Micro Flex Kick Scooter $169.99 $119.88

An ideal commuting companion, the Micro Flex Kick Scooter will appeal to urban hipsters, college students, teens, and anyone else who wants to cruise around in style. Designed with a flex deck, which is constructed of fiberglass and wood, this lightweight aluminum scooter allows for great bend and stability while riding around. A modular design allows you to change the deck from a shorter to longer length to customize your riding preferences. The adjustable handlebars allows for riders of different heights while padded hand grips offer a comfortable fit. The Flex folds for easy storage and portability.

Italtrike Two-Wheeled Scooter $204.00 $159.99

Recommended for ages 2 to 4 years with ergonomic handle designed for smaller children. Made in Italy and very cute!

Razor E200 Electric Scooter 219.99 $149.99

These are SO cool! Cruise around the neighborhood in style with the Razor E200 electric scooter. Boasting an adjustable handlebar that adapts to riders of all sizes, an ultra-quiet chain-driven motor, and a handy twist-grip throttle accelerator, the E200 is the perfect device for teens and adults wanting to speed over to a friend’s house or head to the park. Unlike Razor’s E300S and E500S scooters–which offers a seated ride–the E200 requires you to stand while zipping through town. But standing in the E200 isn’t a problem thanks to the full-size deck and frame, which are custom designed for ages 12 and up. Once you’re on the move, the variable-speed motor ramps up to 12 miles per hour–fast enough to have fun, but not fast enough to be a menace on the street or sidewalk.

Find affordable scooters at Smarter.com.

Airing in 2000 as one of the first cross-cultural animated children’s programs, Dora the Explorer became a phenomenal hit, entertaining children and introducing young Americans to the Hispanic culture. Formally aired on the CBS television network, and now a prominent series on Nickelodeon and sister channel, Noggin, the extremely successful Dora the Explorer franchise has created a recognizable house hold name and hosts products ranging from videos to toys and children’s clothing.

In the series, Dora is an adventurous, bilingual, Latina heroine who lives inside a computer. Determined, positive, helpful and caring, Dora is always ready for adventure. Children learn by watching Dora journey through her world, gathering objects and clues to ultimately help a person in need or perform a good deed with her faithful Backpack, Map and her best friend Boots.

Not only is the popular program entertaining but the interactive aspects allow children to develop reasoning, problem solving and communication skills when the curious little explorer asks her audience at home questions to help her along her way.

Here are 3 cool Dora toys that would make great holiday gifts!

Fisher-Price Dora Lil Quad $76.25

The Dora Lil Quad from Fisher Price Power Wheels is a cute and sporty battery powered piece of equipment. The Dora Lil Quad from Power Wheels is a 4 wheeler with a cargo rack on the back which helps make it the perfect vehicle for real driving adventure.

One of the great features on the Dora Lil Quad from Fisher Price Power Wheels is the design of the buttons. The large push button on the handlebar is great because it allows little hands to use it with ease. The Power Wheels is also fantastic because it provides an exciting, but safe speed for baby as it goes about 2 mph on hard surfaces.

Product Features:

• Dora Lil Quad is for ages 12 to 36 months
• Power Wheels has a maximum weight of 40 lbs.
• 4 Wheeler with cargo rack
• Designed with toddler friendly features
• Large push button handlebar for simple stop-and-go operation
• Built-in footrests on the Power Wheels
• Drives an exciting, but safe, 2 mph on hard surfaces
• Dora Lil Quad includes a 6 volt battery and charger

Fisher-Price - Dora the Explorer’s Let’s Get Ready Vanity Play Set $66.99

It’s time to get ready for a fiesta! Choose which party you want to go to and then get ready together with Dora using the Let’s Get Ready Vanity Play Set. With over ten accessories for you and Dora, you’ll be able to brush Dora’s long hair or pretend to style it with the crimper, curling iron and hairdryer. The vanity knows which styling tool you are using. To add to the fun, there are songs and over 100 interactive phrases!

Dora the Explorer 3-Wheeled Scooter $39.75

• For riders ages 3 and up; fun scooter includes a Dora the Explorer backpack
• Durable steel frame will hold up to 150 pounds
• Measures 10 inches long by 4-1/2 inches wide by 12-1/4 inches tall
• Three wheels makes it perfect for new riders to stay balanced
• Adorned with Dora graphics on the frame and bright purple accenting

Shop through a variety of Dora the Explorer toys at Smarter.com.

