Groovy Cool Toys

Today's Review - Namaste Kid Yoga Motion Bundle

2011-12-12T15:22:00.002-06:00

Namaste Kid Yoga Motion DVD and Bundle

“Wow!” is one thing I can definitely say about Namaste Kid’s Yoga Bundle. We bought this product initially just to review it for our store. Not being very familiar with yoga ourselves we were not really sure what to expect. To our surprise our three year old absolutely loved it. He was on the yoga mat the whole 35 minutes of the routine. He kept turning around saying “Look at me mommy I am doing the Airplane” when he was doing the airplane pose. As impressed as we were with this Yoga for kids DVD we had to write something about it.

Where Did Yoga Come From?

The word "Namaste" is a common greeting or introduction and can be used as an expression of respect. By practicing yoga from a young age, children develop core strength, balance and are able to focus their attention. These benefits have obvious life impact as your child grows into adulthood. Core strength helps develop good posture and breathing. Balance can help your child build self confidence. It can be a key component in many sports and dance activities. Finally, when your child develops the ability to focus their attention think of how much more they can excel in the academics of a classroom.

Just Like A Yoga Instructor In Your House

The Namaste Kid Yoga bundle contains, the Yoga Motion DVD, an apple green yoga mat and a blue shining star water bottle to rehydrate your little yogi. The Yoga Motion DVD is shot perfectly to capture the attention of your preschooler. The 35 minute video is broken down into 10 chaptered subroutines so even kids on the go can get in a yoga session if they don’t have time, or are too busy to run the full video. The video is just the instructor, “Lindsay” on her mat with a white back ground. She does a wonderful job keeping our three year old’s attention by keeping the focus on her. We found the relaxation routine to be a perfect pre-nap time ritual to get our three year old to go to sleep.

A Real Yoga Mat for Your Yogi

The kids yoga mat is high quality and does a good job defining the yoga space for a child. Our little yogi likes the process of setting up and putting away his yoga mat by carefully rolling and unrolling it on the floor before starting the DVD. He also loves to go to the refrigerator and take out the “Shining Star Water Bottle” filled with water. Then he sets the water bottle down next to his mat and says “Ok mommy I am ready for my yoga.” A side note on the water bottle is that it has become his favorite thing to drink out of. He has tons of water bottles and cups, but this one is his favorite. It goes everywhere with us, in the van, to the park, in the airport, and to the store. It keeps his water pretty cool and it is easy to wash so I am all for it.

If you would like more information about Namaste Kid Yoga Motion DVD and Bundle please visit; http://www.groovycooltoys.com

Our Top 2011 Christmas Toys

2011-12-10T22:58:00.008-06:00

It is the most wonderful time of the year when homes are all filled with holiday cheer. Here at Groovy Cool Toys we have been working overtime to top off that red sleigh powered by eight tiny reindeer. Every year there seems to be that list of the most popular items that make the holiday bright for children everywhere. Here is what we are seeing as this season’s favorite from our customers.

Pedal and Battery Powered Ride On Toys - A classic that is always popular and never seems to go out of style. Nearly every kid on the planet loves to get behind the wheel of one of these and go for spin around the driveway. One new product to the group that has been increasingly popular is the Quadra Byke. This ride on toy is designed to grow with your toddler and is really three bikes in one. As would be expected with popular toys some supplies are limited. If you think you want to get a ride on toy for your little driver this holiday season order soon to ensure you can get delivery by Christmas.

Namaste Kid - We have not been surprised by the popularity this product is gaining as a Christmas gift. Personally we own the kids yoga DVD for our three year old and he loves doing it. It is absolutely a perfect activity for those cold Minnesota Days when we can’t get him outside to burn off some energy. We also suggest incorporating this into your child’s bedtime routine. If your child has difficulty going to sleep or is restless then definitely consider yoga. The Yoga Motion Bundle contains a kids yoga mat for your little one, a Shining Star Water Bottle and of course the DVD that will capture your child’s attention from the word go. As with most great gifts this holiday season, this is flying off the shelf.

