Toy Talk

New blog!

2008-05-27T11:14:00.001-05:00

The Toy Geek has moved!

You can now find my blog here: http://www.toygeekblog.com

Thanks for reading, and I'll see you there!

BPA and Phthalates: Parents React

2008-05-12T08:50:00.008-05:00

Throughout the last couple of posts, I’ve been covering the topic of BPA and phthalates in childrens’ toys. Last week, I asked parents to tell me their thoughts on the issue- what they thought of the study results, and how it has (or hasn’t) had an effect on their purchasing decisions.

I got several e-mails on the subject, but I think these three pretty much sum up all of the opinions on both sides of the spectrum:

Amy Gates, known on the web as the Crunchy Domestic Goddess, is an environmentally conscious mom of two. She had this to say on the matter:

"Parents have enough on their plates without the added worry over whether or not there are harmful chemicals (BPAs) in their children's toys and drinking bottles. I just recently discovered that the Camelbak water bottles my whole family, including my two young children, has been using for the past couple years contain BPA and I am quite frustrated and upset. I assumed they were safe and apparently that's where I dropped the ball. I expected someone else (the government) to play a role in protecting our safety. I've noticed that Nalgene did a voluntary recall on their bottles that contained BPA, but I have yet to hear of any such gesture by Camelbak. That's too bad.

Phthalates are another concern, especially around babies that put anything and everything in their mouths. I was more educated about phthalates with my second child than I was with my first, and as a result was more cautious about the kinds of toys that came into our home. But again, should it be up to the parents to have to weed out the the unsafe toys from the safe toys? Shouldn't our government have some role in protecting our children and keeping dangerous chemicals out of our children's toys? We obviously still have a long way to go. In the meantime, parents need to continue to do their homework and educate themselves. We can't protect our children from everything, but we can, if we are diligent about our research, protect them from a lot."

Another favorite blogger of mine, Amy Cotrell of Geek Parenting, is also the mother of two children. She says:

"With so many toy recalls lately, I've honestly been more focused on high lead count than anything else. BPA and phthalates have just recently been brought to my attention and, frankly, I'm a bit overwhelmed with all these dangers! I suppose I should be more proactive with this cause, but my approach has just been to keep my eye out for recalls and wince every time my toddlers put something new in their mouths. I don't mean to sound apathetic where my children's health is concerned (I'm certainly not), but I can't live in constant fear whenever they touch something plastic."

And then there’s my most devoted reader and biggest fan: my own mother. Mom’s still got three kids at home, ages 16, 11, and 7. When I asked her about it, she replied with this:

"Well, we didn't know all of this information when you and your older sister were young. Your plastic bottles and toys were probably full of BPA and phthalates. You turned out okay*."

I reminded her, though, that she also seemed to think it was okay to feather our hair and make us wear legwarmers, which has since been recognized as a form of emotional abuse.

As far as my own opinion goes… I don’t have kids yet, but I’ve already begun to weed out plastics in my own home that contain BPA. To me, it just seems better to be safe than sorry.

*The validity of this statement is debatable.

BPA and Phthalates: The Toy Industry vs. Environmentalists

2008-05-05T16:06:00.005-05:00

It's been awhile since my last post, and I apologize for that. Things at Arsa have been very busy, so it's been hard for me to find time to write. We have some exciting new lines being added, though, so I'll keep you posted as they go up on the website!

Anyway, throughout my series on BPA and phthalates, we've learned what the chemicals are, what doctors say about their potential harm, and what the government has done in light of the concerns raised by the recent studies. This has caused a huge divide to form between environmentalists and the toy industry, each of whom has very strong opinions on the new legislation.

The toy industry, not surprisingly, is not pleased with the new regulations.

"This action flies in the face of sound scientific evidence provided by researchers both in Europe and in the USA that these products are safe for use in children's products," says Tom Conley, president of the Toy Industry Association. "We aren't going to roll over and take this lying down."

To analyze the validity of Conley's claim, I did a quick search on Google to find out which studies had concluded that these chemicals were safe. Interestingly, all of the ones I found were conducted or funded by chemical companies, who would have much to lose monetarily if phthalates and BPA were found to be toxic.

Environmentalists, who have spearheaded the movement to get these chemicals banned, are naturally pleased with the results of their campaigns.

Environment California spokesperson Rachel Gibson told E Magazine, "Many places in the world have to comply with restrictions on phthalates. It's a mystery why we sell toxic toys to American kids."

In light of the National Toxicology Program's recent report, and especially the authors' recommendation that BPA at least be phased out, it's easy to see why they are concerned.

Steven Hentges, executive director of the American Plastics Council's Polycarbonate Business Unit, counters with this statement: "The data that is presented has been known for years and, most importantly, data of that type has been reviewed by government agencies around the world in their comprehensive reviews on BPA and, in every case, they reach a conclusion even after considering this kind of data that polycarbonate baby bottles are safe for use."

I don't have any kids, myself, but I'm very interested in what parents are thinking about all this. I'd love to hear some feedback from my readers about BPA and phthalates, and how (if at all) this information has impacted your purchasing decisions. If you'd like to have your quote published on this blog, send me an e-mail at marketing AT arsatoys DOTCOM, and I'll put it in my next entry at the end of the week.

BPA and Phthalates: Legislation

2008-04-28T13:35:00.015-05:00

As we saw in last Friday's post, BPA and phthalates have both caused some concern in the medical community, due to the potential effects they could have on the human body. In response to this evidence, many government agencies have taken action in an attempt to keep these chemicals out of products that could expose small children to their associated health risks.

In July of 2005, the European Union banned six different phthalates from use in toys and childcare items. The EU had already had temporary, renewable restrictions of these phthalates in place since 1999.

