The Karaoke Machine for Kids

These types of karaoke machines are quite fun-filled; this toy-like equipment can actually allow every child to enjoy his own musical experience. The specialists have taken into consideration the fact that almost every child is likely to love microphones; therefore, these special toys have to be strong enough in order to survive the children’s manhandling. The manufacturers have given another choice to the children by designing karaoke players that can give a child the joy of his own singing without having to face the possible risk when it comes to damaging costly equipment. These machines are child-sized and they enable every child to join this play in order to develop his own young vocal cords. Children can actually play around with different friendly-colored buttons in order to learn how their machine is working. These types of karaoke players are able to help them gain experience and they also help the children graduate to another karaoke kits, namely the full-sized and adult ones.

These small machines can give the children the real chance of learning different methods when it comes to playing around with various types of songs. Recording, editing and even mixing are likely to be learned and this equipment can also provide the adult people with relief because the children’s permanent attention can actually be drawn. These karaoke players can keep the child out of trouble and this equipment is not to be seen as an ordinary toy of which the child will get quite bored eventually. This kid machine can make a child spend many hours singing and learning how to play with the controls; the parent does not have to worry about his child’s safety. The kid machines are likely to come with their own microphone and even cord so the child will be able to imitate the adult’s way of singing. Many of these karaoke machines are likely to come with various songs that are already programmed into their microphones; the parents will not have to go buy extra CDs but this is not to be seen as a sort of stop when it comes to looking for various forms of music.

Every parent should pay attention to the fact that these karaoke players are to be seen as a quite harmless musical toy that is likely to help the child learn more about the musical world. There are plenty of songs and CDs that are made especially for this type of kid machines and they are likely to keep every little child happy. The parents should consider the fact that their kids should not be left out of action and these kid toys are likely to become the center of their attention. Actually, these musical toys can be seen as a real device in order to transform the child into a future music lover; the present generations are likely to grow together with this innovation thus leading to their constant development when it comes to the musical world. The only thing that the parents should pay attention to is the fact that their own expensive device is likely to be broken during these childish musical experiences; therefore, a kid machine should be put instead of an expensive karaoke machine that is not likely to survive after constant manhandling. So, the child will be able to sing his own heart out to whatever songs he prefers, both contemporary and childish ones.

 

Ways to transform your outdoor space

Making a cat enclosure so your beloved cat can safely spend quality time outdoors brings forth many ideas. A cat enclosure can hold a cat or multiple cats and can be as big as your budget will allow. This article will focus on building a cat enclosure that will hold multiple cats in a private property setting, ensuring their safety and maximizing their playtime and sun time.

Two rolls of chicken wire 80 foot

Four 2 by 2 pressured treated wood, which are ten foot long

Four 2 by 4 pressured treated wood which are ten foot long

Eleven 2 by 2 pressured treated wood, which are six foot long

Four 2 by 8 pressured treated wood which are six foot long (corner posts)

5/8 all-purpose staples, stapler, two hinges, padlock, wire cutters, hammer, small nails, hand saw

Assorted branches or pieces of climbing wood, toys, and other things cats enjoy.

A few willing assistants

A ten by ten foot space for the cat enclosure

Clear out a 10 by 10 foot area of space where you wish the cat enclosure to be located. You can have wood stumps in here because the cats will enjoy it, but make sure the area is free of anything that will harm them in any way.

Lay out the wood pieces so you know exactly what the pieces are. Take one of the 2 by 2 pieces of wood and cut it into three pieces of wood, which are 3 feet long with the handsaw. This will be part of the door.

Lay out two of the 2 by 2 on a workbench or picnic table, and lay the three pieces of wood, which are 3 feet, long vertical between the 2 by 2’s. One of these 3-foot long pieces goes on either end with the remaining piece in the middle of the doorframe. Use the hammer and nails to secure the doorframe together. Measure the chicken wire to fit the door. Using the wire cutters cut the chicken wire to the correct size. Secure it to the doorframe using the staples. Install the hinges to one edge of the door to hang later.

