“Twelve Weeks Before Christmas” Holiday Toy Series: Week #2 Arts & Crafts/Musical Toys

by littleones.com, on October 11th, 2009

WEEK #2:

ARTS & CRAFTS/ MUSICAL TOYS

The Little Ones "Twelve Weeks Before Christmas" Holiday Toy Series is designed to help parents and grandparents make smart choices by featuring outstanding/award winning "toys that teach," accompanied by reviews which highlight and explain the educational benefits and specific skills children receive from these types of toys.

Children of all ages love to experiment with colors, textures and rhythms. If you ask children what their favorite subjects are, they will usually reply "Art, Music or Gym!" Art & Music are not only enjoyable, but they play an important role in your child’s development. Creative expression, whether artistic or musical, develops your child’s ability to explore and experiment with a variety of materials. Open-ended artistic and musical toys nurture your child’s imagination, along with a sense of pride and accomplishment in a unique product. Children, especially younger children, enjoy having the freedom to design their own artistic or musical masterpieces. More structured art or musical toys, designed for older children, encourage them to follow directions or musical notes in order to complete a specific arts & crafts project or perform an actual musical piece. Art & Musical toys have the added benefit of promoting hand-eye coordination.

Your children will have hours of fun using these "totally cool" art sets and "awesome" musical instruments. So get the video camera ready for delightful musical concerts, and your refrigerator ready to display oodles of precious artwork!

Arts & Crafts:

Crayola Color Wonder Disney Princess Coloring Book & Markers Color Wonder technology allows markers to color only on the special paper, not on walls or furniture! Create 24 beautiful Disney Princess pictures with 6 Color Magic markers provided. Ages 3-7.

Crayola Color Wonder Disney Cars Coloring Book and Markers No mess activity which is perfect for toddlers and up. Color Wonder markers’ magic ink appears only on the special paper. Teaches young artists to color within the lines. Create 24 cool CARS pictures with 6 Color Magic markers provided. Ages 3-7.

Young Artist Creativity Box High quality 60 piece art set made in the USA, comes in sturdy red wooden box. Plentiful supplies include 24 colored pencils, 24 large oil pastels, 6 watercolor tubes, 2 brushes, mixing palette and more! Makes a wonderful gift set for young artists ages 10+.

Crayola Super Art Craft Case Deluxe art set has over 50+ pieces including crayons, markers, paint brushes, model magic, sidewalk chalk, glitter glue tubes, washable paint pots, cookie cutters, blunt scissors and a pack of construction paper. Extra large clear plastic storage case holds all supplies neatly. Wow! A real value and a great gift choice!

Melissa & Doug Flower Power Wooden Bead Set Colorful jewelry making set with over 150 beads and 5 laces. Beads come in a variety of shapes, colors and patterns and store neatly in handy wooden box. Creative fine motor activity sure to become an instant favorite! Ages 4-7.

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Stringing Beads with over 200 beads Over 200+ brightly colored wooden letters & beads along with 8 colored cords for lots of jewelry making fun! Beads store in wooden tray. Excellent gift choice for jewelry designers ages 4-6.

Perler Bonding Bead Blast Gift Box This awesome gift box contains 8000 colorful Perler beads and can make 40+ cool bead designs. Design your own magnets, ornaments, desk accessories and much more by placing beads on pegboard shapes. With an adult’s help, iron the beads to make them fuse together. Gift box also includes 4 fun pegboard shapes, ideas booklet, ironing paper and instructions. Ages 5-10.

IlluStory: Make Your Own Storybook Multiple Awards Winner! Imagine the sense of pride & accomplishment when your child creates and professionally publishes his/her very own storybook! This amazing set allows children to write and illustrate their own story on the special pages provided (or completely online using the Storymaker instructions.) Drafts are mailed in prepaid envelope (included) and in a few short weeks, your child will receive a color-copied, professionally hard bound storybook! Books can include About the Author, special dedication and title pages.This set includes 18 book pages, 2 cover pages, 10 washable markers, story web planner, instructions and order form. Encourages reading, writing and illustrating skills! Extra copies can be ordered for family members. A truly unique gift that lasts for years to come! Ages 5-9.

