The young mind is inquisitive and creative, building entire worlds with their unique perspective and imagination and the Aquadoodle art mat is one of the best ways to tap into that inexhaustible creative energy. There are many different Aqauadoodle mat configurations to choose from, depending on the child’s personal preferences, whether they prefer a certain character like Elmo or Thomas the Train or something from the Disney world of imagination.

Kids from all walks of life live to draw and create images that they can admire, and then they like to start over on something new and even better than before. How many times have you sat and watched your child create or draw something on paper, only to turn the page and start something new. Many times they draw the same thing over and over and over and every time it seems like exactly the same thing. Yet when you look closer, you see the minor variations, the indications of improvement, alteration, or adjustment of their mind’s eye.

The Aquadoodle floor mat is the perfect combination of creative ability with the opportunity to start fresh without having to worry too much about erasing, since it does it for them. The unique Aquadoodle pens and patented technology are revolutionary and kids absolutely love the magic that the Aquadoodle pen creates right there in the palm of their hand.

To a young mind, the way the pens and the amazing water-based technology works, with the colors that they portray on the mat and how the lines disappear on their own will lead to hours upon hours of excitement and energy within your child from the first moment they place that unique pen to the incredible mat. Once the wonder fades, the joy continues on for years to come.

Many Different Aquadoodle Products to Choose From

Perhaps the best aspect about these uniquely artistic mats is that there is a tremendous variety of styles and characters to choose from to connect with your kid. Probably the most popular among young children is the Thomas Aquadoodle. These Aquadoodle draw and doodle mat with the Thomas and friends characters are simply adorable. When a child’s favorite characters from cartoons or other programs, such as Disney, are portrayed on their favorite toys, then the magical connection is apparent almost from the start.

Making an Aquadoodle drawing with their favorite fictional friend can be inspiring and wondrous for any young child. It’s not always a matter of being able to draw that makes something like this so precious, but the connection and joy that it brings to the child as they become lost in their own little world for hours on end, believing that Thomas or his friends are welcoming them into their private world.

The imagination of a child will help to unlock a mountain of potential later in life if it’s allowed and encouraged to develop. The Aquadoodle draw-n-doodle mat is a great way to help your child reach their potential and forge a bond with creativity that can last a lifetime.

                          

When searching for the right kids’ luggage for your young child, kids’ character luggage is a sure bet that they will love traveling. Taking a trip for any young child can be a difficult and stressful time and having fun kids’ character luggage for them can alleviate some of the stress from the situation.

Disney Princess Rolling Luggage Case

To make it even more appealing, Disney kids’ luggage that is personalized can make your child feel quite special, as though their favorite Disney characters are speaking directly to them. ‘Cars’ characters are also quite popular today, based on the Pixar movie.

Sesame Street also has a number of characters that appeal to younger children and are wonderful additions to your house when they come on kids’ luggage. Elmo has been a staple in children’s lives for many years and will continue to appeal for years to come. Bert and Ernie, Big Bird, and Grouch are wonderful characters that kids who watch the show, or the videos with them, connect with.

The reason that kids’ character luggage is so appealing for many parents is that children tend to become attached to these characters. When they feel a connection to these items, they are familiar and reassuring. If you think back to your own childhood, there are bound to be some items, whether a stuffed animal, blanket, or lunchbox that you felt a connection to. They made you feel secure and safe.

Kids’ character luggage helps them to feel secure and safe.

Dora Luggage Case on Wheels

Airports are the prime example of places that can become overwhelming for many young children. The shear size along with the crowds, many of whom are pushing and rushing through the terminals, can be frightening for children who have never experienced it before. When their kids’ luggage speaks to them through these popular characters, it has a soothing effect on them and can also keep them from focusing on the things that frighten them.

Just about any television show or movie for kids has a luggage line for kids. When you set out to select the right kids’ travel luggage, it’s important to know who your child’s favorite characters are. When they get the perfect kids’ character luggage, they will be looking forward to that next trip with excitement and anticipation because they will get to use their kids’ luggage!

