Category — Learning Toys

Celebrating it’s tenth birthday is the Baby Einstein Disney line. You may know of its hit TV series or even the tons of toys, CDs, books and DVDs they produce that center around providing fun ways to learn about music and sounds for infants. They recently began targeting toddlers and will have a new line called “Einstein Pals ™” coming out in the spring made just for them. Also coming in 2009 will be the releases of two interactive DVDs called “Grow With Me” and “Select Your Segment”. These will have a focus on world music (vs. just classical music) and different cultures.

Meanwhile you can pick up two new DVD fall releases (that were center of attention during the anniversary celebration at Disney’s Concert Hall), “Baby Mozart” and “Baby Beethoven”, which have a cute puppet show and performance by the Glendale Youth Orchestra. If you aren’t already a part of the Baby Einstein mom fan train, you might want to hop aboard. I personally enjoy the DVDs and have seen my growing son singing new songs and even identifying instruments.

With all the buzz about recalled imported toys, it’s no wonder that parents are looking for non-toxic green toys to amuse their children. I was truly astonished when I ran across an entire line of environmentally-friendly toys made from recycled milk jugs. They’re made by Green Toys, Inc., a California company, and they’re OH SO CUTE! Green Toys makes a nice variety of recycled toys including a tea set, indoor gardening set, sand play set, and a cookware set. According to their website, recycling just a pound of milk jugs to make their toys saves enough energy to power a television for 3 weeks, and since the toys aren’t imported, think of all the fuel that’s saved! And, any parent who has ever tried to wrestle a typical toy from its box will appreciate that Green Toys greatly reduces the packaging of their earth friendly toys. They’re all packaged in recycled corrugated cardboard with no cellophane or those pesky little twist ties.

My littlest niece has become a die-hard fan of the LeapFrog Fridge DJ. She’s a very active 15-month old but the Fridge DJ helps to keep her entertained, preoccupied and learning. Her mom emphatically states it’s the best toy purchase they have made for her so far, and she’s not the only mom raving about the Fridge DJ, either. My biggest concern was the noise factor, but it doesn’t seem to be an issue for the parents, so I guess it is not that annoying (or less annoying than having a screaming, crying child.)

Like most other Leap Frog toys, the Fridge DJ is durable and reasonably priced, making it a great gift for parents of busy toddlers.