Dollhouses - What little girl would not love a doll house on Christmas morning? Our dollhouses and Dollhouse furniture has been one of our top sellers in the holiday season since we have opened. These toys have stood the test of time and can provide hours of entertainment and playtime. Building doll families and collecting doll furniture can be a hobby that ends up lasting a life time.

Push and Pull Toys - For the toddler just learning to walk or the new additions in the home it can be a challenge at times to find something that is both age appropriate but will not be outgrown too fast. You want a Christmas toy that will be loved and last as your little one begins to grow. This toy group continually meets that need for many parents. Whether it is a pull toy, as simple as a duck family on a string, or a push cart that can be filled with little treasures your child will love it.

Wooden Train Sets - With the popularity of several animated shows with trains as the stars, wooden train sets have found new life in the toy isles of today. The greatest thing about these trains is that they are built to last, they hold up to infant brothers that like to bang on them with a plastic hammer, and they don’t need batteries. Furthermore these toys stimulate the imagination as your child puffs around the tracks for hours on end.

Play Kitchens - Lastly, our play kitchens have been incredibly popular this year. For the little girl who already has a doll house and is ready to step into something a little bigger, this maybe the dream gift she has been imagining. High quality play kitchens have gained popularity among consumer groups as they are seeking to get a better play experience for their children. Whether a classic kitchen or the more contemporary look, these play sets are sure to entertain children for years.

Many holiday gift fads come and go each year with the holiday season. We were excited to see that this year our customers were focusing on the toys that are going to last. By carefully selecting a Christmas gift, whether it is yoga for a toddler, a wooden train set or a dollhouse, you can provide memories that will last beyond Christmas morning and will stay with that child for a lifetime.

Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday season!

Kidkraft Wooden Activity Bead Maze Cube

2011-07-08T21:06:00.000-05:00

Bead Maze Cube

This activity cube has been a customer favorite and for very good reason. It's colorful and full of stimulating activities that are appropriate for children ages 1+. I ordered this toy a few months ago and was very impressed with the quality, colors and the creativity built into each component. Both my son's love this toy!

Here is a video illustration of the Bead Maze Cube.

Product Highlights:

So many choices! The Kidkraft Bead Maze Cube gives the young boys and girls in your life 5 sides of fun to choose from.
Each side gives young kids a different activity that will help with the development of color recognition, shape recognition and eye-hand coordination.
Adorable farm theme, complete with tractors, trees and a big farmhouse
Bead maze with pieces made of solid wood
Shape sorter
Rotating gears
Movable tiles with numbers on one side and colorful shapes on the other

To view this toy and other great toys for toddlers please visit, www.groovycooltoys.com

Kidkraft Noah's Ark Shape Sorter

2011-07-08T16:59:00.000-05:00

Today we'd like to introduce the Kidkraft Noah's Ark Shape Sorter. This is a wonderful toy for children ages 1+ and we expect it's popularity to continue to grow as parents look for wooden toys that are made with your child's best interest in mind.

KidKraft was founded by engineers in 1968 to produce wooden toys of the highest quality and durability. The fact that the toys are designed by engineers means they are much more than what is apparent to the naked eye. Underneath the toy’s exterior (which may appear simple) is a well-designed wooden machine that can stand up to any child’s roughest play. This is why the company is so popular among parents who prefer wooden toys for their children, and satisfaction with the toys is consistently reported as being very high among those who purchase them. We know you’ll love the KidKraft collection of high quality wooden toys as much as we do.

Item Description:

Our Noah's Ark Shape Sorter lets kids play with adorable animals and work on their shape recognition skills

Fun, vivid colors

18 total pieces: 2 lions, 2 monkeys, 2 pandas, 2 giraffes, 2 elephants, 2 doves, Noah, his wife and the ark

Helps children learn shape and color recognition in addition to eye-hand coordination.