Last October, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill to enact a similar law in the Golden State. The California law bans the manufacture, sale, or distribution of any toys containing phthalates in the state starting in January of 2009. Toy companies in the area have just over seven months remaining to phase these toys out before the ban takes effect.

Other state governments could soon follow the Governator's lead and adopt similar legislation; bills like the California ban have appeared and been rejected in Oregon, Maryland, and New York, and environmentalists have begun to push the issue in Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. With California taking the first step, other states may feel more comfortable and justified in following suit.

As far as BPA is concerned, neither the U.S. Government nor the EU has enacted legislation to ban or restrict its use. However, the National Toxicology Program's most recent findings have prompted another investigation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to determine whether or not the use of BPA is safe in toy- and food-related products.

Last week, Canada became the first country to label the chemical unsafe and could pioneer legislative action against it. Unless it can be proven harmless, Health Minister Tony Clement has stated that its use in products for kids will be banned across the country. He and Environment Minister John Baird handed out BPA-free bottles to parents following an April 18th news conference on the subject.

Large-scale companies have already made their choices clear on the matter: Wal-Mart announced that they will be phasing out all BPA-laced products and will have them completely pulled from their shelves by early next year. Toys R' Us quickly followed suit, and rumor has it that Target stores could be next. In addition, Playtex, a leading manufacturer of baby bottles, has made the commitment to phase out BPA in all of their products by the end of the year and is offering a free sample of one of their current BPA-free products.

My next post will cover the reactions to this legislation from environmentalists and the manufacturers of these chemicals, as well as the toy industry. Additionally, if any of my readers are parents who are just itching to share their opinions, I would love to post your comments later this week! Tell me your reaction to the BPA/phthalate controversy and how, if at all, it has affected your decisions in purchasing toys for your children.

BPA and Phthalates: What the medical community says

2008-04-25T14:04:00.007-05:00

In Wednesday's post, I introduced the controversial issue of BPA and phthalates in children's toys. This time, I'd like to explore the medical evidence regarding the chemicals' effects on the developing human body, and take a look at what doctors have to say about the subject.

Last week, a report on BPA was issued by the National Toxicology Program, working under the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. According to their report, BPA has the potential to effect human development and reproduction. BPA functions as a synthetic form of estrogen, and in studies on lab animals it was shown to reduce survival of newborn animals, lower birth weight, and slow growth of offspring early in life,
and delay the onset of puberty in males and females. Although the doses given to the animals during the studies were much lower than the estimated levels to which babies and children are exposed, the report still cautions that "the possibility that bisphenol A may alter human development cannot be dismissed."

Human studies of the effects of BPA remain inconclusive due to "small sample size, cross-sectional design, lack of large variations in exposure, or lack of adjustment for potential confounders." In English, that basically means that we haven't done enough in-vitro testing on human subjects to determine what the effects are, or how serious they might be.

As to whether or not the doses we take in are high enough to cause concern, the report concludes that "estimated exposures in pregnant women and fetuses, infants, and children are similar to levels of bisphenol A associated with several 'low' dose laboratory animal findings of effects on the brain and behavior, prostate and mammary gland development, and early onset of puberty in females."

It's no secret that girls are maturing faster today than in previous generations, with many girls developing breast buds as early as seven years of age and some developing as toddlers in more extreme cases, according to a report by the Breast Cancer Fund. One theory for this is that BPA levels in toys and plastic bottles leach the artificial estrogen compounds into their bodies from the time they are born.

As for phthalates, exposure to these chemicals is much more widespread, and the majority (over 90%) of Americans tested by the Center for Disease Control have shown metabolic evidence of multiple kinds of phthalates in their urine. The CDC issued a report in July 2005 that cited damage to the liver and testes and birth defefcts in rodents given high doses of phthalates, but concluded that further studies needed to be done to determine the risks to humans. In
addition, the doses given to the rodents in the study is much higher than the estimated average exposure rate for humans.

A separate 2005 study showed a link between phthalates and reproductive development in boys, citing a shortened distance between the anal and genital regions in boys born to mothers with high levels of phthalates measured in their urine during pregnancy. However, the National Toxicology Program questioned the science behind this study, stating that "Whether anogenital distance measurements in humans relate to clinically important outcomes, however, remains to be determined."

So what does all of this mean? Basically, with both chemicals, there is evidence of effects on the human body, but not enough conclusive research to officially state that either chemical is highly toxic on a large scale. More testing needs to be done before we can fully determine how these chemicals could affect us.

That doesn't mean that these chemicals are harmless, however, or that we shouldn't be concerned, though. Dr. Maida Galvez, a pediatrician who has been studying the toxicity of BPA, had this to say when interviewed for ABC News: "We know the animal studies raise concerns, but there aren't human studies showing effects yet ... so, when we don't have the evidence, what we recommend is that parents try to err on the side of caution." She encourages parents to steer clear of products like containers and bottles in which BPA can leach directly into a child's digestive system.

Medical evidence for the harmful effects of these chemicals has prompted several pieces of legislation both in the U.S. and abroad. We'll take a look at the measures that government agencies have taken against BPA and phthalates in next Monday's post.

Toy Recall: Basketball and Flower Tables

2008-04-25T10:42:00.003-05:00

These technically aren't toys, but since Arsa sells childrens' furniture, I figured it deserved a mention:

Flower and Basketball Tables by Avon Products

Reason for recall: Excessive levels of lead in surface paint

About 1,000 of these tables are included in the recall. The basketball table measures approximately 16 inches tall, and features white legs and a 19-inch diameter top. The flower table is around 30 inches tall with a green stand and leaf-shaped shelves and a 15-inch diameter purple and yellow top. They were sold by Avon independent sales representatives in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands from June 2007 to August 2007. The basketball table sold for approximately $32, and the flower table for about $37. So far, no injuries have been reported. Consumers should immediately take the tables away from children and contact Avon for a full refund. Avon is working on contacting known purchasers directly to inform them of the recall.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Avon toll-free at (888) 993-9903 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.avon.com/.

