Wednesday, March 23, 2016

The Best Outdoor Toys that Toddlers Will Love

The toddler years are some of the best because kids are curious about the world around them and they are constantly learning new things. Their big imaginations are made all the more creative with the wonders of nature and lots of summertime sunshine fun.

This year, my short list of toddler toys have a creative theme in common. These toys have a unique focus on interactivity, learning, and building on imaginations and interests.

Toddlers could possibly find passions that carry them through their entire lives, like sports, creating, and other fun outdoor activities.

So, for your perusing pleasure, these are this year’s top 3 best outdoor toys for toddlers—courtesy of me, real reviews, and thorough, firsthand research.

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Wild Whirlpool Water Table

With a cute sea creature theme, this water table wins over toddlers with the promise of messy fun.

There is a portion for sand and a segment for water, but it can be both or either one exclusively.

Kids can play with miniature boats, a swirling vortex tower, and fishy floats in splishy-splashy water. Or, they can use scoops to make elaborate sandcastles or sift through the granules in search of missing treasure.

Ideal for kiddos who love using their imaginations!

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Little Tikes 3’ Trampoline

I love this cute little trampoline!

For toddlers, this bouncy bit of fun is much safer than regular trampolines, with a scaled-down size that makes it easier for toddlers to jump without fear of falling off or over.

While marketed for indoor use, it is also a great outdoorsy activity—just make sure you take it inside for storage, or throw a tarp over it to keep it clean, reliable, and strong through inclement weather.

There is a removable center guardrail that kids can hold onto for stability, balance, and optimum bounce.

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Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse

This playhouse reminds me of a vintage schoolhouse or post office. It is an adorable cottage that comes in several different colors and styles to suit the personal preferences of your little tikes.

It is lightweight for easier, more convenient movement, and it can be played with both indoors and outdoors.

Comprised from plastic, the exterior is molded to resemble bricks, complete with a shingled roof, swing-out half-doors, a flag pole, shuttered windows, and a letterbox. The interior is super spacious, great for when your kiddos need room to let their imaginations roam.

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Find more picks among 2016's best toddler toys for the great outdoors:


Sunday, March 13, 2016

Three of the Best Bikes for Boys This Year

2016's Best Boys' Bikes Short Hot List


I handpick the best toys for your perusal every year, and every year, I am faced with the fact that kiddos are ever-changing in their interests and dislikes, especially little boys.

Young lads that range from toddler age to their teens are notorious for being challenging to buy for, but I have developed a system that covers all types of kids.

For example, the following three among the best bikes for boys are of course some of what is popular this year, but each one has a unique feature that would be the drawing point for little boys with varying interests—adventurous, extra-safe, and adrenalizing are the three types of bikes represented below.

You will also find that each of these bikes are decked out with awesome safety features, as well as adjustable almost-everything to grow with your tyke.

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Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike

Remember when I said one of the aforementioned best bikes was extra-safe? The Strider would be it. This bike is specifically designed to help little lads develop their coordination, concentration, balance, and overall bike-riding abilities.

There are no pedals—simply an adjustable seat, easier-turn handlebars, and two rugged tread wheels. Kids can either stay steady to practice their sit-alone balance. Or, they can push off with their feet to practice balancing while moving. This balance bike is best ridden on smooth surfaces—no downhills, of course. There are lots of colors available, too.

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Kent Super 20 Inch Boys Bike

To continue taking from the descriptions above, the Kent Super bike is adrenalizing, which means it will give your kiddos a kick of adrenaline with a BMX frame, quick-release brakes, and a smooth-ride, twist-grip handlebar. In other words, this bike was built for stunts, and your energetic tyke will love every minute of it. The 7-speed gear shift is smooth and effortless, shifting to faster speeds in seconds. Be sure to equip youngsters with the usual helmet and pads for maximum safety.

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Dynacraft Magna Gravel Blaster 12 Inch Boy’s Bike

Lastly, we have the Gravel Blaster for adventurous little boys. I love the green and black combo, especially in neon—reminds me of slime and cool monster movies. Anyways, this bike is a grow-with-me ride-on with an adjustable seat, removable training wheels, and coaster brakes. The wheels are prepped for small stunts when kiddos are ready to shed their trainers. Plus, the high-gloss finish ties the look together.

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Still on the lookout for a great boys' bike?  Here is a video that might give you some more ideas:


Wednesday, March 9, 2016

The Best Bikes for Kids – 3 Classics and Sportsters

From beginners to advanced riders, from classics to sportsters, there is a wide range of kids' bicycles.

However, thanks to heaps of great research, good reviews, and personal experience, I hand-picked 3 of (what I would consider) the best of the best bikes for kids.

These bikes are available in cool colors, with tons of awesome features for kids who love nothing more than hopping atop a bike on a summer afternoon.

I would have loved to have had one of the following bikes when I was a kid. Alas, these bikes are modern and equipped with top-notch everything—plus, all three come with training wheels, adjustable seats, and easier-grip handlebars.

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Huffy Boys Rock It Bike

For little adventure seekers, this rockin’, Rock It bike is great for curb-riding, adrenaline-charging, quick-pedaling riders. The all-steel frame is built to be more durable and stronger than the average bicycle, making it neat-o, top-notch for performance and stunt rides.

The quick-release padded seat adjusts subtly to match the natural contours of a kiddo’s rear, which might sound strange, but it is actually super comfortable and convenient because, let’s face it, most bike seats are unpleasant.

Of course there are training wheels, a safety kickstand, and padding between the handlebars.

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Diamondback Clarity Girls’ Bike

This bike is one to grow with.

For beginners, there are training wheels and a simple-to-handle steer and pedal mechanism for smooth rides and easier navigation. However, when beginners feel they have mastered the art of bike riding, they can opt for the advanced rider features. This includes taking off the training wheels, getting familiar with the race-prepped handlebars, and learning how to shift the bike in 7 speeds.

The linear pull-up brakes are stop-on-a-dime awesome, and the entire bike is lightweight and sleek for convenient toting and storage.

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RoyalBaby BMX Freestyle Kids Bike

Great for outdoorsy youngsters.

This bike has a BMX theme that makes it a smash hit with little tricksters-to-be. It is sporty, but classic with a BMX performance twist.

Most of the features are adjustable to grow with kids as they get bigger and better as bike riders. There are three height options, as well as detachable training wheels, pump-powered brakes on the handlebars, and a water bottle beneath the seat.

The tread on the wheels is a-okay for all-terrain riding, and while there are five colors available, I am partial to cool orange and black.

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Here are a few more tips on 2016's best kids' bikes: