2010 December

Up to 60% Off Toys & Games at Amazon

by littleones.com, on December 16th, 2010

Up to 60% Off Toys & Games at Amazon…delivered in time for Christmas!

Save up to 60% on gifts for kids of all ages, including preschool toys, games, dolls, and more. Plus select orders of $25 or more can be delivered by Christmas with FREE Super Saver Shipping (restrictions apply). (Ordering cutoffs vary by item. See Amazon Christmas Ordering Cut Offs for a listing of cut off dates.)

Check out this awesome link Holiday Deals at Amazon to view featured toys on sale, toy grouped by categories or to shop by price or discount (toys under $20, toys under $30, 60% off, 50% off etc.) It's an efficient way to finish up your holiday shopping.

Amazon.com Gift Cards Did you know that there's always time left to send an Amazon.com Gift Card for the holidays. You can order an Amazon gift card (FREE ONE DAY SHIPPING included up until 12/23/10), e-mail your gift card for immediate delivery, post it on Facebook, or print it out right from your printer anytime, even on December 25th and simply slip it into a card. It's the perfect way to finish up all your holiday shopping.

For additional holiday gift ideas, please see:

Little Ones "Twelve Weeks Before Christmas" Holiday Toy Series: This holiday series is designed to help parents and grandparents make smart choices by featuring outstanding/award winning "toys that teach," accompanied by reviews which highlight and explain the educational benefits and specific skills children receive from these types of toys.

Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition

Electronic Monopoly: A Family Favorite, Now on Sale!

by littleones.com, on December 14th, 2010

Looking for a great game for family night? This updated version of the classic favorite, Monopoly, includes a new electronic banking card system, updated game pieces and new real estate including Times Square and Disney World. It's all the fun of Monopoly, without the paper money. For ages 8 and up, it's hours of fun for everyone!

Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition is on sale for a limited time, at 60% off retail price, for just $15.99 at Amazon.com.

For additional holiday gift ideas, please see:

Amazon Christmas Ordering/Shipping Cut Offs: There’s Still Time!!

by littleones.com, on December 14th, 2010

Here's a very useful list of holiday gift ordering/shipping deadlines for Amazon.com. Time is ticking, but you can still have your Christmas gifts arrive on time if you follow these important cut off dates and times.

See Amazon Christmas Ordering Cut Offs for a listing of cut off dates.

Did you know that there's always time left to send an Amazon.com Gift Card for the holidays. You can order an Amazon gift card (FREE ONE DAY SHIPPING included up until 12/23/10), e-mail your gift card for immediate delivery, post it on Facebook, or print it out right from your printer anytime, even on December 25th and simply slip it into a card. It's the perfect way to finish up all your holiday shopping.

Click the link below to view all of Amazon's festive holiday gift card designs. Choose your favorite!

Amazon.com Gift Cards

Instead of getting "locked in" with traditional department store gift cards, give the gift of choice with Amazon.com Gift Cards. Unlike Visa or Mastercard gift cards, there are no additional fees. Plus, there's something for everyone at Amazon from electronics, apparel, toys, tools, music & dvds, gifts for the home and much, much more! The recipient will also enjoy free shipping on their orders $25 or more.

For additional holiday gift ideas, please see:

“12 Weeks Before Christmas 2010” Holiday Toys: Week #12 Puzzles, Memory Games & Brain Teasers

by littleones.com, on December 13th, 2010

WEEK #12:

PUZZLES, MEMORY GAMES & BRAIN TEASERS

Puzzles, memory games and brain teasers are a fun and challenging way to sharpen children's problem solving skills. Learning how to concentrate, analyze and retain information is an important lifelong skill, and what better way to practice than through play.

Children enjoy puzzles which come in a variety of developmental stages and difficulty levels. Early education puzzles contain a limited number of large pieces with simple picture designs. "First time" puzzle pieces usually have a small peg handle for easier manipulation. The Melissa & Doug Company has an extensive and superb selection of puzzles for young children. In contrast, puzzles for older children contain smaller, numerous pieces with more intricate designs. Older children may even wish to attempt challenging 3-D puzzles, which are great for developing spatial relations. When choosing puzzles, it is important to check the age guidelines and puzzle piece count before making your purchase.

Memory games are also possess multiple levels of difficulty, so once again check product descriptions carefully before selecting an appropriate game. The classic memory game for younger children, Original Memory, is always a favorite, and is now available in popular character designs.

Brain teasers, however, require higher level thinking skills and are more suitable for older children (although don't rule out the more persistent and inquisitive younger child.) There are usually no time limits which makes teasers a good choice for children who enjoy playing at their own pace. The ThinkFun Company is a leader in the challenging puzzles & brain teaser area. They carry outstanding and highly recommneded products which are both educational and entertaining!