BPA and Phthalates: What are they?

2008-04-23T15:50:00.003-05:00

Bishphenol-A.

Phthalates.

No, I’m not talking about new Star Trek characters. (Although, if I was, would anyone be surprised? Probably not.)

These are the names of two chemicals commonly found in plastic, and they have been causing quite a buzz in several communities. Environmentalists, toy manufacturers, doctors, the media, and even the government have all been talking about them lately. In light of all that’s being said, it can be hard for parents to decide how they feel about it all. So, for the next few days, I’m going to talk about this issue. I’m going to objectively present the facts from all sides of the debate, and allow you to decide how, if at all, it will affect your choices in choosing toys for your kids.

First of all, let’s talk about exactly what these chemicals are, and what they do.

Bisphenol-A (abbreviated BPA) is an organic compound made of a specific grouping of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms. Common uses for BPA include baby and water bottles, tooth sealants, sports equipment, medical devices, CDs, and household electronics, as well as the resin coating that lines the insides of many different canned foods. It has also been used as a flame-retardant material and fungicide.

Phthalates (pronounced “THAL-ates”) are a derivative of phthalic acid and are commonly used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics more flexible.

Both of these chemicals are fairly common in childrens’ toys.

In my next entry, I plan to explore what the medical community says about the potential effects and hazards of these chemicals on the human body. Stay tuned!

Toy Safety: Choking Hazards

2008-04-21T09:28:00.010-05:00

One of the scariest moments in my life was seeing my youngest brother, Sam, choke on a piece of hot dog when he was about five. My dad gave him the Heimlich, and, fortunately, he coughed up the offending piece of meat and quickly recovered. He had been deprived of air long enough that his face and lips had begun to turn pale, and I can remember him crying for a long time afterward. To this day, he still won’t eat hot dogs.

Food-related choking hazards are certainly concerning, but a less obvious danger lies in toys which contain small pieces that could present a choking hazard to young children. According to the Consumer Product Safety commission, 292 children suffered toy-related deaths in the last fifteen years, and a whopping 57% of these were due to choking and subsequent asphyxia. The highest number of choking deaths came from balloons, balls, and toy parts, and the majority of these were in children under five.

When selecting toys for young kids, it’s important to take this potential hazard into consideration. According to KidsHealth.org, a good rule of thumb is that a toy should be at least 1.75 inches (4.4 centimeters) in diameter if it is going to be given to a small child. Concerned parents can also use a small-parts tester, also known as a choke tube, to test the size of toys and small parts.

The tube is designed to be roughly the same size as a small child’s windpipe. If a toy or toy part fits into the tube, it is too small and should be considered a dangerous choking hazard to children under 3 years of age. They are available for purchase, but it's just as easy and effective (and more environmentally friendly!) to use an empty toilet paper or paper towel tube. These cardboard tubes are actually slightly larger in diameter than a small-parts tester, so they may actually rule out more hazards than the pricier, plastic versions.

The worst offender in these choking cases seems to be deflated balloons. They accounted for 69 of the 292 total toy-related deaths, and 41.5% of the deaths by choking and asphyxiation. Children love balloons, but once the air is let out or the balloon bursts, the latex material can easily be swallowed by small children and can become lodged in the throat. For this reason, balloons should never be given to babies or toddlers unless they will be directly supervised the entire time they have it.

One of the most important thing parents can do to prevent toy-related choking injuries is to be active in choosing kids’ toys. Some helpful guidelines:

Read the labels! Toys are marked for specific age groups, so make sure you are buying toys that are age-appropriate for your child
Make sure squeaky toys, rattles, and teethers are large enough that they cannot be fully inserted into a child’s mouth. Make sure these toys cannot be squeezed or compressed into a smaller size, as well.
Remember to check toys for removable parts! These must also be large enough not to be inserted into the mouth or lodged in the throat.
Check the eyes and noses of plush toys to be sure that they are not easily broken off. These present a very real danger if they become detached and swallowed.

The last tip, and probably the most valuable advice I can give, is to supervise your child's playtime. This allows you to stop potential hazards before they become dangerous. In addition, becoming involved in your child's playtime helps strengthen the parent-child bond and facilitates learning and development beyond what your child could do on his or her own.

I am going to try to feature a different safety-related topic each week on Monday morning, and I would love to hear feedback from my readers! Please don’t ever hesitate to ask questions, voice concerns, or suggest topics that you'd like to hear more about. You can send me comments using the link below this entry.

Barbie's comic book alter-egos: Batgirl, Black Canary, Wonder Woman, Elektra, and Lois Lane!

2008-04-17T15:15:00.007-05:00

WARNING: You are about to experience a ridiculous amount of nerdery. Proceed with caution.

It’s kind of a running joke around the office that I’m a complete geek. First there’s my obsession with all things toy-related. I have figurines and stuffed animals all over my desk. And then there’s my ant farm, which should be arriving within the week. And I keep Silly Putty in my purse… The list goes on!

And then there are my cubicle walls, which are nothing more than a vivid display of one of my other obsessions: comics! Between the two of us, my fiancé and I have so many comic books that we’ve devoted an entire room to them. (We call it the Nerd Cave, and we’re very proud of it.)

