Toys & Games

Various companies are currently distributing the toys in different parts of the world. The characters of the series are grouped into families of woodland creatures. These creatures include mice, hedgehogs, bears and beavers, which is appropriate considering they use the word “sylvan”, which is a term that means “of the forest”. The animals are anthropomorphic, meaning they are given the attributes of humans such as human emotions and facial expressions.

Sylvanian Families were a large part of the rush in collectible toys in the 1990′s, king of which would be Ty’s Beanie Babies, as well as the Teletubbies. These toys were mainly popular for their collectability with the occasional rare toy selling for far more than their original retail value, adding a sort of treasure hunt feel to the collecting experience.

In 1985, the line was released in both North America and Japan under the name Sylvanian Families, though there were some minor differences in the characters and packaging. Their success led to their release in Western Europe by 1987, and by 1988 they were considered a major success worldwide, prompting the creation of an animated series based on the line of toys. An animated series also ran in Spain and the United Kingdom, and was showing in the United States early in the 1990′s on Nick Jr, a segment of the Nickelodeon network that caters mainly to young children. The American animated program was co-produced in France and Japan by DIC Enterprises, Inc, who is also responsible for such popular children’s shows as The Real Ghostbusters, and the first two seasons of the English adaptation of Sailor Moon.

Sylvanian Families has, throughout its history, been very popular as a collectible item, and even won “Toy of the Year” from the British Association of Toy Retailers three years consecutively from 1987 through 1989.

Tomy, which was the company that had been distributing the toys around the world, no longer owned the rights to the name “Sylvanian Families” in North America by 1993. The line was then reintroduced under the name Calico Critters, which is currently still distributed in the United States and Canada by the company International Playthings, LLC.

By the end of the millennia, the popularity of the toys had begun dwindling, and the line had been completely discontinued in the United Kingdom. Since then, however it has been picked up by Flair, which is a toy manufacturer that produces a wide range of toys, most notably the Etch-A-Sketch and Stickle Bricks. Sylvanian Families has also been reintroduced to the Australian market and is again becoming widely available in addition to International Plaything’s Calico Critters.

In the UK, Sylvanian Families celebrated its 20th anniversary with a few new items in 2007. The best selling toys in this group consisted of the Otter boat and the reintroduction of the Dalmatian Family that now wore party hats reading “Happy 20th!” Because these Dalmatian Family plushes are different than the originals, the original plushes are sure to be some of the more expensive collector’s items in the series.

In 1916, Ole Kirk Christiansen was a carpenter that made houses and furniture for local farmers. Unfortunately in 1924, the workshop burned down due to a fire caused by Christiansen’s two small children. Taking this as an opportunity to better his business, Christiansen rebuilt the workshop in a bigger and more productive place. During the Great Depression, he made stepladders and ironing boards, which soon gave him the inspiration to begin making toys. Some of Christiansen’s early toys included cars, trucks and wooden pull toys.
In 1934, the word LEGO was coined from the words leg godt, meaning ‘play well’. It was then that Christiansen began producing the small, interlocking bricks, similar as we know them today. These were named Automatic Binding Bricks and were based off of samples of interlocking bricks from another toy company.
Although a creative idea, Automatic Binding Bricks were not favoured by children, and were often returned because of their lack to stay connected together.
In 1947, the factory then purchased a plastic moulding machine to focus on making plastic toys. At this point in time, wooden toys were more widely produced, putting Christiansen one step ahead of his competition. In the early 1950′s, Christiansen’s son, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, became the Junior Vice President of the factory. His strong dedication helped to make plastic toys even more successful and popular. In fact, by 1951, plastic toys were half of the requested orders, making wooden toys second.
It was then in 1958 that the modern day LEGO design was created. Hollow tubes were made to go underneath the bricks, creating the LEGO toys to interlock with one another and stay put. LEGO toys were quickly more favoured as they were more stable to build with. As these positive changes were made, Ole Kirk Christiansen died, leaving his son to be the head of the factory. Shortly after, the original wooden toy warehouse was destroyed in a fire, leaving the factory to focus solely on the production of plastic toys.

In 1963, ABS plastic was added to the LEGO toys in place of cellulose acetate. ABS plastic made the toys stronger and held on to the rich colours that the toys are so often known for. These new LEGO toys were made safer as well because ABS plastic is non-toxic.