Talking Animal Alarm Clocks $16.95

These alarm clocks really speak to kids. Literally. Alarm goes off and you hear animal sounds.

• Green Frog says “Ribbit-ribbit-ribbit”
• Blue Dog says “Ruff-ruff, ruff-ruff”
• Orange Cat says “Meow, meow”
• On/off alarm switch
• 3 AA Batteries included

Soccer Squishy Alarm Clock $24.95

This is awesome! Kids can beat it up and it won’t get hurt!

Here is your chance to get back at your alarm clock. When the alarm sounds, you can toss or bounce your clock to turn it off. Have a ball with your new sports clock! The Squishy Alarm Clock is an innovative technology that allows you to turn off the alarm by throwing it against the wall. You can squish it, squeeze it and toss it to relieve stress of just have a ball! When the alarm sounds, throw it and the alarm turns off.

Shop for more kids’ alarm clocks at Smarter.com.

Here are three for the beginner BMX kid!

Mongoose BMX bikes are very popular and have great reviews across the board.

20″ Boys’ Mongoose “Outer Limit” BMX Racing Bike $97.00 $87.00 On Sale!

• Brakes: Alloy rear linear and front caliper hand brakes
• Tires: Alloy two-tone, 36-spoke wheels with radial spoked front
• Mongoose BMX pierced top tube racing frame design
• Oversized unicrown fork
• Alloy bolt stem and kneesaver handlebars
• Alloy rims
• Alloy platform pedals
• Alloy seat clamp
• Best for ages 8 and up!

20″ Boys’ Wipe Out BMX Bike $69.76 $59.78 On Sale!

• Brakes: Front caliper hand brake and coaster foot brake
• Tires: 20″ Black
• Adjustable, quick-release seat post
• Spoke alloy rims
• Handlebar pads included
• Oversized 36-pound tubular frame
• Approved by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
• For ages 6 and up

Kawasaki® KX20 20″ BMX $145.99

• Custom Kawasaki® Bicycles BMX frame
• Aluminum wheels
• Kawasaki® graphics pack
• Alloy linear pull rear brake / Alloy caliper front
• Peg set
• Kickstand included
• Ages 8 and up!

You may have noticed that I didn’t choose any BMX bikes being specifically marketed to girls. All of the girls bikes that I found said things like “She will show off her girly style on this purple bike!” and I thought that was so wrong, I didn’t choose any of them! Buy your girl a red bike and watch her compete with the boys! Not every girl wants to be “girly!”

Schwinn 24 Inch Girl’s  Bike: $140.00

Schwinn’s 24” Girl’s GS-25 Bike comes in a delicate cobalt finish that’s pretty and feminine enough for your daughter to ride in style. Yet it also comes with the rugged durability of all Schwinn mountain bikes so she can tackle any terrain with confidence!

Features:

-Rustproof 36 hole Alloy Rims with Stainless Steel Spokes
-Schwinn 30mm rise Handlebar w/ Schwinn Stem
-Schwinn Hand built Trail-Tuned Aluminum Dual Suspension Frame
-Shimano 21-Speed Drive train with SRAM Grip Shift Promax Alloy Linear Pull Brakes
-Shimano 21-Speed Drive train with SRAM Grip Shift Shifters
-SR Suntour M2000N Suspension Fork
-Suntour Alloy 22/34/44t Crank

18″ Boy’s NEXT Surge Bike: $59.00

The Next Surge is the ideal bike for your growing boy. It features front caliper (hand) brakes, plus the rear coaster (foot) brake that he’s comfortable with. Chances are, this will be the first bike he rides without training wheels.

