Guest Blog

GuestBlog

Guest Blog - Would you like to have a blog post on PittsburghMom.com? This is your chance! We feature some of our users-turned-bloggers on this guest blog. If you're interested in submitting a guest blog post, please email Heather at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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Rubbabu Vehicles

Written by Heather Starr Fiedler. Posted in Guest Blog

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An alternative to plush, Rubbabu toys are made from natural rubber foam and are covered in bright, colorful flocking. The Rubbabu cars and vehicles have wonderful visual and tactile appeal. They are easy for a child to grasp, they feel great, and they won't hurt your walls as they roll around the room.


According to Dr. Toy, "All Rubbabu products are unique and loved by children of all ages. The toys are super colourful, velvety smooth and soft to the touch, yet sturdy enough to handle years of abuse. Other great products in this new and excellent line include My Animal Farm, Rubbabu Ball Assortment, and Tic Tac Toe. The products are all safe and well made and offer a lot of play value."


Rubbabus are made from natural rubber foam, with raw materials sourced from the finest companies in places as diverse as Switzerland and the United Kingdom. They are brightly coloured, non toxic, biodegradable. If you are looking for toys that do not hurt the environment, you have found it right here.


In the Letkidsplay Store, you will see all of the Rubbabu Vehicles. They also make balls and other games. The Balls have won many awards, however, I am having trouble finding them. If you have a child with special needs who loves tactical items, may have trouble holding on to things, and likes bright colors, you need to do a search for these balls--they are wonderful.


More tomorrow.

Mara







PlasmaCar

Written by Heather Starr Fiedler. Posted in Guest Blog

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I am going to let other people rave about this neat riding toy. But, first look at the video of people riding the PlasmaCar

Now read what the company says about it, "

"Looking for a children's toy that will delight, fascinate, and invigorate for years to come? PlaSmart's come to the rescue with the perfect toy: The revolutionary new PlasmaCar.

It's like magic, but you don't need to be a magician to get it to work. The PlasmaCar is a mechanical marvel that makes use of that most inexhaustible of energy sources, kid-power, by harnessing the natural forces of inertia, centrifugal force, gravity, and friction. It's so easy to operate; all it needs is a driver and a smooth, flat surface.

The PlasmaCar is adult-friendly, too. For starters, it doesn't require an expensive power source that needs constant replacement. No batteries, no power-cells, no liquid fuel-just the occasional cookie or two. It's quiet too-the only sound you'll hear is the sound of its wheels. It provides kids with plenty of exercise, more so than most toys. And the PlasmaCar is engineered to be absolutely safe when used appropriately. It's been extensively tested, and meets or exceeds all significant international safety standards. The PlasmaCar can handle a load of 220 lbs on a smooth, flat surface, and 120 lbs on a rough, flat surface. "

Now read what some parents have said about it PlasmaCar, "My family, my husband & I included, love this "car". It is so much fun and so easy to use that my 2 yr old grasped the concept of it right out of the box. Very easy to put together although one of the back wheels was a bit of a tight fit. I have not taken the PlasmaCar out of our house yet so I can not rate how it handles on the road. My children [6,2,9 months] use it on our Laminate "hardwood" floors. It definitely deserves the Platinum Best Toy Award that it was given. The only problem I see is that I only have one :) "

"It is seriously the best thing we have ever bought for our kids, and they ride for hours and never get tired of it! These maneuver so smoothly it's amazing! We have laminate wood floors throughout our house and they weave so easily in between furniture. Best thing ever! "

You have to be impressed now, so head to the letkidsplay website and put this toy on your list.

More tomorrow.

Mara

Sandlock

Written by Heather Starr Fiedler. Posted in Guest Blog

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Sand play helps:





  • Develop large muscle skills develop as children dig, pour, sift, and scoop.

  • Improve eye-hand coordination and small muscle control as children play with sand accessories.

  • Promote social skills as they play, they are faced with real problems that require sharing, compromising, and negotiating.

  • Develop mathematical concepts as they play with measuring spoons and cups and containers in a variety of sizes and shapes.
  • Develop science concepts such as more and less.

  • Improve language skills as they explain to you what they are doing.

  • Improve their writing skills as you encourage them to write in the sand.

