NEWS Comment
A MUMMY BLOGGER’S VIEW Parent bloggers are an increasingly influential part of the pre-school landscape. Each month we ask a different mummy blogger to write a
special blog post for ToyNews, giving their views on the toy market
This month:Wally Mummy
AS A first time mum, toys are a daunting prospect. While contending with a shrieking, nipple- destroying turd-ninja your attention isn't on stacking cups and xylophones... you're more focused on managing mascara on both eyes and finding a pair of leggings that aren't too 'crispy' to wear. Toy shops are terrifying
for new mums, cloisters of gyrating, motion-sensing anti-matter where children will tear out their own kidneys to get their hands on a Peppa Pig scooter. I need a massage and a litre of gin just to recover.
I haven't a clue if she has too much, too little, or would be happier playing with her own faeces. There is always a mum that turns up to play group with their one year old in miniature pink Mini, carrying a talking handbag, and eating a rice cake from their musical cookie jar... and another whose child is wearing their trousers as a hat and chewing on their nappy. Okay, the second example is my child.
In the attempt to stop
my lounge turning into the entire pre-school section of Argos, I now divide toys into four boxes:
Boy/girl toys mean nothing to a toddler. My daughter uses her doll buggy to play ‘chicken’ with my cats
Toys should never be
allowed to come in white. Or should come with warnings that advise giving anything neutral- coloured to a toddler is bad for your health. And will most likely result in tears (yours), anger and violence (theirs). Along with making them more determined to colour your sofa with lasagne. Boy/girl toys also seem to mean nothing to a toddler. My daughter uses her doll buggy to play 'chicken' with my cats and won't sleep without her dump truck and calculator.
1. Plastic/Plush 2. Books/Puzzles 3. Wooden (Makes us feel middle class when we have visitors.) 4. Never. (AKA Musical)
With enough in rotation my sofa stays lasagne-free on an average day. So what am I saying?
Well, due to the baby-brain and all the gin, not much. But I think if she's having fun and I can hide in my bathroom with Tanqueray and a Toblerone as she destroys my living room, that'll do for now.
Check out more from Helen Wallen online here:
www.justanormalmummy.blogspot.co.uk, on Facebook
www.facebook.com/justanormalmummy and on Twitter @wallymummy
Mega Bloks Builds on pre-school line-up
Construction brand bolsters autumn/winter offering with new vehicles, figures and more By Samantha Loveday
MEGA BLOKS is introducing a number of new products in its popular First Builders pre-school range for autumn/winter.
With dancing piano, Billy Beats, children aged one and up can use the eight coloured, light-up keys as they combine building and music with dancing and playing. There are three different modes of play, including eight pre- programmed songs, and pre-schoolers can learn how to play music, create
their own songs and play the themed sounds (piano, animal and DJ/party effects). New vehicles for autumn/winter include Mega Bloks First Builders Firetruck Finn. It features a steering wheel for easier turns, a ladder that raises, swivels and pivots, Block Buddies Fireman and 13 First Builders blocks which fit inside. Ricky Race Car and Catie
Convertible join the Lil’ Vehicles line-up. Each includes a driver and five building blocks. Meanwhile,
a new series of Block Buddies include three different themes, each with a pack of three characters. The Block Buddies pack is available with a boy, girl and puppy; Rescue Squad with a Policeman, Fireman and Dalmatian; and Hero Team with a Knight, Dragon and Horse. Finally, the Giant Play
Table now offers a bigger building platform with 40 blocks, plus storage shelves built into the set. Mega Brands: 01844 350033
Falk ploughs into the UK
Kids@Play becomes UK distributor of French ride-on products by Dominic Sacco
FRANCE’S long-established outdoor toy manufacturer Falk will plough its products into UK retailers this year. Kids@Play has picked up UK distribution rights for the tractor, digger and other wheeled ride-on toys in the Falk range. Kids@Play founder
Malcolm Evans told ToyNews: “Adding Falk tractors to our existing range of wheeled toys will only complement our offer, and will guarantee greater continuity of supply to our customers out of our Caerphilly depot.” Falk has a long history in
tractor and wheeled toy production. It was founded in 1947 and began focusing
42 May
on plastic wheeled toys in the early ‘70s. The firm’s manufacturing plant in France’s Jura region has been boosted by investment, with a new plant and machinery being installed. Evans also has a long history of product development in the Jura region, having been chief
executive for Superjouet, Berchet and Smoby. “Back in the days of successful and sustained growth, the Jura production was at full capacity,” he added. “Today only a few manufacturers exist, and Falk has proven it deserves to be one of them.” Kids@Play also says it’s looking forward to presenting more plans about Falk in the months ahead.
Kids@Play’s other
products include an R2D2 Star Wars ride-in, as well as battery-powered Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse bumper cars. For more information
email
uk@kids-at-play.com or call the number below. Kids@Play:01291 635 551
www.toynews-online.biz
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