Thoughts on Toys...

I am a Certified Child Development Specialist and I think you are so smart to want a mix of toys for your little one! Too much time spent on fast paced electronic toys and TV is part of the cause of the increase we are seeing in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and in the social skills problems kids are having so much of these days! Blocks, crayons, balls, Tinker Toys and similar toys all help a child's overall development. Here in Norman, we have a wonderful toy store called Kidoodles and I believe their website is www.kidoodlesloveskids.com. They have a wonderful toys geared to helping children and their intellectual and physical development. So perhaps you could check them out. Keep up the good work with your son, you have the right priorities!

I am in total agreement! It's ridiculous that nearly every toy out there requires batteries. There is a website that deals with this very issue: www.truceteachers.org. They put out a toy-buying guide every year to help parents choose toys of value and steer away from toys that are too "gadget-y" or highly branded or violent. I believe they also have some links to various toy manufacturers who make quality toys for true creative play. I also REALLY like US Toy Company (http://www.ustoyco.com/) for all of their constructive playthings (miss their huge store back in KC...it was awesome!). You can get a catalog, though, or order online. TONS of variety for all ages. Good luck to all who are frustrated by this same thing! It's a supply and demand issue - if parents demand more creative play toys through their purchasing power, then manufacturers will work to increase the supply. Something to think about when getting Christmas/birthday gifts for other children in your family, too. Hope that helps!

Try www.oompatoys.com and www.magiccabin.com. They have some really nice old fashion wooden toys.

You could try: http://www.toycubby.com A young friend of mine is a distributor for Discovery Toys. They have a wonderful collection of hands on things for little ones.

Hope that helps,
~V~

We thought the same thing with both my kids. We started hitting garage sales. Also there is this website/catalog that has a lot toys like that. It is ABC Distributors. You might have to google it find it but they have building blocks and simple toys that kids like. Good luck!