Visit our bags and backpack store here…

                          

If you’re looking to surprise mom on mother’s day, one of my favourite activities is planning a family picnic. In setting up the big event, you’ll want to consider locations, picnic games, and of course picnic foods.

Picnic Locations

For the sake of convenience, the easiest location for a mother’s day picnic is of course your very own backyard! But if you’re looking to veer off site, consider state parks, zoos, beaches, botanical gardens, or natural preserves. Depending on which location you finally decide on, make sure you bring with you appropriate picnic gear. Scouting the location before hand is an option. You’ll want to make sure they have picnic tables and other amenities you might need.

Picnic Activities for the Family

Some of the best times of our lives are spent with our families. On a picnic we want to make it as fun and entertaining as possible. Just sitting around and stuffing our faces is kind of boring when you have little ones to consider. Keep them busy with picnic games that will occupy their time in the sun. Some of my favourites include the following:

• Kite flying
• Soccer
• Football
• Badminton
• Butterfly catching
• Scrabble
• Yahtzee

Picnic Foods for the Kids and Family

The most important aspect of the family picnic is of course FOOD! Keep it easy and keep it simple. Try to pick foods that don’t require utensils, but if you’re a keener and want to go all out, then make sure you have the right equipment. There are picnic sets on the market that come nicely assembled with plates, forks, cutting boards and everything you need to plan an exciting family picnic event.
The simplest picnic foods to choose include chips, dips, finger sandwiches, dried fruit, corn on the cob, and cookies. If you go to a park that has a BBQ, then bring along your frozen burgers and hot dogs. My favourites, you might even want to grill a few veggies.

End off the main course with a picnic dessert. Here are some popular picnic desserts recipes I’ve put together:

1. Lemon Bars
2. Chocolate Cakies
3. Easy Fruit Smoothie

                          

The long and cold winter is finally over. Spring has arrived. Trees are budding and new spring smells are tickling our senses. But with spring comes April showers. Outfitting the kids with the right kids umbrella is a task in itself. Here are some tips to consider when purchasing umbrellas for kids.

1. Opening and closing mechanism. Depending upon the child’s age, you’ll first want to consider whether to purchase a kids umbrella that opens manually or automatically. For ages five and under, the manual kind is recommended. Test it out before purchasing. Have your child open the umbrella to see whether there are any chances of little fingers getting caught.

2. Protective piece. At the tip of the kids umbrella, make sure that there is a protective piece (usually in the shape of a ball). Make sure the piece is well glued and does not easily come off. We don’t want to poke any eyes out!

3. Handles. Typically, kids umbrellas have three different types of handles. Some have plastic moulded handles in the shape of a cartoon character, others have a plastic handle with an image, and of course the classic round hook kind. Make sure the kids umbrella handle is not made of wood. We don’t want those pesky splinters getting in those little hands.

4. Size. Consider two types of shapes for umbrellas for kids; the bubble shape and the standard shape. Which to choose is really a personal preference. Some argue that bubble shaped umbrellas for kids give more coverage. We’ll leave the choice up to mom. In terms of size, a kids umbrella will measure approximately 28 inches in diameter.

Toy Story Kids Umbrella

1. After prolonged use, you might want to double check to see if there are any missing pieces or protruding metal rods. Those little kiddie eyes need to be protected at all times.

2. Look for matching rain coats and boots. What’s cuter than your little girl all dressed up in Disney Princess or boy outfitted in Disney Cars!

3. Make sure when purchasing umbrellas for kids that they are age appropriate. Again, there are different sized umbrellas out on the market and you don’t want to get one that is too difficult for your little one to open and close.

Visit our kids umbrella store here…

                          

When you are a new parent, or even a seasoned parent for that matter, you are constantly on the lookout for ways that your child can hurt themselves.  You watch the stairs and block them off with baby gates, you make sure cords are out of reach and that baby can’t grab any hot liquids.  You are constantly on the watch and there is a very good reason why you are.

