UK Kids Toys

Musical toys have always been popular with kids as it is a great opportunity to make some noise and have fun at the same time, but in recent years they have become more popular and more evolved, leading to a new surge of musical toys which are not only fun, but educational too!

An interest in music from a young age has been scientifically proven to have big advantages for children’s growing brains, and help to develop both listening and speaking skills. Music gives the brain a new way to interpret what you are hearing and this can develop the skill needed to process not just what other people are saying but also the way in which they are saying it. Children with a keen interest in music, and who learn to play and get involved in it, can develop faster socially than those who don’t - and it’s a lot of fun to do as well!

Children's musical toys are one step before actually learning to play an instrument but still give children the chance to understand and appreciate music. With the popularity of tv shows like the X-factor and Britain’s Got Talent, kids are becoming more and more interested in the music industry and the toy industry has not been slow to realise this.

Video games are great for developing musical skills and games like Rock Band or Singstar give you points based on learning a series of chords or having fast reflexes. The musical aspect to it actually makes the game easier and children should soon learn that if they actually listen to the music the game gets easier and they stand more of a chance of improving their score. Not only this but because the games look great and have a somewhat futuristic aspect to them, they go down great with older children as well as little ones.

Buying toys for your children can be an extremely fun and fulfilling process. Nevertheless, children get bored easily and maintaining their interest in one toy for a lengthy period of time is something which is exceedingly difficult to do.

But what can we do? Not all of us have endless pits of money to spend on toys whenever our child gets bored. If we could, I am sure we would, but unfortunately that is not the case for the majority of us. And when you consider the current economic climate in the UK at the moment and the effects of the recession, then the need to make as many savings as possible becomes evident.

So is there anything you can actually do to keep your child happy? Yes; buy cheap kids toys! And by this I certainly do not mean cheap as in tacky. Instead, what I mean is that you should carefully select the toys you buy your child and look around for the best priced products. Products which your child will not only love but your bank balance won’t mind either.

In order to give you a helping hand, take a look at our top five cheap kids toys…

Ecoiffier Hostess Trolley, £18.99

Young children love emulating different jobs, this is the reason why shopping toys, doctor kits and alike have been popular for such a long time and will continue to remain so. One toy which is exciting and original is a hostess trolley. Your child will love going around the house and taking everyone’s orders. Anyone fancy a cup of tea?

Little Tikes All Terrain Vehicle, £22.99

This little four wheeled vehicle is perfect for any little boy or girl. It can be used in the garden, in the street; practically anywhere! It is extremely durable and stable meaning it will last a long time and it is certainly the sort of product that your child will want to use time and time again.

Golf Cart Set, £6.99

Golf sets are great because not only do they provide endless amounts of fun, but they are something which can be enjoyed by more than one child and thus your little one will be able to interact and have fun with other children their age.

Little Tikes My First Slide in Blue or Pink, £19.99

A slide is one of those traditional toys that children will simply never ever get bored of. Experiencing your child having tons of fun sliding down their new toy and wailing with joy is simply a pleasure to watch. A slide is also a great way to ensure that your child is having some active fun.

Plum Junior Wooden Sand Pit, £27.99

The best way for children to learn is for them to do so without even realising it. By investing in a selection of childrens toys which possess educational benefits you allow your children to efficiently develop key skills and attributes.

This is one of the most effective ways of making your child learn. Why? Because they will be having so much fun that they will not even realise they are doing so. This is extremely important because children tend to associate learning with being a chore.

Nevertheless, how are you supposed to know which childrens toys have underlining developmental and educational benefits? Quite simply; you’re not. That is where this article comes in. Take a look at the top three educational toys for children…

A family doll house

A family doll house is great because it teaches a child about family and values. Think about it this way; every doll represents a member of your family. Therefore, by playing with the dolls each and every day your child learns about important things such as; family unity, family roles and essentially the dynamics of the household.

Furthermore, as a doll house is a toy which provokes your child to use their imagination it is also likely that their creativity will develop too. In addition to this, they will learn quickly to develop opinions of their own as well as acquire their own tastes.