Melissa & Doug Large Shapes Jumbo Puzzle Great 1st puzzle with large size solid wood geometric shapes. Extra large knobs for little hands. Matching color picture underneath puzzle pieces. Promotes the development of fine motor and matching skills. Ages 1+ For additional puzzle choices, view the extensive and superb selection of Melissa & Doug puzzles for young children.

Melissa & Doug Farm Cube Puzzle Challenging 6 puzzles in 1! 3D solid wooden blocks create 6 different farm animals. A great value for ages 3+. For additional puzzle choices, view the extensive and superb selection of Melissa & Doug puzzles for young children.

Melissa & Doug See-Inside Alphabet Peg Puzzle Learn your ABCs. Alphabet peek-a-boo puzzle displays full color illustrations underneath puzzle pieces. Illustrations match the puzzle letter (ie: A is for apple) Pegs for easy manipulation of pieces. Ages 3+. For additional puzzle choices, view the extensive and superb selection of Melissa & Doug puzzles for young children.

Crocodile Creek Jungle 123 7 Foot Long Across the Room Puzzle Giant 7 foot long Jungle theme floor puzzle. 48 large and colorful pieces can be assembled individually or as one long puzzle. Sturdy, thick pieces are perfect for little hands. Another quality Crocodile Creek product for ages 3+. ***See Little Ones review of Crocodile Creek products***

Ravensburger 3000 Piece Puzzle – Oceanic Wonders Intricate 3000 piece Ocean scene puzzle with photographic-quality colors. Challenging individual or family project. One of numerous Ravensburger puzzle varieties. Ages 10+

Earth 540 pc puzzle ball Totally awesome 540 piece 3D Globe puzzle forms an "exact fit" solid smooth ball. No glue required. Includes plastic base stand & metal rotation stand for proud display. Challenging puzzle with option of numbered pieces for easier assembly. Quality Ravensburger product that won't disappoint. Ages 10+.

Original MemoryDevelop memory and concentration skills with this classic game. Find the matching pairs by turning over cards 2 at a time. Game inlcudes 72 colorful picture cards with storage tray. Ages 3-6.

ThinkFun Fifteen Puzzle Extremely popular puzzle! A true classic. Polished metal and enamel version of this favorite game. Scramble 15 number tiles and slide them back into numerical order. Includes leatherette travel case and instruction booklet with solutions. Sure to please. Ages 8+.

Qwirkle Award winning wooden tiles game develops logic and strategy skills. This challenging family game has simple instructions that require players to match tile shapes and colors to earn points. Ages 8-adult.

ThinkFun Hoppers This game will keep you hopping! Peg solitaire in which players hop frogs over eachother until only the red frog is left. 4 levels of play with 40 challenge cards including solutions. Storage drawer keeps pieces together. Develops critical thinking/problem solving skills. Ages 8+.

ThinkFun Rush Hour Traffic grid lock brain teaser. Players maneuver 16 cars and trucks across grid board in order to get their red car out of grid lock. 4 levels of play with 40 challenge cards including solutions. Ages 8+. Also available in Junior version.

ThinkFun Serpentiles Create a continuous unbroken path with 19 winding tiles while alternating colors. Includes 40 challenge cards with solutions on back and a handy storage bag. Super problem solving and spatial visualization activity. Ages 8+.

ThinkFun Block By Block Extremely challenging and fun puzzle develops architectural and spatial relations skills. Use 7 brick pieces to create 3D structures as shown on 60 challenge cards. Create over 60 structures. Includes hints, solutions and convenient storage bag. Ages 10+

Rubik's Cube Brain Teaser Puzzle with Helpful Hints The ultimate brainteaser classic! Align 54 squares so colors match on all 9 sides of the cube by twisting and turning. Includes hints and solutions booklet. Super problem solving activity. Ages 8+.

For more holiday information, please see:

Visit www.littleones.com for our selection of Great/Award Winning Children's Books, Little Ones Recommended Toys & Gifts, and Children's Educational DVDs along with teacher tips, parenting articles, family fun and much more!

“12 Weeks Before Christmas 2010” Holiday Toys: Week #11 Indoor/Outdoor Sports & Games

by littleones.com, on December 10th, 2010

WEEK # 11:

INDOOR/OUTDOOR SPORTS & GAMES

Keep children moving all year round with these exciting indoor and outdoor toys that encourage physical activity. Studies indicate that children need to get up and move around more frequently! They certainly will be "motivated to move" with these awesome products, sure to become instant favorites in your home. In addition to having fun, the secret benefits are that these types of toys promote gross motor (large muscle) development, coordination, concentration, cooperative team efforts and best of all, help children release all of that bottled up energy!