That vigilance for safety is also seen in the toys that a parent will buy for their baby and everyone at Kimmy’s Shop is just as focused on safety as the parents who shop here.  We are worried about the overall safety of children and make sure that we offer parents the support they need to keep their little bundles safe.

And that brings us to today’s post, safety with baby seats and exersaucers, which are a very popular toy that you can purchase to keep your baby entertained for a few minutes of each day.  While they can be a lot of enjoyment, especially seats like the Fisher-Price Song and Story Learning Chair, there are a few safety concerns that you should be aware of before you purchase.

Tip Number One:

Make sure the toy has a firm base.  One of the most common accidents with exersaucers and baby chairs is that they tip over.  When they do tip over, baby goes for a tumble and this can lead to serious injuries so it is very important that no matter what type of seat you are buying.

Tip Number Two:

Limit the amount of time your baby is in the toy.  This is a very important tip since studies have shown that the prolonged use of exersaucers can cause delays in development.  By keeping the time short, you can make sure that your baby gets just enough time in the exersaucer without hurting their development in any way.  For even more security in your baby’s development, you can purchase a Three Stages Super Seat, so baby has all the benefits of an exersaucer without a lot of the negatives.

Tip Number Three:

Keep seats on the floor.  While it may be tempting to place baby in the Three Stages Super Seat and then sit them up on a table beside you, it is much better to keep baby on the floor.  Your baby’s movements can send the seat sliding around, which can result in a serious fall.  In addition, keep the seat away from stairs or counters since seats offer your child extra height for reaching.

Tip Number Four:

Check for recalls.  The last tip that I am going to mention with exersaucers is to make sure that you really watch for recalls.  Being aware of the recalls can make a lot of difference and you will be ready to either return your toy to the manufacturer or order the safety product that will fix any problems. So whether you are purchasing the Three Stages Super Seat or the Fisher-Price Song and Story Learning Chair, keep an eye on those recall lists.

                          

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.

Visit our toy store here…

                          

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.

                          

As long as I have worked with children, I have noticed one universal truth; they all love bubbles.  In fact, I don’t think I have met anyone that doesn’t love bubbles, either as an adult or a child and I have many memories of both enjoying the hundreds of bubbles that have shot out of various bubble makers such as the Gazillion Bubbles Disney Cars Motorized Bubble Machine.

So in short, we all know that kids love bubbles, but did you know that bubbles help their development?  It’s true and it is actually surprising how many areas that bubbles can stimulate development.

Language, hand eye coordination and vision are all areas that are aided by bubbles floating around their head.  If we look at each one, we can see a range of things happening and, as a parent; you will definitely run out and purchase the first of bubbles, whether it comes in a bottle to blow or whether you can add it to a bath, like the Caillou Ultra Gentle Bubble Bath.

First up, hand eye coordination. This may seem like a stretch when you first think about it but even young infants will sit and point to bubbles as they float around their heads and this actually helps hand eye coordination.  Just think about an activity that will encourage this.  A Gazillion Bubbles Disney Cars Motorized Bubble Machine or Disney Little Mermaid Ariel Motorized Bubble Blower set up outside where you encourage the children to run, point and pop the fine bubbles.  Not only does this exercise encourage the development of hand eye, lining up the finger to pop the bubble, but it also encourages exercise and gross motor development.

Also, this type of play, as well as some quiet bath time with a Gazillion Bubbles Tub Town Wacky Wharf Playset, can encourage language development in children.  Children will love talking, laughing and singing songs about bubbles and there is always an opportunity to do this.

In addition to the songs, children who blow bubbles are believed to talk earlier than children who don’t since they are learning to manipulate their mouths, which only aids in speaking and pronouncing words.