Place one of the 2 by 4 pieces of wood on the ground vertically, lay the next one at one end of that, and do the same with the others until they resemble the box in the area, which you want to build in. At the corner of where the cat enclosure comes together add on of the 2 by 8’s nail it to a 2 by 4 piece of wood and lay it down on the ground. You will notice that the large piece of wood over hangs by about four inches and this is fine as another 2 by 4 will be there eventually.

Nail 2 by 2’s into place on that 2 by 4, between the 2 by 8’s at four

 

What would you consider to be the most important things that have been a major inspiration in your life and why?

I would have to easily say that the major influence in my life has been my Autistic son, Matthew. He’s 12 now. He truly inspires me to open my mind to the possibilities of imagination.

When I watch him enjoying something as simple as a Transformers toy, it reminds me of the innocence of childhood. And how important it is to live life to the fullest. I watch him bring those toys to life, using vocals he’s heard in the animated version of the popular show, and I just have to be in complete awe of him.

He inspires me to have some fun and quit being so serious about life all the time. He also inspires me to find my own talent.

I have always loved to write and watching him remake the world of Star Wars to an image that he likes, truly fascinates me. This has inspired me to write some FanFiction of my own and to take inspiration from the very shows that have helped me see the world in a completely fantastic new way.

Besides Matt, I have been inspired by films like Harry Potter, Spider-Man, Chronicles of Narnia and the TV show Charmed. I love to imagine what the world would be like if these things were actually real. They are fantastic enough to encourage my son’s imagination, so that’s good enough for me.

The fact that he’s Autistic is the most amazing part of it all. He can do things that most people wouldn’t even dream of. And that’s the most inspiring thing of all. If he can do it, so can I.

 

Testimonies: The Nutcracker legacy and winter holidays

It’s that time of the year when our household gets busy. Not with baking cookies or buying presents or even with the hustle and bustle that comes with the Christmas season.

My daughter is busy preparing to dance in the Nutcracker, her third year now. As her performance draws near with increasing number of rehearsals, she is pumped for the four-day shows. This year, she will be the lead mouse, Fritz (Clara’s jealous brother) and she will be stomping her way in Trepak.

The Nutcracker has been the most widely performed ballet in the world. From Australia, Asia, Europe to America, the Nutcracker Ballet has become a popular tradition. However, it almost never took off when it was first presented at the Mayinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia on December 1892. Following the success of Sleeping Beauty, Peter (or Pyotr) Tchaikovsky was commissioned to compose a ballet score based on Alexandre Dumas’s adaptation of E.T.A Hoffman’s “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” The grand collaborative effort of renowned choreographer Marius Petipa and Tchaikovsky failed to excite either critics or audience.

It could have died a natural death if not for the another master choreographer George Balanchine. Having danced in the nutcracker as a child, he undertook to produce his version of the Nutcracker in 1954 for the New York City Ballet. It became an instant hit and paved the way for its popularity and eventual status as a holiday tradition. Today, many versions performed are actually based on the version created by George Balanchine.

To some, the Nutcracker can be boring with different dancers spinning across the stage. A closer look revealed a rather enchanting story of magical proportions. Set in Nuremburg, Germany, the story takes place in one single magical night. The Stahlbaum family gets ready to welcome guests for their annual Christmas party. Their children, Clara and Fritz eagerly await the visit of their godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, a clock and toy maker. Full of surprises, he comes armed with toys for all the children.

Clara receives a nutcracker which quickly becomes an instant hit. Brother Fritz is jealous (classic case of sibling rivalry) and tries to snatch her toy. In the struggle, Fritz breaks the nutcracker. To comfort the inconsolable Clara, Drosselmeyer bandages the toy with an handkerchief and sprinkles magical powder over it.

