Gymnic - 'Hop Fantasy' 18" Hop Ball

from Gymnic

So finally we get to a nice Bouncy Ball. This is actually a ball that's a ton of fun, if you've ever tried it when you were little. There were a number of memorable things in my youth that I hope my kid enjoys as much as I. First was the pogo stick (no pub intended) and the other one was the Hop Ball, and I loved that huge rubber ball with a handle, that let me bounce and enjoy the feel of wind and that funny stomach turning inside out feeling.



To get into some details about this 18" Hop Ball it's made from super strong vinyl, and it's phthalate free (who knows how these things end up in one's mouth anyway). It help a child develop balance, and it's a way to exercise (don't mention this part to your little one). All in all it's a classic.

Pros: great, timeless toy, fun for your little
Cons: I can't think of any
Age: 3yr+

Final Verdict: Keep It!

Price: $25.99 at Amazon.com

Kids Preferred Amazing Baby Sound Balls Review

from Kids Preferred

Ok, so maybe not all the Balls need to be jumpy and skippy and made of rubber. I mean here's a really wonderful set that your little one will simply adore. There are total of three Sound Balls that come in a 12 inch plastic tube. Each ball has unique quality for your little one to enjoy for a long time (you know, play with one, then switch over, then forget where he started, and so on...) One ball chimes, one jingles, and one crinkles. They're also very colorful, and soft, so you'll really see your little one's eyes light up and begin to study them.

There are certain complaints, of course, and people say that the balls are actually smaller than expected, but personally when I saw that the tube that holds them is only 12 inches I kinda had the idea. Also there is talk that there's some chemical that's banned in California that's in these balls, but I don't know how true that is because I wasn't able to find any support evidence.

Pros: colorful, will keep your little one lit up for hours, great design
Cons: smaller then you'd expect, but that's about it
Age: 6mo+

Final Verdict: Keep it!

Price: $13.87 at Amazon.com

Tiny Love - Activity Ball Review

from Tiny Love

So this is a great looking toy, and it has a lot of surprises. Although it's called an Activity Ball it doesn't really bounce, and it's not very round either (for that matter) :). This Activity Ball has 5 sounds and a bunch of different texture. It's also great for those still interested in chewing everything in their path (like my son). There is a head that pulls out/pops up and it rattles.



Peek-a-boo head has a rattle and it pops up, there are 5 electronic sounds, there are a few rattles and many different textures to explore. Some feel, however that this toy lacks stimulation, and it's difficult to operate for those little hands. The head is hard to move and pull out, so your little will require assistance.



Pros: an interesting concept, and visually stimulating, but to fully enjoy assistance (from adults) is needed
Cons: as I said before it's a little difficult to move some of the "movable" parts, especially for little hands, and it's just not that much fun, judging on how fast my son dismisses it... so see my verdict below.
Age: 6mo+

Final Verdict: Skip It!

Price: $19.95 at Amazon.com

Vtech - Move & Crawl Ball Review

from Vtech

I'm sure you're wondering when I'm going to be getting to actual ball that jump. Well, soon, I assure you! Meanwhile lets quickly look at this electronic roll-a-ball-move-and-crawl thing. So it's all musical and moves on its own. It responds to rolling, and there are many lights. There are six animal buttons that also emit animal sounds. So it's designed with that in mind, that your little one will learn animals!



Now I've written about Vtech before, and as you can see Vtech makes techy toys, and truth is I really love the laptop, and my son loves it too. I kinda understand where they're coming from with this ball, except no one expects a ball to be a computer. Plus the motor that makes it roll is kinds loud (and you can hear it in the videos). This scares some children. So to be objective I just want to say that you should weigh all the options that are important to you, and decide for yourself. My verdict is below.



Pros: musical, with lights, teaches animals
Cons: there are a lot of cons to consider. It's too heavy up until about 1yo, it's spontaneous, and this happens to scare some children. It's a little loud, and while moving it can hit a baby. It's too heavy to pick up. It's spontaneous, it moves around and will hit the baby, which scares her. It also doesn't give the child enough time to find the animals (about 30 seconds) and most kids at 6 months to a year take a bit more than that.
Age: 6mo+

Final Verdict: Skip It!

