Showing posts with label Toy Insider. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toy Insider. Show all posts

Friday, July 14, 2023

FOSTERING GROWTH THROUGH PLAY WITH RIDE-ON TOYS FOR TODDLERS

rollplay nighthawk

We've all witnessed the joy and excitement on a child's face when they get on their first ride-on toy. This feeling of delight is immeasurable. What most parents may not realize is that this form of play actually offers a multitude of developmental benefits. 

Ride-on toys, like the Rollplay Nighthawk, are more than just a fun addition to your child's toy collection. They offer remarkable opportunities to enhance your little one's motor skills, balance, spatial awareness, and confidence. But how exactly do these benefits unfold? There are so many reasons!

Promotes Fine and Gross Motor Skills 

The thrill of controlling a ride-on toy accelerates your child's development in several ways. As kids engage their arms and legs, pushing, pulling, pedaling, and steering, they are unknowingly fine-tuning both their fine and gross motor skills. Gross motor skills involve the movement of large muscle groups, and ride-on toys are the perfect tools to enhance these skills. The very act of propelling and steering a ride-on toy demands physical effort, coordination, and control. All of these efforts contribute significantly to the development of gross motor skills. 

ride on toys

There is also the development of fine motor skills which involve more precise movements, such as gripping the handlebars, operating brakes, and manipulating different levers on the toy. The coordination of these activities enhances the child's agility and precision. 

Increases Physical Activity 

Ride-on toys require a good amount of physical effort, turning playtime into a fun-filled workout. They offer excellent opportunities for aerobic exercise, benefiting the heart and lungs while strengthening muscles and bones. 

But the benefits don't stop at physical fitness. The increased activity also boosts cognitive development, enhancing problem-solving skills, creativity, and concentration. Indeed, ride-on toys are an entertaining and effective way to keep your toddler healthy and active. 

Develops Balance Skills 

Ride-on toys can play a crucial role in the development of balance skills. As your toddler learns to steer and propel their toy, they're also learning how to shift their weight and maintain balance, vital skills that will come in handy in numerous activities throughout their life. 

Improves Spatial Awareness 

Ride-on toys are also an excellent tool for enhancing spatial awareness. This skill involves understanding the relationship between oneself and objects in the environment. When your toddler navigates their ride-on toy around the yard or house, they begin to understand concepts like distance, speed, and direction. This understanding is critical in daily life and will continue to be vital as they grow older. 

Builds Confidence and Inspires Imagination 

Riding around on their very own vehicle can give your toddler a tremendous confidence boost. It also offers a fantastic platform for imaginative play, letting them explore roles and scenarios that help in their cognitive and emotional development. From pretending to be a racecar driver to embarking on a magical adventure on their horse toy, ride-on toys open up a world of creativity and excitement for your child. 

Safety Tip 

While ride-on toys offer numerous benefits, it's essential to ensure that your child is using them safely. Helmets, long sleeves, and trousers can protect your child from minor accidents, and supervision can prevent more serious ones.

geek daddy blog

Monday, August 3, 2020

SWEET SUITE AT HOME

toy insider
The other day we participated in a virtual toy expo hosted by The Toy Insider. I met with industry reps through online chats learning about what hot new products brands will be having hit store shelves soon while my kids provided some live video demonstrations of some fun new games and toys from our friends at Play Monster. Sweet Suite @ Home was a fun evening for the whole family and we learned about a lot of interesting stuff that we will be sharing with you on ageekdaddy.com over the next few months.

Plus we were sent a big box of swag full of toy samples that just arrived! Time for an unboxing! Let's see what is inside:



So what were some of the favorite things my daughter found inside our Sweet Suite @ Home swag box?

BLIND BAG FIGURES
playmobile

My daughter LOVES Calico Critters and was excited that one of these figures was included in our toy samples. The brand will be releasing blind bags that each contain a cute animal figurine with a camping motif this Fall. Playmobile will also be releasing a blind bag assortment of characters from Scooby Doo cartoons that are a hit with my kids! Blind bags show you the characters that could be inside on the outside of the packaging but you don't know exactly what toy is inside until it is opened up. These mystery packs have been a popular trend with the toy industry in recent years and the sense of mystery and excitement in opening up bling bags provides some extra fun in these toys for kids.

SHOULDERKINS
shoulderkins

My daughter has been walking around the house with a sea lion on her shoulder. She thinks Shoulderkins from Aurora are adorable! These cute plush sit on kids shoulders and stay on thanks to a magnet that slips under a shirt to keep the toy attached to your body. In addition to Sammy the Sea Lion there are also a bunny, octopus, unicorn, giraffe, tiger, turtle, and flamingo to choose from in this stuffed animal collection.

POKEMON BATTLE ACADEMY
pokemon

My kids were most excited about this coming in the Sweet Suite @ Home swag box. They collect Pokemon trading cards but really don't know how to play the game. Pokeman Battle Academy uses a board game to teach people how to play the card deck building game. You can just have fun with this table top game or use it as an entryway to playing the card game. Pokemon Battle Academy looks to be a fun way to spend a family game night!

