Top 5 Toys that All Girls Want
- At December 10, 2009
- By Kimberly Alexander
- In Summer Fun
0
If you remember a few days ago, I posted an article on the top 5 toys that all boys want. There were some good old ones, a couple new and a few that have endured the years with much more grace than one might have expected.
Today, I would like to look at the top five girl toys that usually find their way onto a little girl’s wish list with very little difficulty. As with the boys list, there are some new toys that have been propelled into the spotlight but there are also some oldies that have endured the test of time and are still popular today.
So let’s get down to business and start looking at a shopping list that will delight any little girl.
NUMBER FIVE!
Dora the Explorer
Dora the Explorer has been a big hit for a decade and is still going strong with many little girls around the globe. She is polite, helpful and always greats the day with a big smile and a loud, “Hola!” She has been popular with boys and girls but the latter has moved on to Diego and Dora has still remained a favorite with little girls that have made her number five on our list.
And what is not to like about Dora. Originally found in a television show and later in Story Reader Video + with BONUS Dora the Explorer Cartridge, she can now be found in just about anything from raincoats, such as the Dora the Explorer Rain Poncho, to puzzles, like the Dora the Explorer 24 Piece Puzzle – Dora and Boots, to toy sets like the Dora The Explorer Electronic Adventure Phone Set. She is a character that delights many kids and with a new makeover expected this upcoming fall, she is about to make a whole new splash with an older audience that loved her when they were toddlers.
NUMBER FOUR!
Disney Princess
When I first experienced the trend that is Disney Princess, I was a little on the fence with all the Disney Princess Mini Backpack and Flip Flop Set – Size 6½, Disney Princess Umbrella and the Disney Princess Before Once Upon a Time – Belle Doll. It just seemed like too much pink and while I enjoy the occasional splash, I was worried about having too much.
Of course, my fears weren’t necessary and I realized that Disney had found a way to make every little girl feel like one of the gang; a princess that will shimmer in her Disney Princess Backpack with Purse and Pencil Case as she closed her very own Disney Princess, Sleeping Beauty Flip Phone.
After realizing that, I began to see all the cute accessories and toys that you could find for Disney Princess and the delight of my students as they would show me their latest Disney Princess Shimmer Princess Cinderella Doll or Disney Princess costume. It is for all that delight that Disney Princess is ranked fourth on our top 5 toys that all girls want toy list.
NUMBER THREE!
Bratz
A fairly new kid on the block, the Bratz dolls and accessories have made a surprisingly big splash in the world of toys for girls. Most girls have seen one and are desperate to own a specific one such as Bratz Babyz Magic Hair – Cloe. They even have their own movie and that has gained them a bit more appeal and has made them our third choice on our top 5 list.
NUMBER TWO!
Dolls
Well, it would seem that both lists will have something generic on it and for girls, that generic item is dolls. These little treasures have been just that, a treasure, for girls for decades, if not centuries and you can pretty well find a doll for any age possible.
I personally purchased a baby for my niece before she had even reached the age of one and she cared it around everywhere with her. While that doll was pretty basic, you can find a doll for any little girl and they can do everything from simply look cute, like the Anne Geddes Baby Flower Plush Doll, to wiggle and interact, like Baby Alive Wets ‘N Wiggles Doll.
In addition to all the dolls, you can add a number of accessories to care for your doll, which boosts the games that you can play with a doll, making them number two on our list.
NUMBER ONE!
Barbie
The number one toy that every little girl is going to ask for at one time or another is Barbie. She has been around for 5 decades and for the looks of things, she isn’t going to be going too far.
Over the years there has been a few changes for Barbie and we have seen her become everything from Barbie as The Island Princess Doll to a mermaid and girls still take the time to purchase her, dress her up and shower her with all the must have accessories.
In fact, there are so many accessories for Barbie, like the Barbie Repunzel’s Wedding Horse that half the fun of owning a Barbie is in owning one of the many things that she can use or ride herself. She has even come out of the toy aisle and had successful movies and even fashion accessories or fashion inspired toys like the Barbie I-Design Slide 2 Style with 35 Fashion Cards and 2 BONUS Fashion Cards Pack. There is little doubt that Barbie will be here for another fifty years and will continue to be a hot item for little girl’s wish lists.
And that is our top 5 toys for girls but I am sure that for every child, there is a unique list of top fives.
How to Design a Disney Princess Themed Bedroom
Thinking of redecorating your little princess’ room? Why not give her some royal company? The Disney Princesses have mad a majestic comeback in recent years, and the crowned heads can offer an imperial touch to any girl’s room.
