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    A few years ago we ran an article on safe toys for the church nursery.  In this article we reviewed a number of toys that were excellent choices for the nursery and early childhood classrooms.  We are doing this again for two reasons.  First, there are many new, excellent toys available that continue to encourage development in young children and secondly, toys that are used often get abused and need to be replaced for safety sake.  I would like to encourage you to take a moment and set aside some time to sit down and take a close look at the toys in your nursery and preschool ministries.  Those that are no longer safe, throw away.  Toys with jagged edges, broken parts, missing parts, small parts, and torn, loose eyes are not safe choices for your children's ministries.  You can replace toys with money from your budget, by asking people to donate a special offering to purchase new toys or by having a "toy party" where you make a list of toys you would like for the nursery and then have refreshments, and games and people can bring the toy they purchased for an evening of fun and fellowship.  Be very careful about accepting used toys.  Some may be in sound, safe condition while others may really only be fit to be tossed away.

    I am delighted to be able to share some reviews of truly excellent toys for children from birth through 5 years old.  All these toys meet and exceed safety standards and are excellent choices for your children's ministries.  Plus, many of them are very reasonably priced making them an excellent value as well!

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Birth and up

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Dreamscapes Soother Manufacturer - LeapFrog Ages - Birth +

• Favorite Features:
• clearly marked for age intended
• batteries accessible only with a screwdriver
• able to be used by attaching to a crib, or by setting next to the baby
• encourages cognitive skills - language recognition, memory and early reading
• plays five lullabies from around the world for 10 minutes - when completed the lights and music gradually dim
• plays a poem and sings a song and tells a story
• colorful images of animals and nature scroll across the screen that synchronize to the story

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Roll & Rhyme Melody Block Manufacturer - LeapFrog Ages - Birth +

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• batteries accessible only with a screwdriver
• encourages development of -
• tactile activities - exploration
• music & rhyme & rhythm
• cognitive development -
• problem solving
• language
• memory
• animal names
• colors
• colorful, soft, things to move
• parent guide give information on how to use and play with children
• easy to clean

    LeapFrog gave much attention to details, safety and quality when they made these toys that grow with our youngest child.  Tremendously well done, LeapFrog!

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Mini Polka-dot Rattle Manufacturer - Sassy Baby Ages - Birth +

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• colorful, textured, soft, rubber rattle with dots, moving rings and rattle sounds
• easy to clean - washing instructions included
• instructions fro them baby - tremendous feature tells parents how to use toys with their baby
• information on which developmental area toy is designed to encourage growth in

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Me in the Mirror Manufacturer - Sassy Baby Ages - Birth +

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• large mirror that angles so baby can see when lying in crib
• flexible, multiple uses as baby grows
• soft, colorful, toys, ribbons, rings attached add to the fun
• bells, clicks add to the fun
• I love the space to put a picture of baby's family

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Tons of Fun Crib Activity Toy Manufacturer - Sassy Baby Ages - Birth +

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• 10 fun activities to challenge and delight babies
• plays a song
• colorful, bright toy easily attaches to the crib for our youngest ones

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Developmental Mobile Manufacturer - Sassy Baby Ages - Birth - 5 months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• batteries accessible only with screwdriver
• remote control allows parents/caregivers to control without entering the room and disturbing baby
• two sides to the mobile toys - one for birth - 2 months and one for 2 to 5 months
• mobile toys are colorful, reversible and have beads to make sounds
• music box plays classical music, lullabies and ocean songs
• music box can be used after child outgrows mobile
• music plays for 10 minutes
• music diminishes slowly during final minute of play
• free booklet on healthy sleep habits for baby

    Sassy Baby makes excellent toys intentionally designed to challenge the young child as they grow and begin to develop.  Color, sound and texture are all part of Sassy toys.  Tremendously well done Sassy Baby!

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Skwish Ball Manufacturer - Manhattan Baby Ages - Birth - 12 months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• bright colors to capture the interest of little ones
• easy to hold
• sliding beads sure to get baby's attention
• light weight, easy to hold
• beads make a soft, "jingly" sound when they slide

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Revel & Romp Dog Wrist Rattle Manufacturer - Manhattan Baby Ages - Birth - 9 months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• soft, fun colors
• fun features - teethers and rattles
• easy to clean
• soft, padded toy with easy on/off fastener
• encourages child to recognize cause/effect

    Manhattan Baby makes a quality toy priced tremendously affordable.  Extremely well done Manhattan Baby!

