Gladiator Costume

Parents and kids the world over begin to get excited as the holiday season comes closer, anticipating the hot toys for 2008. There are a number of the best toys this year that are worth discussing as possible forms of family entertainment. No matter your age or interests, you are sure to find something for everyone on your shopping list. The hot toys for 2008 are a great indication of the popular trends as well as classic kids toys traditions.

One of the newest trends in top toys is electronics. For a few decades now, at least one of the best toys has required batteries or a power supply. The reason for this is that not only do kids like electronics, parents like them because of the skill set they instill in children, such as hand eye coordination and problem solving skills. The year's most innovative product is also the year's best educational game, called the Smart Cycle: Physical Learning Arcade. Designed by Fisher Price, this kids toy uses video interaction to teach pre-school skills and improve overall motor control. It is easy to tell why it is among the hot toys for 2008. After all, not only do kids love it, parent love to see their kids learn.

Another popular electronic kids toy this year is Snap Circuits. Though advertised as a specialty toy, geared towards children with a budding interest in electrical engineering, this product has become one of the year's top toys because it allows children to experiment in creative but save ways with circuits and electricity. However, if you child is more into aviation than physical science, you might find that the whole family can bond playing with the Air Hogs Havoc Heli Laser Battle. Recognized by some as the best on the overall hot toys for 2008 list, this two player set of remote control helicopters even makes realistic battle sounds and is so easy to use that one parent reported that his two year old is the best remote pilot in the family.

Of course, as popular as electronic toys are, they are not the only hot toys for 2008. Many types of toys remain popular throughout generations, so it should not surprise you if your child sees and wants a toy very similar to one you had as kid. Some examples of popular toy themes are outdoor toys, and those specifically geared towards either girls or boys. The top outdoor toy is similar to a skateboard, and improves muscle control, coordination, and general physical physique, but here are also some new variations on classic girls and boys toys. One of the hot toys for 2008 for girls are Troop Groovy Girls, a doll based on the Girl Scouts of America. At the same time, boys continue to enjoy playing with action figures such as transformers. Regardless of the age, sex, or interests of a child, you are sure to find the perfect items to complete your gift list, and make the children in your life's faces light up with joy and excitement.

Please visit us to see our list of the best kids toys of 2008.

Educational Toys

In this collection of engaging and entertaining mini-comic books, students share in the adventures of time traveler Scooter McGinty as he celebrates Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims, rides through Lexington with Paul Revere, joins Lewis & Clark's Corps of Discovery, supports women's rights, and more. Includes background notes and teaching ideas.
Customer Review: Kids love this!
I teach 5th graders S.S. They love learning history in comic book format especially my reluctant readers. There are 5 short comphrension questions at the end of the stories. This is one book I use often.

The Fisher Price Smart Cycle is a new innovation in indoor activities. It is a stationary bike, a gaming system and a learning center combined in one product. This interactive bike and game combo promotes both learning and physical exercise by guiding the child through various educational games. It can teach upper/lowercase letters, numbers and counting, spelling, problem solving, shapes, matching, and spatial reasoning. How great is it that you can now keep your child active even while indoors! This is especially ideal during the cold, snowy days of winter and the rainy days of spring.

A Hamleys Awards nominee, the Smart Cycle is no doubt going to be one of the hottest toys for this fall/Christmas season. It has also won the Toy Industry Association's "Most Innovative Toy of the Year Award" and was listed as one of the Best Toys for 2007 by AllAboard.com. The Smart Cycle requires 4 "D" (LR20) alkaline batteries that are not included. It also contains an extra long lead & height adjustable seat. It is designed for children over 4 years of age.

All you have to do is plug the cycle into your TV, and as your child pedals, favorite characters will lead him through games, exciting races, and one discovery after another in the huge world of learning. There are several levels of play for different stages of development. The Smart Cycle helps improve hand/eye coordination and helps youngsters develop their budding bike riding skills. The cycle includes a Learning Adventure game cartridge. Themed games with Dora, SpongeBob, Hot Wheels, Barbie & Dinosaurs are sold separately. You can use the joystick for a number of other games and activities.

The software works in three different modes. In the Explore/Encounter mode, the child can pedal through different settings and situations such as, Math Mountain, Shape Lake, Number Fields, and Letter Creek, learning along the way. In the Arcade Games mode, the child takes a break to play a game using the joystick. They may be taking a rest from the physical aspect of exercise, but they are still learning. The games emphasize important pre-school concepts such as letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. In Race mode, the child can race with other cars or engage in a timed race with another player.

The Fisher Price Smart Cycle has received many positive reviews from both retailers and consumers alike. In a day when childhood obesity is becoming a frightening epidemic, this product allows children to get plenty of exercise even in inclement weather, all the while learning important educational concepts.

Amanda Isbitt is a work from home mum of 3 you can view her website here Smart Cycle

Educational Toys