Price: $10.95 at Amazon.com

Haba - Colori Stacking Ball Review

from HABA

I love Haba, they have almost no crappy toys. This is a really great First Ball for many reasons. It can make a great toy from very early on, and being that this "onion" has many "layers" your little one can enjoy it for a long time. This isn't your bouncy ball, but it has five stacking parts (which also makes it a stacking toy) and these parts all make different sounds, rattles, squeaks and rustles and babies like that! Younger one's will just roll it around and chew on it, while older kids will take it apart and develop motor skills.



Of course it's also a really great tactile toy as well as visually. It's also the winner of Creative Child's Toy 2008.


Pros: great ball from the get go, your little one will enjoy it whether just rolling it around or when taking it apart.
Cons: too difficult to get the pieces off and on - they are too tight
Age: 3mo+

Final Verdict: Keep It!

Price: $17.99 at oompa.com

Wonderworld Peek-a-boo Ball Review

from Wonderworld

So here we have another non-bouncy Peek-a-boo Ball, but rather a wooden one, which makes it great at rolling around. The smiley faces pop up or get stuck inside... either way they're there. So it's made from all natural environmentally friendly rubberwood and non-toxic water-based paints.



Although initially I found the idea and the design to be appealing, but after taking a close look I found it to be pretty useless. My 6 months old son was extremely frustrated with it, he couldn't really get a good grip on it, and couldn't really bit down. Plus those pop-up faces are kinda useless... So they might have as well just make a completely wooden ball and paint it different colors (I'm sure it exists somewhere, but it's just not for me).

Pros: great idea with pop-up faces, helps to develop hand-eye coordination
Cons: pop-up faces are useless, it's difficult to handle for your little one

Age: 6mo+

Final Verdict: Skip it!

Price: $11.00 at Amazon.com

Giant Personalized Ball Review

from Handmade Pretties

So there are of course those bouncy rubber balls, and then there are those soft kinds that are just fun to fall onto (remember those big bean bag chairs you used to have?) Well, this isn't exactly it but for your little one this is a perfect oversized Soft Ball to play with and fall on to... They are all hand made from soft fleece and stuffed with fiberfill. Really great for playing with your little one inside the home.



The upside to these balls being hand made is that they're all unique, so you can be sure that no one else will ever have what you have. They can be customized to your preferred color and your little one's name. They are made by Handmade Pretties.

Wipe clean with a damp cloth or wash as you would a pillow. Air dry.

Pros: soft and personal. Very cute and very soft, and they make a great gift.
Cons: nothing bad to say really, they're great!
Age: 6mo+

Final Verdict: keep it!

Price: $30.00 at Etsy.com

All About Baby Balls

So this whole week I decided to wrote about all the different Baby Balls the are out there. The thing is that my son recently learned sit with a straight back, without falling (much), and there's a world of activities that now opens up. So one of the very first items I've gotten him was a ball. It was a ball I recently wrote about in Supercalofragalistic Colorful Balls Review, and I got him the one with all the different animals.

Once your little can sit up, you can practice rolling a ball back and forth. Use a big, light ball that will be easy for your baby to push. Learning to roll a ball isn't just fun for your baby — it also helps develop eye-hand coordination, a skill that's essential for drawing, writing and, of course, every baby's favorite past time: eating (at least until a certain age).



In any case, you know that playing ball is the stereotype activity for children and their fathers, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to rob your little one of such necessary and important bonding experience. So please stay tuned this whole week as we cover Baby Balls, all sizes and colors, big and small, and we'll end with a Top 5 list for this week.

Enjoy!

Green Toys - Tea Set Review

from Green Toys

So this is a Green Tea Set, that's can be used for all types of (imaginary) tea! What makes it green is what it's made out of.

So this is a really great first tea set for your little one, and it's one that's good for the environment. Ever wonder what happens to all those milk cartons you use up and throw away? Well, they get turned into these wonderful Tea Sets! So this 17 piece set includes a tea pot with lid, a sugar bowl with lid, a creamer, four cups, four saucers, and four teaspoons. Really let that young imagination run wild! And of course the whole recycle conservation process helps save energy, reduce landfill waste and lower greenhouse gas emissions, all in the name of good green (tea) fun.