Features:

-Age Range: 5 to 8 years
-Wheel Size: 18 inches Key Features:
-Front and rear caliper brakes, plus rear coaster brake
-Handlebar and stem pads
-Quick-release seat post
-Training wheels included Specs:
-Frame: Steel BMX-style frame
-Fork: BMX-style fork with 1.25-inch-thick steel tube
-Handlebar/Stem: Steel BMX-style with crossbar
-Brakes: Rear coaster, plus front and rear caliper
-Levers: Resin levers
-Crank: 1-piece, 5.5-inch steel crank
-Rims: Painted steel rims
-Hubs: Steel
-Tires: 18″ x 1.95″ black BMX tires
-Seat: Black, printed seat

Huffy Pro Thunder 20″ Boys’ BMX Bicycle: $79.99

The Huffy Pro Thunder 20″ boys’ bicycle is a perfect first bike. It features a steel frame that’s both easy to control and forgiving, and a coaster brake provides simple braking. Knobby tires give excellent traction on and off-road, and the jet-black paint scheme appeals to all comers.

Features:

-Specifically designed for young children who are new to riding.
-A strong and durable material that will last.
-Increases the feel and response of the bike.
-Low profile BMX bars that offer you stability and great maneuverability.
-Allows you to pedal backwards without the brakes engaging.
-Provides you with a soft seat that will allow you to enjoy longer rides in comfort.
-Very strong material which makes the wheels extremely durable.
-Feature small raised knobs that help the tires grip better in dirt and in mud.
-This covers the chain so that you do not get your shoe laces stuck in the chain ring.
Simple bike pedals that anyone can ride.

Shop for more kids’ bikes at Smarter.com.

I’m helping my sister find a bike for her 8-year-old daughter. She wants a mountain bike. Unbeknownst to me, there’s a lot more to buying a bike than the price and the color. My advice to my sister so far has been “oooh! get a pretty one!” Not really helpful, huh? But luckily the internet has come through for me once again..

Big Kids Bikes:

Kids grow so if they are in a child seat or trailer it won’t be long until they outgrow it. At 2-4 years they can move on to their own appropriately sized tricycle. On a bicycle, kids can experience/learn the laws of inertia, pedaling, steering, braking and sitting on a saddle. Trikes don’t do much to develop a sense of balance and they can be tippy (excluding low-lying “big wheels”).

Most kids try a two-wheeler with training wheels around age 3 years.

Between the ages of 4 and 8 years most kids have developed sufficient physical coordination and agility, good balance and master starting and stopping on a tricycle or training wheels so that they are ready to learn to ride a bicycle. (Note: Kids generally lack the coordination and strength for hand brakes until at least 5.) But, along with physical skills it also takes mental readiness (self-confidence) and motivation to learn to bicycle. Some kids don’t develop this until they are 10 or more years old. It sometimes takes a lot of patience on the part of parents. Interest and readiness to learn to ride a bike can manifests itself as questions about bicycles, a desire to ride with friends, talk about tricycles and training wheels as things for “babies,” etc. (read more)

Shop for kids’ bikes at Smarter.com.

Barbie Princess Tough Trike $25.00

Don’t let Barbie fool you, she’s a tough chick and she’s got the trike to prove it! At $25 bucks you just can’t beat this one.

Styled for a princess, yet tough enough for years of fun and adventure! Girls can hop to troll around their entire kingdom. Trike features a pretend key that turns and clicks, and there’s a secret storage compartment under the comfort-ride seat for trinkets and treasures. Durable tires and rugged treads pair up for “off-road” fun. Trike has all the essentials that parents look for, too, like a wide, stable wheel base, easy-grip handlebars and big no-slip foot pedals. For outdoor use only. Holds up to 55 lbs.

Radio Flyer 53 Steer & Stroll Deluxe Trike $65.14

Innovative internal geared steering feature, freewheeling pedals, oversized steel tubular frame, durable molded wheels with grip tread, ringing bell, covered storage, adjustable seat.

This is one sturdy trike. The push handle is a bonus and it has a bell too! That could be awesome….or obnoxious. You decide!

Pilot Series Double Orange Tricycle $264.99

If you have twins, or run a daycare this may be the trike for you!

Italtrike’s Pilot Series Double Orange Tricycle is perfect for preschool and daycare students ages two to four years old – right at the age where kids need the freedom to move around and explore on their own. Up to two children sit comfortably on the ergonomic seats with backrests. The special steering design eliminates pinch points to prevent playground injuries, and the wide wheel base prevents tipping. Pilot Series trikes feature sturdy steel frames, rust-resistant finishes and spokeless wheels with solid rubber tires, so they’re safe and durable.

Shop for discount tricycles at Smarter.com.

