Gogos Crazy Bones Toy Shopping - A Check List For Parents

With Gogos Crazy Bones taking school playgrounds by storm, you will soon be hunting high and low for these colourful little characters. If you are just starting out buying these toys, here is a quick check list to point you in the right direction.

• Gogos Crazy Bones are little sticker size packets of mini plastic figures. You will not be able to see which figures you are buying until the packets are bought and opened.
• The packets are quite cheap at only £1 but you need enough Gogos to play the game properly - one packet will not do!
• There are hundreds of these little characters now covering four series. The latest series is series 4, called Power and comes in blue packets. Half of the Power Gogos are metallic.
• If you can only buy older series the following information details the order they were released: series 1 (red packets), series 2 called Evolution (yellow packets) and series 3 called Explorer (green packets).
• Each packet of series 1-3 includes three Gogos and three stickers. The series 4 packets only have two Gogos and two trading cards rather than stickers. If your child is expecting a certain number of Gogos, make sure you buy enough series 4 packets so they are not disappointed.
• If your child does not know how to play with the little figures in one of the many rolling, catching or throwing games, make sure you buy a starter pack or one of the books available to teach them the basics.
• To avoid your child losing these little toys all over your house and you stepping on them inadvertently, buy a storage solution. There are two available - a metal tin that comes with 10 Gogos only available when bought with the tin, and a smaller bag that comes with one packet of Gogos. The bag will hold about 30 Gogos and the tin a lot more.

I hope the above checklist has given you a clue as to what you are buying and specifically what to buy. The Gogos craze is not going away any time soon.

Chloe Alice Wilson is the founder of BestBen10Toys.co.uk - an independent review website of everything Ben 10. She writes articles on many topics related to toys. Please visit her website to learn the 10 things every parent should know about Gogo Crazy Bones and the Top 5 Gogo Crazy Bones toys.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chloe_Alice_Wilson

Balance Bikes - The Best Seller Ride on Toy for Toddlers

Choosing a ride on toy that offers value for money and looks like something our child would ride is normally the first starting point. Factor in the safety advice from the manufacturers and it can get very confusing. Some parents do not get any further down the decision process and go for the bright shiny one their child was clambering to get at, on the last shopping trip. I was also guilty of this - until I discovered the balance bike for my own children!

Could there be much else to consider when choosing an outdoor toy! I learnt there is...

Most of us come home with a shiny, plastic, push handled tricycle that looks great and will promise to adapt with our ever growing kids, but only to find it's the very last thing our child wants to play with long term.

Most children get very bored sitting in them as they are so difficult to pedal, whilst we struggle to get them up and down curbs without them tipping over and even going in a straight line is hard work. If you have to take a buggy for a younger child at the same time then you require two adults!

Then we reach for bikes with stabilisers in the hope that our children will be able to do something for themselves, but maybe we shouldn't be surprised that this doesn't happen as quickly as we would like. Perhaps it is due to the feeling of insecurity that the child experiences after all that rocking from one stabiliser to the other. Add the difficulty of trying to master handlebar brakes that were never really designed with little fingers in mind and you can see how this way of learning to ride a bike can actually create fear.

The hardest skill, balance, has never been learnt. This is where the balance bike enters...

Designed for a toddler and in some cases from as soon as they can walk, the balance bike promotes the child's independence from the beginning. You are actually encouraged not to assist them.

They have two wheels, no pedals or sprockets and the child simply straddles the bike and moves it by walking along. As the child's confidence improves they get faster at their own pace and it all becomes fun. There is an ever increasing range of balance bike available now in the UK, from wooden bikes through to the stronger metal lightweight bikes.

When considering a balance bike check that the bike is light and easy to control and designed for toddlers - the lightest balance bikes are 3.1 K.g so lighter than a newborn and easy for a 2 year old to lift up themselves. That the bike is strong enough and won't break and that it has puncture proof tyres - easy to maintain.

Check it has a footrest! This is important as it helps balance when coasting down hills, and the children need somewhere to rest feet going over bumps. When adults cycle over bumps we take the impact in our legs, by resting feet on pedals - if we were to leave our feet dangling...well need I say more!

Finally you want the most adjustable bike out there so that it does grow with your child and they can use it for a few years. Adjustable handlebars and seat positions in any increment are the best so it fits your child at any stage.

That it looks like a bike! Toddlers at some stage, want to imitate older children and whilst one bike looks great to a 2 year old, be-aware they might not think it is so cool when they reach 4! After all, some bikes are designed for 1- 5 years of age- lets buy them a bike that they will like for that long!