Lastly, blowing bubbles really does help vision and not just in a hand eye coordination way.  Infants who watch bubbles, either with their parents or caregivers blowing them or watching them come from a Gazillion Bubbles Disney Cars Motorized Bubble Machine are able to build on their tracking ability.  The bubbles float up and down and all around and the baby’s eyes follow the movements.  As they grow, they are able to build on depth perception to pop the bubbles and of course, on their hand eye coordination.

So with all of these benefits to development, it leads one to believe that not only are bubbles fun but they are also beneficial and worth every minute of fun.

Visit our toy bubbles section here…

                          

The wind is blowing outside and the trees are bending and swaying to the gusts as they beckon you to come out and while it may be fun to watch Ruby flies a kite on the Max and Ruby – Ruby’s Snow Queen – DVD, it is more enjoyable to get outside and fly a Superman Diamond Kite.

Yes, it is that season again, when kite flying becomes a fun and exciting way to pass an hour or two or even a full day.  Unfortunately, not everyone feels that way and they spend the day battling the kite and trying to get it up in the sky without any success.  While kite flying seems easy, it can actually be very difficult to do and most people opt to leave their Finding Nemo Diamond Kite in the package instead of up in the sky.

Thankfully, there are a few tips to getting your Disney Pirates of the Caribbean Diamond Kite off the ground and you can find everything you need to know below.

Location, Location, Location:

As you know, everyone at Kimmy’s Shop is dedicated to safety and that is the first tip that we offer all of our readers is to be safe.  The best way to remain safe while you are flying a kite is all in the location.

Most people feel that all you need is a wide open field for kite flying but there is more to the location than just that.  While a park can be the ideal, it may have a few safety issues that should be considered.

First and foremost is overhead wires.  These are very dangerous and you should always make sure that there are none in the park that you are flying in and that any you see are a good football field away, or farther.  The last thing you will want is your kite going down onto a power line.

Next, look around at what is near your location.  Is there a road near by?  Are you flying your kite in amongst buildings or near a busy pathway?  If so, look for a different place to fly your Disney Princess Diamond Kite since you don’t want to chase a kite out into a street and you don’t want it to hit anyone walking by.

Once you have a safe location, start looking at the terrain.  If there are a lot of trees, it is not the ideal location since you will run the risk of losing the kite in a tree.  In addition, a park that is really hilly is not the best since the hills can work as a natural wind break, something that is horrible for kite flying.

Which Way does the Wind Blow:

The first time I flew a kite it was a very simple kite, much like the Winnie the Pooh Diamond Kite, and I didn’t think that there would be anything to flying it.  All I really needed to do was set up the kite, wait for a windy day and head off to the park.

Boy, was I wrong.  Kite flying takes a bit more planning than that and while wind is needed, it is important to really watch the wind before deciding to go out.

First, always make sure that the wind is blowing away from any potentially serious hazards.  If the wind is blowing towards a wide open field instead of a road, then it is the perfect day for kite flying.  If it isn’t, then it might be a good time to leave off kite flying for a day or two.

Next, check how hard the wind is blowing.  Some kites can do very well in a strong wind but others will only be tossed to the ground.  Save some of the frustration and read your kite’s directions first to find out the wind recommendation.  If it doesn’t have a recommendation, take it out and give it a test run.

Watch the Disney Mickey Mouse Diamond Kite closely.  If it begins looping and diving and you are unable to control it, then the wind is too strong for that particular kite and it is time to pull it in and try flying on another day.

Take Off and Touch Down:

When it comes to take off, very few people are good at it and they tend to have a running approach to it.  While this does seem to work, it is not the safest way to get a kite to take off and it is much better to launch a kite in a stationary position.

First, always try to fly a kite with a partner. This will save you a lot of problems and will make take off much easier.  Give them the Winnie the Pooh Diamond Kite to hold, while you hold the line.  Have them walk, not run, downwind until they are about 80 feet from you.  From there, you gently pull the kite towards you, but make sure your partner releases it before you begin pulling.

To do this on your own.  Simply hold the kite out in front of you and wait until the kite is caught by the wind.  Once it does, let the line out gently and watch it climb.