These sets are phthalate- and BPA-free, and are made in the USA.

Pros: a wonderful idea, very environmentally conscious, and at a very young age!
Cons: the pieces are very slick and there is no texture for gripping. This flaw is especially apparent when one tries to grip the lids of the teapot and creamer
Age: 3yr+

Final Verdict: Keep it!

Price: $17.66 at Amazon.com

Vilac - Pussy the Cat Pull Toy Review

from Vilac

This is something you will either like or dislike. This is for all your kitty people out there (doggy people stay tuned for puppy toy reviews that are to come later). So this is a kitty (obviously) and it's totally adorable. It's orange with a really cute yellow face. Her tail and hear bop up and down on a spring.



The bright colors will fascinate and capture your little one's attention. You can use the kitty to teach your little one to be nice to animals :) and it's a lot of fun as he (or she) is learning to walk around, and wants a travel companion to come along on all those journeys. The kitty will gladly follow and bop its head and tail :)

All materials are non-toxic of course, and it's easy to clean with a damp cloth.

Pros: it's a cute little kitty, and your little one will love it
Cons: nothing to say really...
Age: 1yr+

Price: $23.50 at Amazon.com

Sevi - 6 String Guitar Review

from Sevi

You know, at a certain point in time we realize that wouldn't it be great if my son or my daughter could play a musical instrument? Not only for the sake of her education, or intellectual development but for the same of me, as a parent, being able to show off that hey... my child is better than yours. Right? Oh, I'm just kidding, but the study of music is a great way to keep your little one busy (once he's a little older, that is). But I do feel it is important to start earlier with getting your son or daughter accustomed to music. So I'm gonna be doing more reviews of musical instruments that are out there, because there are a lot of really bad one's (from what I've found), but some are great, and are really forth it.



So this Guitar made by Sevi and what makes it stand out in my eyes is the fact that when you play it music comes out and not the cardboard box banging sound some of the cheaper guitars make. It's made of real wood, it has 6 real strings, which means that it will need to be tuned, and it's really bright and colorful, so your little one will enjoy the look and feel. It has a light sound, like a cross between a standard guitar and a ukulele, and can be played either by hand or with the included pick. Still, the important thing to keep in mind is that it is a toy, and not a professional instrument. But when your toddler is 2 it will be perfect.



Pros: great first instrument, a good way to introduce music
Cons: the strings keep turning loose and Daddy spends a lot of time putting them back in place
Age: 2yr+

Price: $39.99 at Amazon.com

HABA - Ramba Zamba Review

from HABA

Another beautiful toy from HABA (did I mention that I am a big fan of a lot of HABA toys?). So this awesome teething toy is made from durable beech and maple wood, Haba’s Ramba Zamba will last through the years!



As a combined teething toy and rattle in one, Ramba Zamba will provide infinite opportunities for fun and learning (well not really infinite, there are really so many applications you have have when it comes to rattles and teethers). But not to be too mean this is a first class teether, and your little one will love it. The semi-circular base is ideally designed for small hands and fingers to grip and shake!

Pros: perfect size, stimulating colors, good teething product and it also has a nice sound when shaking
Cons: the paint has chipped off on a couple of edges, and it's not as sturdy as they claim once baby has teeth
Age: 3mo+

Price: $14.40 at Amazon.com

ImagiPLAY - Fruit Cutting Set Review

from ImagiPLAY

So I wrote already before about the wonderful French Kitchen, and this is sort of a continuation. Well, not really. This can be a great little kitchen addition, but at the same time it can serve a fun purpose on its own. Your little will really have a blast cutting up all the fruit, and working in his kitchen. This toy is designed to helps children develop motor skills and coordination while encouraging them to learn about healthy food in a fun, role play environment.



So the little pieces of fruit are held together by velcro, so your little one can cut them again and again. There are 17 pieces altogether and they write that the toy is a favorite of two-year-olds, and becomes pretend food when the children get older. It's made from all-natural, earth friendly rubberwood.