Your kids will love you if you put a sandbox in the back yard and I have the perfect product. Here is the description:
"The Sandlock is a great sandbox for the entire gaggle of kids to enjoy. It is one of the best sandboxes around because of some great features which are included. A standout feature on the child sandbox are the two removable corner seats which are great for play time. Anytime a child can have companionship and still enjoy a good time in a safe play space is great. This kid sandbox has everything needed in a great sandbox. A great feature which parents will be loving is the Coverlock system. The Coverlock is a heavy duty vinyl cover which attaches to the sandbox with sewn in shock cords to ensure a secure fit. Unlike other sandboxes the sand should always be dry with a Sandlock Sandbox. The puncture resistant ground barrier also keeps sand in the child sandbox, which will preserver the grass in the backyard. A precision design made of commercial grade plastic, this kid sandbox from Sandlock is a fantastic addition to the backyard. "

I have met the men who design and make Sandlocks. They listen to their customers and make changes. The cover is really great. The sand box goes together and comes apart easily. They make Sandlocks both for families and for schools or parks. They have been really working on a design that will truly work for a child who uses a wheelchair. In my mind, any toy designer who spends time and energy to help design something that my son can really play with, should be supported.

Therefore, if you decide to splurge for a sandbox, I highly recommend Sandlock.

Something less expensive tomorrow : ) Mara

ThinkFun

Written by Heather Starr Fiedler. Posted in Guest Blog

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This is what leads on ThinkFun's website. I believe it. They have the best mind challenging games on the market. There are games for all ages.

 

In Rush Hour, you look at a pattern card, and then place the cars and trucks according to the pattern. You need to figure out how to move the cars around so that your red car can get out of the "rush". Or maybe you would prefer Safari Rush Hour, where you have to get your Safari Van out without the animals getting you. You can try it on-line to see what I am really describing. When we bought this for my daughter, my husband and daughter fought over who could play with it. The cards range from beginner to advance so many ages can play it. There is now a Rush Hour Jr. so littler kids can play.

Other ThinkFun games we have enjoyed in our house are Tipover, River Crossing, and Four Children's Card Games. I played Chocolate Fix and Ducks in a Row at Toy Fair. I really needed by daughter, she is much better at these types of games than I am, but I still loved them. I am thinking of getting 36 Cube for her this Hanukkah--it is under the serious puzzler section. (don't tell her).

These are great games and puzzles, especially when there is only one child in the house. My daughter would play with these for hours and I never heard, "mommy come play a game with me".

I think that almost every ThinkFun game and puzzle is under $20, unless you buy the ultimate deluxe versions, and you will play with them for a long time, so I highly recommend them. I think every toy they have designed has won multiply awards, because they are so well thought out and both children and adults love to play them.

In addition, to ThinkFun, there are other Mind Challenging games on the LetKidsPlay website.

More Tomorrow.

Mara

Lights on

Written by Heather Starr Fiedler. Posted in Guest Blog

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I feel like I’m witnessing a little miracle these days.  My youngest son, five years old, just started to read independently.  It brings me to tears every time we sit down to read together.  He has wanted to conquer this seemingly impossible task for a year now.  And it seems like the lights just turned on and he can do it.  It's phenomenal to sit back and watch it happen.  He tirelessly works his way through books, he yells out words he recognizes from the back seat of the car. 

Not sure how many of you have read the American classic by Betty Smith, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", but I remember reading it before my kids were born - B.W.I.C.C. Back When I Could Concentrate.  There's a point when the main character, Francie Nolan, learns to read and then systematically goes to the library and works her way through the books.   That situation in the book heightened by awareness of the whole process.  I don't remember when my lights turned on and I started to read, but I have thoroughly enjoyed watching it happen to my kids. My eight year old is a voracious reader - to the point that he can't walk past something without picking it up to read.  His favorite thing to do is spread the sports section out on the floor and read about every single game that happened overnight - happily spouting facts and figures of the most obscure games.  Hopefully, I can get back into reading something other than a magazine.  Perhaps it's time to get the book club started again.

Guest Blogger Bio
I'm a full time stay-at-home mom of two boys - ages 8 and 5.  They are active little guys, who love school and all sports and their Wii.  This year is the first year I have both of them in school together - even though we live in a district with only half-day Kindergarten.  I'm truly lucky to be home with them.  When my first was born, my husband and I hoped to have me home with him for one year. It's parlayed into nearly nine years now - round the clock child rearing responsibility but being there for them for homework and school bus stops and being the first to hear about the trials and tribulations of growing up these days.  With the full time focus on the kids, I have to watch that they become independent and I don't do too much for them. We've always wanted to give them the chutzpah to stand up and be their own little men.  The ultimate goal is to raise "American Gentleman".

In my past life I was a marketing and advertising executive in the cable and telecom industry.  I was hip to all the trends, happenings and goings-ons.  I worked amidst fun people in an industry full of great perks - tickets, sporting events, parties.  Now, it's slowed down, but is definitely more down to earth and an environment where I want my boys to grow up.  I find myself wanting to retreat into the days of simpler times.

 

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