For those of you who don’t know (have you been living with the ogres?) the Disney princesses consist of Cinderella, Snow White ad Belle, Jasmine and Sleeping Beauty. With a wide line of furniture, bedding and accessories, decorating with these noble ladies will be magical, and give any girl a bedroom that is enchanting.
For a truly regal appearance, begin with the walls. There’s nothing plain about princesses, especially those from Disney, and no need to set them against a plain backdrop. Try alternating a paint roller length of matte paint with a roller length of satin in the same color. The walls remain monochromatic, but the effect of vertical, satin/matte stripes is stunning, and will transition easily as your child grows and her bedroom changes. Any color from the princesses’ palette will be striking in this alternating finish. By using the colors (or a lighter shade) of the princesses’ dresses, you ensure a perfect match. Because hot pink is the dominant color in most of the furniture and bedding, use a lighter shade of pink, if this is the chosen wall color. For girls who want a livelier look, choose three represented colors, painting individual walls a solid tint. Tie the bold look together by leaving one wall white and adding crowns and hearts to it, using the Disney princess palette. Commercial wallpaper and borders are, of course, readily available in almost any style imaginable. You can even make your own (more cost effectively) by purchasing paper table clothes at a party store, trimming the border from them and using decoupage medium to adhere them to the wall. (Leftovers can adorn light switch covers and plain picture frames, or anything else you can decoupage.)
For kings or queens who don’t own their palace (that’d be you dads and moms who rent), or who aren’t sure their princess will stick with one theme for a long period of time, there are alternatives.
Wall stickers are a relatively new item on the decorating scene. These cool little decorations can be moved without damage, so removing them or taking them with you in a move is possible. Using a panel of princess fabric as “wallpaper” is another option. Simply use heavy starch to attach the fabric to the wall; it will come down easily and the starch will wash away with soap and water. Painting murals on muslin or painters’ canvas also gives you an easily-removable option that provides an imperial bang. Your hand-painted mural can be hung as a tapestry, or adhered to the wall with fabric starch. A floor mat can be created in much the same way, using outdoor latex paint and painters’ canvas, finished with a polyurethane glaze. These removable items make a princess room a financially-feasible possibility for those who rent their homes, or for girls who are likely to change their theme in just a couple of years.
Furniture is next. Beds, vanities, headboards and storage benches are all available for your girl’s bedroom. Because most of the furniture is less expensive, it is primarily pressboard or plastic, with the toy box selections being fabric. For higher end furniture, there are bonuses; for example, the wooden toddler bed transitions from toddler to twin size. Available at stores nationwide or online, creating just the right look for your daughter’s castle is simple. Prices are reasonable, ranging from the low $30’s into the mid-$100’s for the less expensive line, and into the $500’s for items such as the Disney Princess Twin Carriage Bed. As always, there are options for do-it-yourselfers. Dressers are harder to find. A coat of paint and faux gold-leaf, stencils and a new set of drawer pulls (cut “crystal” acrylic, or perhaps wooden pulls decoupaged with princess stickers) will solve the dresser dilemma. Making your own crown headboard and princess shelves is as easy as a jigsaw, a piece of plywood, paints and a little imagination (Disney inspired, of course).
Accessories are available in most popular retail stores. From comforters, lamps and curtains to picture frames, bookends, trash cans and clothes hampers, these princesses are the hottest thing going. Comforters may feature the princesses as a group or individually, and in the “traditional” pink, green or purple backgrounds. Most individual accessories are priced under $50, while accessory sets range into the low $100’s.
Bedrooms are a statement of identity and a place of privacy or sharing, depending on the moment and mood of your princess. There’s no reason, with the wide variety of Disney Princess bedroom items available, that it cannot also be enchanting.
Top 5 Toys that All Boys Want
- At December 1, 2009
- By Kimberly Alexander
- In Summer Fun
- 0
Every year around September or October, thousands of newspapers, radio shows and television programs will start listing out all the items that are a must have for Christmas. It doesn’t matter that Christmas is still several months away or that most parents aren’t even planning for that event, all that matters is that everyone is up to date on the latest and greatest toys.
While I am not a big fan of the push, I am usually a huge fan of the new toys that are coming out and every year I watch the list and one thing that I have noticed is that there always seems to be similar toys on the list and there are tons of classics that are always a must have toy for every child.
Today I am going to look at the must have toys for boys and over the next few weeks, I will also have a must have list for girls.
NUMBER FIVE!
Thomas the Tank Engine
When I first arrived on the child toy circuit about ten years ago, I found much to my delight, a little toy train that was capturing the hearts of children and parents alike. There wasn’t much that you could dislike about Thomas the Tank engine with his large box sets of wooden tracks, his colorful friends like Salty or his cheerful nature that always made him a very useful engine.