Karen Wood set up Strider Bike UK, to introduce this revolutionary new balance bike the Strider PreBike to the UK. We accept all major cards either on our site http://www.learningearly.co.uk or by calling 01926 339107. We are also recruiting dealers across the UK or in Europe.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_E_Wood

Dave The Funky Shoulder Monkey - A Must-Have Toy

Dave The Funky Shoulder Monkey is poised to be this year's Christmas sell-out toy. It's not the most sophisticated toy on the market but it's remote controlled with a repertoire of rude gestures which has been tipped as a Christmas favorite by the big toy shops. This kind of 'virtual pet' gift was very popular last year and this cheeky Monkey is expected to be huge this year.

The British independent toymaker Wow! Stuff, have warned that they are unlikely to meet the demand leading up to Christmas and could end up being the toy every child wants but no parent can buy. Toys R Us are behind the surge in demand in the US where they have listed Dave The Funky Shoulder Monkey among its top Christmas buys across its 580 stores there. The toys are made in two factories in China and they have just opened a third to cope with demand. Originally planned to supply 250,000 of the toys with 200,000 of those in the UK, the third factory will boost production by another 450,000 but many of those will not arrive on the shelves in time for Christmas. The UK should receive around 70% of its demand but only around 10% of the US demand of around one million Monkeys will be met in that time. Parents are being urged to shop extra early this Christmas to avoid being disappointed.

Dave The Funky Shoulder Monkey is very engaging and although primarily aimed at the 5 to 12 age range, he seems popular among young people up to 24 years old and beyond. Described by some as simply irresistible, he can be charming, adorable, cute and mischievous all at the same time.

The Monkey is mounted on the shoulder and at just 20cm (8 inches) tall, looks very realistic, like a small black squirrel monkey with white fur around his pink face and has pink hands and feet. He is operated with a remote control unit which can make it sing, laugh, break wind, burp, blow raspberries and turn its head and wave. With the remote control hidden away in your pocket, you can interact with your friends and passers-by and they will think it is a real cheeky Monkey, performing tricks and amusing everyone.

Dave The Funky Shoulder Monkey comes in an attractive gift box containing the monkey and the remote control unit. All you will need is a 9V battery to bring him to life.

For more great ideas for all family and friends this Christmas, visit http://www.my-christmas-ideas.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_G_M_Taylor

Top Christmas Toys - RC Walking Iron Man Or Transformers Battle Ops BumbleBee?

This year sees two top action movie toys fighting it out to be one of the Top Toys for Christmas. The RC Walking Iron Man and the Transformers Battle Ops Bumblebee action figure toys are both awesome and will appeal to boys of all ages. But which is the best toy to choose? This article gives more information on Walking Iron Man and Battle Ops Bumblebee to help you decide on the best toy to buy this holiday season.

Iron Man and Transformers are two of the most popular action movie franchises that carry on going from strength to strength. Movie fans just can't get enough of the toys and merchandise that is released to accompany the various movies. The latest instalments include. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The RC Walking action figure is taken from the second super-hero movie and Battle Ops BumbleBee is taken from the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie.

The awesome remote control Walking Iron Man action figure is so authentic that it has been described as being nearly as sophisticated as the actual Stark Industries Iron Man from the movie! This amazing RC action figure can be operated using a small wireless hand-held remote control and has a very realistic walking action so he can move well across most flat surfaces. He can also fire missiles from arm and shoulder cannons, featuring with cool light effects and real movie sound effects.

The Transformers Battle Ops BumbleBee is a highly innovative and impressive toy that uses cutting-edge toy making technology to produce a large-scale action figure that remains very close to the actual movie Bumblebee character. He has two modes - Guardian and Warrior mode, each with a variety of features including different electronic lighting effects and phrases to reflect his change in character. The most impressive feature however is the highly detailed transformation as Bumblebee converts from action figure to the iconic bright yellow Chevrolet Camaro vehicle complete with missile cannons that pop out of the bonnet.

Both of these movie toys are fantastic in their own way and they are sure to be highly sought after this holiday season. Which one you choose depends on your movie preference and the type of toy you want. Battle Ops BumbleBee is a sophisticated toy and is recommended for older children and collectors; it may not stand up to a lot of robust play. The RC Walking Iron Man is more of an all-action toy appealing to a wider age range and is designed for rough and tumble.

To find out more about Walking Iron Man and Battle Ops Bumblebee and to buy online, click the links below.

Click Here For Walking Iron Man Prices...STOCK IS LIMITED Check Out The Latest Prices For Battle Ops Bumblebee Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_R_Scott

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Children's Toys - Sylvanian Families Toys Are the Best

Toys provide an imaginary world for children and the right toys will help inculcate reasoning faculties and imagination in your children. Right from building blocks to clay modeling sets to character toys and board games, all the toys have their special importance in shaping and sharpening a child's mind.

There are many kinds of toys children have a craze for including special character toys and accessories like Shrek, Star Wars, Hannah Montana, Baby Annabell, Peppa Pig and many more. Among these, the Sylvanian Family toys are the oldest and the most popular.

