Little Hands On Play

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When little hands are not kept busy, they get into trouble.  Keep those hands (as well as minds) busy and stimulated, as well as bodies active while you get ready for fall fun.

Get outside and play with the new Mini Golf Set from Alex Toys. Perfect for even quite small kids, this set is easy to set up and play.  The set is circus themed, and can be used indoor or outdoors- but for me, I would never recommend playing with sports equipment or balls indoors, seems like an accident waiting to happen- even if they are foam. It comes with only 2 putters/golf clubs, so you might need to share or get two sets if you want to play with everyone at once. The clubs are made for small hands, so they are easy to use and swing, which is great for hand-eye coordination. The set comes with 4 balls, 2 clubs, and 6 different circus themed “”holes”, as well as a carry bag (which can also keep your golf game from losing pieces until the next round).

Available for $37 at http://www.alextoys.com/product/mini-golf-set/

Does your little miss think she is the next Donna Karan?  Let her get her fashionista on with the new Barbie Fashion Design Maker Doll.  Your child can design and create fashions that her doll can really wear- and yes, the Barbie is included. Use the prints and accessories that are in the included software, and even add photos for extra personalization. Eight sheets of printable fabric is included, just peel them off like a sticker and trim with glitter, ruffles, or other included accessories for any look she can imagine. Your child can even store each design in a portfolio like a “real” designer or student. This set includes one Barbie doll, shoes and necklace, eight sheets of printable fabric, fabric ruffles, glitter trims, glitter accessories, and the portfolio. Refill packs are available. About $50 on Mattel.com or stores near you.

While your little miss is busy designing her Barbie, your little mister can build a racetrack with the new Fast Tracks Racing Team by Mega Bloks First Builders.  You and your children can mix and match the two racecars, and even customize them with included stickers.  (Girls don’t’ get ALL the designing fun, after all.)  Build up your racetracks and see who the winner is- best three out of five wins!  Alternately, it is compatible with all other Mega Blocks sets, so you can build tracks in many shapes and sizes to race with.

This set comes with two cars to build, 50 pieces, and sticker sheet. Available for about $20 at http://www.megabloks.com or stores near you.

Keep the kids all entertained- even the big one (daddy) with Z-Line Ninja playsets from the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles show. These are installed easily to any walls (measure before setting them up, so you know you have the right amount of space) and come down easily, too. Kids can zip and send their favorite Ninja Turtle action figures flying all about the room on adventures to catch Kraang and Shredder.  Every playset has a New York City backdrop that sticks easily to walls (and again, comes off when you want it to) to make it seem that much more “real”. Connect the  lines, and send your turtles going in a chain reaction, zip line feat. The deluxe playsets, Water Tower Washout and Billboard Breakout give kids more line, more space, and more speed (of course) for the turtles to zip on.

All sets come with a gargoyle launcher, c-turn, zip-lines, angle gauge and more.  They are all compatible with most Turtles basic action figures (sold separately), and range in price from $20-$30  at Toys R Us and stores near you.