At $22.95 this toy would make a great gift or addition to your children's toy selection.

To purchase this item please visit, www.groovycooltoys.com

20% Off 4th of July Sale

2011-07-01T12:01:00.000-05:00

To kick off the Holiday weekend we are offering 20% off all regular priced items through July 5th, 2011.

Don't forget that orders over $50 receive free shipping! Promotion cannot be combined with other discounts and does not apply to sale merchandise.

Enter code SUMMERSAVINGS to receive 20% off your order.

Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July!

Waiting Room Toys

2011-07-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

Waiting Room Toys by Anatex

Have you ever gone into a Dr's office only to find nothing exciting for your children or just the opposite...colorful activity cubes or wall panels? We've experienced both and let me tell you how much relief I feel when I see my son's eye's light up over the attention grabbing object in the corner.

We carry a large selection of activity cubes and tables and wall panel games for every office. If you would like more information and our personal opinion of the best please contact us by email.

Free Shipping on Orders of $50 or more

2011-06-30T09:00:00.001-05:00

For a limited time GroovyCoolToys.com is offering free shipping on all orders of $50 or more. As we start preparing for the Holiday season this is a great offer.

Please note that free shipping is on UPS or FedEx ground only. We cannot ship to PO Boxes, so please include a physical address when submitting your order.

If you would like to be included on our mailing list and receive a coupon for $5 valid off a $25 purchase please let us know by completing this form. Not only is this a great way to hear about new products, but our newsletters will periodically have discount coupons and promotions included.

We are currently putting together a Christmas Wish List for the 2011 Holiday season. If you have any children's toy recommendations please let us know. As idea's come in we'll update the list.

Are you getting excited for the Holiday season?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-29T08:10:00.000-05:00

We recently spent some time on a beach in Florida and our 3 year old loved playing golf in the sand. Guess this is his way of keeping the game going in Minnesota!

Play Seating for Children

2011-06-28T10:00:00.000-05:00

P'Kolino Silly Soft Seating

Have you ever considered play seating for your children? If not we encourage you to consider them for your children or as gifts.

Both lovable and functional the silly soft seating is also a favorite among many parents for creativity.

This fun loving combination of stuffed toy and modular toddler seating has many features designed to support your toddlers developmental needs, making these engaging and multi-talented silly seats a Playfully Smart addition to any growing home.

These smart characters are comprised of three soft pieces that when “puzzled” together make a playful friend. Sturdy enough for a wobbly toddler to balance on and light weight enough to move around, these silly seats are a fabulously fun gross motor tool.

So, climb on it, sit on it or drool on it; the snugly, durable fabric is removable and washable.

Product Specifications:

    * Age: 1 year and older
    * Materials: Fabric Plush Micro-Fiber and High-density Foam
    * Dimensions: 16 in. (40.64 cm) W X 11 in. (28 cm) L X 15 in. (38.1) H
    * Weight: 4 lbs (1.8 kg)

For a limited time all orders over $50 receive free shipping! If you are interested in purchasing the P'Kolino Silly Soft Seating please click here.

Best Convertible Toddler Bed

2011-06-27T09:25:00.001-05:00

P'Kolino Cafe Con Leche Toddler Bed

Here is a great concept....a toddler bed that also converts into a chair. We love this modern yet functional piece of childrens furniture.

Please read Babble.com's review of this product here.

If space is a concern for you then this bed would be perfect. Speaking from personal experience our son's room isn't that large, but he loves to read so has asked for a chair in his room. Thinking from a purely functional standpoint this toddler bed makes sense. We also love the fact that once our children grow out of their toddler bed's they'll be able to use the bed as a chair. Plus P'kolino's products are durable so we aren't concerned they'll ware quickly.