Make A Plate Another Award Winner! This fantastic craft kit allows children to draw their very own plate design, mail their artwork away, and in a short period of time, receive a usable, dishwasher safe, break-resistant 10 inch melamine plate featuring their artwork! An absolutelly wonderful way to preserve children’s drwaings. Makes an extra special keepsake to use each day or to give away to family members. This set includes 5 drawing sheets, markers, instructions, order form and one pre-paid certificate for processing one plate. Ages 4-10.

Alex Toys My First Sewing Kit Award Winning Beginners Sewing Kit! Start making quick & easy projects with this wonderful first sewing kit. Includes 8 cool pre-cut patterns, 8 colors of embroidery floss, shapes to make felt animals, notebook cover, stuffing, fabric, needles, measuring tape, pins, thimble, pin cushion and more! Everything your child needs to get sewing! Excellent craft & life-learning experience. Ages 7-12.

Crayola Model Magic Deluxe Variety Pack Unique, lightweight and pliable modeling clay allows children to make and display their own clay sculptures. Won’t crumble or stick! Final products can be painted, colored with marker or decorated with glitter glue. Decorative accessories such as eyes, buttons etc. can be added during air drying process. Kit includes 14 colored packs of clay along with 60 project ideas, tips and techniques. Ages 3+

Sculpey III Multipack – Classic Collection Preserve your child’s clay masterpieces with Sculpey Clay! Sculpey clay can actually be baked in the oven (similar to kilns) so that children’s clay artwork can be made permanent. Kit includes 10- 2 ounce Sculpey bars in classic colors, along with instructions and a project ideas booklet. Unlock your child’s creative potential with Sculpey! Ages 8+

Music:

Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube Award winning interactive musical cube lets little ones create 8 Mozart masterpieces. Cube sides include the harp, French horn, piano, flute, and violin which light up and play instrument sounds. Sounds can be played solo or added together to create a symphony. Features soft rounded edges and durable design. Fascinating musical toy for the wee ones!

Little Tikes Drum Strike up the band! Little ones will have a lot of fun learning rhythm & timing while playing on this colorful, sturdy 8" wide drum. Mallots cannot get lost since they are safely attached to the sides of the drum. Provides great sensory & motor skills play. Ages 18 months-3 years!

Glockentoddler Toy Instrument This perfectly tuned, musically correct Glockenspiel will be music to your ears. This brightly colored 8-note diatonic instrument features safe metal keys, a specially designed toddler safe mallet which stores conveniently underneath, and an activity guide. Ages 12 months-4 years.

LeapFrog® Learn & Groove Musical Table Music, learning & fun rolled into one! Choose from this amazing toy’s words or music options. Learn about ABCs, colors, opposites, counting to 10 and primary shapes or play on piano keys, tap the drum, groove to over 40 songs and melodies, and listen to nursery rhymes & instrument sounds. Flip a switch to change from English to Spanish. Best of all, this toy grows with your child. It sits flat on the floor for babies and adjusts to toddler play by adding included table legs. Provides hours upon hours of visual, auditory and fine motor stimulation and skills practice. An educational wonderland sure to delight little ones from 6 months- 3 years.

Fisher Price Rock & Play Piano Little ones can create music with this electronic piano by rocking on its seat, or playing the piano keys. Children select from 3 different play modes and from 5 different instrument sounds: piano, violin, harp, tuba, or flute. Your child will absolutely love flipping the music book to listen to a choice of 4 classical songs or 4 children’s tunes. Auto shut off feature saves batteries. A real favorite!

LP RhythMix 6-pc. Rhythm Kit Kids love a parade! This award winning 6 piece set of great sounding rhythm instruments will get children moving and shaking! Includes a handled drum, jingle stick, triangle, tone block, two Chick-Itas, two mallets, and a small backpack for storage.

Schoenhut My First Piano II Well built, bright red or white 25-key tabletop piano is the perfect choice for a toddler’s first piano. Delightful sounding notes. Great for encouraging musical creativity and hand/eye coordination. Play-by-color teaching method, makes playing simple and fun. A removable color strip fits behind the keys to guide small fingers. Includes songbook of familiar tunes. Ages 3-6 years.

For more holiday information, please see:

The Little Ones Holiday Gift Giving Guide and

**The upcoming schedule of Little Ones "Twelve Weeks Before Christmas Holiday Toy Series"

Little Ones "Top 25"

Award Winning/Outstanding Toy Picks