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3 months and up

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Three Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed Manufacturer - Sassy Baby Ages - 3 + months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• batteries accessible only with a screw driver
• colorful, multi textures, cute and fun
• song adds to the fun
• encourages interaction between parent/child

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Ribbon Rascals Manufacturer - Sassy Baby Ages - 3 + months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• soft, multi-textures, colorful, bright
• fish squeaks, lamb and elephant rattle
• teether feet/fins

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Smiley Face Rattle Manufacturer - Sassy Baby Ages - 3 + months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• colorful, friendly smiley face and wiggly eyes
• beads to rattle, nose to squeak
• mirror on back

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Mane Attraction Manufacturer - Sassy Baby Ages - 3 + months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• soft, colorful, friendly lion face
• mirror on back
• ribbons add to the fun
• attached ball with bell, rattle and textured heart teether

    Sassy continues to provide toys for our little ones as they grow and learn about their world.  Extremely well done, Sassy Baby!

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1,2,3 Baby Tigger & Me Manufacturer - Fisher Price Ages 3 + months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• extremely creative, toy can be used by young babies and continue to be a loved, favorite friend for years to come
• start as a soft, activity gym for baby
• move the tail so baby can sit up and play as baby grows
• finally, remove activity toys and baby Tigger is a big, cuddly friend for years to come
• activity toys squeak, crinkle and have a mirror - they can be removed to continue the fun

    I am beyond impressed with this toy from Fisher Price!  It is soft, encourages the developing baby, tremendously versatile and combines all that with the much loved Pooh friend, Tigger!  Tremendously well done, Fisher Price!

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6 months and up

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Wide Tracker Activity Walker Manufacturer - Little Tikes Ages - 6 - 36 months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• parent controlled speed adjustment for safety
• colorful, bright colors
• easy to clean
• seven fun activities with motion and sound
• use as a walker of fold to play on the floor

    As always, Little Tikes has made a quality toy for children who are learning to walk and beginning to discover their world.  Extremely well done Little Tikes!

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Stack & Nest Aquarium		Peek a Pet
			Manufacturer - Manhattan Baby Ages - 6 to 24 months
	Put and Peek Birdhouse

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• bright colors sure to capture the attention of little ones
• soft fabric combined with clear plastic makes toys engaging and fun
• surprises like puppets, rattles and mirrors are sure to engage and delight young children
• multi-sensory and encourages hand eye coordination, size discrimination

    Manhattan Baby has brilliantly designed toys for young children that will not only are fun to play with, but will also encourage the growing baby to discover and learn about their world.  Tremendously well done Manhattan Baby!

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Sesame Street Baby Discoveries Activity Atom Manufacturer - Fisher Price Ages - 6 + months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• batteries accessible only with a screwdriver
• encourages -
• fine and gross motor skills
• auditory and visual stimulation
• cognitive development with auditory/visual discrimination and exploration of cause/effect
• toy has child's sesame street friends talk
• lights, sounds and mirror add to the fun
• ball detaches for more playtime fun
• bright colors, durable and easy to clean

    Once again, Fisher Price shows creativity in developing toys that young children will truly enjoy and learn from!  Tremendously well done Fisher Price!

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Manufacturer - Sassy Baby
Ages - 6 + months

Silly Stampede	Speedy Swimmer

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• colorful, bright, soft cheerful faces
• pull toys back and the roll forward on wobbly wheels to delight young children

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Who Loves Baby? Photo Book Manufacturer - Sassy Baby Ages - 6 + months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• colorful, vynal photo book
• creative, fun way to interact with baby
• space to fill with pictures of baby and people baby knows

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9 months and up

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Critter Cubes Manufacturer - Sassy Baby Ages - 9 + months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• bright, colorful, fun, animal home soft cubes
• critters each have a home cube
• variety of textures
• some critters make sounds for more fun
• variety of ways to play and interact with child
• encourages animal recognition and matching the correct animal with it's home

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Stacking Cups Manufacturer - Sassy Baby Ages - 9 + months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• bright, colorful patterns
• easy to clean

    Sassy has developed a line of toys for babies that truly are creative, affordable and excellent as well as fun!  Tremendously well done, Sassy Baby!

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12 months and up

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Puppetotamus Tub Toy Manufacturer - Manhattan Baby Ages - 12 + months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• soft fabric dries quickly
• fun in and out of the tub
• bright fun colors
• encourages imaginative play as well as interaction between parent and child
• sized for young hands to enjoy

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18 months and up

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Lollipuppets Manufacturer - Manhattan Baby Ages - 18 + months

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• soft, colorful, unique puppet
• easy for child to use
• encourages imaginative and cooperative play

    Manhattan Baby has the most extensive line of puppets designed for young children to enjoy, develop imagination and encourage interaction with parents/care giver and child.  Tremendously well done, Manhattan Baby!

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2 years and up

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Manufacturer - Little Tikes
Ages - 2 and up

Action Power Workshop
	Cookin' Fun Interactive Kitchen

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• batteries accessible only with a screwdriver
• durable, colorful, easy to clean plastic construction
• workbench includes toy circular saw, drill, sander, stapler, level, hammer, screwdriver, phone, nails, screws, vise, wood, wrench and birdhouse kit as well as a table saw for house of fun, imaginative play
• tools make noises to add to the fun
• kitchen set includes microwave with sounds, coffee maker with pot, phone, fridge, dishwasher, sink, oven and stove with toy food, dishes and utensils
• stove "talks" - identifies type of food child is "cooking" and sink makes sounds of running water
• stove "encourages" children to clean up and put things away when they finish playing - excellent!