The Sylvanian Family Toys originally originated in Noth America and then Japan. They were made of the idea of anthropomorphic animal characters which was very popular back in the 1980s. The characters were made such that they could walk, talk, sing and eat like all human beings did. This was a greater attraction for kids, and they easily made an attachment with these characters, because of their similarities to the human beings and their way of living.

The children's toys consisted of various families like the Beaver family, the Hedgehog Family, the Mice family, the Guinea Pig family as well as the Bear family. Each such family had a surname of their own and different names for all the different members of the family. For example the Guinea Pig family had the surname Pettyfur.

The Perryfur family consisted of the members Andrew, Penny, Nicola and Peter. The Pettyfurs also had two babies of their own, named Simon and Lindsay. The toy makers tried making everything look like a real family household, the reason why they introduced the tiny cottages designed especially for the different Sylvanian families. The cottages had beds and sofas for relaxing, a dining table where the family was to have dinner together and the coffee table where the families would sit and have their evening tea or coffee.

The Sylvanian family babies also had a tiny beds or cradles of their own, with little bottles for them to drink milk from. Lately, the Sylvanian Families Caravan edition was launched, which had the story of the Sylvanian families going out for trade, like their ancestors. The caravans had everything that was required for a regular household, and hence was a very exciting and popular concept for kids.

Kids Toys 4 U

Kids Toys 4 U are well established toy retailers who deal in a wide range of toys and games, be it character toys, outdoor games, board games soft toys, musical instruments or gaming accessories. Kids Toys 4 U also deals in branded kids toys, and stocks the highest variety of toys and games that you will not find anywhere else on the web.

If you are on the look-out for cheap toys that fit your pocket money, then come to kidstoys4u.co.uk. You will find a variety of toys, with great discounts and offers. You can also take advantage of the clearance sales given by the company at times, when kids toys are let out to customers at the cheapest rates. In case you do not find a children's toys or Sylvanian Families in our gallery, do not get disheartened. Just call us at 01634 408808 and we will see if we can arrange it for you and deliver it to you as soon as possible. So, visit Kids Toys 4 U for the best toys at the best prices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ima_Johnson

Or Compare & Buy at amazon.co.uk

World Of Wooden Toys

All of us are fascinated by toys throughout our lives. Toys are especially loved by children. Children enter in a different world of their own when they play with their toys. Variety of toys is available in market these days and all of them have a different origin and culture. There are many children outdoor toys which are made up of plastic, metal, wood and the list is unending.

When you think of buying a toy it all depends on your choice as well as your budget. The market is full of different types of toys and they also vary in their cost. Many children have a knack of throwing their toys and then the parents have to buy a new one for them. Most of the times the toy thrown and broken by the kid is expensive and then the child wants the same toy. Such situations do put a parent in dilemma whether to buy the same new toy or scold the child for doing so. Well scolding your child just for the sake of toy is not good; there is always a solution to a problem. The best way to deal with this is to buy a wooden toy for your child as they last long.

Wooden toys are easily available in market. You can buy a variety of toys like climbing frames; swing sets, slides and many more as there are different kids available in market depending on the choice of children. Wooden toys last longer and in fact your grandchildren can also play on them later, they are quite expensive than the other types of toys. I am pretty sure that your child will enjoy playing on climbing frames, slides, swing made up of wooden. These toys are well polished with paints and also look attractive.

Your grandchildren will definitely love you for gifting the same toy used by their parents. Many websites on internet are providing toys made up of wooden and they also have home delivery facility. When you want to buy such toys make sure that you are aware of the cost and quality of the toy, as aforementioned they are quite expensive and also durable. If you are buying a toy online make sure that you read the terms and conditions and don't forget to read about shipping charges as this will help you to determine exact expense on the toy.

These days many playschools are opting for wooden toys as they are free of hassles of maintaining and children also love to play with them. Make sure that you buy at least one toy made up of wooden for your kids and watch them enjoying while they play.

Childrens Outdoor Toys is the UK's best online store for natural, quality outdoor play equipment. Our wooden climbing frames, childrens swings and childrens slides are the perfect addition to your garden.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_X_Price

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Purchase Good Quality Cheap Toys For Your Kids

Toys are important things which are required by every child. Your child probably is also not an exception. While you purchase the kids toys, you should consider the needs of your child. It ensures the healthy growth and development of your growing child.

It is this stage when they are curious to know about different things. With the appropriate toy, you can help them to understand and answer those curiosities in their own ways. For instance, your child may like to play with cars. Buy a toy car and let him experiment with the different features of the toy he feels interest in. This will also enhance his knowledge to some extent.

There are different types of kids toys available in the market. You have to know what kind of toy is liked by your child. Based on that, you can make the purchase. If you can buy a good toy for your child, you will be able to make your child happy. At the same time, you will experience great pleasure from this. Try to buy toys that can influence them to learn different basic knowledge of life.

Kids toys are available at various price ranges. All of these may not be within your afford. Consequently you end up buying cheap toys for your child. It is fair enough to buy cheap toys if they are of good quality.

