Sunday, January 30, 2011

Winter Solstice Joviality

Springbok Snowfolks 60 pc children's puzzle


Q. How do you scare a snowman?
A. You get a hairdryer!

Q. Where does a snowman keep his money?
A. In a snow bank.

Q. What does a Snowman take when he gets sick?A.  A chill pill!

Q. What do snowmen eat for breakfast?
A. Frosted Flakes..



Q. What's a good winter time tip?
A. Never catch snowflakes with your tongue until all the birds have gone south for the winter.


Q. Why don't acrobats work in the winter?
A. They only do Summer-saults.

Q. What do you call an old snowman?A. Water!

Q. What do you get when you cross a snowman and a vampire?
A. Frostbite.

Q. What do you get when you cross Frosty with a baker?A. Frosty the Dough-man!

Knock, knock
Who's there? Snow
Snow who?Snow use. I forgot my name again!
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Thursday, January 27, 2011

Toys for Special Needs - Sensory Stimulation

Everyone has some sensory issues (i.e. flinching at fingernails scraping against a chalkboard or hating the smell of coffee).  Children with autism or related pervasive developmental disorders often deal with intensified sensory issues which can lead to frustration and negative behavior.  In addition, autistic children with tactile sensory issues may have difficulty tolerating the sensations generated as they dress or groom themselves, or even as they chew food.  Toys that offer a variety of sensory stimulation can either help desensitize them to unavoidable textures, sights and sounds, or reward their senses with stimulation that is favorable.  These toys can also help typical children as well as those with special needs to improve hand-eye coordination and motor skills:
The World of Eric Carle Developmental Butterfly


Melissa and Doug Vehicles Touch and Feel Puzzle
 
Amazing Zubber Starter Kit
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Sunday, January 23, 2011

Featured Toy for Special Needs

I have a daughter with many special needs, including cerebral palsy and developmental delay.  Whenever her birthday or Christmas came around I always found it difficult to answer the question, "what kind of present would she like?"  As with other special needs children, Jessica's abilities are very unique.  She is very socially aware and observant, but delayed physically and academically.  Each part of her that is delayed varies by several degrees - she can write, cut and draw, for instance, but standing and walking prove to be very difficult.  There is no cookie cut-out for children with special needs, in other words, just as there is no standard blueprint for typical children.  There is also no certain toy store that caters to the parents of children with special needs.  Most that specialize in this area, such as TFH, are really geared more toward therapists with prices aimed at gouging insurance companies.  Even therapists use catalogues from such companies as a guide toward purchasing more reasonably-priced typical toys for their sessions.

This brings me to use this blog as a suggestion box for gift-givers who aren't sure what kind of toy to buy for loved ones who have a special need.  Occasionally, Bub's Toys will feature a toy that has been used and approved by therapists and parents with special needs children.  Feel free to contact us with any of your suggestions as well!

Melissa and Doug See and Spell


Melissa and Doug have designed many high-quallity toys that are made of durable wood.  They use attractive pictures in bright, compelling colors.  Many of their toys are dubbed "educational" but prove to be a lot of fun for the child as well.  The Melissa and Doug See and Spell is a toy that offers children the incentive to read.  The picture boards and letters are easy to handle for children with fine motor issues, and many speech therapists use this item to work with kids during their sessions.  The letters can even be used for stencilling for children who are learning to write!

www.Bubstoys.com
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Saturday, January 22, 2011

What Now??

The holidays may be over, but there are still hundreds of ways to extend the season of good-cheer.  Thaw the icy dreariness of January and February by volunteering for or donating to someone in need:

Serve.Gov: http://www.serve.gov/
You've no doubt heard a lot about this resource around Martin Luther King Day.  Whether you're an Obama fan or not, volunteering to improve your community is always a great idea.

United Way: http://liveunited.org/
We no longer see kids trick-or-treating with United Way coin collectors, but you can always sign your family up for a great volunteering opportunity by checking out this site.  Just punch in your zip code and find out what charity needs help in your area.

Tree of Wishes: http://www.treeofwishes.com/
This is a great anonymous online resource.  Click on this website and see if you can help somebody out with their wish - could be anything from prayers to a donation to help with medical needs or simply a ride to visit a loved one.

Make a Wish Foundation: http://www.wish.org/
Speaking of wishes...fulfilling a profoundly-ill child's dream is always gratifying, especially for this top-notch institution.

Charity Watchdog: http://charityguide.org/volunteer/charityratings.htm
Check out this website to make sure you are giving your time, money and effort to a cause that uses your resources wisely.


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Thursday, January 20, 2011

Thrifty Thursday Special!

Kids love to make their own presents! 
Encourage their imaginative spirit with this
Melissa and Doug Heart Mirror arts and crafts kit. 
Marked down from $12.99 to $9.99
plus Free Shipping just for today. 