As the night draws to an end and Clara falls asleep with her beloved toy in hand, everything springs to life-all the toys under the now giant Christmas tree take on life and the nutcracker grows to life size. Mice led by the Mouse King come out for their night frolic and starts a battle with the toy soldiers, led by the Nutcracker. When it becomes obvious that the Nutcracker is no match for the nasty Mouse King, Clara hits him with her slipper, sending him tumbling down. All the little mice flee.

The Nutcracker than transforms into a prince and takes Clara on a magical journey into the Land of Snow, an enchanted forest wonderland where they are welcomed by dancing snowflakes. They then visit the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by the lovely Sugar Plum Fairy. After hearing their triumphal victory over the Mouse King, she rewards them to a celebration of a variety of dances from different countries. She crowns the evening when she and the cavalier dance a beautiful Pas De Deux.

The story may become familiar and jaded after a while but once the stage is lit and the dancers pirouette into the limelight with the brilliance of Tchaikovsky music, it’s pure magic. I may have seen it tens of times while my daughter is rehearsing but trust me, it’s truly a magical experience.

 

The Dollhouse: A Timeless Toy For Hours Of Fun

Every little girl dreams of owning a dollhouse. Here, her tiny “family” holds their many adventures—adventures her active, imaginative mind is free to invent and reinvent each day. She can rearrange the furniture, reenact familiar rituals and scenes, and invent her own rules. “In a dollhouse, there is are bedtimes.” “In a doll house, everyone gets to eat 100 pieces of chocolate cake…everyday!”

According to child experts, this kind of imaginative play is very healthy for a child. Starting from the age of four, children discover the world that lies outside their doors. They meet people who aren’t part of the immediate family; they go to school and are asked to follow rules and rituals that they don’t necessarily like. As they make new friends, they also learn new social skills, and struggle with concepts like sharing and taking turns. It can all be overwhelming.

Control over a world (and her emotions)

But having a dollhouse gives them a sense of control over a smaller world, and here they can “play-act” their fears while practicing the rituals and routines that are part of healthy social interaction. For example, when a child holds an imaginary party in her dollhouse, planning a guest list that includes stuffed rabbits and the Queen of Fairies, they are (subconsciously) working through their anxiety about large crowds and unfamiliar faces. They would probably hate any party that included people they didn’t know, but talking about what cakes to serve and which parts of the dollhouse their guests will stay in, makes her feel more confident about interacting with others.

A great tool for developing social skills

Kidkraft Dollhouses are also a favorite in any playgroup, since they’re one of the few toys where it’s more fun when it’s shared. For young pre-schoolers who still hate having to give up a toy to another friend, they can spend many happy hours playing with the dolls without a single fight about who gets which.

A toy that changes every day

Dollhouses transform each time a child sits down next to it. Each time she makes a story, each time she gives the dolls a name and then acts out their rituals and adventures, the dollhouse becomes “different”. One day it’s a castle under a spell. The next day it’s the scene of a grand ball. And maybe today it’s just an ordinary house, but the aliens (i.e., her brother’s Buzz Lightyear action figure) attack. You never know.

A toy that’s fun at any age

Dollhouses are also one of the few toys that don’t get boring after a few weeks. In fact, because the fun lies in the child’s imagination, they can be played with for years. As she grows older, she’ll start making clothes for the dolls, designing her own little furniture and curtains, decorating the doll house and possibly creating entire novellas about its miniature residents. When she grows up, and the dollhouse is put away, it can be retrieved years later and given to her own daughter.

 

7 Secret Weapons of 3d Scrapbooking Innovation and Creative Tips

Ever wonder can we create a scrapbook in 3D ? Yes, definitely yes! But how ? This is scrapbooking innovation ideas if you wish to create 3D scrapbooking. Here I share 7 secret weapons of how to create 3D scrapbooking. Enjoy reading while be creative in your thinking, you may find more great ideas to create 3D scrapbook!

Secret #1 Wire with photo in between.

You can get any size, length and width of craft wire from craft store. Band the wire into different shapes such as square, oval or rectangle to create a photo frame like design. Insert your photo into the photo area, and lastly decorate some paper flower or embellishment at the wire frame corners.

