Holiday Toy List for the Savvy (and safe) Shopper

Toys R' Us and KBtoys.com released their Hot Holiday Toys of 2007 October 11th and they hit Google like a landslide. But I disagree with the lists they came up with.

Why? Mostly because the toys on the list are flashy plastic character toys. But, also because some of the toys are ones I have never even heard of. Are they not listening to the public (mommy bloggers?)

Obviously other researchers are...I know that Parenting Magazine did all of their research before the lead recalls even hit so that just may be the case with many research and development teams and unfortunately, they are going to lose out to savvy consumers like me. (Only one of their toys came from one of my much researched list...Hape)

What am I going to purchase for my kids? Toys that I trust from sources that I trust; not products like Hannah Montana "Best of Both Worlds" Singing Doll and Fisher-Price Smart Cycle but for some reason they are selling.

What I am really surprised about is the manufacturers on the list...Mattel and Fisher Price with products like character toys Fisher-Price T.M.X Tickle Me Extreme Cookie Monster and Extreme Ernie, Barbie Girls - Pink.

Redbook even goes as far as highlighting RC2 Corp's Lamaze unit's Lamaze  Spin & Explore Garden Gym for babies. Do you trust it after the RC2 Corp's Thomas the Train recall?

Apparently, the best toys of 2007 are all plastic and techie...and it looks like none of them are educational, natural, organic and all of them overstimulate.  The Fisher-Price Smart Cycle seems to be the only one to incorporate physical activity with technology. But, that is just my opinion.

Why should you listen to my opinion? Well, I'm a teacher, I have a special needs child with sensory integration dysfunction who also is developmentally delayed, and I have been researching toys for years trying to find the best ones to help teach my child to calm, regulate, stimulate (or not), to improve his fine motor, gross motor, and speech skills. And, most importantly, I'm a mom who plays with toys everyday and wants the best, safest toys for her child.

So, where should you go to find the best toys?

The Much Better Toys of the Year!
First, try the Lead Free Toys List where I have updated everything or the Widget.

Second, Kudos to Oppenheim Toy Portfolio for delaying their publication in light of the toy recalls. They are the only toy review company I have seen to take this into account and do their research accordingly.

Look at Wondertime's Stuff We Love for ideas (though not all are non-toxic and lead free). Cool Mom Picks has a great list of 2007 Safe Toys How about Handmade?

Recalls Out Today
1. Children's Metal Jewelry Recalled By WeGlow International Due to Risk of Lead Exposure
2. Dollar Tree Stores Inc. Recalls Children's Jewelry Due to Risk of Lead Exposure
3. Serious Head Injuries Prompt Recall of Bumbo Baby Sitter Seats - New Warnings and Instructions to Be Provided To Consumers
4. Fisher Price Recalls Go Diego Go Boat Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
5. Jo-Ann Stores Expands Recall of Children's Toy Garden Tools Due to Violation of Lead in Paint Standard
6. DecoPac Inc. Recalls Football Bobble Head Cake Decorations Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
7. Family Dollar Stores Recalls Halloween Pails Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

For more toy information and check My Two Boys and for great coupons check Mums the Word.

Portions of this post are cross posted at My Two Boys.