If you are a mother of boys then you will certainly be able to relate to the subject of the ongoing search for the latest and greatest toys and gadgets for busy little boys. The popular “mega girly” Club Libby Lu, the Hannah Montana craze and Princesses galore make it more than feasible to purchase the optimal gift for a friend’s daughter or your own. Let’s face it … we shop for a little girl and we spend more money than we intend. Why? The choices are endless, not to mention the emotion and creativity the manufacturers pour into the design and production of dolls, beauty centers and fashion accessories for our lovely little divas. We have quickly adapted to “more is more” for our little girls and the marketplace happily obliges, but what about our sweet little boys?
This being said I consistently made a diligent effort to offer more of a balance between boys and girls in selection. The market and industry often dictated what was “hot” for girls; however when it came to our little boys I had my work cut out for me! Sure there was always the token blockbuster film dominating the toy industry but who wants to buy the same product that every other little guy has in the neighborhood? Just like girls, our boys like to be voted “most popular” on the playground.
Here are a few toy ideas and websites to share from my years of shopping for specialty toys for little boys. Play value was always the key coupled with safety, education, and hand and eye coordination. Durability and quality were also key factors in my decision process.
Siku is one of my favorites for high tech, high level standards in toy trucks and cars. “Siku” is a German manufacturer and offers so much more than a dump truck. Who doesn’t need a Liebherr Hydraulic Excavator? In addition, back hoe loaders and street sweepers are popular. You can find these and more at 300Toys.com.
Quercetti manufactures a spectacular exclusive vortex loaded with multiple marble launches, paddle wheels and double length bridges. It contains 220 pieces, ages 6 and up. Made in Italy. You can find Quercetti on Educational Toys Planet along with several other unique and fantastic toy items for boys.
Be sure to check out Ravenburger on line and view the 2007 award winning “Pirates of the High Seas.” Your little one can hoist the sails in a supersize 3-D pirate game. Ages 6 and up.
Discovery Toys has a very popular toy for the toddler boy; I have bought this several times and has been a smash! It is called “Farm animals bowling set” — not only is it visually pleasing, it is safe, interactive and offers open ended play! I have multiple favorites, however I had to narrow it to a few so my final recommendations would be LearningResources and their “Wacky Wigglers.” They are motorized buildingsets. Learning Resources also offers several other styles in this category. Melissa and Doug and the classic Radio Flyer are also worth a browse.
You can shop in quantity for your little guys as you do for your little gals, you just need to know where to look. The year has begun and birthday parties, milestones, and soon the holidays will once again be upon us. Begin now, take pride and have fun in toy and gadget shopping for our equally sweet little boys and their toys.
Happiness is having the brightest, biggest back hoe loader in the sandbox!