It is a misconception that cheap toys are not of good quality. However, this cannot be applied in every context. There are certain kids toys which are though cheap but are of a good quality. Therefore, you have to do a little bit research so that you buy the best quality toy at the cheapest range.

Do not forget to consider the material of the toy. Most of the kids toys are made of plastic. If your infant has the habit of putting things in mouth, it is better to avoid the toys made of cheap plastic. This can prove dangerous to your child.

You can make a search online to purchase the toys. Online search will help you to get wider varieties. Consequently, your options of purchase will increase. There are several online stores that deal with cheap toys. There are even some stores that give great discounts on their branded toys. In that case, you would have to keep a track of these sites and purchase the toys at the best rates.

If you are in search of cheap toys you can visit the site kidstoys4u.co.uk. This is an online site where you would get high quality kids toys, sylvanian families at the cheapest rate. Here you would get different kinds of toys both for girls as well as for boys. They keep on updating their collection to give you the best. Once you purchase from here, you can be assured to get the best purchasing experience here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ima_Johnson

Or Compare at amazon.co.uk

Kids Electric Car Toys - A Buying Guide

If you are thinking of buying a kids electric car for your child and are unsure about what is available on the market, then I ask that you read through this brief buyers guide. Within this guide we will cover things such as electric ride on car features, the types and designs of car models available and we shall discuss sensible usage and general maintenance issues.

Indoor & Outdoor Ride on Car Models

The ride on electric cars on the market today are suitable for indoor & outdoor use though would recommend outdoor use to allow your child the freedom to explore your garden on four wheels and get out from under your feet. In fact by encouraging your child to drive their ride on car outdoors you will be benefiting them by making outdoor play more fun.

Kids Electric Car Features

When choosing which ride on car to buy you will be looking at what kinds of features they come with so your child can have as much fun as possible whilst driving around your garden in it. Common kids electric car features available are as follows:

• Forward and reverse gears
• Fully working lights
• Fully functional parental remote control
• 99% already built (minimal assembly required)
• Key start
• Foot accelerator

With features like these your child will feel right at home in one of our ride on toys.

Kids Electric Car Models Available

If you want to buy your child a ride on car that resembles your own road car then you may be in luck as there are number of kids electric car models which are styled on popular cars such as Audi TTs, BMWs, Ferraris, Aston Martins and even Porsches.

So if you drive a Porsche you may want to get your child a Porsche styled ride on car so they can mimic you and parked next to each other with their owners they would make a great family photograph.

Safe Driving & Maintenance Issues

Ideally kids electric car toys should be used outdoors but they can be driven indoors in areas such as large garages, barns, etc. Ride on cars can be driven on grass, gravel, concrete or Tar-Mac and your child should get approx 2 hours driving time out of a single charge with average cars on flat terrain.

Packaged & Delivered Ready to Go

Generally kids ride on electric car toys come with the car itself, a parental remote control so you can over-ride their controls should they get into difficulty in your flower beds, a rechargeable battery, battery charger, an instruction manual and a ride on car motor.

The car itself should not require any real maintenance if kept in good condition and most come already 99% pre-built so will only require minimal know-how in order to get going.

It is recommended that you re-charge the ride on car battery for the full time as stated in the manual so as to get the maximum ride time out of it for your child.

Children should ideally be supervised when using ride on cars not only if you choose to use them in a public park, but also at home in your garden. The parental remote control over-ride comes in very handy and gives you piece of mind that you have ultimate control over what direction your child is travelling in. Kids electric cars are a joy to drive and your child will have hours of fun should you choose to buy them one and used in accordance with the manual you should get many years use out of them.

View our range of brand name styled kids electric car models such as Porsche, Aston Martin, Audi, Mini and more besides at the Uk Outdoor Toys website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Noah_Back

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An Expat Buying Toys in Europe

We did it. We made the life changing decision, quit our jobs, sold our house and moved lock, stock and barrel to Spain in search of a 'better' life. Everything is great. The sun shines, the countryside is beautiful, we are learning the lingo and our 8 year old is in a lovely little village school that only has six other children.

So what do we have to complain about, you ask? The price of the bestselling toys here in Spain is crazy. So as an expat how can you get your child's favourite toys in Europe?

Trying to Buy Toys Locally in Spain

Last November we went to our local Toys R Us to start our Christmas shopping. When I say local, just over an hour away is the best we can do! Anyway we were on the hunt for the then 'must have' Ben 10 Deluxe Omnitrix. There it was, looking all ready to be wrapped and stacked under our Christmas tree, until we saw the price - 35 Euros. Knowing a bit about Ben 10 prices, I knew it was then on sale at Amazon.co.uk for around £14. A few coughs and splutters later, a key item on our shopping list was left on the shelf.

