Having ‘been there, done that’, I can easily spot hot toys for babies. Having 3 of my own {and probably owning every toy out there at the time} allows me to easily spot the hits from the misses.
I can apply this information now and happily spot incredible gifts for the new babies arriving, even though they are not my own.
If you are shopping for baby toys whether it be for yourself or someone else, take these into consideration:
Features: Look for items that have many features, making it a multi-use toy. Think of the senses, since that’s what babies really take notice in. Vibrant colours, sound and music, many sides of play and a variety of textures to touch.
Brand: Choose baby toy brands that your own kids loved, or even you yourself. Make sure the toy is safe, and will stand up to the test of time. Look to the brands the baby has and loves now, chances are there’s more gems from the company that can be added to the toybox.
Price: As much as we all want to give the world, you do have to keep costs reasonable. Watch for sales, coupons or promos in flyers or mailouts.
Look to others: a popular toy for the season is one for a reason! Look to the hottest toy lists as well as what’s a hit with others of that age. Popular toys most likely have hit it out of the park when it comes to all of the above.
As a #FisherPriceMom I was recently introduced to a new toy this season, for babies. Perhaps you’ve seen the commercials or in stores. Yet, it really made me take notice and think back to the days when my girls were little. They would have loved this!!
It’s the Laugh & Learn Crawl Around™ Car {intended for ages 3 – 36 months}. At first glance you can see it’s colourful and fun. It has areas for play on all sides, with each being a new discovery on play. It has a whopping 75 songs, tunes and sound – wow!
Many lights and so many cause-effects areas, babies will not only be engaged but will also learn. In fact, Fisher-Price has built this toy to focus on the following areas of learning:
- Gross Motor – Sturdy stationary car with activities inside and out encourages baby to sit up, crawl, pull up, stand and move all around, helping to enhance gross motor skills.
- Academics – Busy activities and sing-along songs introduce baby to letters, numbers, colours, shapes and more!
- Curiosity & Discovery – Baby can switch on the radio, move the gear shift and turn the windshield wiper to discover that his actions make fun things happen!
I think back to how much my girls loved horns, balls and switches and the Laugh & Learn Crawl Around Car has them all. Plus, it’s a stationary car, safe for little curious mind that want the car but can’t yet master the skills to be in an actual moving one.
What about price? The new Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Crawl Around Car retails for $69.99 yet is already on sale at Toys R Us in Canada for $48.97. It’s a hot price for what I predict will be one of the hottest baby toys of the year. Check it out and hopefully it’ll make it under the tree for a little someone you know and love.
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I’m apart of the Fisher-Price Play Panel and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation
with being a Fisher-Price Play Ambassador {#FisherPriceMoms}. The opinions on this blog are my own.
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Chrysa says
10/16/2013 at 12:37 pmThese are some great tips for selecting toys and I have to say that car looks awesome!
Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? says
10/16/2013 at 1:25 pmOh, I know my 20 month old would love that! And to be honest, so would my 7 and 5 year olds!
jessica s says
10/16/2013 at 1:34 pmThis toy is fab.. going to get it for my son for Christmas!
Debra says
10/16/2013 at 1:58 pmGreat tips, I always had to remind family of these things around holiday time so my kids would wind up with age appropriate gifts that I didn’t have to worry about them playing with. My kids would have loved a car like that when they were toddlers!
mel says
10/16/2013 at 2:59 pmMy young one would go gaga over this! This toy is awesome!
Jenny says
10/16/2013 at 3:32 pmThat looks like something my gang would have loved when they were small! Now at 7, 8 and 9 they love giant cardboard boxes! LOL.
Judy C (Cowan) says
10/16/2013 at 4:58 pmI love the look of the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Crawl Around Car, I might have to pick one of them up for a Christmas present.
MLV says
10/16/2013 at 5:38 pmvery good points! I always have trouble picking up a gift since I always end up buying several lol
I love to spoil the kids with toys
Kathleen B says
10/16/2013 at 5:39 pmThis looks like a great toy. My daughter would love it.
Danielle says
10/16/2013 at 6:29 pmWhat a fun toy! This would be a great toy to grow with little ones.
Stacie says
10/16/2013 at 8:50 pmThat toy would make a great shower gift!
Tiffany (Fabulous Mom Blog) says
10/17/2013 at 5:41 amWhat a great toy. I wish I had that for my daughter. My son would be able to use it now, maybe I should put it on his Christmas wish list this year. He’d play with that for hours on end.
Crissy says
10/17/2013 at 7:57 amI’m kind of sad that we’re moving beyond this phase with both kids! My kids adore Fisher Price toys, so much to learn.
Anne Taylor says
10/17/2013 at 12:22 pmReally awesome tips! Thanks! I love the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Crawl Around Car!
[email protected] says
10/17/2013 at 12:41 pmThis is perfect for me. My best friend is having a baby and I want to buy her stuff but my kids are well past that point and I’ve forgotten all about what I need to look for! I’m all over this!
Victoria Ess says
10/17/2013 at 2:32 pmDefinitely good tips for first moms to know! I have sent my friend the link to your tips 🙂
Catherine Robichaud says
10/17/2013 at 4:39 pmThis toy looks wonderful my granddaughter would love this for christmas.
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
10/18/2013 at 6:14 amgood tips, I get nervous buying for a baby especially with recalls on products. usually end up with giving a gift card so parents can pick for themselves.
Debbie Bashford says
10/18/2013 at 7:52 amgreat tips !
Staci says
10/18/2013 at 11:26 amGreat tips! Perfect for parents to use as the holiday season approaches and toy shopping begins!
Kristen @ My 3 Little Kittens says
10/18/2013 at 11:58 amMy littlest one would LOVE this toy. It looks so baby-friendly and love the functionality!!!! Awesome!
Darlene Schuller says
10/18/2013 at 5:26 pmAh, this is exactly what I needed to read since I’m going to be a gramma !! I sure miss my grandson so much, but, I’m finding myself looking again at baby things, feeling hopeful.!
Aliya D says
10/19/2013 at 8:46 amThank you for the advice; I always have a tough time purchasing toys for very young children.
Teresa Claire says
10/27/2013 at 12:10 amGreat review and thank you for the tips…I have been wondering what to buy for my nephew’s little one…ugh…Christmas shopping but I will have it done early this year! This toy has so many great features. While I was reading the tips, I thought of a little FP toy that my Mum bought Sara…it was an elephant with a ‘crinkly’ ear and one of the feet had a telephone dial that clicked. She loved it!