Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Detroit, MI

As the Christmas shopping frenzy dawns, we'll be presenting toy reviews and book reviews for the next few weeks. Here are some toys reviewed elsewhere on Savvy I thought you'd like!

Let's Play Measure and Cook:

I'll admit we don't own these yet, but they are going on the Christmas list. My daughter loves to cook and it looks like the kind of thing my son will love soon too. Cooking is a fun way to teach fractions and proportions, and it's bonding time in the kitchen as well. Translating that to a game that can be played any time and doesn't use my measuring spoons? Priceless

Pirates in The Tub:

My parents got these for our little pirates this summer and it's been a really popular toy. Squirting water out of the cannon and doing target practice at the soap and shampoo, pretend games, and hiding the treasure box are all great fun. This toy has been a great way to spark imagination and make bathtime even more fun!


Record-a-Voice cell phone:

Does anyone not have one of these? My little boy loves the one previously owned by his sister -- all babies seem to go through a phase of being obsessed with anything with buttons. What I love about this toy, having watched two kids play with it, is that it grows with a child. To a baby it's interesting to look at and chew on, to a toddler it's a way to imitate mommy and daddy, and to a preschooler it's a way to talk with her imaginary friends.


Birthday Party Birthday Cake:

Today is actually my daughter's birthday, and last year during the round of birthday parties for other kids this was a popular gift. It was between this and their pizza set, and the birthday boy to whom this was given liked this more. Never underestimate the love of a little kid for their birthday! And Melissa and Doug toys are always well-made and have long-lasting "play value."


Kids' Garden Kit:

My daughter has been my little helper in the garden since the first summer she could walk, and I am looking very much forward to  having two little helpers this summer! From her first year, when she would simply sit in the dirt, stick a trowel into the earth and fling it over her head, to this past summer when she was "in charge" of watering the plants with the hose, it's been one of our favorite things to do together. We bought her a  garden tools set similar to this one her second summer "gardening," and it's remained a big hit. I only wish we had a rake and a hoe --she desperately wanted to help rake leaves this fall but we didn't have a rake her size! This set would be a wonderful gift for a little helper.