So you can imagine my excitement when I heard that Mattel is producing a line of superhero Barbie dolls. They’ve taken my two biggest joys in life and thrown them together into a perfect marriage of nerdy goodness!

They’re even making a doll modeled after my personal favorite superhero, Black Canary:

She looks great, as far as I’m concerned. (I only wish she had a button that activated her Canary Cry. How cool would that be?) I can’t wait for these to come out! I wasn’t really into Barbies as a little girl. I was more of an arts & crafts kid, myself. But I love the collectible lines, now that I’m older. I even purchased a set of the X-Files dolls when they came out. Observe my geekery:

Currently, Arsa doesn’t carry Mattel products, but it is under consideration. I’d love to hear some feedback on what you all think. Would you be interested in seeing us add products like Barbie, Scrabble, or the Hot Wheels series? Leave me a comment and let me know, and I’ll pass the word along!

Toy Recalls

2008-04-17T15:00:00.008-05:00

I know that toy recalls have become an increasing concern for parents, especially with the current lead paint scare, so I've decided to help make parents aware of current recalls by posting them here at ToyTalk as they occur. I will be checking daily to see if any new recalls are added, but please feel free to alert me via e-mail if you hear of any that I don't catch!

This one was just added yesterday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Western Rider Push Toy by Santa's Toy Corporation

Reason for recall: Excessive levels of lead in surface paint

About 9,000 of these toys are included in the recall. The push toy features a horse and rider with a 20" detachable handle, and the toys were sold in dollar and discount stores from February 2005 through February 2008, for about $2.50 to $3.00. The toys should be taken immediately to the stores from which they were purchase for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Santa’s Toy Corp. toll-free at (888) 726-8208 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or e-mail the firm at info@santastoycorp.com

Waldo's back!

2008-04-16T15:57:00.007-05:00

A friend of mine recently Twittered this link to me:

Where On Earth Is Waldo?

Melanie Coles, a student at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, designed and painted a 54-ft. long vinyl Waldo portrait, which she then placed on a rooftop in Vancouver, Canada for internet users to find using Google Earth's aerial photo program. It's like a giant, web-based, global Where's Waldo game!

It got me thinking back to the Where's Waldo craze and all of the Waldo-related things I had. We had all the books, a few posters, and even the video game. I used to spend hours reading the books and searching for Waldo, his dog, and all of his lost belongings! Now I'm really eager to start looking for Melanie's Waldo on Google Earth!

Also, as a random silly sidenote, I'm ordering an ant farm for my desk at work! I'm really excited about it, actually, which probably seems nerdy beyond belief. But hey, that's me! Anyway, I'll be posting photos of my cubicle with my new "pets" as soon as they arrive, so be on the lookout for that. :)

Introducing myself

2008-04-14T15:36:00.007-05:00

I was thinking about my blog this weekend, and it dawned on me that I never made a post to introduce myself to my readers. How very rude of me! So, without further ado, I give you...

The ToyGeek Autobiography (Abridged Edition)

I’m 23 years old and I live in the Kansas City area. I grew up here in the Midwest, and aside from the sometimes wonky weather (we got snow this weekend!), I really enjoy this area. I’m the second oldest child in a family of seven, so there was pretty much always a baby at the house, which I enjoyed most of the time. I have an even mix of brothers and sisters (three of each), but I don’t have any older brothers, which is one thing I would have liked to have had growing up. My older sister just had a baby, as well, so now I’m also an auntie, which I’m enjoying a lot.

I work for Arsa Toys, as I’ve mentioned, and I absolutely LOVE it. I’ve been here for several months, and it really couldn’t be a more perfect fit for me right now! I’m a Product Specialist, which pretty much means I’m responsible for helping to choose and add new toys to our site and make sure the content is neat and easy-to-follow. I actually have a debilitating addiction to toys, so they couldn’t have chosen a better candidate for the job! The only real challenge is trying not to spend my whole paycheck on toys.

I’m also very passionate about children and education, and I’m currently pursuing a degree in Urban Education through one of the area universities. I’d like to teach English in an inner-city middle school when I’m done, but for now I’m just plugging along while I work and doing my best to get good grades. One of the neat things about working for Arsa is that I get to view the latest educational toys, and it helps me think about ways I’ll be able to use toys and games as resources in my teaching. Making learning fun for kids is definitely paramount to being an educator!

When I’m not at work or at school, I’m usually at home relaxing with my fiancé and our “kids”- four cats and a dog. It’s a full house! Animals are definitely one of my other passions, and all of ours were rescued from shelters or other owners who could no longer care for them. We love to take our dog to the off-leash park or work in the yard while he runs around and plays. He’s been stuck with me in apartments since I got him, so this is his first yard and he loves it! We’re really enjoying the chance to work with the yard and plant new things, too. We’ll see how long it takes us to accidentally kill all our new flowers. Ha.

Well, there’s my introduction. Now you know a little bit more about the face behind ToyTalk! So, naturally, that means it’s YOUR turn! Comment and tell me a bit about yourself- who you are, where you’re from, and what brings you to my toy blog. I’d love to get to know my readers better!

Oh, and before I forget, I'm also now on Twitter! You can follow me by clicking here. :)

New Crayola Crayon Names Announced!

2008-04-11T15:11:00.004-05:00

A friend of mine gave me a heads up on a new crayon-naming contest that Crayola just ran. The colors have been announced, and here’s the list of the eight new names:

“Awesome,” replacing “Wild Watermelon”
“Super Happy,” replacing “Laser Lemon”
“Fun in the Sun,” replacing “Wild Tangerine”
“Giving Tree,” replacing “Screamin’ Green”
“Bear Hug,” replacing “Beaver”
“Happy Ever After,” replacing “Turquoise Blue”
“Famous,” replacing “Hot Magenta”
“Best Friends,” replacing “Orchid”

As a coloring fanatic and loyal Crayola customer, I have to say that I have very mixed feelings about the new names.