After trudging home slightly disappointed we kick started our satellite internet connection (oh I miss broadband) and got down to the task of ordering things from Father Christmas' list online. This was the first time I had tried to ship items that are so easy to get in the UK out to Spain. It was quite an eye opener, especially the dent to the toy budget made by the shipping costs.

Postage Costs from the UK

Sticking with my Ben 10 Deluxe Omnitrix example, you have to bear in mind that it weighs 241g. According to Royal Mail this should cost £2.18 to post to Europe - not too bad you think. Hmmm.

So onto finding someone to buy from. Toys R Us, John Lewis and Argos do not ship outside of the UK so that rules them out.

TheToyShop.com does ship to Spain yippee. On no, hold on, changing your delivery address from the UK to Spain increases the standard £3.95 delivery to, wait for it, £22. What?

eBay has a great feature allowing you to sort the results by cost including P&P with the lowest first. There were a few Omnitrix's available to be sent to Spain with postage starting at £4.99 and certainly no £22's in sight!

Amazon say that 'Toys & Games' can be shipped to Spain. This, however, seems to apply mostly to Amazon dispatches rather than those from their Marketplace sellers. So you happily shop away and when you finally think it's all over, you go to checkout and choose your delivery address. Take a deep breath as this is where it can all fall apart.

If you get to the credit card page you have won. Otherwise you get the "There's a slight problem with your order" message where they tell you they cannot ship to your destination. It's then back to square one for those items where you have to try the "More Buying Choices" box on the right hand side of the product screen in the hope that you can find a seller willing to ship to you. If Amazon themselves can fulfill your order or you can find a Marketplace seller, things are looking up as the Amazon postage rates abroad are very reasonable at £4.98 for this toy.

One last point about Amazon is that their postage charges are based on adding together a 'per item' charge and a 'per delivery' charge. So if you are ordering a number of toys it is cheaper if you can find them from the lowest number of suppliers. In other words make sure they are going to be sent by Amazon themselves or just one of their resellers. I ended up buying things from quite a few different suppliers at Christmas so the postage was nearly as much as the toy value. By the time I got to the final 'Confirm' page where this became clear I had lost the will to live. I could not face going back over each item again to combine my suppliers. Don't make my mistake - take note when you are filling your basket.

So overall being an expat is great and thoroughly recommended. Just enjoy the sun and the views, turn off the TV and hope your child will not find out about the bestselling toys in the UK!

Chloe Alice Wilson is the founder of BestBen10Toys.co.uk - an independent review website of Ben 10 toys and merchandise. She writes articles on many topics related to toys. For the latest in role play toys for boys read her review of the Ben 10 Ultimate Omnitrix.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chloe_Alice_Wilson

Or Check Price at amazon.co.uk

Buying toys for kids - Amazon Toys Review

Find Toys Online, Buying Toys for Kids, Find Great Deals to Save Up To 50%
On All Toys.

Find a huge selection of fun stuff for children and adults, from classic board games, puzzles, dolls and educational toys to high-tech robots and remote control gadgets. You'll find all the biggest names you'd expect, as well as some new and niche toy makers from around the world, so you're sure to find something brilliant for that special someone.

Amazon Toys Reviews

Where to buy?

You can choose the following from top brand.

Action Man Airfix

BabyBjorn BabyDan Bagpuss Bandai Barbie Batman Be My Bear
Ben 10 Bob The Builder Bontempi Born to Play BRIO
Britannia Games Bruder

Care Bears Captain Scarlet Casdon Cassidy Brothers Claud Butler
Cranium Inc. Crayola

Dekker Toys Disney Djeco DKL Drumond Park
Dr Seuss Dragon Ball Z

Earlyplay

F.E.V.A Falcon Famosa First Years Fisher-Price
Flair Fridgeplay Limited

Garden Games General Creations Gibson & Sons Limited Gibsons
Golden Bear Gosh International Great Gizmos
Green Board Games Grossman

Halsall Harry Potter Hasbro Henley The Hoobs
Hornby The Hulk Humbrol

IF Labs IQ Irwin

Jakks Pacific Inc. James Galt John Adams John Crane

Konami Kooshies KSG

Lamaze LeapFrog Learning Curve LEGO
LEGO DUPLO Little Tikes The Lord of the Rings

Maisto Manhattan Toy Margarete Steiff Marvin's Magic
Mattel Max Steel Meccano Miffy Mightymast Leisure
Monsters Inc. Mookie Mr Men Mulholland & Bailie

Nikko Noddy


Paddington Bear Paul Lamond Peter Rabbit & Friends Pingu
Pink Panther Pintoy Plan Toys Play Doh Playmates
Plum Pokemon Power Rangers Pressman

Rainbow Designs Ravensburger RC2 Re:creation Group Plc
Revell Ripmax Robot Wars Rubies Masquerade

Scalextric Shogun Sitting Ducks Smart Frames
Smoby Snoopy Sooty & Sweep Spiderman Spirit
Spot the Dog Star Wars Steiff Styrox


