Nikki Bush discusses Toy Talk and some of her recommendations on SABC3’s Expresso today
November 22nd, 2011Did you tune in to SABC 3 this morning (22 November) to view Nikki’s discussion about toys and see some of her recommendations? There were two interview segments, one just before 6am and one just after 6.20am. See various games and toys below that will be featured on the show. If you would like to order any of them, drop us an email to info@brightideasoutfit.co.za .
- Crawl ‘n Go Snail by Yookidoo R299 (ages birth to 18 months)
This delightful three in one toy is a fabulous example of a great toy. Pat the snail on the tail and it rolls forward playing a little tune. The rattle on it’s back also turns at the same time. The spinning rattle and colourful, wheels will fascinate any sitting child and encourage crawling in order to chase the snail. The rattle is also stunning. Unscrew the top and take off the five different rings, all in different colours, shapes and designs, some even rattle. Now your child can use this as a stacker! What a win, something different to do at every age and stage.
- Kaleidodisk by Yookidoo R399 (ages birth to 12 months)
Two amazing uses in one–powered by colorful, musical disks! As each disk spins around, the surrounding mirrors and lights create a magical, musical kaleidoscope! Easily mounts to a crib rail for a mesmerizing music and light show or place on the floor to become an engaging activity center for “tummy time”.
- Perfect Petzzz R199 (ages 2-6 years)
LIMITED STOCK AVAILABLE
For those children who don’t have pets, this is the next best thing. Petzz are the first breathing pet, watch their tummy, they breath 24/7. They are life-like and so cute. Admittedly there’s not much you can do with them but kids fight to have them sleep on the end of their beds.
- Build-a-Brain R345 (ages 5-8 years)
Build-a-Brain is a fabulous construction toy that stimulates creativity, spatial planning, problem solving, fine-motor co-ordination and much more. Construction toys are a must for both boys and girls, enhancing learning in all areas. Build-a-Brain offers endless free-play opportunities to get your child’s creative juices flowing. For preschoolers, just the process of pulling the construction apart and packing it away will provide endless colour sorting, matching and sequencing activities.
- Jawbones construction toy 35’s R69 and 100’s R180 (ages 6-12 years)
This award-winning, unsual construction toy, is known as The Buildable Art System. Order a jar of 100 precision construction pieces which swivel, ratchet and snap together in countless configurations or choose the 35 piece set that is great for fun on the run when travelling or sitting waiting in restaurants. Five constructions are featured on the box or just use your imagination! Great for eye-hand co-ordinationa and fine-motor control.
- Magnetic Picture Maker by Melissa & Doug R240 (ages 6-8 years)
Another brilliant game from the Melissa & Doug range. It is perfect for travel as there is a permanent perspex cover sealing in all the pieces. Use the magnetic wand on top of the perspex cover to ‘pick up’ the coloured discs, drag them to the corresponding spot on the board and ‘drop’ them in place until all the colour spaces are covered and the picture is complete. There are 14 pictures which slip neatly into the back of the board. Fantastic for stimulating fine motor control and eye-hand co-ordination required for handwriting.
- Smartmax R499 (ages 1-4 years)
A superb magnetic construction set consisting of rods and balls (29 pieces). Magnets fascinate children no end and this one also teaches the concept of like repelling like in a very visual way. Try and connect two rods that are both cold colours, such as green and blue, or warm colours such as red and yellow, and they will repel each other. Then combine a warm and cold colour and see how they attract each other. You can buy extra balls, rods and curved pieces too.
- Count & Scan Shopper by LeapFrog R235 (ages 2-4 years)
Perfect for all those little ones who love to play shop-shop. Now they can do so with a battery operated bar code scanner just like in the real shops. 10 life-like items are contained in the shopping bag and the scanner can be set on three different modes: colour, number and music. Your child will learn new vocabularly and much more with this very up-to-the minute shopping game.
- My First Scissors by Creativity for Kids R160 (ages 3-8 years)
This is essentially a gorgeous craft kit which will be enjoyed by children from 5 – 8 years old, however, the actual scissors, which are suitable for preschoolers are a real win. Cutting is so fascinating to young children who find using real scissors quite difficult at first. These scissors are safety scissors and are suitable for both right and left-handed children. I would buy it just for the scissors but the crafts are beautiful too.
- Boogie Board R499 including sleeve cover (ages 6-12 years)
Now here’s a product that’s modern but not over the top and environmentally friendly too. The Boogie Board is a little like the old Etch-a-Sketch. It comes with a stylus and you write or draw on it. When you have finished, simply press the erase button and the screen will clear like magic. The battery life will give you 50 000 erases which at a rate of 20 a day will take seven years! In that time you will have saved R3 000 to R4 000 in paper. Lovely for doing homework on, eg. times tables or spelling words. If you change the medium from boring paper you can engage your child, even a tired one, to get their homework done. Also perfect to whip out when sitting in a restaurant or when travelling in a car for a quick game of hangman or noughts and crosses. Comes with a neoprine cover for storage when not in use. Never leave this product exposed in the sun.
- Crayola Window Crayons R70 (ages 4-12 years)
SOLD OUT
A really fun product worth looking for in the large toy stores which may still have stock. These pens write like crayons but are designed specifically for use on glass or mirrors. They feel amazing to write with and children of all ages love them. Simply wipe off with a wet cloth or use glass or mirror cleaner. Your children can decorate your patio doors, their windows or bathroom mirrors with these fun Window Crayons.
- Pop to the Shops by Orchard Toys R179 (ages 6-8 years)
What a lovely game from Orchard Toys for teaching financial intelligence. Move around the board doing your shopping and at the same time you have your own shop where you are the shopkeeper too. Earn money to spend as you go and if you can’t afford it, you can’t buy it!
- Jungle Speed R199 (ages 8-12 years)
Jungle Speed has to be our family game of the year. It is essentially a matching game and the first person to get rid of all their cards is the winner. If someone plays a card that matches yours identically then be the first to grab the yellow totem in the middle of the table. If you are not quick enough then you get the cards. But be careful. Many of the shapes are nearly identical but not quite. If you accidentally grab the totem, then you pick up everyone’s cards. This is a game of quick reflexes and it is quite hilarious and very competitive.
To order any of these products, please contact Bridgid on info@brightideasoutfit.co.za
Nikki Bush will be interviewed from 1.30 to 2.30pm tomorrow, Tuesday, 8 November by Jenny Crwys-Williams on Radio 702 about Toy Talk 2011.
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