A toy piano

Toy pianos are not only great because they introduce your child to the world of music. Of course this is a sound quality, and one which is highly beneficial. Nevertheless, research has proven that children who learn to play toy pianos tend to perform better at school, especially in lessons such as maths.

This is to do with a whole host of things. First and foremost, the piano obviously helps increase your child’s creativity levels. But in addition to this it aids with hand to eye coordination and confidence. Toy pianos also help children with their memorisation skills, which is highly beneficial in things such as school tests and exams.

Children’s tablets

With the advances in technology as of late comes the introduction of innovative childrens toys such as tablets. I am sure that you have all heard of tablets, such as the iPad. But don’t worry; I am certainly not advising that you buy your child one of those. Instead there are an array of cheaper tablets aimed at kids that are filled with an array of games which are educational, such as matching games and maths games. These are great because although your child is learning it is enjoyable and they will certainly feel special when they see that they have a tablet just like their parents.

KidKraft is one of the most popular and widely loved toy companies. They were established in 1968 and have been going strong ever since, showing just how much of a credible company they truly are.

KidKraft are based in the US, Texas more specifically, yet their products are available all over the world. Meaning you can get your hands on an array of popular toys and children’s furniture pieces, such as; dollhouses, children’s beds, bookshelves and play kitchens.

This article reveals the top five KidKraft products…

 

Primary Sling Bookshelf

This bookshelf make bedtime stories and educational books seem an awful more interesting. If your child’s books are placed in this colourful bookshelf then you can guarantee he will take a visit over to have a look and see what’s inside. The red, yellow, blue and green sling bookshelf adds tons of character to any bedroom and is suitable for both boys and girls.

Chelsea Dolls Cottage

Every little girl should have a dollhouse when they are growing up. There is something so magical and precious about this traditional toy. The Chelsea Dolls Cottage is one of the best on the market today. The attention to detail you will find in this toy is second to none. The dollhouse already comes with 19 pieces of furniture, meaning that you do not have to worry about spending extra money on this. Your little girl is assured to love her stylish and pretty Chelsea Dolls Cottage. 

Grand Gourmet Corner Kitchen

Say hello to your little chef! This stylish and impressive kitchen will turn any little toddler into the next Jamie Oliver. Kids love the Grand Gourmet Corner Kitchen because there is nothing childish about it at all. It is so impressive looking that it will give your very own kitchen a run for its money. The features it boasts include; a washing machine, a oven, a microwave, a refrigerator, a freezer, cloth curtains, a pot, a pan, two spatulas, turn and click knobs and a sink.

Racecar Toddler Bed

Novelty beds are a great way to inject some fun and personality into your child’s bedroom, and what’s more is that they also help your little one to sleep better too. The Racecar Toddler Bed is great because it allows your child to feel as if they are in their very own racecar and thus they can have heaps of fun whilst their imagination runs wild. It is vitally important that your child’s bedroom is a place that is exciting and fun and this product ensures that that is the case.

Waterfall Mountain Train Table and Set

This train set is one of the most impressive you will find. If you are looking for a toy that will provide your child with an endless amount of fun, then this is certainly the thing for you. There’s no risk of your little one getting bored, that’s for sure! The only problem you will have is dragging your child away from the Waterfall Mountain Train Table and Set.

There is nothing better than spoiling your little toddler with toys. However, disaster strikes when the toy you have purchased is neither suitable nor safe for your young one. Thus, to ensure that that is not the case you need to be aware of some key things before purchasing your toys. This article will provide you with guidance and tips for buying safe toddler toys.

First and foremost, the most important thing you should do is check the toy specifications to see the age range recommended by the manufacturer. If the toy states “not suitable for anyone under the age of five” then that is exactly what it means. Professionals have made these judgements and the safety warning regarding age is there for a reason. So make sure you stick to the age restrictions provided.

In addition to this you should also make sure that the toy you are considering does not have any small parts which are easily detachable. For instance, if you are considering buying your little girl a doll house then make sure you opt for one with big dolls rather than miniature dolls and miniature furniture. You need to do this in order to ensure that there is no risk of your child attempting to swallow any small pieces, as this presents a serious risk of choking. Remember, you do not only need to be aware of removable pieces, but also toys which have elements such as buttons which could easily fall off.