Tamiya Teletubbies The Hobby Company Limited
The London Game Company Ltd Theo Klein
Thomas the Tank Engine Thunderbirds Tolo Tomy
Toy Story Toytopia TP Tractor Tom Transformers
Treasure Trove Tucker Toys Tweenies


University Games Upstarts


Vivid Imaginations VTech


Winnie The Pooh Winning Moves Wizards of The Coast
WizKids, LLC Wonderworld Worlds Apart
WOW Toys WWE WWF


Yu-Gi-Oh


Zapf Creation


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Buying UK Goods With Delivery to Europe

Over recent months the pound has hit an all time low against the Euro. This has created an opportunity for European residents to buy from UK stores online, buying goods at reduced prices due to the exchange rate.

It's not only the exchange rate that gives you a great discount, but UK stores in these times of trouble are discounting their goods also. So if you live in Europe and earn euros check out UK stores for price comparison before you buy.

Lots of stores offer their price in Euros, so this makes comparison much easier. Don't forget you will probably charged by your credit card company or bank to convert the currency. Even taking this in to consideration the savings are great.

Major stores like Marks & Spencers, Dorothy Perkins, Wallis, Evans, Mothercare, HMV, Johns the Bootmaker, all delivery to Europe. The delivery charges vary from store to store, some for as little as 5 pound per order, no matter how big your order.

There are other stores like Chemists, Computer Stores, Games, Gadgets and DVDs that all delivery to Europe. This is great for British Expats, who want their electrical goods in English, with out paying over the odds to get a local supplier to convert them.

So if you are looking to buy new clothes, a new computer, a games console or medication. Compare prices of UK online stores before you buy and save, save, save.

Why spend more when you can save large amounts on the same products buying them from the UK, enter the global economy and save considerable amounts of money.

Sean O'Brien has lived in Spain for over 6 years and regularly buys goods from the UK, he recommends the following websites to browse for UK stores that deliver to Europe UK Shopping in Spain

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_O'Brien

Traditional Toy Market Remains Vibrant Across Britain

The UK has the world's largest toy market in terms of spending per child - last year each youngster received on average some £216 worth of new toys. According to market research company Key Note, the overall UK toy market was worth an impressive £2.09 billion last year, after a period of consistent growth between 2004 and 2007.

Despite the problems caused by the economic downturn, Key Note reported recently that the market remains vibrant, due to an ever-increasing child population in the UK thanks to a rising birth rate. Family sizes are getting smaller and people are becoming parents later on - two factors which mean more disposable income to lavish on their children.

Against this background, traditional toy suppliers have a great opportunity to carve out a niche; offering high-quality products for parents who want to move away from the plethora of high-tech electronic gadgets and licensed tie-ins with cartoons and children's films.

The British Retail Consortium reported last month that July 2009 saw sales of arts and crafts increase by 4 per cent across the UK toy market, in a signal that many parents are looking to more traditional pursuits during the school holidays. Of these sales, crayons, pens and paints manufacturer Crayola was the undoubted leader, taking almost £1 in every £10 spent. However, Spin Masters' Moonsand and Flair's Plasticine also saw healthy sales.

The BRC also said that building sets experienced a sales boost, as parents sought to stimulate their children's creativity. Lego remained comfortably on top, owning nine of the top ten toys in this category, and only Mega Brands' Mega Bloks Maxi prevented it from scooping all ten places, coming in at number nine.

With over 600 different companies involved in the market, however, competition remains fierce. International giants such as Bandai, Hasbro, Lego, Mattel and Tomy dominate in the stores, although the demise of Woolworths has caused a vacuum, which canny suppliers are rushing to fill.

The other fast-growing part of the toy market is, of course, online retail. Companies such as The Imagination Station are positioning themselves to take advantage of the growing trend for online shopping - as well as the backlash against electronic toys and games consoles.

Lisa Mills owns two commercially driven websites, one selling baby basket and the other promoting Melissa Doug Castle.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Mills

UK Toy Safety And Consumer Protection

When buying toys, or any other goods, you should familiarise yourself with your rights as a consumer if the toys do not your needs or you feel that they are defective. Toy safety regulations and consumer law in the UK provide excellent protection for you.

Toy regulations in the UK are governed by EN71, the European standard that governs all toys sold in the UK and within the European Union. These toy safety standards became law in the UK on January 1, 1990 following the publication the previous year of the Toy (Safety) Regulations, and were updated in 1995.

These regulations ensure that all toys sold in the UK meet certain minimum safety standards. However, you should also be aware that you are protected by UK consumer law.

The Trading Standards Institute provides help, protection and advice for consumers when it comes to buying any goods. As a general rule, UK consumer law states that any product you buy should be of satisfactory quality, fit for the purpose and be as described in advertising or on the packaging.

If you have problems with any toys you purchase here are some steps you should take:

* Stop using the toys immediately and locate proof of purchase, usually a receipt.