Check out our YouTube unboxing video to see what else arrived in the Sweet Suite @ Home Swag box. Stay tuned for more updates as this dad blogger continues to provide updates on fun games and toys my kids, and this kid at heart, enjoy playing with.

Monday, March 5, 2018

MorfBoard Twitter Party

Woot!!! Woot!!! Remember the hashtag #MorfBoard and slide over to Twitter at 11 am E.T. on Friday, March 9, 2018 for a party sponsored by Jakks Pacific showcasing an innovative skate, scoot, bounce and balance system that is sure to thrill kids ages 8 and up with an entirely new play experience.  The Toy Insider #MorfBoard Twitter Party will highlight all the fun aspects of this skateboard / scooter combo designed to make it comfortable to get into riding as well as easy to learn stunts and tricks.  Plus there will be five great MorfBoard prize giveaways throughout the hour long Twitter party.

As part of The Toy Insider's Parents Panel, A Geek Daddy is co-hosting this PARTY so make sure to follow our blog's Twitter account ( @Geekdad248 ) along with @TheToyInsider and @JakksToys while using the hashtag #MorfBoard to reply to questions and join in the conversation during the hour for a chance to win prizes. You also need to complete The Toy Insider RSVP form to be considered for prizes and eligible to win.  Get that filled out and submitted before or during the #MorfBoard Twitter Party for a chance to win.



Jakks Pacific's MorfBoard Skate/Scoot Combination is a ride-on recommended for kids ages 8 & up that uses Lock & Release Technology so kids can transform their ride from a skateboard to a scooter in seconds.  With additional Xtensions available for purchase (sold separately), there's always a new way to play.  For more details about MorfBoard, check out The Toy Insider's product review.

Four lucky winners will receive a MorfBoard Skate/Scoot Combination and one grand prize winner will get the entire set -- a Morfboard Skate/Scoot Combination AND Balance and Bounce Xtensions. Must RSVP and participate during the #MorfBoard Twitter Party for a chance to win.  Prizes limited to United States residents only.

Hope to see you at the party! Give @Geekdad248 a shout out if you join in the fun!

Monday, January 1, 2018

THE TOY INSIDER 2017 RETROSPECTIVE

I just wrapped up my second year being a part of the Toy Insider's Parents Panel and being involved with it was one of the highlights of 2017!  As a part of this group of moms and dads, we each make regular contributions on thetoyinsider.com providing tips from parents for parents on a wide range of topics including educational tools we've used, our kids' favorite toys, and ways to get children engaged in imaginative play.  In addition to writing for the Toy Insider's website, Parents Panel members are provided samples of toys throughout the year so we can share reviews of our family's own experiences on our own websites, serves as Twitter party hosts where we give out some really nice prizes while having some fun conversations, and get inside access to preview events where we get to see the next hot toys before they even hit store shelves.

Hope you have read some of my posts on thetoyinsider.com!  Here are a few of my best Toy Insider posts from 2017:

GET KIDS BUG-EYED ABOUT LEARNING

SUMMER STAY-CATION:  FUN IDEAS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

KEEP KIDS ACTIVE: FUN WITH FLYING DISCS

GAMES EVERYONE KNOWS (BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO PLAY)

MAKING LASTING MEMORIES WITH FUN FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS

I'll be continuing on with the Toy Insider's Parents Panel into 2018 so keep an eye out on my Twitter, Instagram and Facebook feeds for announcements about my blog posts for them, contests and giveaways, toy reviews, Twitter parties and more.  Plus you can CLICK HERE for a listing of upcoming Twitter Parties as well ... I always have fun joining in on them and each one always gives out some great prizes to a few lucky participants.

Monday, September 4, 2017

RECOIL TWITTER PARTY


Join us on Friday, September 8, 2017 from 11 am - Noon EST as A GEEK DADDY co-hosts the #RecoilWORLD Twitter Party with The Toy Insider.  RSVP to participate in a fun chat filled with interesting banter and trivia and be eligible for some great giveaways.  During the party we'll be discussing a new adrenaline pumping game from Skyrocket Toys called RECOIL.



RECOIL is a location-based game powered by GPS with real-time player tracking for up to 16 participants.  It's augmented reality capabilities transform any location into a digitally-enhanced battlefield.  RECOIL also features real-time voice chat between players and live stats through the mobile app that powers the game.  CLICK HERE to read The Toy Insider's review of Skyrocket Toys' RECOIL.

Four lucky winners selected during the Twitter party will win a RECOIL Multiplayer Starter Set, and one grand prize winner will win a RECOIL Multiplayer Starter Set AND a RECOIL SR-12 Rogue!  To be eligible to win RSVP in advance of the party.  Also follow @RecoilWorld, @thetoyinsider and @Geekdad248 while engaging in the party's conversation using #RecoilWORLD in your tweets.  Hope to see you there! It will be a blast!


