Product Review - Glue Dots

I was recently asked to use and review Glue Dots. I've you've never seen them before, check them out here! They are fun and easy to use.

What are Glue Dots? Glue Dots Adhesives are a safer, easier, mess-free alternative to typical tapes and glue guns. Glue Dots provide the strength you need in an adhesive without the mess and dry time required of liquid glues. Glue Dots bond instantly to a wide variety of surfaces including: Paper/photos, Metal, Wood, Plastic, Textiles/Fibers, Plastic, Foam, and more! Find Glue Dots at a retailer near you or online today!

I used them with my 5 year old, Erich to decorate some small cans as Christmas gifts this year. First, he painted on contruction paper, then cut out different shapes. We then used the Glue Dots (both the craft roller and the mini roller) to attach the paper to the cans. We also took foam shapes and used the Glue Dots to attach those to the cans as well.

Here are a couple pictures of the cans.

We really enjoyed using the Glue Dots and I can't wait to find more things to do with them. Erich really enjoyed rolling the roller to the next dot to stick onto the paper. I really liked that it was easy for him to use and will be using them more for his craft projects in the future.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Glue Dots blogging contest to be eligible to receive a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

posted by:
Cara Retz
Educational Leader, Discovery Toys
www.playsmartstore.com
playsmartstore@gmail.com

Discovery Toys Safety & Quality

Playing It Safe: Understanding Age Grading

We have all seen it…a parent jingling keys in front of a fussy infant…then the infant reaches out and the parent allows the child to grasp the keys to chew on…(Not all parents are wise enough to have a set of Boomerings® links handy at a moments notice!)

We all know babies are attracted to the jingling keys but that does not necessarily mean keys are appropriate for infants. In the same way, we often have products that may be attractive to children of all ages but our packaging and activity guides clearly state they are for a specific age group.

The labels you see on Discovery Toys packaging are a collaboration of Marketing and Quality Assurance as we research, test and identify not only the developmental stages of the child and benefits of the toy, but how the product will be used. We take into account safety test criteria as well as age recommendations published by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. We revise both aspects of the product or the age grade if necessary to get the combination just right.

Discovery Toys packaging indicates the minimum age for which a product is intended. If the packaging states 3+ then the product is not intended for children younger than 3. One of the major milestones at 3 is that children no longer mouth their toys. Toys and games with small pieces should not be provided to children younger than 3 since a child younger than 3 may mouth small pieces causing a potential choking hazard

Follow the age grading on our toys and heed the warning labels on our packaging. Purchase “Grow-with-Me” toys that span age groups such as Rock the Boat and Giant Pegboard™. These toys will save you money by having a toy that can be used for many years, but still be safe for all ages.

Listed below are Age Grading Tips you can use with all toy purchases:

➜ Note the age recommendations and labeling on packaging. The age reflects the minimum age required for a particular toy.

➜ Parents and caregivers who have children of varying ages need to be mindful of the warning labels on products for small parts and to keep these toys separate from younger children so that small pieces are not accessible to them.

➜ If you have young children, get a small parts cylinder to use it to check other toys and items in the home.

➜ Ensure any toys that require batteries for children under age 3 are assembled by an adult and that the battery housing is checked periodically to ensure batteries are intact.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to interact with their children and their toys.

If you have any questions or comments regarding general toy safety or age grading, send your inquiries to: safety@discoverytoys.net.

by: Rosie Alonso, DT Quality Assurance

posted by:
Cara Retz
Educational Leader, Discovery Toys
www.playsmartstore.com
playsmartstore@gmail.com

Play Diet - Construction

So far in the Play Diet Serise, we have talked about Books/Music/Reading and Puzzles & Patterns. This week, we will take a look at the next group: Construction.

Using a variety of items to build anything their imagination can dream up is wonderful for thinking outside the box, problem solving and lots of open ended playtime. A must for boys and girls.

Older babies and toddlers love to play with blocks and stacking things of all kinds, including My Busy Day and Measure Up! Cups. Castle Marbleworks is also fun because they get to build a simple castle and then watch the marbles race to the bottom.

Preschoolers will enjoy the challenge of the Rock the Boat Balance Puzzle trying to put it together just right before it tips over. They will also enjoy figuring out other ways to stack the pieces. Bright Builders and Bright Builders Plus is a great open-ended construction toy. They are limited to what they can build only by their imagination! They can make anything from a makeup case and a person to flowers and buildings.

Jawbones is a perfect next step for your school aged kids where they will have hours of fun building things like cars, space ships and boats. Marbleworks is a fun construction toy as well where they can build and race the marbles to the bottom. There is also endless fun to be had with Zip Track. They can build a variety of tracks to race cars around.





Take some time to enjoy construction with your child whether you are building a block tower, making a fun craft or building a race track. If you need more suggestions or have questions about how you can incorporate it into your child's play, don't hesitate to email me.

posted by:
Cara Retz
Educational Leader, Discovery Toys
www.playsmartstore.com
playsmartstore@gmail.com

What is one characteristic that makes your business unique from others in your industry

There are lots of toy companies out there. We all know it. Anyone can go into just about any store and find some kind of toy in there. But, the thing that makes Discovery Toys different is that all the consultants are trained to help you find the toy(s) that best fits your needs and what your child can do. We are here to serve you and make the most out of your toy purchases. We want to make sure your child is the prefect toy for their age and ability. We do this by asking questions about you and your child and listen to your answers and then discussing with you the different toys and options. You can set up a personal shopping appointment with me or you can host an in home party and I can help your friends as well. Feel free to contact me at you convenience at (765) 461-7989 or playsmartstore@gmail.com. If you would like to see the products we have available, go to www.playsmartstore.com. Thanks and I hope to be able to talk to you soon.

Ask me anything, even anonymously