* Take your receipt and the toy to the seller and ask for a replacement, repair or refund. If there is clearly a problem with the toy one of these solutions should be offered with little quibble.

* If the issue is not resolved at this stage you will have to take it further. Your local Trading Standards Service should be able to give you advice and help you draft a letter of complaint to the seller.

* If the seller makes a new offer you can choose to accept it or reject it. If you reject the offer, or no offer was made, you can consider legal action. However, this should only be done as a last resort.

Defective and unsafe children's toys

If you own a toy that has caused injury or if you think it is in breach of toy safety regulations then this is a much more serious matter. In this case, the manufacturer or importer may have committed a criminal offense so you should contact your local Trading Standards Service immediately.

Trading standards departments of local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales and Environmental Health Departments of District Councils in Northern Ireland, are responsible for day-to-day enforcement of toy safety regulations and will need to be informed.

Toy recalls

All parents should keep an ear to the ground for toy recalls. The Trading Standards Institute website provides up to date information on all toy recalls in the UK. You should regularly check this information at the Trading Standards website.

If you think a toy in your child's toy box may have been subject to a recall you should remove it immediately and keep it out of the reach of all children. Toy companies will usually offer vouchers or other exchange systems so you can replace the toy with a safe version.

Advice for businesses - UK Toy Safety Regulations [http://www.monkeyshine.co.uk/pages/toy-safety-in-uk-pv-c0-11.html]

As well as protecting consumers, the Trading Standards Institute provides detailed guidance for toy sellers. It is the seller's responsibility to ensure that all toys are correctly labeled and are safe. Failure to do so could result in fines up to £5,000 and six months' imprisonment.

All new toys must must bear the CE marking and the name and address of the manufacturer or importer. These must appear clearly on the toy or its packaging. In smaller toys it can appear on an attached label, an accompanying leaflet, or a display box.

Age warnings are a very important part of toy safety and the toy regulations impose strict guidelines on these. The most obvious are warnings on toys when they are not suitable for children under the age of three.

There are also a number of other warnings that apply certain other types of toys. For example, outdoor toys such as swings and slides must provide instructions for maintenance and assembly, while toys for the use in water should state that they must be used under adult supervision.

In general, it falls to trading standards departments to make sure that toy sellers comply with regulations. Enforcement measures can include:

* buying test toys;

* entering a premises at any reasonable time;

* ordering sellers not to sell toys that are considered to be unsafe;

* seeking information;

* prosecuting offenders in a magistrates' court.

Enforcement procedures are not only limited to toy shops. Toys can be examined at any point in the supply chain and can be held at ports of entry to the UK for up to three days if required.

Thankfully, the vast majority of children's toy suppliers and sellers in the UK are reputable and the need for prosecution is not very common. However, authorities and consumers must remain vigilant when it comes to toy safety, and the Trading Standards Institute plays a big role in this.

Gary Clay is an expert on Children's Toys [http://www.monkeyshine.co.uk] and owner of stylish kids store Monkeyshine, the UK's online toy shop specialising in high quality children's toys [http://www.monkeyshine.co.uk/traditional-toys-21]

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Old Fashioned Toys Inspire Learning

Toys don't have to feature loud noises, flashing lights, and other electronic functions to be fun and entertaining to children. Many simple, old fashioned toys still please today's children as much as they did twenty, and even forty, years ago. Old fashioned toys also inspire learning. Their simplicity encourages children to use their imaginations and to discover new things.

Reading is one of the best pastimes your child can enjoy. Provide plenty of age appropriate books about a variety of different topics. It is also important to introduce your child to all the various literature genres. Read fiction and non-fiction books together and discuss the differences. Explore several types of poetry and read biographies about someone your child has an interest in.

Dress up clothes are old fashioned toys that will never cease to delight young children. Career accessories, like fireman boots and hats, policeman uniforms, and mail bags, are great for role playing. Extra costumes are also a lot of fun for pretend play and are a good way to enhance language skills by acting out stories, movies, or favorite television shows. For real old fashioned toys, fill an old trunk with old prom gowns, wedding dresses, tuxedos, and suits as well as plenty of old fashioned accessories. Your child and her friends will enjoy hours of make believe fun.

Felt boards are also classic old fashioned toys that still promise tons of creative fun and learning opportunities. Felt board figures are available to create pretend play scenarios and to recreate stories and books or you can make your own old fashioned felt toys by cutting a variety of shapes from several colors of felt sheets. Your child can build all sorts of creations with the felt shapes.

Old fashioned toys like paper dolls and puppets encourage children to pretend and enhance language and social development as well. Paper dolls can be easily created by you and your child with a printer and cardstock. There are a number of templates available online. You can encourage your child to create their own paper doll clothes by tracing around the doll and coloring.