I think two of them, “Bear Hug” and “Happy Ever After,” are actually very cute (although, were it my choice, I’d probably change it to “Happily Ever After,” because it just sounds better to me).

“Giving Tree,” in my opinion, doesn’t seem to fit. That makes me think of a nice, sage-toned hue, not a bright neon color like “Screamin’ Green.” And “Fun in the Sun” seems a little but lackluster. It just doesn’t do anything for me. “Famous” isn’t horrible, but it’s also not spectacular. I would have attached that name to silver, myself.

And as for “Awesome,” “Super Happy,” and “Best Friends?” I have to say that I’m not a fan. They just don’t seem very creative or descriptive.

Of course, this isn’t the first time the folks at Crayola have changed the names of their crayons. In 1958, “Prussian Blue” was changed to “Midnight Blue,” since kids were no longer familiar enough with Prussian history to understand the reference to the Prussian soldiers’ dark blue uniforms.

In 1962, “Flesh” was changed to “Peach” in recognition that real flesh comes in a wide variety of colors. “Indian Red” was changed to “Chestnut” in 1999 because children mistakenly thought it was a reference to Native Americans and their skin color (it actually refers to red pigments often used in oil paints which come from India).

Now the last Crayola contest I remember, back in 1993, produced some really cool names: “Timberwolf,” “Macaroni and Cheese,” “Tickle Me Pink,” and “Asparagus” were all very cute, and aptly named! But something like “Best Friends” really doesn’t universally conjure up any particular color.

Do the new names change how I feel about Crayola products? Absolutely not! I still love their quality and affordability, and the names haven’t changed that. I just feel like the names could have been a bit more creative.

I’d really like to hear everyone else’s opinions on the new name changes! Leave me a comment and let me know what you all think.

Birthday Gift Ideas

2008-04-10T15:59:00.013-05:00

Cassandra, my little sister, has her eleventh birthday this month, so I’ve been trying to figure out what to get for her.

It’s not that I don’t know her well enough to know what she’d like… As a matter of fact, I basically just have to think back to when I was eleven, and then think about what I would have wanted. She’s essentially a miniature copy of me, only with blonde hair. I’ve got it narrowed down to a few ideas:

Art Supplies- The girl LOVES to draw and paint, just like I do! And, of course, I’m always glad to encourage her creativity and expression. I know she’s already got a huge collection of crayons and markers, so I was thinking I’d help her branch out into some other mediums. DM Creations makes an art set that includes crayons, markers, colored pencils, oil pastels, and paints, plus an easel. So that’s a definite possibility.

Science Kits- Both of us love science, especially chemistry. Since she’s getting to the age where she’s interested in things like makeup and perfume, I thought about the Perfumery Kit by Scientific Explorer. It’s got the ingredients to mix your own scents, and information on the history of perfume and aromatherapy. Fun, girly, and educational!

Books- Just like me, Cassie usually has a book with her so she can fill her spare time with reading. I was nosing around the Jungle Store the other day and I came across a copy of Black Beauty by Anna Sewell that comes with a figurine. She’s really getting into horses lately, so this would be perfect.

Do any of you have preteen girls on your list? If so, what kinds of toys are they into? I’d love any ideas or suggestions! :)

Kid Galaxy RC Toys: Fun On Wheels!

2008-04-07T15:49:00.013-05:00

Growing up with 3 brothers, I had quite a bit of exposure to the world of RC vehicles. All of the boys are younger than me, the eldest being 19 and the youngest 7, so it's been interesting to see how these fun toys have changed over the years. I remember my oldest brother having an RC monster truck that he would take "off-roading" around the neighborhood, making it zip around hairpin corners and occasionally sending it over our neighbor's decorative rocks and into her flowerbed. (She didn't think this was nearly as amusing as he did, needless to say!)

My youngest brother is really getting into RC cars now, and would have really enjoyed one of the My First RC vehicles from Kid Galaxy when he was a bit younger. They're designed especially for toddlers and the preschool set.

There are four different designs available:

The police car, fire truck, school bus, and garbage truck all come with two-button controls that are easy for younger kids to use.

For older RC fans, check out Kid Galaxy's Morphibians line!

These vehicles, modeled after a shark, an alligator, and a kimodo dragon, are fully waterproof. You can literally use them on ANY terrain- even the pool!

And, if you want an RC product more than one kid can use, I'd recommend the Kick It! RC Soccer Game, also by Kid Galaxy:

To play, each player uses the remote-controlled shoes to move the soccer balls past their opponent and into their goal. Fun for kids (and adults!) with a love for sports or a competitive streak.

If you want more information on other RC toys, RC-related events, or anything about the world of RC vehicles, check out this blog on RC hobbies.

As always, I'd love to hear from my readers, so leave me a note in the comments section and tell me your thoughts, ideas, suggestions, and questions!

Making Learning Fun: Geography

2008-04-04T11:11:00.010-05:00

Did you know that in 2001, a report released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress revealed that a whopping one-third of American fourth grade students couldn’t identify their state on a map of the USA? Clearly, geography isn’t clicking with kids in America.

It was easily one of my least favorite subjects in school. I hated it even more than I hated math. (And that says a lot, because numbers and I do NOT get along!) Looking back, I think the reason I hated it so much was that I found it dull. Whatever the reason, I know it’s a subject I could use some more knowledge in. South America, for example, is a complete mess for me. If you asked me to point out Venezuela on a globe, I’d probably just stare blankly at it for a few minutes and then just start pointing randomly and hoping for a miracle!

