Fisher Price toys

If you have children of your own, nephews, nieces, grandkids, or just some special kids on your Christmas shopping list this year, chances are good you'll be buying some toys. Toys are great things. They keep kids entertained, happy, and out of trouble. But not only that, they also have the potential to be educational tools and provide the opportunity to bond with your children as well.

With aisles upon aisles and whole stores dedicated to nothing but toys, it can be daunting to narrow your search. For an overall good toy, we like Fisher Price. You probably remember Fisher Price from your own childhood - they've been around since 1930 and are owned by Mattel, makers of such well-known favorites as Barbie and Hot Wheels. And a recent survey showed that 100% of American parents are familiar with the Fisher Price name brand.

Fisher Price makes hundreds, maybe even thousands, of different kinds of toys based on gender, sex, and age, so it can be hard to decide what the best choices are. You want your kids to like the toy, but you also want it to be safe, fun, and educational. Here are some of our favorite Fisher Price toys:

• Play Pod by Fisher Price ($9.99 on amazon.com) Fisher's Prices Play Pod is a little robot with an LCD display that has three modes: alphabet, numbers, and dance. Children aged 3-7 can learn counting and the alphabet through catchy songs, and dance mode encourages exercise with LED equalizer effects. Overall, a fun, well-rounded toy.
• Brilliant Basics Baby's First Blocks by Fisher Price ($8.00 on amazon.com). This classic toy include 12 brightly colored blocks in an assortment of shapes that babies 6 months and up can drop into a bucket through the shape-sorting lid. The blocks are plastic and don't have sharp edges, perfect for little hands to grasp.

• Mega T-Rex by Fisher Price ($30.00 on amazon.com). For the dinosaur-lover on your Christmas shopping list, this dinosaur designed for ages 4 and up simulates a real dinosaur by moving and roaring with the push of a button. In addition, his arms and legs are pose-able and his eyes light up while he roars and moves.
• Rock, Roll, & Ride XL Trike by Fisher Price ($29.96 on amazon.com). Designed to be your child's first trike, this bicycle is recommended for ages 12 months to 5 years and can be ridden in three different ways as your child grows and progresses - it can be locked in place, so the child can learn to pedal without tearing up the living room; a long handle in the back for parents to help steer as the child learns to navigate and control; and finally, it can be ridden alone as a trike. A good toy that can be used for years.
• Fun Foldin' Twin Time Dollhouse with Mom by Fisher Price ($54.99 on amazon.com). Little girls 3 years and up will love playing house with this dollhouse that comes with 8 rooms to decorate and folds up for storage and convenience. It comes equipped with a variety of accessories, including a mom and dad, babies, a cat, and furniture. Additional accessories can also be purchased to fit your child's tastes and interests.

When shopping for Christmas toys, it's a good idea to consider Fisher Price toys. They have a large variety of quality toys your child will love for years to come.