Furthermore, you also need to stray away from any toys that have strangulation hazards. This could be anything from the likes of strings to cord.

Nevertheless, it is not only the toys you need to be mindful about but also the packaging they come in. Make sure you throw any rubbish or packaging in the bin immediately. I have already mentioned the hazard surrounding things such as string, which may have been used to keep the toys together. But other elements, such as plastic bags, are also extremely dangerous because they provide a risk of suffocation. 

Finally, make sure that you wash any toy you buy before you let your toddler play with it. Simply use soap and water to do so. After all, you do not know what the toy has come in contact with whilst it has been stored in a warehouse, and thus it is always best to be safe rather than sorry.

I am sure that all of you have heard of Smoby toys and seen their bright red, yellow and blue logo. Smoby have made a name for themselves as one of the most popular toy manufacturers around the world. Thus, this article will reveal the top ten Smoby toys… 

A supermarket checkout centre is one of those toys which will always be loved by little kids. This one by Smoby is one of the most popular on the market because it features a whole host of different add-ons. There are all sorts of products, from a Cornetto ice cream to a bar of Dove soap!

This is one of the best playhouses you will find. Complete with a bench, a swing, a slide and Winnie the Pooh; what more could you want? It’s also big enough for several children to play with at once.

Does your little boy fancy himself as a bit of a mechanic? Then let him put this to use with his very own Cars DIY Workbench. 

What little girl doesn’t love Hello Kitty? This cute purple and pink stroller will never leave your little girl’s side. The only thing is - if she hasn’t got a doll already then she will certainly be asking for one!

Little kids, boys in particular, love to be active whilst they are having fun. If this applies to your child then he will love nothing more than riding around the garden or down the street on his Giant Red Tractor. He can also take some much needed supplies and extra toys with him for the journey as the toy comes with a trailer as well. 

This is the perfect toy for any young football fan. It provides a perfect way for them to get in on the action.

Every little kid should have a trike whilst growing up. Not only will this sleek white, black and red trike be loved by your little tot, but it will be by your bank balance too as it only costs £22.99.

This product is the perfect toy for any little kid over the age of 18 months. It will guarantee to provide your child with endless hours of entertainment. Meaning that you will get some well deserved time to put your feet up!

What little boy wouldn’t love the opportunity to take a ride on his favourite train? Smoby has made this possible with the Thomas & Friends Engine Ride On.

Most little kids love animals and the Vet Trolley by Smoby allows them to take on the role of vet. The sleek green and blue trolley comes with the following accessories; bottles, a syringe, boxes, printed cards, tweezers, a thermometer and a stethoscope. It also includes a gorgeous cuddly toy dog for your little one to look after.

Obviously, one of the biggest things that is happening in 2012 is the Olympics, an opportunity that the toys industry couldn’t possibly miss. The Olympics is a big deal for most people in the UK as it is probably the only time in many of our lifetimes that this historical event will be held in this country, and people want to take advantage of the positives of this event to teach children something new.

Not only do the Olympics have a rich and varied history that it may be fascinating to teach children to tie in with the games while you watch them as a family, but it is also the perfect opportunity to get your kids into physical activities. The Olympics will be showing such an enormous amount of events and different types of sport that your children are bound to be intrigued by one or another, and in today’s sedentary society finding a sport that truly interests you can be the best way to beat the obesity trend and teach your kids to get fit and have fun.

With this in mind, Olympics-themed toys can be a fantastic way to get children keen on watching the Olympics in the first place. From the London 2012 Olympic Games Collectible Bear, which would be the perfect souvenir from the games and give you the opportunity to explain what he is for and what that means for summer this year to the Team GB BMX Bike which actually gives a sporting edge to playing and learning about the Olympics, you should choose your toy based on the interests and personality of your child.

If you are hoping to teach your child to get physical and enjoy more exciting sporting activities, the Team GB BMX is a great item. Most kids will get their first bike at a young age anyway and this bike is suitable for ages 8+. It is well designed, with the British flag and Olympics detailing, as well as stabilisers to help teach kids to ride without too much stress from the start. It looks great, but is also well made so that it is easy to ride and great for copying the cyclists they see on the TV!