Looks like I could use one of these:

The Geo Safari Talking Globe by Educational Insights is a globe and a quiz game, all in one. It uses lights and sounds to teach and entertain kids as they learn about geography in the USA, Canada, and the rest of the world!

For kids who want to learn more about North American geography, try this:

This US & Canada GEOpuzzle by GEOtoys is a map and a jigsaw puzzle rolled into one! The pieces are shaped like states and provinces and include the names of capitals and major bodies of water. This would be a great learning tool for kids who are memorizing states and capitals!

Finally, check out Postcards From America, another learning game:

Players learn geography by “traveling” to cities across the USA based on actual postcards!

Any of these would be a fun and engaging way to teach geography to your own kids or a classroom full of eager students! You can find Arsa's other geography teaching tools by clicking here. Let us know what you think!

Find-It Games- As much fun as you can possibly pack into a tube!

2008-04-01T16:44:00.003-05:00

I’m not about to pretend that I don’t love toys, just because I’m an adult. In reality, I’m a little kid trapped in a 23-year-old’s body. I own a rather large amount of kid’s movies, and I regularly stop at the store to play in the toy aisle.

Consequently, it’s very hard for me not to just tell my boss to keep my paycheck and let me take my wage in Arsa products! And walking through the warehouse without getting distracted is just plain impossible.

The other day, we were downstairs looking for a box of our Acting Out Hokey Pokey Skirts (which are totally adorable, just for the record), and I happened to pass our group of Find-It games. I’d seen them on the website, and I knew they were one of our big sellers, but I’d never actually seen one or held it in my hands.

The concept is really very simple: a tube filled with plastic pellets and other fun objects. You turn and rotate the tube so that the pellets shift, revealing the objects. Each object is listed on the top of the tube, so you can keep track of how many you’ve found.

It’s SO ridiculously addictive!

I got distracted for at least fifteen minutes, turning the tube over and around, looking for the hidden treasures. And, since the contents shift every time, you can play over and over and over again!

Find It comes in several editions:

Find It Original Edition- The objects in the Original Edition are generally smaller and harder to see than the objects in the Kids’ Edition. Examples include a staple, fishing hook, and a piece of popcorn.

Find It Kids Edition- The brightly-colored Kids’ Edition features items geared toward kids, like letters of the alphabet, a marble, and a balloon.

Find It “At the Zoo”- In this special edition, you have to search for 47 animals, including a giraffe, a rhino, an elephant, and even a duck!

Find It “At the Beach”- This one is my favorite! The end caps on the tube are a pretty ocean blue, and you can search for beach-themed items like a shark, a beach chair, a lighthouse, and a bathing suit!

Find It Deluxe- The Deluxe Edition features a whopping 70 hidden objects for you to find! It also includes a deck of cards, spinner, timer, and rules for 6 different variations of gameplay in addition to the same scavenger-hunt style featured in the other editions.

Each edition features an extremely hard to find object: a real copper penny! Trust me, it's harder than you'd think! When you find the penny, you can enter the number of your game and the year of your penny on the Find It Games website and get your name on the Penny Register!

Best of all, the pellets in the Find It games are made of post-consumer recycled plastic, so you’re helping the environment by purchasing an eco-friendly product!

As a final note, this would be a great party or travel game, but I wouldn’t recommend purchasing one of these for the office… at least, not if you want to get anything done! :)

<[| [Crayola] |] comes to Arsa Toys!

2008-03-31T16:05:00.014-05:00

Recognize that brand of crayon? Odds are, you do. If not, though, here's the whole photo:

No name is more famous in the kid's art supplies industry than Crayola! I remember being so excited to go shopping for school supplies with my mom every fall, because it meant that I got to get a brand new box of crayons.

My mom, realizing that I didn't like to have limits placed on my creativity, always got the 96-count box, which was the largest they made at the time. I remember that the other kids were always envious of my crayon collection, which I kept meticulously organized into different color families so that I could easily find "Cornflower Blue" or "Goldenrod" when the need arose.

By the end of the year, the crayons were worn down to the last inch, the papers peeled back so that the color name was just barely still readable and the tips dulled and re-sharpened hundreds of times in their hours of use. We found creative ways to use and recycle them during the summer, and by the time fall rolled around again, I was eager to get a fresh box!

Crayolas were invented in the early 20th Century by Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith. Binney's wife, Alice, came up with the name by combining the French word craie, meaning "chalk," with the prefix to the word "oleaginous," meaning "oily." The first box of Binney & Smith Crayolas was produced in 1903, and featured the classic eight colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, black, and brown.

Now, Crayola crayons are available in sizes ranging from the classic 8-pack up to 120 different colors, as well as several different specialty crayons that glitter, glow in the dark, or come in zany scents.

I'm excited to announce that Arsa Toys is going to be adding Crayola products to their lineup within the week! Here are some of the new items we'll be adding:

Classic Crayola crayons, markers, colored pencils, and paints

The mess-free Color Wonder™ products, which feature a unique ink that only shows up on special Color Wonder™ paper

Model Magic®, a special modeling compound that air-dries in 24 hours, and can then be decorated with Crayola markers or paints

Check back at the end of the week to see the whole line at Arsa!

In addition, if you're interested in recycling some old crayons, here's an idea: use broken bits and shavings to create "Scribble Cookies!" My mom used to help us make these, and they're a blast:

1) Take an old muffin tin, spray the individual cups with non-stick cooking spray, and let the kids drop bits of old crayons into each cup. You can use all one color to make solid crayons, or mix them up for swirly, mulitcolored crayons. You can even add glitter!

