Top 10 Toys For Christmas 2013

So what's on your kids' Christmas present list this year? It's always hard to know what to buy and you don't want to get it wrong!

New Zealand’s toy experts Toyworld has compiled the annual Christmas list of favourite toys from global trends.

From their findings it seems that in New Zealand nostalgic toys will top the list of the most popular toys for Christmas 2013. Old brands will make a comeback, technology will continue to play a big part along and toys that perform well every year such as Lego and Disney products will also be popular.

Check out Toyworld’s Top 10 selection for Christmas 2013:

1. Playskool Big Hugs Elmo - Preschoolers will be entertained and invited to cuddle, sing, move and explore while learning their ABCs, numbers, shapes, colours and more! Suitable for kids 18 months to 4 years.
2. Robo Fish - Small, intelligent and packed with the latest technology, the super cool techno-toy Robo Fish replicates the natural movement of a fish. Suitable for kids 3 years old+.
3. Cabbage Patch Kids Fashionalities - Cabbage Patch Kids are back! Each kid is one of a kind and comes with a birth certificate and adoption papers. The new dolls are a collectible range of fashionistas in cool outfits from around the world. Suitable for kids 3 years+.
4. Micro Chargers Time Track - watch the biggest Micro Chargers race challenge yet with the Time Track set! Suitable for kids 4 years+.
5. Leapfrog LeapPad Ultra - Built for kids, inside and out, LeapPad Ultra is the 100% kid-perfect tablet with 7 inch hi-res screen, Wi-Fi with kid-safe web, and access to a library of 800+ fun and educator-approved apps, games, eBooks, videos, music and more. Suitable for kids 4-11 years.
6. Disney Infinity Starter Pack - his video game starter pack comes with a Disney Infinity Base plus 3 Disney Infinity Play Sets: Monsters University, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Incredibles. Suitable for kids 5+.
7. MGP Scooters - The all-new 2013 MGP Models are lighter, stronger and smoother with the latest colours and graphics. Suitable for kids 5+.
8. Furby Boom - The all new Furby Boom has a mind of its own and combines physical and digital ways to play! Interact with your Furby Boom 1-on-1 to shape its personality or hatch and raise digital Furby Furblings. Suitable for kids 6 years+
9. Lego Dolphin Cruiser - Set course for an ocean adventure on the Dolphin Cruiser with Mia, Maya and Andrew. Suitable for kids 7-12 years.
10. Nerf Centurion - Launch a long-range assault with this incredible high-calibre Centurion blaster! This N-Strike Elite blaster features bigger darts that are engineered to fire farther than ever. Suitable for kids 8 Years+.

Have a look and see the most popular toys for Christmas 2012 and the most popular toys for Christmas 2011!

This article was written by the team at Under 5s.

Preventing driveway deaths, injuries & accidents amongst preschoolers

New Zealand has too many driveway accidents affecting kids under 5 years old. We take a look at the key facts, how to spot dangerous driveways and safety checks you can make to prevent accidents happening.

Check out these tips on how to keep your kids safe around driveways:

Key facts

• Children at the most risk are aged between one and three years old.  
• Driveway accidents in New Zealand are more common in the summer months between December and February when children are more likely to be playing outside.
• Most driveway accidents happen in the afternoon between 4.00pm and 7.00pm or in the morning between 10.00am and midday.  
• Unfortunately it's a sad fact that kids are more likely to be run over in the driveway by one of their own parents than anyone else.

Spotting dangerous driveways

• A driveway can be potentially dangerous when it is:
• A driveway with no separate pedestrian access to the house.
• A long driveway.
• A driveway which is not separated from a play area by a fence or hedge.
• A driveway in a quiet road or cul-de-sac.
• A driveway leading to lots of parking.
  

Safety checks

• Count the kids before you start to drive and ensure that they are either belted in the car or out of harms way.
• Check blind spots.
• Don't let kids use driveways as play areas.
• Ensure an adult is supervising toddlers and young children at all times.
• Ensure you have a safe fenced place for children to play.
• Ask visitors to park on the road.

For more information on driveway safety visit www.safekids.org.nz.

Remember to take a look at our other articles from helping kids to clean up their room, to flying with small children, making play dates fun, how to avoid tears at the school gate & more!

This article was written by the team at Under 5s.

_{Image source: mummys of style & substance}

Make your own musical instruments for kids

Have fun and make your own musical instruments from things you have at home.

Music engages all areas of a child’s brain and it’s so important for kids to experience as many different kinds of music as possible including rhythm, rhyme, and repetition in music and songs.

Kids love creating their own music from an early age. Why not have a go at making these simple musical instruments, and even form your own band at home.

Guitar

Wrap rubber bands around a small sturdy topless box. Play by strumming your fingers across the rubber band.

Finger Cymbals

Punch 2 holes into identical small jar lids. Thread a pipe cleaner through the holes and twist to make finger handles. Put one onto each pointer finger and bang the lids together.

Triangle

Tie a string around the top of a wire coat hanger and bend the hook closed. Hold onto a string and hit the hanger with a metal spoon.

Wrist bells

String 3 or 4 bells onto a pipe cleaner. Twist the ends together to form a bracelet.

Drum

Get out a cooking pot and beat the bottom of it with a wooden spoon.

Check out how to make these fun musical instruments too to teach your kids different rhythms and sounds

• Bongo pongo drums
• Glove bagpipes
• Yoyo shakers

This article was written by the team at Under 5s.

Trying to decide what theme to have for your kids birthday party?

Here are some birthday party theme ideas suitable for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

Complete your ideas with a wide range of party ware, invitations, party decorations and themed food and fancy dress costumes.

Colour is an important part of any room decoration. You may decide to choose a couple of colours as your scheme, or go with all bright or all pastel colours. 

Themed parties are fun to organise yourself, but if time is short, why not hire a party planner to plan and set up the perfect themed birthday party. Party planners have specially designed and affordable themed party packages to suit your needs, or work with them to create your own themed birthday party.

Kids birthday party themes include:

Little Boys Themes

• Aliens
• Building/construction
• Cars
• Dinosaurs
• Farmyard
• Firemen
• Heavy vehicles
• Musketeers
• Pirates
• Race cars
• Rugby
• Soccer
• Space
• Super heroes
• Trains

 

Little Girls Themes

• Ballerinas
• Fairies
• Glitter ponies
• Handbags and heels
• Mermaids
• Paddock ponies
• Princess's Ball
• Tea Parties
• Unicorn adventures

 

Themes For Babies & Toddlers

• Boots, brollies and bubbles
• Butterflies and bees
• Farmyard friends
• Ladybug picnic
• Rainbows
• The Hungry Caterpillar
• The Three Bears
• Zoo Party

 

Themes For Everyone

• Bowling
• Circus
• Crazy Bananas
• Disco Parties
• Funky Disco Party
• Glamour Dance Party
• Jungle Animals
• Under the Sea

Have a look at our other birthday party tips and ideas and birthday party suppliers to make it a day to remember.

This article was written by the team at Under 5s.

Image source: amazingkidsbirthdaypartyideas.com