Topping the list of my son’s favorite toys is his Lightning McQueen Die Cast Vehicle.  We bought the car for him long before Cars 2 came out and he carries it with him in his pocket most of the time.  You might even find it next to him on his pillow at night.  Right now, you can find a set of two die-cast vehicles on sale at the Disney Store for just $12.  Be sure to check out the new Lights & Sounds die-cast vehicles by Mattel which feature headlights that turn on for nighttime racing, engines that rev and characters that say their favorite phrases from the film. And, you can collect all 20 of the Cars Toon Die Cast vehicles which feature all the versions of Mater and Lightning McQueen from the film including I-Screamer Tow Mater which lights up and makes sounds.

Speaking of cars, the new Cars 2 Spy Shifters transform right before your child’s eyes for the next secret mission.  Press the button on the back of the vehicle and missiles will pop out, tires will flip up and more (press again to go undercover).  Available in Mater, Finn McMissile, and Rod Torque Redline.

What child (particularly if that child is a boy) doesn’t enjoy crashing vehicles?  The new Cars 2 plush Crash ‘Ems say eight words and phrases when smacked, slammed, tossed or crashed.  The best part is they won’t break and they can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Collect the entire set which includes Tow Mater, Lightning McQueen, Finn McMissile, and Francesco Bernoulli (I just love saying his name). : )

Because education is a top priority when I purchase toys, I would say that my favorite Cars 2 toy is the Lightning McQueen Learning Laptop by VTech.  The laptop is actually shaped like Lightning McQueen, features a full QWERTY keyboard, and a tire-shaped mouse (cute!).  Children can select from 15 activities that teach them letters, words, math, and logic.  The laptop is “turned on” with a knob that resembles an ignition and children can select their activity with one of 3 Cars 2 character buttons.

For some reason, both of my children love microphones.  And apparently, we can’t have too many because despite the fact that we already have 2, my kids have been having a difficult time sharing the new Cars 2 Grand Prix Microphone from First Act. We’re fans of the Boston-based company that creates musical products for children. Along with amplifying your child’s voice, the microphone features cool sound effects and character dialog from the film.

My son is a LEGO fanatic! We can’t walk through Downtown Disney without making a stop at The LEGO Imagination Center to see the latest in Disney-inspired LEGO sets. At present, there are a TON of sets inspired by the film. Over the weekend, I purchased Luigi’s Italian Place which is one of their Duplo sets.  With two little ones, we have yet to venture down the LEGO path and have always opted for the Duplo sets because of their larger, chunkier, and easy-to-put together pieces.  My son still feels like he is getting an authentic LEGO experience and I don’t have to worry that my daughter will choke on any of the pieces. Multiple sets can be purchased and then combined for an even more imaginative experience.

One day, I decided to give my daughter a crayon to see what she would do with it.  At 18 months, she finally has enough dexterity to scribble and she is loving it.  Crayola recently launched their new Color Wonder Deluxe Coloring Kits and now offer a Cars 2 version.  If your children enjoy coloring with markers, but you don’t enjoy the mess that accompanies them, I highly recommend these sets.  The inks and paints are clear and color will only appear on their special Color Wonder paper.  Both of my children enjoy the excitement of color appearing on the pages of their coloring books.

It’s almost too early to talk about Halloween but my son already has a costume. This year, he’s going to be Lightning McQueen.  This adorable (and official) Disney/Pixar costume includes a muscle jumpsuit and a red baseball hat. It’s a bit thin so your child will likely need to wear some clothing underneath.

If your children are fans of Disney/Pixar Cars, what are their favorite toys?

No compensation was received for this post. Product samples (minus the LEGO Duplo set which I purchased) were provided which helped facilitate this review.

I find the fact that this “toy” can teach my son how to button, snap, tie, and zip pretty innovative.  My son is just starting to get good at undressing himself (we’re still working on getting dressed). He can snap and zip/unzip well but isn’t able to button/unbutton or tie at this point.  And while it sort of resembles a doll, it’s more like a stuffed toy.  My son enjoys trying to figure out the buttons and the ties.

Along with the buttons, snaps, ties, and zippers, the Dress Up Pirate is made with different colored and textured fabrics (felt, suede) to stimulate a child’s senses.  Oh, and he rattles (too cute!). I think the only two senses we’re missing on taste and smell.