Every time I thought the glory that was Thomas the Tank Engine was fading, another generation of mini conductors was born and the lure of all things Thomas from the Thomas & Friends Folding Potty Seat to the Aquadoodle Thomas Toot N Doodle was once again established.
For this reason, Thomas and all of his friends are still a must have for boys around the globe and are popular with girls as well and makes this useful little engine number five on our list. You can find Thomas in toys, puzzles, such as the HIT Kids’ Favorites 6 Puzzles Set and videos, like the Story Reader Video + with BONUS Thomas the Tank Cartridge.
NUMBER FOUR!
Spiderman
Number four on our list is a favorite superhero that has proven time and time again that you don’t need to be the biggest guy on the block to fight evil and save the day. Perhaps that is that reason alone that has made Spiderman one of the most popular superheroes for boys and he often outsells all of the other superheroes that are on the market today.
With several movies behind his stardom and several animation series, there really is a Spiderman for all ages, whether you are young and receiving your Spider-Man & Friends – My First Spider-Man or you are a teen and waking up to the The Amazing Spider-Man Alarm Clock.
In fact, there are so many things that are Spiderman related that you can find a toy or puzzle, like the Spider-Man & Friends 25 Piece Puzzles – Set of 2, for just about anyone. You can even find Spiderman clothes and baseball hats like the Spider-man Baseball Hat Cap that is sure to delight any boy that you are shopping for.
NUMBER THREE!
Cars
Although it may seem like I am talking about Disney’s creation, Cars, with all their wonderful toys and memorabilia such as Disney Pixar Ramone DVD Player with Toggle-style Remote, Disney Pixar Cars Pit Race Off – Lightning McQueen – Die Cast and Mega Blocs Disney Cars – Lightning McQueen, I am actually talking about general run of the mill cars that have captured the attention of little boys (and big) for the last five decades or so.
Boys love cars and when they are asked for a top 5, they are sure to spout off a dozen little cars that they absolutely love such as Hot Wheels 40th Anniversary Die-Cast ’70 Mustang – 1:64 Scale or the Hot Wheels 40th Anniversary ’56 Ford F-100 and ’56 Crown Victoria Collector Set . Cars are a big hit and boys are always happy to add a few more to their collection of die casts but cars can go a bit farther and you can now add to any boy’s collection a number of race car tracks such as the Hot Wheels Monster Jam Crash Cage Action Set or the Carrera Go Speed Racer Racing System.
With all the things you can purchase for generic cars and the relatively low price of these little treats, there is very little surprise that they still remain an all time favorite for boys and make our list at number three.
NUMBER TWO!
LEGO
Lego, number two on our list is met with a mixed review on my part. On one hand, I love the fact that you can purchase anything, and I do mean anything, in Lego. My house has become a haven for LEGO Indiana Jones – Jungle Duel , LEGO Star Wars Ahsoka’s Starfighter and Vulture Droid , and LEGO BIONICLE® Toa Hahli. In fact, there is so much Lego in my house that I often find it sitting just about everywhere, a piece here, a piece there and even a few in the bathtub.
Lego is a hit with children, especially boys, and I have seen children build with it for hours. I have always wondered at the wow power behind a simple block but watch one child build his own city or LEGO Build You Own Harbor, and you soon realize that the wonder of Lego comes in the ability to create things with your own hands out of your own imagination.
With all the wonder of Lego, there is little doubt that it is a must have toy for thousands of boys and the only thing that needs to be figured out with Lego is how to avoid stepping on it.
NUMBER ONE!
Transformers
Our number one toy that all boys should have is one that I am always excited about because it has been a classic for a long time. Transformers is what I am talking about and there is a lot of excitement over the whole Transformers toy line, whether it is the TransFomers Movie Premium Series – Megatron or the TransFormers Movie Premium Series Optimus Prime.
Even without being completely cool and transformable, these toys are sure to be a number one wish list for Christmas since the new movie is now out and has been met with rave reviews. Boys, and their parents, are flocking into theatres to see the latest Transformers movie and after the movie, they are sure to be heading back out to the buy toys such as the Transformers Movie Voyager Ironhide.
Transformers have even moved past their trademarked images such as Transformers Premium Series – Bumblebee and Transformers Decepticon Heavy Load & Drill Bit Mini-Con! and have moved into other franchises with Transformable Star Wars.
And that is where we will leave you today, with 5 top toys that are sure to brighten the eyes of any little boy who receives it.