Product Features:

Fit's any standard size crib mattress
Quality wood construction
Premium wood finish with milky white highlights
Includes side rails
Includes chair pad
Ages: 2 years+
P’kolino products meet or exceed US, EU, and Canadian safety standards. Made in China
Designed in USA by Elizabeth Ganrude.
Dimensions: 30 in W x 52 in L x 20 in H
Available for Pre-Order (July 15th, 2011)

If your interested in this toddler bed you might also want to check out the entire P'Kolino Cafe Con Leche collection. It is fantastic!

Don't forget that for a limited time orders over $50 receive free shipping. Also if you sign up for our newsletter we'll email you a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase.

What do you think, do you like the concept of a bed that converts into a chair?

Hideaway Playtime Kitchen

2011-05-01T16:27:00.001-05:00

Hideaway Playtime Kitchen:

A leader in producing quality wooden and educational toys since 1946 has once again come up with a product that is loved by both children and adults. After seeing the play kitchen and watching the video I'm not surprised. It's quality is suburb and having the ability to collapse and store so easily makes it perfect for every home. As parents of two young children we understand how important storage is when making the decision to purchase or put a toy on a wishlist. Watch the video and let us know if you agree that this is one of the best dramatic play kitchens available.

Product Description:

A best-selling concept - children's dramatic play kitchens - just took a great leap forward with the addition of the Hideaway Playtime and Country Kitchens! In a few simple steps, the Hideaway Kitchen compacts to a depth of 6", allowing it to be efficiently stored when not in use. Offers plenty of features including a sink, a stove; an oven; a dishwasher; functioning knobs, clock and more. Adult assembly required. Ages 3+. 30"W x 15.25"D x 38"H

As most early childhood teachers know, dramatic play is an extremely valuable part of the daily curriculum. Here are just some of the benefits of dramatic play:

Relief from emotional tension. Children feel powerful. Use of social interaction skills. Language development. Use of symbols. Sort out fantasy and reality.

If you would like to see additional pictures please see "Hideaway Playtime Kitchen".

Nicole

Wordless Wednesday: What Month Is It?

2011-04-27T11:48:00.001-05:00

This is officially my first Wordless Wednesday and it' been so much fun!

This photo was taken on Monday, April 26th and you'll notice our son is still wearing a hat and warm weather clothes. Today the focus is on sending good thoughts for warmer weather. :-)

Nicole

Dragonfly Push Cart

2011-04-24T12:11:00.001-05:00

Mountain Boy Sledworks

Recently I mentioned the Dragonfly Push Cart from Mountain Boy Sleds because of its superior craftmanship and design. I love the fact this cart functions indoors but is durable enough to handle outdoor play. With a two (almost 3) year old we love toys that can be used in many ways. If your like me you'll find the Dragonfly push cart is a perfect way to encourage dramatic play.

Product Description:

This beautiful handmade wooden push cart is a great walker for toddlers. Solid willow handle, wooden wheels, and pine box construction make it sturdy for those first steps. The generous open box makes it an ideal movable treasure cart, suitable for blocks, bottles, and that special teddy bear.

· Lead-free finish; meets all ASTM, USC and CE child safety standards.

· Adult assembly required.

· Assembled size: 17"L x 10"W x 20"H, 8 lbs. A

· Age range: 1 year & up.

Mountain Boy Sledworks

Moutain Boy Sledworks

What's your child's favorite dramatic play toy?

Benefits of providing children with science toys

2011-04-22T23:58:00.001-05:00

Don’t think you shouldn’t provide your child with science toys, because there are many benefits to doing so. Many parents are reluctant to use science toys with their children, because they’re afraid the kids won’t like the toys or will get bored. After all, most children don’t like to play with something if they know its purpose is purely educational. But you can provide these types of toys to your child without him or her being aware that they are learning science lessons, and you’ll see soon enough just what huge benefits can come of this.