Over the summer, we visited my in-laws and traveled to the south.  My son had his first “real” experience with pirates, one that left him fearful of the one-eyed men that say “argh!”  This pirate is anything but scary.  Consequently, my son likes his pirate and carries him around the house with him.

Growing Tree Toys offers wide variety of educational toys from well-respected manufacturers such as Plan Toys and Creativity for Kids.  Apart from the fact that shopping on the site is very easy, given the fact that you can shop by age, manufacturer, or type of toy, you’ll enjoy a few other features that set the company apart from others.  Each toy includes information about Developmental Benefits and Types of Play involved.  For example, the Dress Up Pirate offers physical, logical, spatial, and intrapersonal developmental benefits and children who play with this toy will utilize dramatic and manipulative  play.  Now you know exactly how your child will benefit from each toy you purchase.

Every day Growing Tree Toys offers an incredible deal of the day with savings of 40-60% off.  Be sure to check it out!

For more fabulous Holiday Gift Ideas, visit The Mommy-Files

Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this review. I did receive a product, courtesy of the company in order to facilitate my review.

For some reason, I have “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” in my head (I can’t imagine why!).  This season, some of the BIGGEST names in the toy industry have come out with incredibly interesting, educational, and upbeat toys for kids.  One of my favorite companies is LeapFrog, who designs innovative, educational, and interactive products for children. Rather than simply taking a toy and attempting to make it “educational, “  LeapFrog works to ensure that it’s products “provide the most engaging, effective learning experience foal all ages in school or home.”  In other words, learning comes first and play is weaved into the product.  This is so important because learning and play should go hand in hand.

We recently had an opportunity to check out the brand new Zippity Learning System.  Right away my son looked at the box and said, I want to play Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (well, I guess that was the second thing, right after wanting to open the box).  LeapFrog and Disney teamed up together to create this television-based learning system which “combines full-body movement, music, education and fun.”  I find that it’s very smart for a company to incorporate characters that children already know into products and toys.

The system is very easy to set up (which is VERY important for this busy mom!).  The console plugs into the television and the foldable mat and bopper require C batteries (which the company graciously included for my review). Once it’s set up, your child is ready to play!  The nice thing about the system is that it comes pre-loaded with eight learning activities (games).  I think that’s one of the things that bothers me about most video game systems…the lack of games when you purchase the system!  (sorry to digress).  Each of the “games” feature two levels of play (so your child won’t grow tired or bored easily and will continue to be challenged) and focus on concepts such as numbers and mathematics, letters and language colors, shapes, music, problem solving, memory skills, music, art and culture, and even Spanish language!  Each of the games also feature a favorite Playhouse Disney character including Mickey, Goofy, Handy Manny, and June (from The Little Einsteins which is my son’s FAVORITE show!).  AND…unlike MOST game systems, this one will get your child up and moving.  Children will dance, march and jump with their favorite characters.

The Zippity Learning System is designed for children ages 3-5.  I have a 2 1/2 year old who is able to grasp many of the concepts involved with the game.  However, there are definitely some things we are working on together (mainly the speed of doing the things required when they are required).  He really enjoys the active part of this system (he’s a boy after all).  I can definitely see him playing with this for a long time since there are many games and levels to experience.

If you’ve ever purchased a LeapFrog product, then you know that many include a built-in Learning Path that allows parents the opportunity to see the skills their child is exploring as they play via their online website.

I think this would make an incredible gift for a preschooler.  It’s educational, interactive, and fun!   The Zippity Learning System retails for $79.99 and additional games can be purchased for $24.99.  You can purchase the system online or at retailers nationwide!

Win It! Yes!  One of you will win a Zippity Learning System!  Simply leave me a comment with another product you’d like to try out from the LeapFrog site!  Comments will close on December 1, 2009 at 10 pm PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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I started reading to my son when he was an infant.  I honestly don’t remember how many weeks old he was, but I do remember that I waited until the pain of the c section and the haze of sleeplessness lifted.  “Read and start early.”  That is the advice I was given. When wiser, seasoned parents gave me this advice, I dared not stray from it.  However, I remember questioning myself numerous times as I sat reading to my infant.  Had I really gone over the deep end?  Was my infant really getting anything out of my reading to him? He just turned two and not only is his speech highly developed (particularly for a boy), he loves to sit with me while I read to him.  One of the things we love to do is take turns filling in words to the books we read over and over again.  I realize that right now he’s reciting these words from memory.  But one day…he’ll actually be able to read them.