In 1967, DUPLO was introduced to the market, which are larger version of LEGO toys made for children 5 and under. Lego has continued to grow to be an empire, well-known and loved across the world. The introduction of Legoland Parks have reached across the world as well, giving people of all ages the opportunity to build and create whatever their imagination allows them to.

Names known to many, these toys offer bright and colourful items that help children’s imaginations soar. There’s certainly no limits to what a child can do when playing with Playmobil or Mega Bloks, and each has its own features that makes them unique and favoured by children across the globe.

Playmobil is small plastic figurines and accessories that are about 3 inches in height. Recommended for ages 4 years old and up, Playmobil has dozens of lines that appeal to both boys and girls. One of the greatest features to Playmobil is that its designs are made to meet the current trends and interests of young children.

For example, Playmobil has shifted their focus to the modern, suburban dollhouse to reflect modern times. These accessories include pull-out sofa beds, big screen TV’s and modern kitchen appliances. For boys, the experience with Playmobil is the same. While cowboys and Indians were once the popular focus, boys can now use their imaginations with Playmobil’s line of pirates, deep sea diving and zoo animals.

Not only does Playmobil do a great job in making their toy sets manipulate the existing world, but they also allow young children to dabble in the things they love. A child interested in construction or trains can use Playmobil toys to identify and act out these objects.

Mega Bloks are large plastic blocks that are ideal for children 1 year and up, yet some sets are made for children even younger. These brightly coloured blocks are sold in sets that are used to build whatever the imagination allows. Mega Bloks grow with the popular trends and feature licensed characters such as Dora the Explorer or Wonder Pets.

It is often times these very licensed characters that inspire new ideas for Mega Bloks sets. Kids love being able to interact with their favourite characters, while also using their motor skills and creative niche to build gadgets. While most Mega Bloks sets are made to interest both boys and girls, some sets are designed for a specific gender. Examples include Disney Princess sets for girls and Xtreme Sports sets for boys.

While there are many similarities between the creativity and imagination that Playmobil and Mega Bloks allow, there are many things that sets these toy products apart.

The pieces in Playmobil sets have their own functions and set up a scenario for kids to play with. Playmobil sets also feature sets that date back to years ago, allowing kids to experiment with things that once existed. Mega Bloks on the other hand, are designed to be built with, so pieces can be used to make just about anything. Mega Bloks sets introduce the latest characters and come in a variety of sizes and colours, interesting a variety of ages.

Furthermore, Mega Bloks tend to focus on the present-day characters that children enjoy, while discontinuing older lines. Playmobil keeps producing many of the same lines of toys, but with new updates and expansions.

Children learn by playing. One could even make the claim children’s toys are educational, but the great thing is children don’t realize they are learning, because they are simply having fun. Age appropriate toys and games from birth to 12 months are items such as Developmental Mobile, which assists infants to track objects and listen to classical music. For toddlers, they are sure to enjoy a musical table because it teaches songs, which children love to dance to and it has the alphabet in two different languages. In addition, these types of toys have several compartments which streng

Sylvanian Family Toys

Of the forest, that’s what Sylvan actually means. The name Sylvanian Families for a toy collection of all types of woods and country animals is appropriate. In 1984 the Epoch Company developed and introduced the animal figures of the forest and called them the Sylvanian Family Toys. Hedgehogs, beavers, rabbits and bears came with clothes and accessories. Whole families became available with houses, furniture, boats and cars. The toy line started growing and people started collecting.

In 1987 Tomy Company launched the Sylvanian Family Toys in the United Kingdom with Flair Leisure Products as the distributor. The Sylvanian Families now live in homes in the UK, Japan, France, Australia, and other countries. In 1993 the name of the forest collection changed in Canada and the United States. The plush stuffed furry little families, their homes and accessories became Calico Critters, both in Canada and the US, offered by Intern Playthings, yet remains the Sylvanian Families in other countries.

Hedgehogs and beavers have welcomed many types of animal critters to the Sylvanian Family line of toys over the years. There are now persian cats, dalmation dogs, golden labs, skunks, penguins, otters, babies, twins and grandparents. Of course there’s a big variety of homes for these families to live in, – there’s Willow Hall, the Grand Hotel, the Old Oak Tree House, a manor house and several cottages and other homes available.