Secret #2 Mini book in 3D.

I love mini scrapbook. It is fun to create mini book in 3D. Lots of creative scrapbooking ideas can transform to 3D mini book. Materials needed are 4R size ordinary photo album, old birthday card, old wedding invitation card, adhesive, colored egg shells, color ice cream sticks and some mini to medium size pebble stones. Cut or tear out 2 to 3 pages of 4R size photo albums but still in joining pages, decorate the corners and side with some egg shells, paste some support to each side of the album pages with ice scream sticks using adhesive, so that it can stand when putting on table. Cut the old birthday card into 4R size, insert into the 4R album as background design, lastly put your photo into the album.

Secret #3 Scrapbook with recycle milk box.

My daughter and me love this idea. Most of milk box are small and house like design. Materials needed are felt of different colors, milk box, adhesive, thread for sewing. Clean up the milk box after finished the drink. Let it dry for a few days. Cut felt into size similar to the milk box, sew the corner with simple straight line design. Past the felt on to the milk box, lastly place your candid photo on the mini milk box house.

Secret #4 Wagon 3D scrapbooking

This idea is actually from my 4 years old daughter. I like to create wagon from shoe box or unused mini boxes as wagon for my son. One day my daughter suggested to do some craft pasting on each sides of the wagon and write some text to express, then I suggested to her to add some of their candid photos. It’s really fun and enjoyable, you may want to try this too with your children at home!

Secret 5 Recycle kids toys by turning it into scrapbook.

My children has many toys that comes with nice design carrier or briefcase. Keep the briefcase, and repaint it with acrylic, add some embellishment and create a stunning 3D scrapbook of your design! 3D toys such as blocks or baby cloth books, you can transform them into different 3D scrapbooking by adding your candid photos on each sides to create a simple 3D scrapbook.

Secret #6 Gift cards or birthday cards or invitation cards.

If you receive gift cards, birthday cards or invitation cards in 3D design, do not throw it away. Transform it into your 3D scrapbooking. Add some embellishment and some words to express, last place your photo at suitable area.

Secret #7 Brief case or cosmetic case as collage scrapbooking.

Collage technique is nothing new, by having a few collage methods while creating your 3D scrapbook, will make your design more interesting and lasting look. Material needed, some mini brief case, or wooden chocolate boxes, adhesive, buttons, threads, 3D stickers, colorful construction papers or wrapping papers, clay dough (use no toxic based if you want to do it with your child). First color the wooden background with a layer of acrylic, let it dry for a few days. Once dry, decorate corner or 4 sides or some portion of the wooden based with construction papers. Paste buttons, beads or threading at the corner or any two sides of the wooden based. Lastly add your photo or drawing at your suitable area, and you have created a collage 3D scrapbooking.

Hope above secrets help you to make an innovation of 3D scrapbooking!

 

Barbie in the feministic discussion – Talk about unrealistic expectations!

Ever since Barbie was first produced, she has raised eyebrows with her looks and her attitude. To put it shortly, she is way too skinny, too long legged, too big breasted and utterly too happy. Her being blonde and blue eyed hasn’t been a very popular thing either. (Although the first Barbie was produced as a blonde and brunette with almost black eyes, is not common knowledge.) Her being heterosexual has raised questions lately, not to mention her swapping boyfriends after braking up with Ken.

Instead of repeating every accusation made against Barbie, I would like to point out a few things that are generally over-looked when criticising her.

Barbie’s figure

There is a very practical reason for Barbie’s world famous figure. By definition, Barbie is a fashion doll, created for little girls who were immensely interested in their mother’s wardrobe and messing with it day in and day out trying on outfits that wouldn’t suit them. Barbie’s creator Ruth Handler watched her little girl playing with paper dolls, swapping fashions on them, and thought about a three dimensional doll for the game. This was where Barbie came in. She is a 3D paper doll!