• How old is your child? Most trikes fit and are enjoyed by kids 2-4 years old.

• Do you want a plastic or metal tricycle? Plastic is usually less expensive but isn’t as durable as metal.

• Notice the size of the tricycle. Metal tricycles come with 10- or 12-inch wheels. Plastic tricycles come either very low to the ground or at a height in between a ground hugger and a classic trike.

• Is your child pushing the peddles on their own yet? If not, consider a tricycle with a parent handle that you can push.

• Look for a tricycle that your child can get on and off of easily. At the same time, try to get one that won’t be too small next year. If the child can get on a larger-size tricycle, it’s usually wiser to buy it rather than a smaller one that will be quickly outgrown.

• How much you want to spend? Tricycles range from around $25 to $130 for a model with all the bells and whistles, such as under seat storage.

This is the tricycle my daughter is getting for her birthday this week from grandpa and grandma! Shh, don’t tell her! It’s got rave reviews so we are very excited!

Schwinn 12″ Roadster tricycle

“Your child will enjoy a classy ride with the red Roadster, Schwinn’s retro-modern take on the classic tricycle. It features a full-steel, heavy-duty frame, scalloped chrome fenders for flare, and a real wood back deck for an added passenger. It has wide design for an extra-low center gravity, helping to prevent tip overs. The sculpted seat is adjustable for growing riders. The cool “moustache-style” chrom handlebar features padded grips, long tassels, and a bell. The front wheel measures 12 inches in diameter and the back wheels measure 8 inches in diameter.”

Shop through a variety of affordable tricycles at Smarter.com.

• Where will you put the playhouse? If you decide to have an outdoor playhouse it must be durable enough to withstand the elements. It should be easily accessible and located in a place where you feel completely comfortable letting your children play. Consider the amount of sunlight and shade the playhouse will receive during different seasons and how you want the structure to blend in with the landscape.

• Select a playhouse size that is appropriate for its use. The playhouse should be big enough to accommodate the number of children who’ll be using it, but not so large that it overwhelming. Carefully measure the dimensions of the playhouse against the space where you intend to put it.

• Check the durability and safety of the playhouse’s construction. Safe playhouses lack sharp corners, have Plexiglas windows and do not use pressure-treated wood.

• Check out the interior of the playhouse. Many include shelves, special furniture, hooks, seating and counters to help encourage your children’s imagination and make them feel comfortable with their new space.

• What would your kids like? Ask them directly for their feedback once you’ve narrowed down your selection.

Here are my favorites!

Little Tikes Endless Adventures Tikes Town Playhouse $349.99

2006 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner The perfect playhouse for imaginative and social play! With an “around the town” theme, this playhouse offers endless interactive role-play activities. Four different themed walls inspire creative and imaginative play.

KidKraft Outdoor Cottage Playhouse $299.95

Kids discover a brand new world where everything is sized perfectly just for them. With its detailed structure and high-quality construction, this fun hangout would be a great gift for any of the young explorers in your life. Product Features: Made of weather-resistant wood. Door opens and closes, wide windows open and close inside of house and includes a sink and convenient storage space–even a mailbox with a flag!

Shop for affordable playhouses at Smarter.com.

This morning I was reading a review of the VTech V. Smile Motion Active Learning system over at celebrity-babies:

“For kids ages 4-7, the games are lessons in disguise: while my daughter was spending time happily bouncing the joystick from frame to frame, she was counting to 20, working through the alphabet and matching animal babies with the sounds they make. I read up on the different lessons, feeling happy that she was learning something and playing at the same time. She’s also really into the Disney Little Einsteins ($24.99) cartridge because it has all of the music and dancing that she enjoys in the show. We’re finding that the lessons are fun, integral parts of the games.”

The system is available on the VTech website for $60, but look! You can get it for $40! What a deal!

In other news, Céline Dion is expecting her second child. A rep for the 41-year-old singer confirmed the news to various outlets saying, “Céline and René are very happy,” and “They are crazy in love over the news … they are overjoyed.” Céline is reportedly due in May. Céline and her husband already have an 8 year old son, René-Charles. When I saw a picture of their son (who is really cute!) I was surprised to see his extremely long hair. What do you think, Moms? Would you let your son grow his hair that long?

Image: mamamia