Homes need furnishings and accessories. Our little animal friends have many options available for their homes.
The furniture and accessories for living rooms, various bedrooms, nurseries, kitchens, etc., are all offered in this toy line. Complete with a street market, stores, toy shop, pancake shop, general hospital, pony and trap, caravan, boats and cars. The furniture and accessory choices for all are remarkable and there are many to please each animal’s personal preference of style.

For entertainment and family fun, the Sylvanian Families have a baby fairground – complete with ferris wheel, tea cup rides and baby train playhouse. Older members of the families may prefer excursions upon Captain Sea Dog’s River Boat, Canal Boat or the new Sylvanian Families Pleasure Boat.

The ‘Marita May’ Sylvanian Families Pleasure Boat, one of the newer additions to the Sylvanian Family Toys line, is designed to be of the old fashioned ‘wooden style’ house/pleasure boat. Tan with white, the boat has sides which open up and unfold to create various decks and play areas. Other areas on the boat are designed to be special areas for cooking, sleeping, sitting, etc. Maritime accessories are included; however, figures and furnishings are not included and are sold separate. The Sylvanian Families Pleasure Boat is for all the Sylvanian Family Toys to have an enjoyable adventure at sea or upon the lake. Whether skunk, bear, dog, cat, mouse or which ever type of furry friend, the pleasure boat is sure to please them.

Whether a child playing with the Sylvanian Family Toys or an adult collecting them, the Sylvanian Families are enjoyable, whimsical, and a favorite. Collectors Clubs now exist in various countries. These furry, plush, little forest figurines steal a spot in people’s hearts and stay there.

Major toy and retail stores have started to announce their ‘Hot Toys’ lists; the toys and games that will be on many kids’ wish lists this season. With today’s challenging economy, the prices of many kids’ toys are being reduced to draw in more customers. One recent survey showed that many consumers will be starting their holiday shopping a bit earlier this year to make their money stretch further.

There are many older kid’s toys that are being brought back with bigger and more exciting features. There are new boys’ toys, girls’ toys and toys for both genders. There are many boys and girls that have fun with the very same toys. Kids today are very well aware of the toys available today and have their opinions as to what they like and don’t like. Sometimes it can seem like a child’s holiday gift list goes on forever and knowing some of the most popular toys on the market today, helps gift givers decide on what gifts they will be giving their loved ones.

The following are popular children’s toys and games that are expected to be big for this Christmas:

Boys Toys

1. Ben 10 Alien Force Kevin Levin’s Action Cruiser. Just like his muscle car, but loaded with new unique features.
2. GX Racers Tightrope Terror Track Set. A track full of high-flying stunts!
3. Bakugan Battle Pack. Answer calls to brawl and decide the galaxy’s fate.
4. VTech Kidizoom Multimedia Pink Digital Camera + Free Travel Bag. Take pictures to preview and edit; also play built-in games.
5. Battle Strikers Starter Set Series 1 Tsunami. The new generation of battling tops.
6. Playskool Kota and Pals Monty T-Rex. Soft and snugly, responds to touch, movements and sounds and that are lifelike.

Girls Toys

1. Peppa Pig’s Princess Palace. Beautiful home for Princess Peppa and her family.
2. VTech Kidizoom Multimedia Blue Digital Camera + Free Travel Bag. Takes pictures that you can preview and edit; also play built-in games.
3. Disney Princess: Just One Kiss Princess Tiana Doll. Play out scenes from the Disney’s The Princess and the Frog.
4. Little Mommy Baby Ah-Choo. Sneezes, wheezes and sniffles.
5. Dance around Dora. Interactive Dora dressed in crystals.
6. Peg Perego Polaris Trail Princess Ride-On. ATV ride-on for 2 people.
7. Littlest Pet Shop – Cozy Care Adoption Center. Keep pets healthy and well-fed.

Children’s Toys and Games for both boys and girls

1. Sylvanian Families Caravan. Everything needed for staying away from home.
2. Monopoly City. Build a city inside the board game as the game is played.
3. Lego Games Minotaurus. LEGO® Games that you build, play and change.
4. Bendaroos. Shape ‘em, Stick ‘em, Wrap ‘em, No stains, glue, or mess!
5. Color Me a Song from Crayola Beginnings. Create music with scribbles. The faster the scribbles, the faster the song!
6. Fisher Price Elmo Live Encore. Elmo does more in his encore. Life-like furry friend with the magic of the original Elmo Live but with new surprises.