Saturday, July 15, 2017

TOY INSIDER PARENTS PANEL

During the last year I have partnered with The Toy Insider as a member of their Parents Panel, a group of moms and dads who make regular contributions to thetoyinsider.com with tips from parents for parents on a wide range of topics including educational tools we've used, our kids' favorite toys, and ways to get children engaged in imaginative play.  Parents Panel members are provided samples of toys throughout the year so we can share reviews of our family's own experiences, host Twitter parties where we give out some really nice prizes while having some witty banter, and get inside access to preview events where we get to see the next hot toys before they even hit store shelves.  This is a really great group of people including James Zahn (The Rock Father), Destiny Paquette (Suburban Wife City Life), Stephanie Glover (A Grande Life) and Charlene DeLoach (Charlene's Chronicles) and myself. 

Here are some examples of my past Parent's Panel posts that you can find on thetoyinsider.com:

Summer Stay-cation: Fun Ideas For the Whole Family

Bringing the WOW Factor to Your Next Family Game Night

Get Kids Bug-Eyed About Learning

Toys to Make Your Kids King of the Hill on the Neighborhood Playground

I'm excited to announce that I'll be continuing as a member of Parents Panel for another year with my new term with the group starting during my appearance at the Toy Insider's annual holiday shopping toy preview Sweet Suite 2017 at this year's Blogger Bash in New York City.  Stay tuned for another year of Toy Insider fun!

Friday, September 23, 2016

Play Like Hasbro Twitter Party -- September 27, 2016

 **A Geek Daddy has been compensated for participating in & promoting this event **

Join A GEEK DADDY for a Twitter party on Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. EST with Hasbro! I'll be co-hosting a fun hour of fun banter about The Toy Insider's favorite holiday gift ideas from Hasbro this year. Join in this fun chat and follow along using #PlayLikeHasbro for a chance to win great prizes, including Hasbro’s latest games, My Little Pony and Transformers products, Disney Princess dolls, and much more!  Hasbro will be giving away five themed prize packs throughout the hour plus an incredible grand prize during the Twitter party.

The lucky grand prize winner will receive more than $400 worth of the hottest holiday toys from Hasbro, including the coveted new Furby Connect! The grand prize includes:

Disney Frozen Little Kingdom Elsa’s Magical Rising Castle (4+)
Littlest Pet Shop Pet Shop Playset (4+)
My Little Pony Explore Equestria Crystal Empire Playset (3+)
Play-Doh Town 3-in-1 Town Center Playset (3+)
Transformers: Robots in Disguise Power Surge Optimus Prime (5+)
DreamWorks Trolls Glitterific Guy Diamond Doll (4+)
Star Wars Blade Builders Spin-Action Lightsaber (4+)
Pie Face Showdown Game (5+)
Furby Connect (6+)


For a chance to win a prize during the #PlayLikeHasbro Twitter Party you need to RSVP in advance, follow @TheToyInsider, @HasbroNews & @Geekdad248, and actively participate throughout the hour long event using the #PlayLikeHasbro hashtag in your tweeted comments.  CLICK HERE to RSVP.

This Twitter party is open to U.S. residents only. You must be 18 or older to play. You must RSVP and participate actively in the party to be eligible for a prize pack. This event is brought to you and sponsored by THE TOY INSIDER. The event was rescheduled from Friday, September 16, 2016. A GEEK DADDY is participating as a member of 2016 - 2017 The Toy Insider's Parent Panel and has been financially compensated for being involved with and promoting the event.

Monday, August 29, 2016

The Toy Insider Parent Panelist

A Geek Daddy has been honored to have been selected to serve on the 2016 - 2017 Parents Panel for The Toy Insider.  I'll be one of 5 parents regularly contributing articles on one of the leading toy review websites out there -- thetoyinsider.com.  We'll be complimenting The Toy Insider's professional editorial staff with tips and recommendations straight from the mouths of parents who are in the midst of the enjoyment and tribulations of raising kids.  Make visiting The Toy Insider one of your regular stops while traveling the digital superhighway to read the most recent articles Parents Panel members have posted online covering a variety of interesting topics such as "Preparing Kids for Back to School" and "Apple Picking Tips for a Fall Family Outing to the Orchard."


Contributions by A Geek Daddy so far for The Toy Insider Parent Panel have included "Selecting Age Appropriate Movies for Kids" and "Donating Stuffed Animals to Charity."   If there is a topic you'd like us to delve into don't hesitate to let me know!  Upcoming segments from the Parent Panel will include, among other topics, tips on Halloween fun and holiday shopping over the next few months.

The Toy Insider Parents Panel members receive a stipend for their efforts plus other perks including regular sample boxes from toy manufacturers of new products heading to store shelves.  Participants are not required to blog or vlog about any specific item or subject and all the opinions expressed by members of the panel are honest and their own.  A Geek Daddy is looking forward to this year long adventure interacting with parents from around the world and having fun testing out new toys!  I hope you'll join us in this journey.

A Geek Daddy is the father of 7-year-old twins.  He blogs about the adventures of parenting from a fun-loving dad's perspective.  A connoisseur of comic books, wrist watches and remote control cars, he enjoys family road trips and is an avid Detroit Tigers fan.