Babies & Kids Blog

Scooters are more popular than ever and there are tons to choose from! Look for one that is appropriate in size for your child. You don’t want them hunching over when they’re riding it. Also, for younger kids you might want to look for a wider foot deck so they don’t fall off as easily. Most kick scooters are very light weight and easy to travel with so you might want to get a travel bag so you can take it along with the family on outings. Here are some really neat choices:

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.

If you have a pre-school aged child, chances are they LOVE Dora! Dora is a big hit at our house.

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.

This red wagon brings back fun memories.  It’s classic and can be used for many things.  You can take the kids around the block in it.  The kids can pull each other around.  The kids can help you pick up all the beautiful fall leaves in your front and back yard.  This particular wagon is on sale for under $100!

Radio Flyer Trav-ler Wagon: $156 Now: $99.97

*If you use coupon code TopToys25 at AllAboardToys.com you will get $25 off orders over $150 - Coupon code expires tomorrow!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more red wagons.
                                        Discounts on Radio Flyer wagons.

I adore vintage baby toys.  Especially red wagons or vintage ride-on vehicles like this retro ride-on rocket.   Gosh, even after your chid grows out of it, it’s nice to be able to hand vintage style toys down to either siblings or other family members.  I love that they keep making them in this style and  the fact that this ride-on toy is on sale for $10 off!

Radio Flyer Retro Rocket: $69.95 Now: $59.95

Shop for more ride-on vehicle toys.
Buy Radio Flyer ride-ons.

Ahhh.  These little scooters make me want to go back to Italy.  Don’t worry about your child speeding off by themselves.  The two-speed motor only goes 2.5 and 5.0 MPH.  So, let’s hope you are in shape enough to be able to at least catch up to them at that speed.  :)  They are for ages 3+ and up to 80 lbs. 

Zommer Ride-On Scooter:  $299.95 Now: $179.95

Shop for more toy scooters.

This week in babies & kids blogs: 

Disney fanatics can pick up these great vintage attraction posters featured on Coochicoos.

Strollerderby discusses under cover internet sites that are not kid friendly and violate the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act in The Internet Really is That Scary.

DadTalk discusses his issues with a Florida McDonald’s offering ‘Happy Meals’ for Grades.

This week on Smarter Babies & Kids we covered: 

The old classic game Operation was too risqué for some.  Check out the new Operation Rescue Kit where Cavity Sam is decent in his boxers and has some new ailments.

Keep your little ones safe with these handy Winter Safety Tips. 

Encourage your child to be more extraverted with the award winning Cat in the Hat - I Can Do That! game. 

Right Start has some comfortable and safe rockers & ride-on toys for your active child. 

Love You Forever is a classic children’s book that will have you in tears, but in a good way!

Your developing child needs a rocker or ride-on toy to help strengthen their growing muscles.  Right Start has a great selection of rockers & ride-on toys.  You can pick one to fit the theme of your baby’s nursery or order one for a loved one for the holidays. They have retro styles, animal themed rockers and, of course, traditional rocking horses.  Here are some of my favorites: 

Betty Butterfly Rocker

Was: $99.99

Now: $59.99

This rocker is super cute & the bright colors will make it stand out in any nursery.  It plays music, has a luxurious cushioned seat and is full of hidden activities.

Lil Bo Peep Sheep

Was: $99.99

Now: $79.99

Cute and comfortable!  Squeeze Lil Bo’s ears to listen to her song.               

Wooden Rocking Horse

Was: $129.99

Now: $64.99

This rocking horse is also comfortable.  The horse whinnies as your child rocks back and forth.  Right Start has an all wooden classic rocking horse as well. 

Every product at Right Start is hand selected and tested so no need to worry. :)  They are experts in the best in developmental toys and the “must have” products from pre-natal to pre-school. 

Also, if you want to contribute to the country’s “go green” efforts check out Right Start’s organic shop.