There is a lot of question as to why boys and girls choose the toys they do. Although there have been strides towards equality, the expectation of society is that boys are loud, dirty and stronger than girls. The toys that are geared towards boys (guns and cars) encourage that behaviour. Girls are supposed to be nurturing and passive and the toys geared towards girls (dolls and tea sets) encourage that behaviour.

It is interesting to look at where the division between the genders and toy selection happens. When a baby is born, already there are choices to be made based on gender; a little girl is in pink and a little boy is in blue. You can purchase teething rings and rattles based on colour. You can buy a plush doll in pink or a plush truck in blue. For infants, however, you can also find many gender neutral toys, with jungle or arctic themes.

By the toddler age, there are less gender neutral toys. You can buy a simple brown rocking horse, but you can also find a pink or blue rocking horse. You find toys based on television shows geared to either gender. Bob the Builder for boys and Dora the Explorer for girls. I have a daughter in this age group. While I try not to buy her toys based on her gender, I find myself gravitating to the Barbie aisle. Left to her own devices, she chooses playground balls and colouring crayons.

By the time the child is school aged, there are definite gender differences when it comes to toys. When perusing the aisles of any big box retailer, the toys are divided between what a boy would want to play with and what a girl would want to play with. For example, when walking down the aisles in the toy section at Wal-Mart, you will find action figures, guns, balls and trucks. The signs advertising the various toys are dark and masculine. In the “girls” section, however, the signs are pink and feminine. There are frilly dress up clothes, plush animals, soft toys and dolls. Why are there so many differences?

Some sources (such as Parenting Science) suggest that it starts in the womb and the amount of testosterone a foetus is exposed to. The more testosterone, the more aggressive or “rough and tumble” play. The same article also looked at the toys a boy chooses. He is more likely to choose a masculine toy, say a truck or a gun, then a gender-neutral toy (markers) or a feminine toy such as a doll. Girls, on the other hand, do not choose feminine toys over any other type.

As a parent, you ask yourself whether or not to be gender neutral with toy selection and whether you are buying into the stereotypes put on gender by society. Even if you buy gender neutral toys, your child is going to want to make their own choices based on the adds on Nickelodeon, the toys their friends play with and how much noise the toy makes. Should my daughter want a truck, I would be fine with that choice.

One of your options is a Tinkertoy Construction Set. Developed in the early 1900s (1914 to be exact) by a man named Charles Pajeau, it did not achieve the level of success he desired at first. In fact, nobody seemed to be interested until Christmas of that same year. By incorporating the toys into a window Christmas display it was able to achieve recognition, and thus the Tinkertoy flew up in popularity. Considering its remarkably simple design, that is an accomplishment to be proud of. The test of time has not been cruel to this toy for children, as several generations have been able to enjoy it, and there are limitless creative ideas that can be explored. From Ferris wheels to animals to inventions, dissatisfaction is not on the list.

If Tinkertoys don’t sound like a fun time, it can’t hurt to go with LEGO as an alternative. The LEGO brand was born in the country of Denmark in the 1930s under the care of Ole Kirk Christiansen. The name LEGO comes from the Danish phrase “leg godt,” which translates to mean “play well” in English, and it lives up to that in many ways. LEGO can instill the love of building and creating in a young child’s mind, including adults, with its bright colors and possible outcomes. There are special sets to create specific things, such as a castle or pirate ship, but there are plenty of “blank slate” sets as well. They can be used and taken anywhere for the ultimate in entertainment for toys and games.

As far as games for children go, one can’t really go wrong with Twister. Twister is a wonderful game to bring into being a crazy, active atmosphere. This is a feeling you can’t get with your typical video game, no matter how much you move around. If the child can’t actively stretch and participate that well, they may be inspired to get into better shape so next time they’ll do better. This game of twisting and turning was developed in the 1960s, but it was thanks to Johnny Carson that it ever took off. To this day it is played by family and friends all over.

So when it comes to entrapment in the home on a wet, dismal day, selecting the right toys and games can have a great impact for kids and adults alike. Interacting and setting the mind afire with fun and ideas can never be a bad thing, especially when the world still seems so fresh and new to children. Memories are important, and even when you least expect it, they can be born.

Playing with toys is fun, but it also stretches children’s imaginations, and develops brain synapses and neural pathways.

