I’ve been reading more and more about parents renting toys for kids this holiday season. I was just wondering if anyone else has heard of this new trend?  You can now rent toys for a small fee and let your children play with  them, and then one to three months later, send them back and rent new ones! I personally have my ups and downs about the whole thing. Why rent toys for your child? How clean are the toys really? What is the quality of the toy going to be like when you receive it? What happens if my kid loses or breaks a toy?

We as parents always have different concerns about are children. If I buy them that toy, will it make them happy, and how long will they play with it? What toys should we buy them? Is this the right toy to help my children develop and grow mentally and physically?

It’s hard to say because we feel that a child’s education, learning and development through toys can be done within a couple of months. Some toys can provide years of education and learning. The child might grow an attachment to a toy, then what do you do? You either have to tell the child that you have to return the toy and break their heart, or buy it for more money than you would have bought it for in the first place.

Kids are kids, and they sometimes break things. Not all children break their toys or treat them rough, but all kids are different and things do happen. So now you just spent around $5 per toy and then have to turn around and buy it for a discounted price. So what’s the discounted price?

Here’s an example:

Girl Dress Up Mix ‘n Match Peg
Our price – $6.57
Many of the renting toys places charge  $5 per toy, some charge $30 or more for 4 toys per month.

We here at Wonderbrains understand that education, learning and developmental toys are a great way for children to grow and learn. We also understand how important it is to get your children the best toys. Shop our online store and receive free shipping with a purchase of $50 or more.

We want to know what you think about renting toys for your children. Leave a comment or go to our Facebook page and leave a comment our wall.

We are happy to announce WonderBrains.com was awarded with the  STELLAService seal of Excellent Customer Service. We are proud to be joining an elite group of online retailers.  WonderBrains.com has always tried to provide the best quality educational toys and customer service throughout the years. We received the seal of excellence because of our extraordinary customer service, great over night shipping policy and our easy 100% satisfied with your purchase return policy. Below is part of the press release for the STELLAService Seal:

Press Release: STELLAService seal guides consumers to retailers offering best online shopping experience.

New York, NY (PRWEB) October 21, 2011

Reflecting how retailers of all sizes are increasingly making customer service a top business priority, STELLAService today awarded its STELLAService seal to a wide range of specialty online retailers, including WineEnthusiast.com, Ldproducts.com, Caselogic.com, and 2Modern.com. These e-tailers join the ranks of leading Internet retailers, including FootLocker.com, GiltGroupe.com, and BlueNile.com, that now display the STELLAService seal on their websites.

Dedicated to helping online shoppers make more informed buying decisions, STELLAService (http://www.stellaservice.com) rates thousands of retailers each year across more than 350 metrics, including usability and online tools, shipping and returns, and customer support. The company leverages a nationwide network of full-time mystery shoppers to evaluate each site undercover, ensuring findings that are unbiased and true to the shopping experience. Named for the Italian word “star”, STELLAService awards seals in two categories – Elite and Excellent. (Read More)

Wouldn’t it be fun to be able to play musical instruments that you make yourself? It’s really easy to do, and if you know how to use a glue gun you don’t even need Mom or Dad to help you! (Though they should supervise.) Here’s how to make a drum, a guitar and a tambourine to get started your very own rock and roll band!

Make Your Own Colorful Bongo Drum

This is a really fun and easy project to make, and it looks really cool when it’s finished. You can play this drum by holding it between your knees, or hang it around your neck. It’s great as a project for a musical birthday theme party too.

Things You’ll Need To Make Your Bongo Drum

• Oatmeal or coffee can with plastic cover
• Yarn, lots of colors
• White glue
• Scissors
• Sequins, adhesive rhinestones, other decorations

Directions

1. Make sure the inside of the can is empty and clean.
2. Cut a small hole in one side of the plastic lid, and another small hole right across from the first one.
3. Take a piece of yarn (any color) and string it through the holes. Make sure the yarn is long enough to hang the drum from your neck. Tie a knot in the ends to secure the yarn.
4. Glue the lid to the top of the can to secure it.
5. Cover the outside of the can with glue (not the bottom), and wind the yarn around it, covering the entire can. You can use different colors to make it look really cool.
6. Glue on any decorations you wish. Remember, don’t decorate the top part. This is where you will hit the drum.
7. Let the finished drum sit overnight to dry completely, and it’ll be ready to play by the morning!

Make A Guitar You Can Really Play!

Of course, this isn’t exactly like a real guitar, but it’s loads of fun to make and to play, and an essential part of your rock band!

Things You’ll Need

• Shoe box lid
• Rubber bands (multi colored ones look really cool)
• Long Ruler (18 inches) or flat stick, like a paint stir
• Glue gun and glue
• Poster paints, any color

Directions

1. Paint the shoe box lid and ruler any color you like, and set them aside to dry.
2. Once the paint is dry, take the elastic bands and stretch them around the lid. These will be the strings that you strum. If you use different sizes of elastic bands, they will play different notes.
3. Using the glue gun, glue one end of the ruler to the back of the box (guitar body). This will be the neck of your guitar. Wait to dry, and now your guitar is ready to wail!

