On The Farm
By Karyn M. Peterson -- Playthings, 11/1/2007
Even in today's digital age, farm and ranch animals remain a classic theme for kids, providing opportunities for many kinds of play and skill-building. From the basics of language development—as kids first learn to identify, name and imitate these soon-to-be familiar creatures—to more sophisticated imaginative play, the barnyard is still the place to be.
1. My Little Farm ($24.99), one of several new soft playsets in Edison, N.J.-based Gund's baby collection, includes five surface-washable plush pieces: a crinkly farmer figure, a cow that moos, a bucket with velour “water” inside, a grain bag and a 6-inch barn in which to store everything. Sweet, embroidered details and a kid-sized carrying handle add to the appeal.
2. The Rub a Dub Piggy Pigs set ($9.99) for ages 6 months and up from Alex, Northvale, N.J., includes four differently colored, phthalate-free squirters and a mini washcloth for making the most out of bath time. Each pig is embellished with special magic-ink markings that disappear in warm water, only to reappear once more when the piggy is dried off.
3. With Barnyard Blast ($64.99) from International Playthings, Parsippany, N.J., kids ages 18 months and up can spend hours rolling the 4-inch “Vegeta-balls” down the ramps, or placing the four farm animal figures in their correct places to trigger lights, sounds and spinning/tumbling elements. Includes seven different songs and three AA batteries.
4. In the Crazy Creatures game ($24.99) from Educational Insights, Rancho Dominguez, Calif., kids ages 4 and up aim to collect, trade, match and connect 3-D animal parts to create a cow, horse, pig or sheep. Includes a farm game board, 20 animal parts, an electronic “animal sounds” barn, farmer figure and an illustrated guide. Batteries sold separately.
5. Barnyard Roundup ($19.95) from Front Porch Classics, Seattle, is a farm-friendly twist on the classic strategy game of squares. Players ages 4 and up build fences to hold in their livestock, and the first to fence in all of their animals wins. Includes game board, 150 fences, 80 animal stickers with which to decorate the game tokens, and a wooden storage box.