First of all, science toys teach children valuable lessons about the way the world works. Geology, archaeology, physics, chemistry, and more can all be taught through the world of very cool toys. We all remember the chemistry sets we got as kids that allowed us to come up with our own experiments. We kind of knew it was educational, but it was still so much fun that we didn’t think about the educational aspect too much. Erector sets, and even LEGO can all teach about physics. There are kits available today that allow your child to go on mini-archaeological digs right at home. Terrariums are a perennial favorite in schools everywhere, and something you can adopt for home use, too, since there are terrarium kits in toy departments everywhere.

Kids are naturally curious about the world around them. They just don’t want to feel like they’re being forced to learn. If you can give them fun science toys that allow them to explore and learn at their own pace while learning, they will have a great time, and want to play with those toys again and again. The right science toys given throughout the preschool and elementary school years (as different toys become age appropriate for your child) can help your child get a head start in science lessons they’ll be encountering in later grades, so they’ll already know what’s going on and be ahead of the pack without even realizing you were preparing them for these advanced lessons. So don’t be reluctant to choose science toys for your child. They’ll love them, and so will you!

Top 10 Reasons Why Your Child Should Play with Wooden Building Blocks

2011-04-10T09:48:00.002-05:00

Wooden building blocks

are excellent toys for any child to play with on a regular basis. They’re appropriate for nearly any age from infants to elementary school. While a very basic, no-frills kind of toy, blocks are definitely something you should include in your child’s repertoire of playthings. Believe it or not, even today’s modern children will love them!

Here are the top 10 reasons why your child should play with wooden building blocks:

1. Wooden children’s toys are non-toxic. They aren’t made with chemical-filled plastics, so you can be assured your child is playing with something that is safe in every way.

2. Wooden toys help the environment. The market for these toys creates a demand for trees. More tree farms are produced to make these toys, so trees are continually planted. It’s a green solution to child’s play.

3. These toys help stimulate a child’s imagination. Your children can build nearly anything they can think of with blocks, then break it down and start over with something new.

4. Blocks teach children to share. Because there are so many blocks in most sets, your child can easily play and share the toys with other children without there being any fighting over who gets to play with what. Children can even collaborate on projects together.

5. Blocks are durable. They won’t break easily, like many other toys.

6. Blocks are safe for nearly every age. There are no small parts to blocks, so there’s no cause for worry that a child will swallow the blocks or choke on them. Even infants can safely play with them.

7. Blocks are easily replaced. If one or more get lost (as is often inevitable with children’s toys), they are inexpensive to replace, and your child probably won’t even know the difference.

8. Blocks help teach children responsibility. They are easy to pick up and put away, so they make good first toys for your children to use to learn this important skill.

9. Blocks are portable. You can put them in a bucket and take them just about anywhere, so your child is always entertained, even on the road on a car trip.

10. Wooden building blocks span the generations! They’re something you can play with alongside your child, and you’ll both understand and enjoy the game.

What do your children like to do with Wooden Building Blocks?

Press Release...GroovyCoolToys

2011-02-07T15:02:00.000-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 7, 2011 --

Groovy Cool Toys announces a new online store, www.groovycooltoys.com, featuring modern children’s toys that are sure to be a favorite for every child.

“Our decision to open, GroovyCoolToys.com, came after the addition of our second child. We love toys that stimulate our children’s minds through imagination and creative learning. It has been such a joy watching our first son develop an imagination that evolved from simple wooden blocks. As parents we all should be aware that quality play time is a critical path to future development and aptitude awareness. Most of all though we want to celebrate our children lives through toys that are fun, safe, and creative,” says Nicole Wiggins, owner of Groovy Cool Toys.

All of our toys have been hand selected because we believe they will be a fantastic addition to your children’s toy collection. Many of our toys have won awards year after year and the manufacturers are leaders in the industry. We have a large selection of toys for kids’ ages 0-12 that focus on development, physical and imaginative play time.

Groovy Cool Toys also offers parents educational resources, a 100% satisfaction guaranteed policy, gift certificates and promotions. Please sign up for our newsletter for important information on upcoming giveaways, promotions and new product lines.

For more information please visit, www.groovycooltoys.com