There are some issues with making clothes on a doll of 12 inches however. First of all, the fabrics are mostly a lot thicker than what they feel like on the human – after all, the fabrics are mostly the same as ours! Therefore Barbie had to be moulded to adapt to the thickness of the fabrics, not to mention the seams bulking up especially on the waist. When you look at a clothed Barbie doll, she doesn’t seem that disproportional, does she? She looks feminine; like a model, yes, there’s no question about that. However, after only a couple of layers of clothing, she starts looking a bit to the chubby side. Let’s be brutally honest though, would you buy a fat doll? I sure wouldn’t. Why would I even, Barbie is a play thing, an object of dreams, she’s not supposed to be realistic picture of the world, but something that can make the dreams come true – even if only in the play world.

On contrary to the common belief though, Barbie does come in various shapes and sizes. There’s a version that is even skinnier than the normal Barbie, but isn’t as busty or wide hipped. Barbie’s best friend Midge has also appeared in quite a large body, as she just had a baby.

Why is Mattel required to produce dolls nobody wants?

I must wonder what logic requires a company to produce an item that will stay standing on the store shelves waiting for buyers who will never arrive while being praised by moralists. To my honest opinion, Mattel has made the mistake of listening to the moralists too much for their own good. Of course you have to please the parents somewhat, but let me ask this: Is a parent who is disgusted enough to require Barbie’s mouth to be closed because she sees that being pervert likely to buy Barbie after she smiles sophisticatedly? My guess would be no. A parent like that will take that as a victory and move on to the next subject: Her eyes are too big, her hair is too thick, she’s too blonde or she’s too shallow.

Now imagine the moralists dream Barbie doll. She’s only 10 inches tall while Barbie usually stands 12 inches. Her waist would be equal to the measurement of her breasts and hips, but it would be softer so you could create a waistline by squeezing the belt a bit tighter on her. She would have a very expressive face, a genuinely happy smile with sparkling eyes. She would have a mixed colour hair, that hasn’t been cut to any shape. Okay, now maybe you would buy the doll. Possibly I would too (it would make a great addition to the collection of mine) but would your 8-year old want it? If I remember anything from my attitudes as a child, I wouldn’t look at that one twice. I only get one Barbie a year, and I WILL NOT waste that one change on a doll that looks like my mom!

But I can’t measure up to her!

Did your brother get an identity crisis because he couldn’t perform in the same manner as his Action Man or his Transformer? That he never got the amount of cars as his Matchbox car collection? He never even got one BMW, and now drives a stupid Honda Civic. Now does your brother blame it on his toys if he fails to be what he pretended to be when he was playing with his fire truck? I would guess not. He says he doesn’t exercise enough to be as fit as his firemen were and he doesn’t work enough to get a BMW. And for crying out loud, Transformers were toys! Who ever in his right mind would compare oneself to a toy anyway?

Now here’s a question for you. At which point did women mistake Barbie for being a real woman competing over the same men? I remember from my childhood wanting to be like Barbie. To me “like Barbie” meant the following: I wanted to be an adult. I wanted to be attractive – I didn’t want as big boobs or wide hips, as I compared her to the real adults in my world, and they didn’t look exactly like Barbie, and if they did, they’d be freaks. I didn’t want to grow up as a freak, just an attractive adult female. I also wished Barbie was brown haired, but I never thought Mattel didn’t like brunettes, Barbie just happened to be blonde, that’s all! (Around those times dying your hair wasn’t all that common, and being a brunette Scandinavian, everyone around me was blonde anyway, so I didn’t think much of it.) Nowadays Barbie comes in so many colours and variations, that finding a really blonde Barbie is actually quite difficult.

Barbie today

She’s criticized for braking up with Ken. The divorce rate in around the Barbie buying countries is around 50%. Now if Barbie and Ken would stay together forever, doesn’t it make mom and dad seem BAD because they broke up? In my honest opinion, kids don’t give a damn. Barbie, Ken, Barbie, Blaine, what ever. Does your kid really even care what the name on the box is, Theresa is as much a Barbie as Kayla is, and even Christie, the African American friend of Barbie is in kids mind still a Barbie. My Barbie was called Paula, and the Ken was called Nick, I didn’t give rat’s ass what was printed on the box. In my opinion both of the names were bad, but I loved the dolls. The name was easy to change!