It’s also a way of imitating adult behaviour, and thus learning adult skills and actions. Little girls have played with dolls for eons. They copy the nurturing behaviours of their mothers, and when they become mothers themselves, the cuddling and rocking seems to be instinctive. Little boys in past civilizations learned to track and hunt their prey by copying their fathers. Games played with sticks and toy arrows taught them to hone their marksmanship, and slip silently through woods and grasslands.

Toys back in time
Simple wooden or rag dolls have been found in archaeological sites from many different civilizations from Egypt to Pompeii to American Indians. Kites have been known in China for thousands of years, and in India, archaeologists have unearthed clay figures on wheels. The yo-yo, considered to be a modern toy by most people, is believed to have originated in China also. The first written mention of a yo-yo is found in Greek material dating from 500 BC.

Boys and girls have probably always enjoyed drawing, although drawing at one time was most likely limited to drawing with a stick in the dust of the ground, or the nearest mud puddle. Children of both sexes have always had fun playing games with coloured stones and pebbles that were the forerunners of games such as jacks. These games enhanced eye-hand coordination and quick reflexes—skills much needed by more primitive peoples when instant action could mean the difference between life and death.

Learning life skills
Children today still play with toys which can help them learn life skills, such as dolls, car toys and trucks. Crayons, markers, and pencils have replaced the stick and the dirt, and finger paints have replaced the mud puddle. Well, maybe not entirely. Kids today have more toys than ever before in history.

The big toy explosion started back in the early part of the twentieth century, when manufacturers were able to make toys quickly and cheaply for the mass market. Die-cast metal cars and trucks were popular for boys, while Raggedy Ann dolls and Madame Alexander toys appealed to girls. Crayola produced boxes of brightly-coloured crayons for kids to drool over, and teddy bears were everywhere.

As the century progressed, board games such as Scrabble, Monopoly, and Clue were invented and marketed. With the advent of technology like radio and TV, marketing aimed directly at children was set in motion. The toy market just kept on booming. Today’s kids have more toys, both old-fashioned toys like dolls and blocks, and technologically advanced toys like Leap Pad. Every department or discount store has toy departments, there are mail order catalogues, and online toy stores galore, and stores like Toys R Us are big business.

All these toys, so many choices of playthings but are kids any happier today than they were three thousand years ago?

Some girls prefer toys for intellect, such as strategy board games or computer software, so be sure to keep your eyes and mind opened for girls toys that stimulate and educate. And if you are not sure what to buy her, just ask.

Girls toys have come a long way from the traditional baby doll or Barbie set, with plenty of options for educational and creative exploration into careers and academic subject matter. Popular girls toys in this modern and liberated world, include career dress-up kits and board games designed to challenge their intellect and help them to develop life skills.

For the younger child who does not own her own cell phone, try a Flip Phone-styled Walkie Talkie set with real features and transmissions. Designed like an actual cell phone, this product is geared for youngsters aged 6 years and up, and prepares them for reality when they will one day be handed their very own cell phone. And in the meantime, they will have loads of fun chatting with a partner on this high-tech gadget designed for girls.

The classic girls toys never goes out of style, with such favourites as a doll collection, playhouse, party tea set, and stuffed animals. In addition, a popular trend is to encourage creativity with a play-safe oven for real baking, grocery store shopping carts and her very own make-up kit to experiment with colour.

Celebrity branding and girls toys related to the television are always a winner with any aged child. Whether her favourite is Hannah Montana, Dora the Explorer or a cuddly creature from Sesame Street, these companies all produce merchandise with new and fresh product lines each year. Choose from puzzles, board games, stuffed toys, dolls and even Nintendo games that reflect her favourite characters.

Disney is a great source to find the latest girls toys inspired by their famous films and enables the child to start her own merchandising collection. Choose from stuffed animals, dolls and accessories, costumes, soundtracks, and more for high quality merchandise from a name you can trust. And the Disney collection offers a wide selection of toy choices ranging from toddler to the teens, making them an ideal place to start when shopping for more than one girl at a time.

Older children may appreciate girls toys that let her imagination run free with toy choices such as doctor or nursing kits, the Pretend and Play Checkbook, or a child’s science kit with a functional microscope. If you don’t have a lot of personal information about the child you are buying a gift for, then the classic standard girls toys will be appreciated. However, if you know the child has an interest in science, nature or a particular career, the toy industry is abundant with creative ideas for you to find the perfect match to her personality.