http://www.smilesincluded.com/blog Where real parents review all kinds of products for kids! Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:42:00 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Recommended ages: 5+ Years Reviewed by: Jennifer D. Raess, LISW This is a cool microscope toy that teaches young children about the world of insects. Kids examine prepared slides and hear interesting bug facts or play a quiz game. Some of the questions are wonderfully silly, and our young tester ... http://www.smilesincluded.com/blog/2010/08/28/geosafari-talking-microscope-review/ By: Marcy Buffington (continued from July 27) Second, is the animal mature enough? I highly recommend choosing an adult dog or cat rather than a puppy or kitten. Puppies will chew, they can’t be left alone for very long, they don’t come housebroken, and they have to be trained. ... http://www.smilesincluded.com/blog/2010/08/11/your-child-is-ready-for-a-pet-but-are-you-part-ii/ by: Marcy Buffington For some parents, the question of the right time to add a pet to the family never comes up. Mom or Dad grew up with animals, have always had them, so their children grow up with animals an integral part of the picture. But for the ... http://www.smilesincluded.com/blog/2010/07/27/your-child-is-ready-for-a-pet-but-are-you-part-i/ Recommended ages: 2+ Years Reviewed by: Molly Sanchez, M.Ed. Our kids enjoyed these blocks in so many different ways. They stacked them, nested them, lined them up, and put things inside them, etc. These blocks are an engaging, open-ended toy that encourages imaginative play and builds cognitive and motor skills. Wooden ... http://www.smilesincluded.com/blog/2010/07/10/wooden-animal-stacking-blocks/ Recommended ages: 12+ Months Reviewed by: Molly Sanchez, M.Ed. All of our kids enjoyed this toy immensely; the only problem was, they had a hard time sharing it! Hide and Squeak Eggs by International Playthings/Tomy is a matching and sorting toy in the form of plastic eggs with colorful plastic chicks inside. ... http://www.smilesincluded.com/blog/2010/06/06/hide-and-squeak-eggs-review/ Recommended ages: 1 year and up Reviewed by: Marcy Buffington The Chomp & Clack Alligator Push Toy by Melissa & Doug helps pre-walkers learn to stand and then balance as they explore walking. As the child pushes the toy along the floor, three “alligators” open and close their jaws, producing a ... http://www.smilesincluded.com/blog/2010/05/19/chomp-clack-alligator-review/ Recommended ages: 9-24 months Reviewed by: Cassie Hager The Chicco Baby Steps Walker is a 2 in1 walker and activity center made of colorful, light weight plastic. It helps build motor skills and engages many senses with lights, shapes and music. Although I generally prefer wooden toys and walkers, my baby was able ... http://www.smilesincluded.com/blog/2010/05/13/chicco-baby-steps-actvity-walker-review/ Recommended ages: 1 year and up Reviewed by: Cassie Hager The Walker Wagon by HABA is a well designed, simple wooden walker. A child learning to walk can pull up to its handle and begin taking their first steps. The walker consists of a handle in the rear for pushing, a ... http://www.smilesincluded.com/blog/2010/05/06/haba-walker-wagon-review/ Recommended ages: 9-36 months Reviewed by: Molly Sanchez, M.Ed The Stride-to-Ride™ Lion by Fisher-Price is a walker-to-ride-on toy that provides support for standing, first steps, cruising and walking. It is easily converted to a ride-on toy by lowering the handle. The Stride-To-Ride™ Lion encourages development of gross motor skills as children learn ... http://www.smilesincluded.com/blog/2010/04/29/stride-to-ride%e2%84%a2-lion-review/ Recommended ages: 7+ Reviewed by: Marcy Buffington We love this game, and play it often--all the testers wanted one of their own! BANANAGRAMS takes a fun and functional approach to classic word play. The game was invented by a a Dad with help from his family, and the name ... http://www.smilesincluded.com/blog/2010/04/21/bananagrams-review/