Also today Barbie’s figure is changed dramatically compared to the 80’s figure us adults seem to connect with “Barbie body image”. Anyone criticising her based on the memories should go to the Barbie aisle and take a good look. Her waist is completely proportioned to her breasts, her nose is no longer bent to the form that makes it impossible to breath, and the hair is no longer blonde on all the dolls. (You don’t want blondes to disappear all together, do you? What message would that send to the naturally blond girls?) The biggest issue today on Barbie is her unrealistic head size, and the company to blame for that little issue is elsewhere. The Bratz dolls took the doll market by surprise creating dolls that give a new meaning to the word “disproportional”.

Does your kid really need Mattel to write a script for her plays?

Barbie is often regarded as being shallow and stupid. I wonder what people expect. How deep thoughts do you think a vinyl head with nothing but a bit of hair stuck inside of it can produce? When kids play games, do they really follow the narrations the toy company laid out? Seriously, if they do, there’s something wrong with them, and it’s not the company. It’s not Barbie’s (or Mattel’s) duty to come up with deep thoughts; it’s the player’s responsibility to create personality for the doll. This is where imagination comes in. If you didn’t have it

 

Must

A play room can be as simple or elaborate as a budget and space allow, but there are some basics that can help transform even the smallest room into a great play room.

The following basics include a mix of activities, depending on the child’s age, for children of preschool-age, through the primary school years:

SPACE – SIT-DOWN SPACE AND MOVE-AROUND SPACE

Two very important things every play room needs are as much floor space as possible, along with a table and chairs suited to the child’s age. A sturdy rug on the floor makes a cozy room, but toy trucks and small riding toys don’t move well along most carpet. Another disadvantage to carpet is that paint, clay, PlayDoh, and paper glue don’t go well with carpeting.

STORAGE FOR TOYS

Bins make putting toys away easier. Colored laundry bags can be used for toy storage as well. Closets (which can have locked doors if necessary) can house shelves or stackable storage units).

A PLACE FOR “QUIET PLAY”

Some simple, low, shelves for books; or a few rectangular bins in a corner, offer a place for storing books. Puzzles, coloring books, crayons, activity books, paper make this “quiet corner” complete. Paint with water books, watercolor paints, brushes, and a container for water are good to have on hand. (Tip: Before giving children boxed puzzles reinforce the corners of the boxes with strong tape. Puzzles pieces are more likely to be returned to unbroken boxes.) Plastic containers from a dollar store are an inexpensive and stackable way to store small items, like crayons and paint brushes.

BUILDING BLOCKS ARE A MUST

A good set of wood blocks and an age-appropriate set of Duplo or Lego blocks are great for keeping children busy.

OTHER THINGS FOR PLAY

Young children enjoy having a play kitchen with dishes and play food. Dolls and a doll cradle are a must for girls. Barbie dolls, clothing, accessories, and a house are usually something older girls will play with for hours. Older boys, of course, like action figures and sets associated with them.

A doll house with people and furniture can be modified as a child grows. The same is true for train sets. Playing paper dolls is still a nice activity for girls. Sticker books are something kids usually like. Don’t forget some age-appropriate toy cars and trucks (Tonka makes chunky little trucks for younger children. HotWheels, of course, are great for bigger boys.)

Having some classic board or card games offers something

 

Entertaining Youngsters With Classic Toys-Play Doh

With video games dominating and transforming the landscape of our pre-teen children with a new virtual world for them to play in, it is refreshing to know that there are still classic toys available for our younger children to enjoy. Let’s look at one of these special toys:

There is a classic toy, invented by two brothers in 1955, that still captures the imaginations of our pre-school children and youngsters alike. That toy, or product is: Play Doh.