A perfect gift for your little Valentine!

Melissa and Doug Mirror Craft Kit

www.Bubstoys.com

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Monday, January 17, 2011

Loving Your Enemies

Loving Your Enemies -
Talk by Martin Luther King

Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
Montgomery, Alabama
17 November 1957

...our civilization must discover that. Individuals must discover that as they deal with other individuals. There is a little tree planted on a little hill and on that tree hangs the most influential character that ever came in this world. But never feel that that tree is a meaningless drama that took place on the stages of history. Oh no, it is a telescope through which we look out into the long vista of eternity, and see the love of God breaking forth into time. It is an eternal reminder to a power-drunk generation that love is the only way. It is an eternal reminder to a generation depending on nuclear and atomic energy, a generation depending on physical violence, that love is the only creative, redemptive, transforming power in the universe.

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Thursday, January 13, 2011

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Snow Days!

If you're in our situation, you're either shoveling through many inches of snow or huddled inside the house with the kids after a snowstorm has spread its white, icy goodness from the U.S. Midwest to the East Coast.

Remember when snow days were FUN??  Here are some ideas for indoor and outdoor activities that will make you feel like a kid again:

Playing in the Snow!
We all know how to make snow angels and your standard snowman.  Why not step it up a notch by trying your hand at snow sculpting, or caring for your neighborhood critters?

Snow Sculpting - author, Jennifer Yap, suggests grabbing a shovel, box or bucket, a large clear plastic bag and a scraper.  Line whichever container you choose with the plastic bag then fill it with snow and tamp it down.  Turn the container upside down, peel off the bag and you've got yourself a block of snow ready for sculpting with your scraper!  You can also use this as your first block for part of an igloo!
Feeding your feathered and furry friends - Wildlife photographers, Carl R. Sams II & Jean Stoick put together a heart-warming, award-winning children's book, entitled, Stranger in the Woods that depicts different woodland creatures gathering around a snowman.  Why are they curious about the snowman?  Because he offers them lots of tasty treats to help them survive through the frosty winter.  After you read this wonderful story to your kids, follow the "Recipe for a Snowman" at the end of the book and run outside to build your own snow person, using shelled nuts for eyes and a mouth, a carrot for a nose and sprinkled corn and seeds to lead the way. 

Inside Fun!
Beat cabin fever with a rousing game of Hide the Button or a landlubber Treasure Hunt.

Hide the Button - This is a great game for antsy young children.  Find a button, or another small object that is easily recognizable and hide it somewhere in the house.  Kids learn to work together by searching for the object and taking cues from you on whether they're cold (nowhere near the object), warm (closer to the object) or hot (practically right on top of the object!).
Treasure Hunt - older children will enjoy this slightly more complicated version of searching for an object.  Write out clues on maps or small pieces of paper.  Hand your kids the first clue, then hide the other clues and the treasure.  Each clue will lead to the next until the treasure is discovered at the end of the game.

Sequence board and card game



After running everyone ragged, including yourself, take a moment to relax in front of your computer with a hot cup of cocoa and treat yourself to some online shopping!  Bubbadah's Toys offers 40% for the snowbound using coupon code, Snow.  Why not purchase a puzzle or game for the next snow day? 

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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Latest Gaming News










Looks like Barbie and Bratz will have to learn to get along under THQ's roof.

Mattel Inc., just signed a multi-year license agreement with Illinois-based video game developer and publisher, THQ, in hopes of getting more mileage out of Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price. The company also holds exclusive, long-term licensing agreements with prominent sports and entertainment content creators including World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Nickelodeon, Disney-Pixar and, interestingly, MGA Entertainment, founder of Bratz. Play nicely, Girls!


Keep an ear open for buzz about THQ's uDraw GameTablet, introduced November 14, 2010. This $60 accessory for the Nintendo Wii console allows players to draw and play on their television screens, and has received several favorable reviews. THQ says more software for the uDraw will launch every couple of months. Ping podcast

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Oh Baby!

Buying a baby shower gift is easy at Bub's Toys!  We carry an extensive line from the Bearington Baby Collection, where you can choose a specifically themed assortment of items in different colors to accent the baby's room, an adorable bunny or leopard coat or a huggable collector's bear sure to be passed on through the generations!  Bub's also carries classic toys like the Fisher-Price Chatter Telephone pull toy and Melissa & Doug Rainbow Stackers.  And our Kids Preferred Eric Carle line offers lots of colorful, crinkly, textured teethers and developmental toys!

With all these great items to choose from, your greatest difficulty might be in deciding which to purchase!

Look out for our flyer with every purchased item that offers a coupon code for 20% off!
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