And it is also comes in this adorable wooden basket. Just as if it just came fresh from the market! ))



Pros: the idea is great, a really involving toy that's also very high quality and eco-friendly
Cons: no cons really, just make sure your little one eats plenty of the real stuff :))
Age: 2yr+

Price: $26.99 at Amazon.com

Zolo Boa Stacking Rings with Sounds

from Kushies

So this is probably my favorite first stalking toy out there, and you'll see why if you get one for yourself. Each squishy ring has a different sound sensor (ribbit, moooo, oink, hee-hee, chirp) and texture. And being that this is a stalking toy there is a spine that allows your little one to put rings on it, and a sensor will make a funny giggle once your little one completes the stalking process. A job well done!


Zolo’s progressive stalking toy is really stimulating in many ways, visually, through sound, and when touching all the different textures. They focus is on further developing sensory expression, and an open mind. Really great stalking toy!



Oh, and did I mention that this toy is a winner of many awards?

Pros: many visual, audio, and touchy stimulants for your little one. great looking, and great to play with!
Cons: can be a bit overwhelming to some kids because of all the stimulation
Age: 6mo+

Price: $ at Amazon.com

Bu-Lou Sock Doll Review

from Sok-O

Hello, I would like to introduce you to Bu-Lou a warm-hearted striped puppy. He's a happy lad-o-puppy who has a warm smile, and a stare that leaves you wondering about important things in life.... or does he?



So these Sok-O Sock Dolls are 100% handmade, and because each is made individually they are all uniquely personal in their own way. Each Sok-O arrives in it's own protective box with a Birth Certificate included, so you know it's an original.



They're made from real socks, and are designed by three guys from LA and one guy from Taiwan. They're all natural, kid friendly, and make a great toy for your little one, or not so little one.



Pros: love the way they look and feel, not one is the same, gives you a sense that you're holding something truly unique
Cons: just a great all around soft toy that your little one will really enjoy if he's into soft toys
Age: 3yr+

Price: $31.85 at Amazon.com

Latitude Enfant Sound Cube Sorter Review

from Latitude Enfant

So I've written about Latitute Enfant before, and the Sound Cube is a fun and colorful way to entertain baby and stimulate the senses. It's a great first toy to teach shapes, and how to best match them. It's a really great toy for even the younger infants because it's very visually stimulating, it makes pleasant sounds (not the electic one's), it's a rattle and it's soft. The only time when I don't think it'll be too popular with your little one is when he gets to that "must taste everything" stage, and you can be sure he will try to taste the Sound Cube as well. But the little shapes will fit in the little hand, and the little mouth quite well.





The Sound Cube is made from soft fabric and contains six brightly colored nature shapes that make different sounds: circle and leaf shapes rattle, the heart shape squeaks, squeeze the tulip flower and hear a bird song, the leaf has crackly paper sound and squeeze the daisy flower hear a tweeter bird song. Each shape has a corresponding opening in the sorter cube. This is a great toy for learning shapes, colors, sounds and dexterity. This Sound Cube can be washed with warm soapy water.



Pros: excellent toy
Cons: like all Latitude Enfant it's need to be hand wash. I don't know why you cannot put it in the laundry, but I don't want to hear about any sad experiments, so just follow what they say, I guess...
Age: 6mo+

Price: $19.99 at Amazon.com

Educo Professional Workshop Activity Center Review

from Educo

Have I ever mentioned that I have a boy? In any case my husband dreams of the day when they will be able to tackle all the household tune up projects together (I, on my part hope that never happens). So I came a great Workshop Activity Center that I would love to give to my son. I know this fun wooden workbench is great for inspiring little minds. The tools are sized perfectly for small hands. Ultimately it's a building set that will provide hours of imaginative play fun, and piece of mind for the parent.




The 78-piece set includes:

• 10 wooden screws
• 10 wooden nails
• 10 wooden nuts
• 17 flat wooden pieces
• 1 two piece wood clamp
• 1 hammer
• 1 wrench
• 1 screwdriver
• 1 ruler

Educo is a toy company that have earned international distinction for durability, quality craftsmanship, educational value and innovative design, and this set is really great.

Pros: an awesome playstation for your little one, really high quality, and great detail
Cons: the legs could be a little thicker to hold up better and the 'nail' holes are a bit big so the nails just fall through
Age: 3yr+

Price: $80.00 at Amazon.com