HUDSON, Ohio, Nov. 19 -- When picking a toy for your children this holiday season, your best choices are toys that your kids will love when they open them and for months to follow. What types of toys stay hot all year long? According to Dr. Alan Greene, renowned author and pediatrician, toys that allow children to use their imaginations and develop their creative minds. Toys that kids will want to play with over and over again because each time they pick them up, they can use them to explore new worlds. Toys that parents will buy with confidence because they have an outstanding reputation for safety and durability. These are the types of "hot" toys that Little Tikes offers for this holiday season... and beyond.
Little Tikes proudly presents a different kind of "hot list" for the holidays - The Little Tikes' Top Ten Toys for the Holidays ... AND All Year Long:
1. Goofy Giggles Remote Control: Infants learning to crawl and toddlers learning hand/eye coordination will have a blast chasing after the bright colors and whimsical sounds of this remote controlled play pal. Recommended age: 6-36 months; MSRP: $19.99.2. Rugged Riggz Race Car Hauler: With detail that kids will love and a soft plastic design that parents will appreciate, this rig carries a replica of Kurt Busch's #97 NASCAR, giving kids multiple play options. Recommended age: 3 years and up; MSRP: $14.99.
3. Donnie the Dump Truck: Designed to be baby's first truck, Donnie comes with a smiling face, six sturdy wheels and a chunky handle - perfect for little ones learning to kneel and stand. Recommended age: 6-36 months; MSRP: $9.99.
4. Spark Racerz Street Rod: There's nothing like burning rubber! Just pull this pocket-sized hot rod back and let it rip; kids can watch the sparks light up under the hood before they let it go. Recommended age: 3 years and up; MSRP: $4.99.
5. Sonic Sounds Remote Control Jet: This radio-controlled airplane puts kids in control so they can bank during turns and rev the engine during "take-off." Recommended age: 3 years and up; MSRP: $29.99
6. Cookin' Fun Interactive Kitchen: A full-service kitchen that features all the lights and cooking sounds of mom and dad's, including a faucet with "running water" and sink-full of dishes. Recommended age: 2 years and up; MSRP: $99.99
7. ActionPower Workshop: Perfect for young craftsmen developing their skills, this workbench comes with three ActionPower tools. Recommended age: 2 years and up; MSRP: $59.99
8. Fashion Time Talking Vanity: This take-along, interactive vanity encourages dress-up with a lighted mirror and accessories that activate voice prompts. Recommended age: 2 years and up; MSRP: $22.99
9. Go & Grow Rider: Kids can scoot around the house on their first ride- on. Over-sized back wheels add stability for little ones just learning to wheel around. Recommended age: 9-36 months; MSRP: $24.99
10. The Wiggles Big Red Car: With the crew from the hit kids show "The Wiggles" along for the ride, this car offers two-wheel drive and a working horn. Recommended age: 18 months and up; MSRP: $39.99
Dr. Greene suggests parents search for toys that stimulate imagination, creativity and role-playing. Toys that incorporate these features help children gain independence and self-esteem, encourage resourcefulness and can even help reduce stress. Dr. Greene offers tips on selecting the right toys that will appeal to your child when first unwrapped and for months to come... -- Let Kids Express Themselves: Toys that promote open-ended play allow children to stretch their imaginations. Toy trucks, for example, offer children the opportunity to express their imaginations as they explore different roles and scenarios.-- Make Sense-able Choices: Children should play with toys that stimulate their senses. Kids learn about their environments through tastes, textures, smells and sight with sensory activities.
-- Promote Playing Together: Look for toys that build social skills and encourage interaction with family and friends. Kids will learn cooperation, respect for others and how to work as a team.
-- Help Kids Get Physical: Toys that encourage physical play, such as crawling, hopping, pushing and running, help kids develop balance and strong muscles while keeping them active and healthy. With the number of overweight children on the rise, physical exercise is a critical part of any child's play routine.
-- Aim for Age-Appropriateness: Pay attention to the age group recommended on the toy's package. Playing with toys best suited for a child's age and developmental levels helps eliminate boredom and frustration.
-- Buy What's Built to Last: Select toys from well-known manufacturers with a reputation for quality products. Not only will you get your money's worth when a toy lasts for years, you also won't have to worry about safety hazards.
Little Tikes toys are available at major retailers across the U.S. For a complete list of Little Tikes holiday toys and where you can find them, visit www.littletikes.com.
About Little Tikes: The Little Tikes Company, founded in 1970, is a Hudson, Ohio-based multi-national manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, innovative children's products. The world's largest rotational molder and a Newell Rubbermaid company, Little Tikes employs more than 2,000 associates around the world. For more information, visit www.littletikes.com.