Once it is up there, you have seen it fly for a long period of time, which coincidentally, you should keep the line tight while it is in the air to prevent it from falling, and it is time to guide it back down.

Generally, the easiest way to bring the kite back down to earth is to walk backwards slowly and reel in the line.  Be sure to do this very carefully and don’t rush.  If you do, the Disney Cars Diamond Kite may crash into the ground and break.

And that is all it takes to fly a kite.  Before I end, however, I would like to make one last safety recommendation; never fly a kite when it is stormy outside.

                          

Okay, school may still be many weeks away from ending and most people aren’t really thinking about buying more items for the start of school next year but it is never too early to start. In fact, I am always on the lookout for new items for school since purchasing early and over a length of time can really save a lot of money, especially when you have more than one child.

In addition, backpacks, which is the wonderful little item that I am going to talk about today, is something that can really be used throughout the summer. If your child is going camping, to their grandparents or on any vacation, a backpack, like the Bakugan Battle Brawlers Backpack can really supply them with all the storage they need for their travels.

That being said, there are always a few things that you should consider when you choose a backpack for your child. Surprisingly, choosing a backpack is not as simply as going to the store and picking up the first item that catches your eye. You should really look at quality, which you can find in the GI JOE Backpack – Duke and Snake-Eyes, and at the staying power of the backpack so you are sure that it will really last the school year.

Tip Number One: Think of the size

As much as I love having a large backpack that will fit just about anything and functions more like a Ni Hao, Kai Lan Rolling Luggage Case than a Strawberry Shortcake Backpack but when it comes to little ones, large backpacks are not the most ideal product, unless you are planning on coordinating the backpack with a Strawberry Shortcake Rolling Luggage for overnight trips.

Instead, you are going to want to look at the use of the backpack. Is it used for a large number of books or just a few notes from school and their lunch pail? Will it have a change of clothing or only a few beloved toys that will go with them to preschool? If you need a full sized backpack, then you would probably want a Star Wars Sith Backpack or something similar and if you only need a small amount of storage, then a cute and functional Strawberry Shortcake Jr. Backpack.

However, before you commit to the backpack, make sure to check with the school and find out how large their lockers are. The last think you want is to find out your child’s backpack can’t be used because it simply won’t fit into his cubby.

Tip Number Two: Don’t focus on the Theme

Some parents, and I have been one of them, really begin to focus on the theme and tend to forget that themes can either endure for years or simply fade away in a matter of months.

For this reason, I would recommend that you don’t focus on the latest and greatest but really focus on a backpack that your child will be proud to wear for an extended period. Remember, through a school year your child will get a bit older and may not be as happy with the The Wonder Pets Jr. Backpack ‘Flying Boat’ half way through the year when all of his friends have the much older, (and seemingly more mature theme) of the Transformers Bumblebee Backpack.

Remember that when you choose a theme, find one that is appropriate for your child’s age throughout the school year. Also, if you find that he will be using the same backpack two years in a row, pick one that he will want when he is a year or two older.

Tip Number Three: Find one that fits your child

The last tip that I would like to mention is to really find a backpack that fits your child. Studies over the last few years have really linked back pain to carrying backpacks that are either too heavy or improperly fitted to your child.

When you choose a backpack, make sure that you purchase one according to your child’s size. A toddler is better suited to a Caillou Toddler Backpack than the Disney Princess Backpack with Purse and Pencil Case and it can be adjusted much better to fit your child.

Also make sure that you purchase a backpack that has straps that can be adjusted and to check those straps on a regular basis to make sure they fit securely, placing the weight in the correct areas.

The last thing that I am going to mention is purchasing a backpack with an additional lunch box, such as the GI JOE Backpack, Lunch Bag & Pencil Case. While this is not a necessity, you will find that purchasing them together can really cut down on the cost of purchasing them separate. Not only that, but your child will be overjoyed with bringing a backpack to school that is accompanied with its own matching lunch bag.

Visit our kids backpack section here…