Last Christmas, LeapFrog’s Tag Reading System was one of the THE hottest toys on the market.  I remember buying one for my best friend’s little girls.  I wanted to buy a system for my son but he was (and still is) too young for it.  So…I was super excited when I learned the company was coming out with a version for younger tots called the Tag Junior.  Designed for children aged 2 to 4, the reading system literally “brings stories to life.”  My son loves books.  I attribute that to the countless hours we’ve spent reading together.

When this came, we wasted no time previewing it.  I was as excited as he was, particularly because I had a glimpse of the Tag system we purchased for my best friend’s little girls. The “frog,” as my son calls it, is perfectly sized and shaped for a toddler’s hands.  He figured out how to turn it on and off in minutes.  The premise behind the technology is that the Tag reader has a small infrared camera that “reads” words and pictures printed on the special dot-patterned pages of the Tag Junior board books.  All my son has to do is “stamp” it on the pages of the book and he hears text read out loud, sound effects, and songs.

The system came with one book (If I Were) and the company also sent us Curious George: Color Fun (which is my son’s favorite).  It’s super easy to set up and simply requires downloading each book’s audio (the system is PC and Mac-compatible).  The device can hold up to 5 audio books at a time.  Apparently we can set the “frog” up to greet my son by name, but we haven’t attempted to figure that out yet!

There are 8 books in the Tag Junior series and each one teaches toddlers something different (i.e. colors, senses, alphabet, counting, etc.).  It’s not often I rave about a product so highly.  But we were very impressed.  I particularly like the fact that my son can explore on his own or we can do this as a shared activity together.  Each book has numerous activities…more so than you think and my son doesn’t get “bored” with it.  I like that the system incorporates familiar characters like Pooh, Dora, and Curious George (we’ve already purchased 2 more books).  I really hope LeapFrog continues to come out with new books because I can see my little boy playing and discovering books for a very long time.

The Tag Junior retails for $34.99 and you can purchase additional books for $10.99.  Amazon.com always has great deals and I highly recommend checking the site out if you’re interested in purchasing the system.

Win It! One of you will win a Tag Reader with books and one of you will win a Tag Junior with books.  Just leave a comment with which you’d like if you won and a book you’d like from the site.  Comments will close on September 1, 2009 at 10 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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I was at Toys R Us a couple of weeks ago and I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of toys that line the shelves.  Play is so important for childhood development and I want to choose toys that will engage, educate, and stimulate creativity and imagination.  Earlier this year VTech launched a new product line focused on high-tech creativity and motion-activated play.  We live in a very “technical” society.  Toys are becoming more diverse and complex to compete with the latest and the greatest.  VTech’s KidiCreative line integrates technology and creativity for hours of educational play.  It’s a wonderful way to expose children to music, art, and photography, which of course are three passions my husband and I share.

VTech’s KidiArt Studio allows children to create their own art work and even includes a built-in digital camera.  The system hooks up to the television or a computer and it’s super easy to use!  Younger kids will enjoy drawing and coloring while older kids will want to snap shots of their friends and family (or themselves) to edit and personalize.  But the fun doesn’t stop there.  The creation projects are endless and include the ability to make printable posters and cards, photo stamps, and a family tree (just connect the studio to the computer to save, share, send, and print your child’s work).

My son and I have enjoyed drawing, coloring and taking pictures. The built-in camera is the highlight, in my opinon, although the resolution is not perfect.  You can even create stop motion animations.   We  found that the mouse (or should I say pen) was a little difficult to use and takes some practice (there is a slight delay).  KidiArt Studio takes 4 double A batteries (which is a welcome change from C and D batteries that seem to be the norm among the bigger electronic toys) but I’ve found that they run out rather quickly.  You can purchase it online for $79.99.

Check out a video demo here:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmDkKuNlaYQ&hl=en&fs=1]

VTech’s KidiCreative line also includes KidiJamz Studio, KidiDoodle, and the upgraded Kidizoom Camera (it even comes in pink for girls!  Perfect for that little artist in your life!