2) Then, bake them at 200 degrees until the crayons are melted. This takes about 10 minutes, but check them often, since oven temperatures can vary. Once the wax is melted, carefully remove the muffin tin.

3) Let the Scribble Cookies cool thoroughly before removing them. This usually takes about an hour, but you can speed it up by popping them into the refrigerator if you're feeling impatient.
Voila! Your very own, homemade crayons!

You know, crayons aren't just for kids, either. I still keep a 96-count box at home, along with a sketchbook and a few coloring books, just in case I get bored on rainy days.

And occasionally, I color outside the lines, just for fun. :)

Just Horsin' Around!

2008-03-27T16:29:00.009-05:00

Someone wise once said, "A dog may be man's best friend, but the horse wrote history."

Of all the animals humans have domesticated over the years, perhaps none has been more important to the economy and progress of civilized man than the horse. They have pulled our chariots, carts, and plows, taken us across continents on their backs, and provided us with endless entertainment. On top of that, they're just plain beautiful!

The earliest documented proof of domesticated horses is from chariot burials dated at around 2000 B.C.E. Since then, we have continued to tame and breed the species, resulting in hundreds of distinct breeds specialized for specific tasks. One of the smallest horse breeds, the Falabella, is only about 32 inches tall, while the Shire, the largest breed, has been recorded at over seven feet from hoof to shoulder! Horses can also come in amazingly beautiful color patterns, from the mottled coat of the Appaloosa to the splotchy pinto coat of the Gypsy Cob.

If there is a horse lover in your life, they (and you!) will be happy to hear that Arsa Toys is adding Breyer collectible horses to our line! The new additions will consist of both the Classic® and Traditional® model lines, as well as plush dolls and the Minnie Whinnies™ collections.

Arsa also carries large selections of horses by Schleich and Papo, as well as many other horse-themed items, which you can view here.

Yo-Ho, Yo-Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me!

2008-03-26T16:22:00.010-05:00

How much did the pirate pay to have his ears pierced?

...A buccaneer!

Get it? Buccaneer, buck-an-ear... Okay, it was lame. I apologize. But seriously, who doesn't love pirates?!

Pirates have been sailing the seas since approximately 1200 B.C.E., but the pirates we typically think of were active from about 1560 C.E. to the mid 1720's. One of the most famous pirates, Captain Edward "Blackbeard" Teach, terrorized the Caribbean from 1713 until 1718, when he retired and moved to Bath, North Carolina to enjoy his pilfered fortune.

The classic skull-and-crossbones flag, called the Jolly Roger, was flown to scare merchant ships during robberies. However, clever corsairs often flew "false colors," or the flags of friendly ships, when approaching, so as not to cause the target ship to retreat too soon.

The life of a pirate wasn't all swashbuckling glamor, however. Many suffered from scurvy, a nutritional disorder caused by vitamin C deficiency which resulted in liver spots, spongy gums, and loss of teeth. Yuck! And if talk of mutiny got around to the Captain, you could be forced to walk the plank!

With the recent release of a certain pirate-themed trilogy (yes, that one starring Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom), pirate-themed toys have been a big hit with kids. They allow your young swashbuckling heroes to act out the exciting pirate drama, without worrying about having your teeth fall out or being made to spend eternity in Davy Jones' Locker. Here are some of Arsa's most popular pirate items:

Bitty buccaneers can terrorize the tub with this Pirate Ship Bath Toy by Tomy. It features a captain figure, squirting octopus, water wheel, and a cannon that fires water balls. There's even a dinghy, in case your little captain needs to abandon ship!

Older members of your crew will love the Pirate Chest Playset by Melissa and Doug. It includes a hand-stained wooden chest, Jolly Roger flag (which could also be worn as a bandanna), eye patch, and a drawstring bag full of "gold" doubloons. All that's missing is a treasure map...

...like this one! The Pirate Treasure Hunter Game by Wild Planet is an electronic game of hot-and-cold. The chest comes apart into two pieces. One person hides the bottom half, which contains the loot, while the other person takes the half with the map. The treasure half sends an electronic signal to the map half, and the "X" on the map changes from blue to orange as the seeker approaches the hiding spot. Captain Morgan would have given his mustache for a gadget like that!

Say, speaking of pirates, have you heard about the latest pirate movie? It's a bit racy, so it's rated "arrrrrrrgh!"

Good, clean fun!

2008-03-24T14:25:00.008-05:00

It seems like kids fall into one of two categories when it comes to baths: either they love to take their bath and never want to get out of the tub, or they act like bathing is a death sentence and you have to fight to get them into the water! I was always a big fan of bath time, and I think that had a lot to do with the fact that my parents always tried to make bath time fun for us.

Besides bubbles, which are an old stand-by and tons of fun in and of themselves, there are literally dozens of bath toys on the market that you can incorporate into your bath routine to make sure the kids have fun while getting clean. Here are some popular ones:

Bath crayons and paints: These soap-based art materials allow kids to draw or paint on the tub walls, shower door, or even their own bodies, for masterpieces that easily wash off in warm water.

Squirters: Kids love these! Just squeeze these plastic toys under the water's surface to fill them, then squeeze again above water to squirt the water out again! They come in all sorts of bright, fun shapes.

Foam bath "stickers": These soft, colorful, foam cut-outs stick to smooth surfaces when wet, allowing kids to spell out words or create scenes right on the walls of the tub or shower.

Music makers: Kids love to compose their own melodies, and the water xylophone, flute, and trumpet toys will allow your budding Beethoven to create his or her own music while soaking in the tub. Toddlers will enjoy the Water Symphony by Alex, a group of playful floating dolphins that each sound a different tone when you tap them on the head.

And, of course, we carry the classic rubber duckie to add a little nostalgic fun to your bath time routine!