Originally a wallpaper cleaner invented by brothers Noah W. McVicker and Joseph S. McVicker, Play Doh was introduced to schools in the Cincinnati area in 1955 because McVicker’s sister-in-law asked if it was a safe alternative to modeling clay. Play Doh was an instant hit and soon the McVicker brothers formed Rainbow Crafts Company to produce and sell their product. Additionally, the brothers showcased their “modeling clay” at a National Education Convention and the word spread to the big department stores, Macy’s and Marshall Field’s. Soon after, Plah Doh was a national hit.

Advertising played a crucial role in the success of Play Doh. Captain Kangaroo, a very popular educator of young children at the time, endorsed Play Doh. So did Miss Frances from the Ding Dong School, another popular children’s television show. In 1960, a character named Play-Doh-Pete, a young boy with a beret was introduced to the advertising campaign. Additionally, the Fun Factory Accessory Playset was added to the product line, which allowed children to squeeze the material into interesting shapes and molds, furthering sales and development of the product.

In 1980 Play Doh expanded its palette to include eight colors, some that glowed in the dark and even some that were scented. It is estimated that more than two billion cans of Play Doh have been sold since 1956 and the total amount of Play Doh manufactured since then would weigh more than 700 million pounds.

The ingredients for Play Doh, to this day, remain a closely guarded secret. But it is primarily made up of a mixture of water, wheat flour, deodorized kerosene (or some other petroleum distillate-to provide the smooth texture), salt, a drying agent such as borax (which deters mold), an alum-based hardening agent, colorings and perfume.

Kids all over the world still enjoy Play Doh (it is sold in more than 6000 stores and over 75 countries worldwide) and children can even celebrate National Play Doh Day on September 18th. Some products never go out of style and Play Doh will always have young minds to enlighten and entertain.

 

Dealing with your childs obsession with movies, movie songs, and movie

From the vantage point of a mother of grown kids, I can tell you that kids’ obsessions with movie-based songs, videos, and toys pass as quickly as they set in. I can also tell you, however, that until the child reaches adolescence fading obsessions are usually replaced by new ones.

Whether movie- or television- based or just the latest children’s craze, children’s obsessions with the latest kid stuff can drive parents to the point of desperation, trying to find the often hard-to-find latest thing.

I’ve survived the Care Bears phase, the Spiderman phase, the Hulk phase, the Puffalumps phase, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles phase. Then there were Transformers, Star Wars (my son had a particularly impressive Millenium Falcon) and Fraggles. They weren’t movie-based, but rationed Cabbage Dolls fit into the crazy craze category. There has always been everything-Barbie, and Barbie is an example of a doll that was turned into a movie. There was a point when all three of my kids were at an age where all three wanted all three Simpsons children (Bart, Lisa, and Maggie). Let’s not forget The Little Mermaid, Ariel, Princess Jasmine, and Belle. (Who would have thought even Ghostbusters would have little dolls…).

We parents have seen how sometimes movies are inspired by toys, while other times toys are apparently the inevitable consequence of movies. Sometimes when a movie is old (like the animated Charlotte’s Web) they are re-made in a way that starts a whole craze that the older version never inspired.

My advice to parents in the throws of a child’s obsession with the latest movie (or television program or toy) is to try get the “important” items – the action figures or doll, a few accessories, a “big ticket” item like (forgive the archaic references) the Millenium Falcon or the pump-up Hulk who would bust out of his cage; and then some of the “supplemental” items like lunch-boxes, drinking cups, and/or whatever other here-today-gone-tomorrow junk that may be available. Videos for kids who will watch them again and again until they go around repeating all the lines incessantly aren’t expensive and make kids happy. Littler kids may benefit more from music. For birthdays and other special occasions there are always the much coveted movie-themed sleeping bags. The occasional fast-food kid’s meal with a movie-themed toy is another way to quench a child’s thirst for this stuff.

Inflatable, movie-themed, wading pools will usually not last

 

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