    Whatever children either receive these toys or are able to play with them at church, they are sure to have many opportunities to pretend, develop cooperative play and imagination.  These are excellent choices for use at home, church, school, day care - anywhere there are preschool age children.  Tremendously well done Little Tikes!

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Cowgirl Dora Manufacturer - Fisher Price Ages - 2 years +

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• batteries accessible only with a screwdriver
• Dora sings and talks
• include Pinto the stick house and Dora's cowgirl outfit
• talks in english and spanish

    Fisher Price does an excellent job of designing toys that combine children's "friends" with fun, developmental toys.  Extremely well done Fisher Price.

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Manufacturer - Manhattan Baby
Ages - 24 months +

Bellybops
	Trotter Horse
	Avery Elephant

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• soft fabric, easy to clean
• encourages imaginative play
• fun friends provide unique opportunities for a child's imagination to grow!

    Fun, creative, affordable, imaginative - these words all describe toys from Manhattan Baby!  Extremely well done Manhattan Baby!
 

3 years and up

Manufacturer - Play Along Toys
Ages - 3 years +

Care Bears
	Care-a-lot Friends
	Collector's Edition

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• batteries accessible only with screwdriver
• soft, colorful, cuddly toys
• fun names - Bedtime Bear, Funshine Bear, Cheer Bear, Love-alot Bear
• cheery, colorful symbols on their tummies add to the fun
• Care-a-lot Friends "talk" and light up when hugged
• unique heart on each bear

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Curly Q's Manufacturer - Play Along Toys Ages - 3 years +

• Favorite Features -
• marked for age intended
• soft, cuddly doll with big smile
• includes four barrettes and plastic curling wand
• unique, fun, bendy hair for playtime styling fun!

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The Dog Manufacturer - Play Along Toys Ages - 3 years +

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• soft, cuddly, dog friends with big noses and faces
• available in many, many dog breeds

    Play Along has developed several lines of soft, cuddly, friendly stuffed friends children will love for years!  Tremendously well done Play Along!

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Manufacturer - Manhattan Toys
Ages - 3 years +

Ragalangs		Ragtails
	Bernie Bunny		Wanda Elephant

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• unique, incredibly soft fabric truly make these extremely huggable friends
• affordably priced
• available in large or small sizes
• available in a variety of animals
• encourages imaginative and cooperative play

    Children often want to have a soft, friend to cuddle and take along with them.  Manhattan Toys has truly designed some of the softest, most cuddly friends imaginable with attention to quality and "huggability" - Tremendously well done, Manhattan Toys!

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Cabbage Patch Kids Manufacturer - Toys R Us Ages - 3 years +

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• soft, cuddly bodies
• unique features for dolls - girls, boys, hair, color of hair/skin
• smiling friendly faces make for much loved friends children will enjoy for years
• change of clothes available to add to the fun
• dolls have names and "adoption" certificates
• encourages imaginative and cooperative play

    For many years now, Cabbage Patch Kids have been much loved friends for children everywhere.  Children love to play and pretend with dolls - at home, church, day care - in any setting.  These dolls are made with attention to quality and "loveability" - tremendously well done Toys R Us!

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Loving Family Sweet Streets Hotel Manufacturer - Fisher Price Ages - 3 years +

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• bright, colorful plastic - easy to clean
• complete with furnishings, dolls and accessories
• portable for take-along-fun
• encourages imaginative/cooperative play
• other components available to make a town of fun
• moving elevator adds to the fun

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Manufacturer - Fisher Price
Ages - 3 years +

Mission Select Rescue Heroes		Jake Justice
Police Cruiser

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• batteries accessible only with screwdriver
• durable, easy to clean
• encourages imaginative/cooperative play
• six different missions add to the fun
• sirens, lights, engine sounds, voices - when characters ride in the care, they talk and interact

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4 years and up

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Imaginext system

Buccaneer Bay Manufacturer - Fisher Price Ages - 4 years to 10 years

• Favorite Features -
• clearly marked for age intended
• encourages creativity, hand-eye coordination
• several options for assembly add to the fun
• unique, creative and durable toy
• easy to clean
• encourages imaginative and cooperative play

    Fisher Price consistently shows the level of thought, creativity and care put into the development of their toys.  Tremendously well done, Fisher Price!
 

    These are just a few of the many excellent toys available for young children, take time to check out our annual Christmas Toy Review the beginning of November for more ideas on quality toys for your children's ministries!

Nursery Table of Contents

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