You can check out Arsa's full line of bath toys by clicking here.

(Remember, kids should always be closely supervised while in the tub to ensure that they stay safe and get thoroughly clean!)

Spring has sprung! (Well, almost...)

2008-03-19T14:03:00.009-05:00

It seems like the snow and slush are finally behind us! I can definitely tell you all that I'm not sorry to be retiring my ice scraper for the year. But, as we all know, we won't see the beautiful May flowers without first enduring a few weeks of April showers.

Keeping kids occupied on grey, rainy days can be a real challenge. In my house growing up, we quickly learned never to tell our parents we were bored, because we were sure to be assigned some sort of cleaning duty if we did! Luckily, my mom is the artsy-type, so she always had a fun craft project stored up for days when the weather wasn't conducive to outdoor play.

Arts and crafts are a great way to occupy kids for long periods of time while allowing them to express themselves and develop their creativity. Studies have shown that children who participate in fine arts activities tend to do better in their other subjects, and it can also improve motor skills and aid in brain development.

At Arsa, we have a wide selection of arts and crafts kits for kids of all ages. For the toddler set, try something basic like finger paints. They don't have to struggle to hold a brush, and, as all parents know, kids love to get messy!

For older kids, there are literally hundreds of kits to choose from.

The budding ceramics artist will adore the Deluxe Pottery Wheel, by Alex. It functions just like a real potter's wheel, and has everything kids need to get started, including air-dry clay and paints to add the finishing touches on their masterpieces.

Girls will love our jewelry kits, like the Bead Party! Jewelry Workshop by Fashion Angels. With over 10,000 beads and instructions for seven types of projects, it's sure to be a hit. It would be great for a birthday or slumber party, since there's enough material to share with all her friends!

If the boys in your life are good with their hands, the Woodman Concepts kits by Woodland Magic are perfect for keeping them happily busy on a wet day. The kits let them construct their own toys out of durable beechwood using the old-fashioned dowel peg assembly technique, so parents don't have to worry about sharp screws or nails. Best of all, each kit comes with all the tools needed to complete the job, as well as paints to customize the finished project.

Of course, you should always supervise kids during any arts & crafts project, since some of the kits contain small pieces and things like glue or paint. And while you might love their works on paper, you might not feel the same way about your young Picasso doing his or her pièce de résistance on the living room wall!

Happy crafting, everyone. :)

Wild about animals?

2008-03-17T14:41:00.010-05:00

I've never met a child who wasn't absolutely fascinated by animals, and I know that many of us (self included!) never outgrow this fascination. There's something about the other creatures with whom we share this earth that just seems to captivate and enamor the young and old alike. That's why some of our most popular sellers at Arsa Toys are our animals!

We have a huge selection of animal figurines- everything from farm life and forest critters to sea creatures and dinosaurs, and even fictitious animals like dragons and unicorns! Both Schleich and Papo figures are meticulously hand-painted with incredible detail to make them extremely realistic, and they're made of durable PVC plastic so they'll last for years. Here are two of my personal favorites:

White-tailed fawn by Schleich

African elephant by Papo

In addition to plastic figurines, Arsa also has a nice selection of stuffed animals. My personal favorite is this giant plush tiger:

Our other giant plush toys include a dragon, a giraffe, and large pink and blue teddy bears.

Whether they're young or not-so-young, every animal fan you know will find something to love at Arsa Toys!

Radio Flyer: A Classic Revisited

2008-03-14T12:00:00.008-05:00

If I was asked to make a list of the most iconic classic toys, several would immediately come to mind for me: the Slinky, the Rubik's cube, and (because I'm quirky) the Pet Rock. But perhaps no toy is more synonymous with childhood than the little red Radio Flyer wagon!

The first steel Radio Flyer wagon was produced in 1930 by the Radio Steel and Manufacturing company based in Chicago, Illinois. It has been a pop culture legend ever since, being featured on television shows, in film, and in 20th century literature.

The famous little red wagon has been manufactured in many different styles and from various materials, including wood, steel, and plastic. However, the company's most famous model is still the #18 Classic Red Wagon, which has been in production for over 70 years!

The company has also created special limited edition wagons in colors other than red, including a yellow "Davey Crockett" model and a blue "Mickey Mouse Club" model in the 1950's, and a "Spirit of '76" model to celebrate America's bicentennial birthday, which was also blue.

Today, the line has been expanded to include the old classic wagons in addition to new models made of durable steel, wood or plastic. The company now manufactures other toys as well, such as tricycles, bicycles, ride-on cars and planes, and spring horses.

The Ultimate Family Wagon, winner of the 2006 iParenting Media Award, 2007 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award, and 2008 Children's Choice Award, even comes with a detachable UV-blocking canopy to shade little ones from harmful ultraviolet rays, safety belts to keep the kiddos securely strapped in, and enough cup holders to keep everybody hydrated. With the warmer weather coming up quickly, it would be a great way to get the whole family outside for quality time together in the fresh air and sunshine!

Arsa Toys is proud to carry a large line of Radio Flyer's products, viewable by clicking here.

Tents & Playhouses

2008-03-12T14:18:00.001-05:00

The staff at Arsa Toys has been busy adding lots of playhouses and tents. They’re reasonable prices and I’d love to buy a bunch for my grandsons! (There goes the paycheck…) But how can I resist cute things like:
Rocket "Blast Off"
Pirate Ship
and
Firestation

When they were little my girls would have loved those plus:
Fairy Princess Castle
Woodland Fairy Hut
and
Circus Tent

I can see them in my backyard now…though I might have to charge admission to the neighbor kids. ;-) I liked having kids play at my house though.

These would be fun for preschools, too.