly Anne Fitzpatrick on December 20, 2011 in

Today's G.I. Joe

The 1960s: It was the Cold War and boys were getting left out in the cold - where toys were concerned. Between the Easy-Bake Ovens and Chatty Cathy dolls, what's a little boy to do aside from torment his sister's Barbies? Then, the G.I. Joe action figure was released, and this toy was all man.

Joe was the brainchild of Larry Reiner, an employee of Hasbro Competitor, Ideal Toy Company, according to Smithsonian magazine. Despite the belief that military toys didn't do well during times of war, within a year of G.I. Joe's release in 1964, sales hit $36.5 million. But, unfortunately for Reiner, he had already sold the idea to Hasbro for only $35,000 and with no royalties. Read more

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