Puppets are old fashioned toys that have seen many, many changes. Today, special puppet stages are available as well as ethnic family puppets and several other characters. Children still love the old fashioned puppets they make themselves too. Simple sock puppets, craft stick families, and paper bag hand puppets are fun and easy to make and provide lots of learning benefits.

Instruments and musical toys have been a part of childhood for centuries. These old fashioned toys have also seen a lot of changes, with modern musical toys offering microphones, electronic sounds, and recording features. Traditional musical instruments like small drums, xylophones, and kazoos are still just as enjoyable and educational as their modern versions.

Instruments are fun and easy to make from basic household supplies. Shakers and maracas can be made from small containers filled with rice or beans or from paper mache. Help your child hammer nails across a small wooden block, then string rubber bands between the nails for a fun guitar. You can make music with just about anything from sand paper to a comb and wax paper.

The love of old fashioned toys will most likely continue through several more centuries of childhoods. These types of toys are held dear because of their simplicity. Old fashioned toys invite children to take over play time, to use their imagination, and to explore the world around them.

Gary Clay is an expert on Fantastic Traditional Toys [http://www.monkeyshine.co.uk/traditional-toys-21] and owner of stylish kids store MonkeyShine a retailer of quality old fashioned toys [http://www.monkeyshine.co.uk/traditional-toys-21] in the UK.

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Gogos Crazy Bones Toy Shopping - A Check List For Parents

With Gogos Crazy Bones taking school playgrounds by storm, you will soon be hunting high and low for these colourful little characters. If you are just starting out buying these toys, here is a quick check list to point you in the right direction.

• Gogos Crazy Bones are little sticker size packets of mini plastic figures. You will not be able to see which figures you are buying until the packets are bought and opened.
• The packets are quite cheap at only £1 but you need enough Gogos to play the game properly - one packet will not do!
• There are hundreds of these little characters now covering four series. The latest series is series 4, called Power and comes in blue packets. Half of the Power Gogos are metallic.
• If you can only buy older series the following information details the order they were released: series 1 (red packets), series 2 called Evolution (yellow packets) and series 3 called Explorer (green packets).
• Each packet of series 1-3 includes three Gogos and three stickers. The series 4 packets only have two Gogos and two trading cards rather than stickers. If your child is expecting a certain number of Gogos, make sure you buy enough series 4 packets so they are not disappointed.
• If your child does not know how to play with the little figures in one of the many rolling, catching or throwing games, make sure you buy a starter pack or one of the books available to teach them the basics.
• To avoid your child losing these little toys all over your house and you stepping on them inadvertently, buy a storage solution. There are two available - a metal tin that comes with 10 Gogos only available when bought with the tin, and a smaller bag that comes with one packet of Gogos. The bag will hold about 30 Gogos and the tin a lot more.

I hope the above checklist has given you a clue as to what you are buying and specifically what to buy. The Gogos craze is not going away any time soon.

Chloe Alice Wilson is the founder of BestBen10Toys.co.uk - an independent review website of everything Ben 10. She writes articles on many topics related to toys. Please visit her website to learn the 10 things every parent should know about Gogo Crazy Bones and the Top 5 Gogo Crazy Bones toys.

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Buying Children's Educational Toys In The UK

When you're in the UK and looking for the perfect educational toy to gift your child, or your favorite nephew, you don't have to look hard because most of the educational toys that are manufactured by the likes of LeapFrog, Hasbro, Jakks Pacific and Disney are being distributed worldwide. Access to educational toys is so open that anyone, even people from the outskirts of the UK are able to buy it if they have the resources.
Buying the right kind of toy for a child is probably as difficult as solving a major Math equation. Do you get something that he or she would appreciate for the longer term until he or she grows a little older, or do you gift something that is the "in" thing now? Given the busy times nowadays, most people would tell you to just go for the easy way and get an educational toy.
This way, you don't have to worry if the toy you're giving has sufficient value because you're sure the child will learn a lot of things from it.
First, find out if the educational toy you're thinking of buying is actually appropriate for the child you are giving it to. That is, if it's learning level coincides with the child's age range. All educational toy boxes carry this information outside, to guide you in your purchase.
Second, when in doubt, ask. Most toy stores have little information kiosks where the educational toys being sold are made accessible to the public for testing and trials. These kiosks also almost always have a representative from the toy store who will gladly explain and demonstrate what each toy can do and for what ages they are best suited.
Third, don't get carried away. While it may be tempting to buy the largest and hippest educational toy in the bunch, it would be best to, instead, buy something that will bring the greatest value to the child.
When buying educational toys in the UK, there really is no secret formula. Just get the toy that is appropriate to the child's age and base your choice on what you think would best interest him or her. If the child is into experiments, you can get him or her a science and discovery toy. If the child shows some adeptness at communication, you can get him or her a story reader or a speller.
There are many toy stores in the UK that carry brands that make educational toys. Finding the right gift shouldn't be too difficult.
Low Jeremy maintains http://educational-toys.articlesforreprint.com This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.
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