Cosmic Catch – Talking BallChallenging and incredibly fun game of catch! Talking ball calls the shots as players quickly pass the ball in a choice of 4 tricky games. Includes 1 durable electronic ball and 6 hand tags. Awesome party and family game, Ages 7-adult.

Nerf Cosmic Keep Away Electronic game of keep away is 3 different games in one. Talking ball gives commands as players try to keep the ball from being intercepted by their opponents. Loads of active fun for ages 7+.

Wild Planet Hyper Dash Get kids movin' with this outrageously fun, award winning game of speed and skill. Electronic tagger calls out the instructions. Race around to tag targets as fast as you can based on colors, numbers, tagging patterns, simple addition/subtraction problems and memory tasks. It's tricky! 4 different game modes allow for solo, pair or team play. Great for coordination.A big hit with kids and adults! Ages 7+

Stomp Rocket Jr. Glow Kit: Multiple awards winner! Incredibly awesome, reasonably priced air-powered rocket kit for ages 3-8. Stomp on blast pad to launch glow in the dark, foam rockets up to 100 feet. No batteries required…just "stomp power." Includes four 9"inch yellow foam rockets. Additional foam rockets available for purchase. Kids absolutely love stomping and watching rockets soar!

Ultra Stomp Rocket: Multiple awards winner! Unbelievably fun, reasonably priced air-powered rocket kit for ages 8+. Stomp on blast pad to launch foam rockets 200+ feet. No batteries required…just "stomp power." Includes refill rockets. Additional foam rockets available for purchase. Awesome toy!

Air Hogs Quick Charge E-Chargers Planes Reasonably priced Air Hogs plane flies over 100 yards! Included a portable charger which allows the plane to charge in only 10 seconds! Non-stop action and fun for aviation fans.

Stiga NHL Stanley Cup Hockey Table Game Durable and high quality table hockey game with official NHL colors and logos. Easy to move 3D players with plexi-shield protectors. A true classic!

Dart Set: Safety Target Dart Board 14" with Velcro Play darts safely and easily with these 4 velcro covered balls and durable dart board. Perfect for ages 5 and up.

Toss Across Play an active game of tic tac toe with the classic Toss Across game. Place Toss Across on the floor and toss included bean bags to reveal X and O symbols until players score 3 in a row. Ages 6+.

Hot Wheels Super Slammers Triple Threat Blaster Launcher Fly three cool planes at the same time with this air-powered launch pad. Slam the launch pad (no batteries required) and watch planes soar. Lots of fun for ages 5+.

Pacific Play Tents See Me 6' Tunnel A smash hit!!!! This indoor 6 foot tunnel is non-stop entertainment for ages 3 and up. Made of durable 70 denier nylon and spring steel construction with padding to protect little knees. Contains two mesh windows to peek through. Best of all it collapses flat for easy storage. A great toy for energetic little ones and an outstanding value. Ages 3+.

Pacific Play Tents Playchute 10' ParachuteBright, rainbow colored 10 foot diameter play parachute promotes cooperative group play. Great for parties! Durable and machine washable with separate hand handles for easy control. Comes with convenient storage bag. Loads of active fun!

Playhut Fire Engine Lightweight and portable Pop Up Fire Engine will keep kids entertained for hours. Room enough for two children with 2 sunroofs, side windows, inflatable steering wheel, roll up flap door and tunnel port. Folds flat for convenient storage. Ages 3+.

Crocodiel Creek Solar System Playground Ball 5 Inch ***See Little Ones review of Crocodile Creek products*** Fun and educational 7 inch playground ball features the solar system. Vivid planets and planet names cover the surface of this playground ball made of safe and natural materials. Other designs available. All ages.

For more holiday information, please see:

Amazon Gift Cards for the Holidays!

by littleones.com, on December 8th, 2010

Not sure what gifts to choose for all those friends and relatives on your holiday list? Instead of getting "locked in" with traditional department store gift cards, give the gift of choice with Amazon.com Gift Cards. Unlike Visa or Mastercard gift cards, there are no additional fees. Plus, there's something for everyone at Amazon from electronics, apparel, toys, tools, music & dvds, gifts for the home and much, much more! The recipient will also enjoy free shipping on their orders $25 or more.

Best of all, there's always time left to send an Amazon.com Gift Card for the holidays. Choose from lots of festive holiday designs. You can simply order an Amazon gift card (free ONE DAY shipping included up until 12/23/10), e-mail your gift card for immediate delivery, post it on Facebook, or print it out right from your printer anytime, even on December 25th and simply slip it into a card. It's the perfect gift solution for all those "hard-to-buy-for" people on your list.

Delight all those special people on your holiday list with Amazon gift cards. Click the link below to view all of Amazon's festive holiday gift card designs. Choose your favorite!

Amazon.com Gift Cards

For additional holiday gift ideas, please see: