Posts by JerryCollins:
Hints For an Entertaining Kids’ Party
April 13th, 2009The key to any successful party for children is to keep them entertained. Here are two ideas to help you plan a party for children. The first idea is an interesting and educational story about one of the most popular toys every created. It concerns President Theodore Roosevelt and how his compassion led to the creation of the teddy bear.
Theodore Roosevelt, nicknamed “Teddy” was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. He was an avid outdoorsman and hunter. Once, on a hunting trip to Mississippi, he was asked to shoot a black bear that had been captured by his hunting partners and tied to a tree. He told the other hunters that it would not be sporting to shoot an animal that had already been captured. His display of sportsmanship was portrayed in numerous newspaper cartoons and became part of his public image. Toymaker Morris Michtom created a plush bear cub and sold it as “Teddy’s bear.” Not only is the teddy bear popular here in the United States, but is sold all over the world under the same name.
This story is both educational and interesting, and it is sure to capture children’s imagination, since every kid has heard of the teddy bear! You can use a toy soldier, like G.I. Joe, and a realistic stuffed bear as visual aids to help you act out the stories. You can even give the kids some crayons and paper so that they can make their own cartoon depicting the famous scene. Tell the children to imagine that they are newspaper reporters covering this historic story. If you need another visual aid, one of the original newspaper editorial cartoons is reproduced on Wikipedia and can be printed easily. Your party is sure to be a hit if you give each of the kids a small teddy bear as a prize that they can play with and keep!
A second fun activity for a kids’ party is the boardwalk of carnival games. Just keep the games simple and easy, but challenging enough to give each child a sense of accomplishment. To start, you should choose a few rooms in your home that are appropriate for playing. Then select some games and gather your materials.
Here are several carnival games that are easy enough for kids, but still provide some challenge. The first idea is a basketball game. Get a wall hoop that sticks on any surface and place a line on the floor which the contestants should stand behind when throwing. Be sure to use a soft ball! Another idea is the fishbowl game. Get different sized containers, such as a mixing bowl or a wastebasket, and put them close to each other. Using a soft ball, let each child try tossing it into the opening of their choice. The smaller the container, the better the prize. A third game is bowling. Get some plastic pins and a soft ball and let the kids have a certain number of tries to knock down the most pins.
Choosing good prizes for the games is a key to making this work. Everyone should get a prize so that no one’s feelings are hurt. The prizes for the best scores for each game could include a stuffed animal, like a plush tiger or lion, or a kid’s book. Runners-up could receive crayons, stickers, small plush toys, or candy.
So now you have two ideas for a great kids’ party. Carnival games and the historic story of the origin of the teddy bear. The kids are not only sure to have a great time, but they can each have a stuffed animal souvenir to remember the fun they had at the party. You may find yourself having as much fun as the children!
Ready to get the party started? Find a great collection of teddy bears, stuffed lions, plush cats and many more amazing stuffed toys at KCPlush.com. Have a happy party!
Decorating For a Terrific Baby Shower
April 8th, 2009If you are planning a baby shower, you want to make a great impression, not only on the expectant close friend or family member, but also on your guests. It isn’t always easy to come up with fresh, fun, and simple ideas to entertain everyone. Where do you even start? This article should help with some great ideas to get your baby shower started and inspire you to greatness.
Theme
If you want your party to appear organized and planned out, then a theme can be very helpful. A good theme can make your party more fun, while making decorating decisions easier on you. The simplest baby shower theme is the “baby” theme, with storks, bottles, rattles, bonnets, and diapers. If you prefer a more unconventional theme, try a seasonal theme. You could do a winter theme with snowmen, snowflakes, sleighs, and icicles. Or try a Valentine’s Day theme with red hearts, cherubs, and roses. Your theme could relate to Christmas, New Year’s, the Fourth of July, or Easter. If you don’t want either the “baby” theme or a seasonal theme, try a beach party with beach balls, blankets, buckets, or a sand castle (if you have sand and want to put the effort into building one.) Once you have chosen a theme, the task of decorating will be much easier.
Color
If you already know the gender of the baby, then you could always go with the traditional blue for boy, pink for girl. If the parents are keeping the gender a secret, or don’t want to know, then you can still use a certain color scheme as the basis for your party decoration. You could go with the mother’s favorite color, or a light, cute color like light green, pale purple, or bright yellow. You aren’t required to use just blue or pink, especially if you aren’t sure if it is a boy or a girl. Just keep the colors fun and upbeat for a baby shower (no black decorations, please.)
Decorations
Although there are many, many options for decorations, don’t be overwhelmed. Choose a theme and stick with it. Balloons make excellent decorations. You could go with blue or pink, or if you a using a Valentine’s Day theme, you could get balloons that say, “I love you, baby!” If your theme is the Fourth of July, then go with red, white, and blue balloons. You could even throw in a few pink ones if you don’t know the baby’s gender. Try using baby food jars as weights to hold the balloons in place. Add some streamers that match your color choice. Another great decoration idea is something to symbolize motherhood. For a gift table centerpiece, get a big lioness and some smaller cubs. You could also use a large teddy bear and some smaller baby bears. You can add a tiny diaper to the baby bear if you so choose. Stuffed animals in mother and baby sizes make great centerpieces! You could even customize them to match your theme by adding a scarf for a winter theme, or a star-spangled hat for the mother bear for the Fourth of July. If your theme is Valentine’s Day, then you should be able to easily find teddy bears that fit right in to your theme. If the mother-to-be has a favorite animal, then try using a stuffed version of that for the mother and baby centerpiece, like a stuffed cat and some kittens.
Favors
While there is no rule that says you have to provide party favors for a baby shower, they will be appreciated. In addition to being thoughtful, party favors can also be used as prizes for shower games. They also make great decorations. For instance, you could have cute napkins with babies painted on them that could be decorative and serve as a take-home party favor. You could also give away the mother and babies stuffed animal centerpiece mentioned above as a party favor or prize. Small stuffed animals are affordable, make cute baby animals, and are easy to find, whether you are talking about a teddy bear, stuffed lioness, plush cat, or other animal. Other traditional favors include photo frames, candles, crystal booties, and candy tins. There are many great party favors, so don’t forget them!
The best baby showers require a lot of planning and effort, but the above suggestions should give you a great place to start and help stimulate some ideas. Just come up with a theme and a color scheme, then get decorative items to match them. Next, pick out some party favors and plan some activities. Soon the party will start to take shape. Although baby showers require planning, they don’t have to be a huge pain! Make sure that your baby shower is loads of fun for all your guests and a party to remember.
You can find all the stuffed lions, plush cats and teddy bears described in this article on KCPlush.com. Have your baby shower decorated in no time with the site’s wide variety of stuffed animals.
The Three Best Gift Ideas For Grandparents
April 4th, 2009Grandparents seem to always buy the best gifts for their grandkids. Most of us have fond memories of a favorite present that our grandparents gave to us. Once you are old enough to have a job and an income of your own, it is time to return the favor and select a great gift for them! This can be something of a problem, since they either seem to have everything that they need or they have different tastes and wouldn’t appreciate the same things that a younger person might like. The purpose of this article is to help inspire you with the best gift ideas for grandparents.
Vacation Necessities
If you are old enough to select a gift for your grandparents, chances are that they are retired or reaching retirement age. One of the benefits to retiring is the free time and the chance to do all the times that you never had an opportunity to do when you were working. This could be a vacation to Europe, an African safari, or a trip to New Zealand. Most retired folks don’t bother to get new luggage, even if they have been using the same suitcases for the last twenty years or more. This makes new luggage a top gift for grandparents. It has the added advantage of fitting any budget, since you can splurge on a set of matching luggage or keep it less expensive with a simple carry-on bag. Even if your grandparents aren’t planning a vacation, this gift is still terrific, since it could inspire them to take the vacation that they have always dreamed about.
Home Decor
One area that usually works for a personalized gift for someone who already has a lot of personal accessories is home d?cor. You have to be careful buying home d?cor for older people because their tastes are probably different than yours. That futon that you love may clash with your grandparent’s antique furniture. One option that usually pleases is a stuffed animal suited to their tastes. I bought my grandmother a stuffed parrot to replace a beloved pet that had passed away and she loved it, displaying it in her kitchen where she could enjoy it with coffee in her breakfast nook. The key is to keep the plush animal realistic and not gaudy. Day-glow colors or shoddy sewing can make the difference between a great gift and a mediocre one. Stuffed animals can be great decorations for people of all ages, livening up any d?cor. Just follow my example and pick an animal that your grandparents would enjoy, such as a cat for cat fanciers, or a dog for canine lovers. If you have previously opted for the luggage idea, then a stuffed lion or plush tiger could be a great reminder of that safari they took!
Comfort Aids
As people mature, they often have to deal with new aches and pains. Most grandparents will tell you that they have pain in their joints, back, feet, or other areas. Gifts that can soothe or help with relaxation are another great gift idea. One great present in this category is a water foot massager to ease their aching feet. A simple neck pillow is good for those on a limited budget; a full-size massage chair works if price isn’t an issue. Getting them something to soothe any discomforts that they are having will let them know that you understand them and are listening to what they say about themselves.
So now you have the top three gift ideas for grandparents – vacation gear, home d?cor in the form of a stuffed animal friend, and comfort aids for any pain they might be having. Make sure that you show your grandparents how much you love them as often as possible.
Find the best plush cats, lion figures, plush dogs and many other great home d?cor stuffed plush toys at KCPlush.com. The best and safest way to decorate your home!
Picking the Perfect Teddy Bear For a Special Girl
March 17th, 2009It can be difficult and stressful to find just the right present for the women in your life. There are so many different options that it is almost overwhelming; you can waste a lot of time and energy just searching for the right present. If you’re tired of trying to think of a good gift, why not consider a real classic – the teddy bear or other plush animal? Plush toys can be a great gift in and of themselves, or a great addition to other gifts. They make great presents for someone that you know well, or someone that you have only recently met. You can personalize them in a variety of ways if you know someone’s tastes well, or you could stick to a more neutral plush animal. Another advantage of stuffed animals is that they are appreciated by people of all ages. A teddy bear, or other plush toy, is a gift that will definitely please and rarely go wrong.
Choosing the Right Stuffed Animal for Different Age Groups
There are a few simple rules for choosing the perfect plush animal for any age group. Let’s start with the youngest group, girls between the ages of 2 and 12. For girls in this range, try something bright and colorful. Magical animals like unicorns or a Pegasus are sure winners for this age group. Maybe they really want a pet, like a dog or a cat, but their parents don’t think that it is a good idea. Perhaps there isn’t enough room in their house or apartment or the parents just don’t think that she’s ready for the responsibility of owning a pet. A plush dog or cat can be an excellent substitute! If your gift recipient is a teenager, then choose something with personal meaning or that is representative of their personality. A stuffed lion or tiger can represent strength or courage. Such a gift would be an excellent choice for graduation or to celebrate an award or milestone. If the person that you are shopping for is 20 years old or older, then consider the classic teddy bear. The classic bear can be used as a decorative item for house or office. If you want the gift to be used as a piece of d?cor, then you should choose something that looks natural, in neutral or realistic colors. Decorative plush toys don’t have to be bears, but the more natural they look, the better they fit into their environment. Bears are doubly good gifts for adult women, because you can combine them with other gifts and have them hold some chocolate candy or some flowers. The teddy bear can even carry a card in its paws!
Choosing the Right Stuffed Animal for Different Occasions
It’s important to match the occasion to the gift when you are picking out your stuffed animal. It’s a nice touch to choose a plush toy that is appropriate to the current season. If you are getting a gift for a girl for Independence Day, then a stuffed eagle would be a great choice. If you are getting a gift for one of the winter holidays, consider a polar bear or a reindeer. The teddy bear is the universal gift for all seasons. If the occasion is too general, like a birthday in August, then you may choose to link the gift to the interests of the recipient. For instance, if she is a cat fancier or dog devotee, then a plush cat or dog may be the best idea. If she loves to travel and explore new places, then an exotic jungle animal like a plush tiger or friendly elephant may be a great gift. She’ll notice that you personalized the gift to her interests and appreciate that you understand her. You could go the extra mile and have her initials stitched on the teddy bear as a monogram. Anything you can do to make your present more personal is sure to add to its intrinsic value.
Choosing the Right Stuffed Animal for Different Personality Types
To make the best impression with your gift, you should take the girl’s personality into account. If the woman in your life is a naturalist, then the orange teddy with a purple bow tie may not cut it. Try something more natural looking. A more realistic bear is more appropriate for someone who is interested in animals as they exist in the wild. On the other hand, if she is a lively party-goer, a more colorful bear is a better fit. If she is reserved and demure, a more classical brown or white bear, or a realistic plush cat, would be more tasteful. An athletic girl who likes riding horses may be charmed by a stuffed pony toy. If she has a great sense of humor and is always making jokes, then consider a plush monkey. The key benefit to personalizing your plush animal gift is that women really notice small details, and love that you are paying attention. In conclusion, when selecting a teddy bear, or other plush toy for the women in your life, use their age, the occasion, and their personality as guidelines and you will be sure to pick a great gift!
Put all these ideas to work, and you will surely find the perfect plush animal for any girl in your life. To find a great selection of amazing teddy bears, stuffed cats and all other kinds of plushies for many personalities and occasions check out KCPlush.com.
The Best Gift For Children – A Kid’s Gift Basket
March 8th, 2009Many people consider the holiday season to be their favorite time of the year. There are many different things to enjoy about the holidays – the food, the gifts, the parties, and the time spent with your family. But the holiday season is especially magical for children. Kids can have fun playing in the snow, making snow angels and having snowball fights. They can eat what they want and have fun opening and playing with their new presents. All that excitement without any of the adult responsibilities that come with the holidays.
If you are searching for the right gift idea for that special child in your life, consider putting together a kid’s gift basket. There are many advantages to the gift basket concept. It is really just a basic idea that gives you lots of room to personalize and customize the gift for the individual recipient. The variety of items in the basket makes it a multi-gift, which is sure to delight any child. The items in the basket can be practical, (and parent-pleasing) or silly and playful. You can target the contents to the age of any young person. Gift baskets can also save you money, but more on that later. Here are some step-by-step instructions on assembling your basket.
Step 1 – Choosing the Contents
The first step is to decide on what individual presents you want to place in the gift basket. It is important to have a really impressive main item in the center, such as a stuffed animal. The size of this item will determine the size of basket that you need. Since everyone loves plush toys, this seems like a no-brainer for a centerpiece. Pick a toy that matches the child’s interests or personality, like a dolphin for an avid swimmer, or a teddy bear for the bear collector. You could use a lion, rabbit, moose, or puppy, if you prefer. Try using a penguin and filling the basket with chocolate and candy! You could surround your toy with just about anything, so don’t be afraid to get creative.
Next you have to pick the smaller items that will surround your centerpiece. The amount and size of the other items will also affect what size basket you need. Practical items include hats, scarves, mittens or gloves, arts and crafts, or grooming items with their favorite cartoon characters. Kids love candy, but if they have a restricted diet or their parents wouldn’t approve, you could choose crayons, colored pencils, magic markers, or sugarless gum, instead. These items are still fun, but a lot easier on the teeth and waistline.
Step 2 – Picking the Appropriate Basket
Once you have chosen the content, you can now get the right basket. It is best to go with a classic look, the simple wooden basket. If your basket is too decorated it could be too “busy” once it is filled with colorful gifts. Make sure that the basket is at least large enough to hold all the items that you have selected. Better too big than not big enough! Think in terms of your largest gift item, probably the stuffed animal that goes in the middle. Pick your basket based on its volume and go a couple of sizes larger than the plush toy to avoid making the basket too crowded.
After you have gotten your basket and the things that go into it, you will need to decorate it as the finishing touch for a truly awesome gift. You will probably need some stickers, wrapping paper, glue, tape, and scissors for your decorating project. Extra polish and creativity here can help your gift really stand out! There are lots of tips for decorating and finishing your basket in the second part of the article, so be sure to check it out!
This gift has made many kids? Christmas a whole lot more special. So start looking for all those fun things that you need to create your unique basket. Find great plush animals such as stuffed cats, stuffed dogs and many more at KCPlush.com.
How to Shop Smarter This Christmas
March 3rd, 2009It’s always best to plan ahead, especially during the holiday season. You can lay out a schedule for your decorating, shopping, cooking, and cleaning. But sometimes things crop up that aren’t on the schedule or disrupt what you had planned. You can count on something unexpected around the holidays, like extra work forcing you to stay late at the office. Maybe your child comes home from school and tells you that you’ve been volunteered to provide refreshments, an outfit, or party supplies. Or perhaps out-of-town relatives let you know that they are planning a visit at the last second, telling you not to go to any trouble, but you still need to clean and prepare. Lots of things can happen during the holidays to delay your Christmas shopping.
Does this sound like you? If so, you might try the increasingly popular option of shopping online for holiday gifts. For the sake of argument, let’s say that you’re shopping for a stuffed animal. This is a popular choice for a gift and is appropriate for most people. You don’t need to know someone’s clothing size or what other products they own to use the gift; plush toys are one size fits all and don’t require a certain video game system or computer. Stuffed animals also work for all ages. So here are some advantages to shopping for such a gift online.
Open 24 Hours a Day
Unlike traditional brick and mortar stores, websites don’t close at six or nine pm. You can get your shopping done when it is convenient for you. If you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep, you can knock out some holiday shopping! The internet never closes, even in bad weather, so you can shop when you want, not when the stores are open.
Save Time
You can save a lot of time by shopping online. Suppose you want to pick up a few gifts on your lunch hour. You could fight the traffic to reach the store, scurry around for a parking spot, push through other shoppers, then wait in line to check out. After fighting the traffic to return to work, you’ve missed lunch! Shopping online is much, much quicker. You could be browsing products instead of driving, looking for parking, and standing in line. Maybe you need a stuffed cat or lion. It could be ordered and on its way in minutes with less time and stress.
Better Selection
There is a greater variety online than what stores could ever offer. There are more websites in one place, more space in a warehouse than a store, and the hot gifts aren’t as likely to sell out. Plus the items aren’t soiled or picked over. That way your stuffed lion can be clean, pristine, and unique.
Shop by Organized Categories
The best retail websites are laid out in easy to understand categories. You don’t have to walk through the grocery section or sporting goods to get to the selection of products that interest you. This saves time and stress. Sticking with the previous example, a website might list a stuffed lion under “Jungle Stuffed Animals.” Or if you’re looking for a plush kitty cat, you could look under “Stuffed Pet Animals.” In a physical store, you would have to find the toy department and search through it for the animals, then find the right animal, which is probably not categorized, or has been moved by a customer.
Save Gas
Saving time is great, but with the fluctuating cost of gas, not having to leave your job or home can save a lot of money, too. Even if you pay for shipping, this can be cheaper than another trip to the store and back. Some online stores have deals for reduced or even free shipping. If you don’t want a certain family member to get the package or if you have to sign for it, have it delivered to your place of work. This could save a trip to the post office. Not only can shopping online save money on gas, it can cut down on pollution and overall fuel consumption.
These are just five of the reasons why online shopping is better than driving around to shop at different stores. You can save time, money, and stress, while getting a better selection for the ultimate personal gift. Just find a website that suits your needs and holiday shopping can be a breeze.
For a great website with many stuffed animals categories, including plush lions and others visit KCPlush.com Take advantage of all the benefits Iveta Volegna mentions and discover many more. You will not be able to go back to regular shopping !
Great Gift Ideas for the Winter Holiday Season
February 26th, 2009It’s that special time of year; the holidays are here! Folks are putting up their decorations and lights to brighten spirits and the night sky. It’s the time for getting together with friends and family to celebrate and enjoy their company. Not to mention the terrific holiday food! It’s a time for creating lasting memories and exchanging gifts with our loved ones.
Although we all like giving and receiving gifts, choosing the right one can put extra stress on us at a time of year when we already have lots to do. There is already the cooking, cleaning, taking care of the kids, and entertaining family and friends. On top of that, we have to find an appropriate present for each recipient. Choosing a great gift in a short time span can really tax the imagination. Here’s an idea for a great gift whether you need a big present or just a tiny stocking stuffer. A gift for all ages, all tastes, and any budget: stuffed animals!
Stuffed Animals for Children
Plush toys are an obvious choice for any child. Toys are the traditional kids’ gift and will be gratefully received. Stuffed animals are a good toy choice since they are fun to play with, but they can also instill an appreciation and understanding of real animals. Some parents may not want their child to have a pet, so a stuffed pal can also be a great stand-in for an actual animal. Less responsibility and cleaning, but still great fun! Younger kids may not be ready for the more sophisticated technological gadgets that are easily broken or difficult to operate, with small buttons or confusing instructions. But stuffed animals are a simple classic that are always in style; stimulating the senses and imagination without a lot of upkeep.
Stuffed Animals for Teens
Teenagers are constantly targeted with new products and consumer goods, but that can make it tougher to pick the right gift for them. Sometimes there are just too many choices. An easy choice is a stuffed animal. In addition to the classic teddy bear, there are lots of different types available. One good plush toy for teens is the giant size animal. There are now stuffed animals that are five feet tall, as big as a person! These make great gifts for a teenage girl. The size alone makes the gift impressive, and it can be a great conversation starter when her friends see it. She could bring it along to college and decorate her dorm room with it. What a great icebreaker for someone living away from home for the first time! It can be both a friend and a way to make new friends, as well as something to hug during stressful times. A king-size stuffed toy can also be unique and different from other gifts for a teen, so keep this in mind the next time you need a gift idea for someone this age.
Stuffed Animals for Adults
Although toys are not traditionally thought of as an adult gift, they can still be a great choice. Lots of adults collect stuffed animals, so if you have to get a gift for a collector, this is a sure thing. Even if they don’t collect stuffed animals, one can still be a terrific present. The current generation of plush toys is far more realistic than the earlier ones and can be used to decorate a home. Stuffed animals are also great for personalizing an office or cubicle. They can add a friendly touch to any d?cor. If the gift recipient has a vacation house at the beach, a stuffed dolphin or whale could look right at home. A cabin in the woods can be brightened with a stuffed fox or moose. Just match the interior design to the animal.
So if you find yourself stumped for a gift idea or want to avoid holiday headaches, keep stuffed animals in mind. They are a good gift for all ages and tastes. They’re fun, simple, and guaranteed to bring a smile! Keep stumped animals in mind the next time you need the perfect present.
Let Iveta Volegna’s advices work for you! Find a great choice of teddy bears, cat figures and many other stuffed toys at KCPlush.com and be worry free this holiday season.
The High Value of Playing in a Child’s Development
February 21st, 2009Many of us remember our childhood fondly. Those days where we had no worries and could just play and play to our hearts content. And we all want those same experiences for our own children, but it seems like sometimes the basics of play get left behind with new technology, and new, passive children’s entertainment. There are an endless supply of toys out there, but it seems like some of the classics are being replaced with television and video games. These passive pursuits don’t give our kids the same benefits as things like role playing and dress up.
With the influx of new toys with bigger and better technology, it’s important that the basic elements of “play” don’t get lost among them. Toys that call for active uses of the imagination are still very important. And though we may be trying to make our kids geniuses by teaching them a new language or sports, it’s important to begin with the basics. After all, you can’t learn to read before you learn the alphabet, and it’s the same with play. Playing teaches are kids the basics, and helps them grow and learn to be better people.
Here’s why:
1. We all know that playing a sport is healthy. Organized sports can teach children discipline, competitiveness, and give them an understanding of how team work can benefit everyone. But before they can run, they must learn to walk. They learn the basics of sports through play. This includes such things as running outside, playing hide and seek, or even hopscotch. As a young child I learned to interact with the neighborhood kids with the game of “Ghost,” where we chased each other around someone’s house as soon as it got dark out. These types of activities are the building blocks for understanding even more about team work and team spirit through organized sports.
2. Play also helps develop a child’s creativity and imagination as they create their own universe. This can have many benefits, including allowing them to explore their own interests (and potential career paths). For example, they could play “school” and be the teacher, or they could use their stuffed lions and tigers to help them pretend to be a researching studying the jungle. Or they could even pretend to be Snow White talking to all the enchanted forest animals. Creating these scenarios allows them to tell their own stories and develop their brains, certainly a much more active pursuit then merely having stories told to them through television or video games. And of course, these made up games also tend to be much less violent then what’s on the television.
3. Play is also educational, and as has been previously touched on a little, can also build social skills. For example, it’s educational because a child playing with a stuffed tiger is learning about the real animal’s habitat, diet, and characteristics. And social skills can be developed when children play these imaginative games together. They have to learn how to agree on what they are playing, teaching them the art of compromise, and how to create an imaginative world that they can all share. They learn that it’s important to depend on others. For example, when it comes to jumping rope, two kids have to hold the rope before another can jump.
We cannot underestimate the importance of play to our children’s development. Play is healthy, and contains the building blocks of socialization they will need to function in the real world. Remember, it’s never “just” play. As they play the children are developing their creativity and sociability. We should certainly encourage are children to engage in more active play. One way to do this is join in on the play, you could pretend to be the student in their classroom, or be the mighty king in the emerald castle. Be a part of their development, and help them create wonderful memories. After all, the fun of play is what makes us all look back on our childhood with fondness.
So give children a real childhood. For a great selection of mighty plush stuffed lions, stuffed tigers, beautiful forest animals and other amazing stuffed toysvisit KCPlush.com and let kids create their own fantasy world.
Top Five Christmas Gifts For Children
February 20th, 2009It’s one of the busiest times of the year with the holiday season almost upon us and most of us are racking our brains for gift ideas. Shopping can be quite a chore. There are many choices for gifts and it’s not easy to pick out just the right present for family members, friends, and co-workers. If you are totally stumped for the right gift idea for an adult, you can always fall back on cash or gift certificates. This doesn’t work as well for children, who prefer the fun of opening a present and discovering something wonderful inside a beautifully wrapped box.
Here are a few “can’t miss” suggestions for the children on your list this holiday season. There are gift ideas and ways to personalize each gift for the individual child. Hopefully this will help take some of the mystery out of shopping.
Toys and Games
Although toys and games seem like an obvious idea for kids’ gifts, you might want to stay away from the simpler ones and go with a present that has some educational value. You could also pick a game that can be played with other children in order to increase the child’s social skills. For older children, a nice board game like Scrabble would be a nice fit. Older kids love video games, but you should pick something appropriate and make sure that you know which system they own and what games they already have. For younger kids, there are educational toys that can help with vocabulary or spelling. For the youngest children, a toy that can help teach numbers or colors is suggested. These are gifts that you can feel good about giving. They are not only fun, but provide long-term benefits for increasing the child’s skills.
Stuffed Animals
Kids love plush animals. The right stuffed toy can be a particularly spectacular gift. Kids can collect them as well as play with them, or even take them to bed with them at night. Most of us have fond memories of a favorite stuffed animal from childhood that we slept with each night. Although not obvious at first, the right plush toys can also be educational for younger kids. A realistic plush version of an animal can help a child begin to learn the features of the animal and help them understand its adaptations for living in its particular environment. It will help kids identify the animal in a zoo or in the wild. They can have fun and increase their awareness of wildlife at the same time! Stuffed animals can also tie in to popular kids’ TV shows or movies, like Madagascar or The Lion King. You can give a child a stuffed lion, their very own “Simba.” Perhaps you know that the child wants a pet, but their parents aren’t prepared to get them one for whatever reason. You could get them a realistic stuffed dog or cat. Such a gift could help them to better understand the animal and let them practice taking care of one.
Arts, Crafts, and Books
Another perennial favorite, books and crafts are great for kids. Most children enjoy coloring books. There are different levels of challenge available and kids can really get creative. You might be both surprised and impressed with what they can come up with! They can go from watching cartoon characters to making their own! There are many fine books available for children, both highly imaginative and practical. Books can open up new worlds for children and help them learn about everything from dinosaurs to outer space. They can learn new things and increase their reading skills while still having fun.
Clothing
Children seem to grow quickly and outgrow their clothes before you know it. They’ve probably outgrown the clothes that they wore last year, so a coat, hat or gloves can be a useful gift. Although clothing is not the most popular gift, you can make it more fun by getting creative. Pick something in their favorite color with a cool logo from their favorite movie, TV show, or other favorite character.
Candy and Food
Although it isn’t as popular a choice as a plush toy, candy or cookies can also be successful gifts for children. Food makes a good secondary gift to accompany another gift. You could give them a stuffed bear holding a box of candy. Just check with their parents first to find out about any allergies or dietary restrictions they may have.
Hopefully, this has given you some ideas, and if you can combine something fun with something practical and informative, you will soon have a great gift!
Go ahead and use Iveta Volegna’s ideas for the easiest holiday shopping. To get a head start on your plush stuffed toys gifts visit KCPlush.com for a wide variety of plush toys including the plush lion from the article.
Stuffed Toys – Great Gifts For Grown-Ups?
January 27th, 2009I recently had to find a birthday gift for a good friend of mine and was stumped for ideas. I was looking for a gift that would seem personal and thoughtful, but I was also trying to stay within my budget. I needed something that he would use and enjoy, but something expensive like a new computer or cell phone just wasn’t in my price range. In order to find a good present, I started searching the internet. There were so many choices that I felt overwhelmed. There were lots of fancy electronic gizmos available that he might like, but I didn’t know for sure what he already had or would be comfortable using. Since I am not overly savvy about current technology trends, I was reluctant to splurge on something that might be quickly outdated or gather dust if he has something that serves the same function.
While I was searching the web for gift ideas, I ran across a blog about stuffed animals. At first, I reasoned that he was too old for toys and searched onwards. But the idea of stuffed animals stuck in my head as I continued to search unsuccessfully, so I began to mull it over more seriously.
Who says that only kids should enjoy neat toys? A good stuffed animal can be not only nostalgic, but also appropriate for adults in the same way that cartoons can appeal to all ages. Many current animated TV shows, like King of the Hill, Family Guy, and The Simpsons are marketed for grown-ups. The superhero genre is also now equally for adults. Not only big hit movies like Iron Man or The Dark Knight, but the merchandise and toys based on these characters are widely collected by all ages. So there is no reason why stuffed toys can’t be enjoyed by everyone regardless of age. Besides, age is just a number.
After thinking this through, I set out in search of the perfect plush animal for my friend. Since he doesn’t have a collection of stuffed toys, I wanted to get him something relevant to his personality. Fortunately, the number of plush animals available today is much greater than just the teddy bears that once dominated the market. Toy versions of practically any animal that you can think of are currently available, so I just had to pick the right animal for my friend. Thinking back over the time that we have known each other soon provided inspiration.
As kids, we used to watch the movie The Wizard of Oz together. My friend was such a big fan that he auditioned and won the part of the Cowardly Lion in a school play. He is now a successful actor, so this was an important first step in his career. That was it! I decided on a plush lion and began my search.
There were a wide variety of lions in all sizes. I chose one that I thought he would like and gave it to him with a card explaining the meaning behind the gift. He just loved it! The lion now lives happily on his sofa, facing the TV where they can both enjoy my friend’s achievements whenever one of his ads or movies is shown. I learned that stuffed animals can make a terrific gift for adults or children. So if you are having trouble picking the right gift with a personal meaning for someone, you should consider a stuffed animal.
To find a great collection of stuffed lions and many other plush stuffed animals, visit KCPlush.com. Follow Iveta Volegna’s steps to create a great gift for your friends!