Make Some Noise With A Hand-Made Tambourine

Here is one more percussion instrument for your rock and roll band, and it’s really easy to make! If this is an activity as part of a kids party, omit the painting and use solid color or patterned paper plates.

Things You’ll Need

• Jingle bells
• 2 cardboard plates
• Hole punch
• String or yarn
• Poster paints
• Adhesive rhinestones, glitter, sequins and other decorations
• Glue

Directions

1. Paint the outsides of both plates with poster paint, any color. Once dry, glue the two plates together, bottom sides out.
2. Make holes around the outside of the plates with the hole punch.
3. Decorate with glitter, rhinestones or whatever you think would look funky.
4. Tie jingle bells to each hole with string or yarn. Now, your tambourine is ready to play.

Now that you have your instruments ready, gather up a couple of band members, practice for a while, and give a concert for your family and friends!

Post written by Chris Molnar of ThemeAParty.com

My first Halloween costume I was dressed up like a bee. Yes that’s right a bee. My father made the costume for me. Dressed me up at the age of one and took me out trick or treating. One year old might be a little young to take out trick or treating but parents love candy too.

Dressing up your children in a Halloween costume can be fun but remember when choosing a costume the child safety should be a part of that decision. By letting the child pick their own costume out makes them feel good and gives them a since of responsibility.

Tips to keeping them safety this Halloween.

• The child should be able to see out any mask eye holes. Not just the front but the peripherally as well. Cut the eye holes to make sure they can see all around them.
• Costumes should be made of flame retardant material. If they are home made, make sure and use either a fire retardant spray or fabric that has been treated with fire retardant.
• Make sure your child id visible to everyone. Use a flash light with brand new batteries, reflective tap on their costume and a light stick to help your child be more visible at night while they are walking around.
• The costume should have comfortable walking shoes and not have anything dangling material that they might trip on. Trips and falls can me the night end before the fun can begin.
• Remember props like swords and knifes need to be flexible. So it will bend if they fall on it.
• Most of the time your child and you go out in a group. Make sure the costume is unique enough to spot them in a crowded.
• Never, ever go into a strangers house or even ring their door for treats unless your parents are with you and say that it’s okay.
• Careful when you cross a street. Make sure to look in both directions and make sure that there are no cars coming.
• If it’s an older child and they are going out by themselves. Make sure they know the rules and time that trick or treating ends in your city.

Yu Wei Recalls Drop-Side Cribs Sold Exclusively at jcpenney Due to Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Drop-Side Cribs

Units: About 8,000

Importer: J. C. Penney Purchasing Corp., of Plano, Texas

Manufacturer: Yu Wei Co. Ltd., of Taipei, Taiwan

Hazard: The drop-side rails on the crib can malfunction, detach or unexpectedly fall down, causing part of the drop side to fall out of position. When this happens, a space is created into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged or entrapped, which can lead to strangulation or suffocation. A child can also fall out of the crib. Drop-side incidents can also occur due to incorrect assembly and due to age-related wear and tear.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and the firms are aware of nine incidents involving drop side rails that malfunctioned or detached, including one report of a child who sustained minor abrasions to the arm.

Description: This recall involves Yu Wei full-size cribs sold under the Scroll and Lauren model names. The cribs were sold in antique white, pecan and dark cherry, and have the following model numbers and date codes listed on the inside of the crib’s end panels.

Sold at: jcpenney.com and in the jcpenney catalog from January 2006 through December 2010 for between $300 and $450.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact Yu Wei to get a free immobilizer kit that will immobilize the drop side. In the meantime, parents are encouraged to find an alternate, safe sleep environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed depending on your child’s age.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Yu Wei at (877) 806-8190 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.yuweicribrecalls.com . Consumers can also email the firm at yuweiparts@aol.com to order a free immobilizer kit.

 

IKEA Recalls Children’s Folding Tent Due to Laceration and Puncture Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: BUSA children’s folding tent

Units: About 58,000; 51,000 in the United States and 7,000 in Canada

Importer: IKEA North America Service, of Conshohocken, Pa.

Hazard: The steel wire frame of the tent can break, producing sharp wire ends that can protrude through the tent fabric, posing a laceration or puncture hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Three incidents were reported, including one injury. No incidents were reported in the US or Canada

Description: This recall involves a cube-shaped children’s folding tent with model number 90192009. The brand name BUSA and IKEA and the model number are printed on a sewn-in label attached to an interior seam in the tent. The tent frame is made of flat steel wire and the tent material is pale green polyester fabric with turquoise, pink and white trim. The tent’s dimensions are: L 28 1/4, W 28 1/4, H 28 1/4.

Sold exclusively at: IKEA stores nationwide from August 2011 through September 2011 for about $8.

Manufactured in: Vietnam

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take it away from children and return it to their nearest IKEA store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm’s website at http://www.ikea-usa.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1434