Recommended Toys

[SAHM_TAN]

Now I think there are new toy shops (independent ones, meaning not from big departmental shop) bringing in more interesting toys. But the price so ex, why must good toys be so costly???

[tamarind]

SAHM_TAN:

Hi,


This site sells ZOOB but the selection might be limited http://www.weketoys.com

I also don't like PSP, prefer to buy such toys. What do you think of LAX?

Hi SAHM_TAN,
Thanks for sharing the website ! I will most likely get Snap Circuits from them.

What is LAX ?

[tamarind]

SAHM_TAN:

Now I think there are new toy shops (independent ones, meaning not from big departmental shop) bringing in more interesting toys. But the price so ex, why must good toys be so costly????

I know the Better Toy Store at Ngee Ann City also sells interesting toys for young kids. However, my kids are older now and they don't sell the ones that I need.

I have seen primary school kids carrying ipads around. Looks like parents prefer to spend money buying ipads then to buy good toys.

Toys like KNEX and ZOOB are excellent for developing fine motor skills. In fact, I never have to scream at my boy to practice writing, he plays with these toys most of the time since about 5 years old and now at P1, his handwriting is very neat.

[SAHM_TAN]

tamarind:

SAHM_TAN:

Hi,


This site sells ZOOB but the selection might be limited http://www.weketoys.com

I also don't like PSP, prefer to buy such toys. What do you think of LAX?

Hi SAHM_TAN,
Thanks for sharing the website ! I will most likely get Snap Circuits from them.

What is LAX ?

Oops I spelt wrongly, should be LaQ, it's from Jap, here's some infor from a site that sells the toy. It's also sold locally. http://www.timberdoodle.com/LaQ_Construction_p/277-laq.htm

I've been eyeing them for some time but pieces a bit small and also not cheap for the bigger sets. I'm deciding between this and Zoob.

[tamarind]

SAHM_TAN,

LaQ looks interesting, thanks for sharing. Where is it sold locally ?

[SAHM_TAN]

tamarind:

SAHM_TAN,

LaQ looks interesting, thanks for sharing. Where is it sold locally ?

There might be other places selling it but I saw it at Growing Fun. The small set still ok prices, it's when it comes to the bigger set that it get ex. But I do love such toys.

I sometimes think I buy toys because I want to play with them . I saw a rather real stethoscope and not ex. I bought a pop-up about body stuff book and thought it would be rather cool to get the stethoscope. As they \"examine\" the heart, they could use it to listen to their hearts, the baby's, my FIL and mine to observe if there's any difference. So tempted to buy because not ex......but the kids will use it for other purposes too.......I dread to think what they will use it for...... :lol:

[tamarind]

SAHM_TAN,

Thanks for the information. I am quite keen, will buy a set of LaQ if I have time to visit the Growing Fun shop. I will post my review here.

Like you, I buy toys because I want to play with them I never have such toys when I was a child, so I tell myself that I am indulging myself with these toys now However, after I bought the toys, I just leave them around, no time to play at all. My kids have to figure out how to play on their own by looking at the instructions.

My hubby also bought a stethoscope for the kids

[SAHM_TAN]

tamarind:

SAHM_TAN,

Thanks for the information. I am quite keen, will buy a set of LaQ if I have time to visit the Growing Fun shop. I will post my review here.

Like you, I buy toys because I want to play with them I never have such toys when I was a child, so I tell myself that I am indulging myself with these toys now However, after I bought the toys, I just leave them around, no time to play at all. My kids have to figure out how to play on their own by looking at the instructions.

My hubby also bought a stethoscope for the kids

Now even more motivation to buy the stethoscope :lol:

When I buy toys I must hide them first, so that can study how to play. DS will bug me to help him, even when I'm cooking. DD is ok, she's older so she will do her own thing with the toys. Recently bought a Lego Duplo zoo set because DD is older, and DS just about right to play too. But still need to guide him a bit. The animals are so nice.

[happymom_aa]

Hi mommies,


Personally think LaQ is better than Lego.
DS had been enjoying it since I bought the first set last Xmas. Last week, just bought another Expert set.

[tamarind]

Hi SAHM_TAN and happymom_aa,


I just bought a box of LaQ yesterday ! I bought the free style 400 pieces, and I agree with happymom_aa that it is better than Lego. I am hiding the toy first, will my kids play with them during the holidays.

Here is my ranking of the toys based on my personal opinion.

Best : 1) KNEX : very small pieces, but very educational. Kids can build models of real machines and understand how they work. (Age 8+)

2) ZOOB : pieces are bigger than KNEX and LaQ. ZOOB’s shape is inspired by the nucleotides (the basic structural units of nucleic acids) that make up DNA, so ZOOB is more versatile for creating animals. Recommended age is 6+, but the pieces are safe for younger kids. Though it is not easy for young kids to snap the pieces together if their fingers are not strong enough.

3) LaQ : pieces are small and flat, very good for developing fine motor skills. But since the pieces are mostly flat, I think they are not as versatile as KNEX or ZOOB.

4) Lego : Lego blocks are least versatile and not as interesting as the toys above. However, the Duplo set has big pieces which are safe for babies. Though the recommended age group is 2 to 5, I bought a set for my girl when she was 1 year old and she loved it.


I have all the above toys and I think kids will benefit greatly from playing with these toys.

Just to clarify that I am not rich. I saved a lot of money when I kept my boy at home for one year instead of sending him to kindergarten, because he was often ill. I used the money saved to buy excellent toys and books for him. These are really excellent investments.