As seen on The Kid Tips Report with Marianne!
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Since 2002, The Kid Tips Report can be seen with Marianne Szymanski
on FOX 6 Morning News in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The featured products
are based on reviews using the Toy Tips research methods. While most
of the Toy Tips broadcast segments are national, this segment
is local to the Milwaukee market where Toy Tips is based. For additional
information or to read full reviews, see the home page of this
website You may also read longer articles about each report in the
past online issues of Toy Tips & Parenting Hints.
As seen on August 6, 2007- Kids Fashion!
Fashion for kids has put the fun in shopping for parents! We found unique one-of-a-kind baby hats, knitted preschool backpacks, school uniforms from Land's End, rugged boys clothes from Shilav and perennial Buster Brown Mary Janes. Toy Tips has reviewed, worn and washed jeans, boots, cotton tops, nylon windbreakers, mismatched socks, jean jackets, shorts, swimsuits, holiday wear and t-shirts to highlight the best in our collection of tested playwear, schoolwear and formalwear for kids. Check out a few of our selections. Also, take a peek at the I'm a Toy Tester collection in the top left navigation bar on the left of this page. To see the segment, click Fox6milwaukee.com.
As Seen On December 5,2005
If you are looking for holiday gifts that really match a receiver's personality, interest or skills, here are some ideas on "TTT" products for those on your list.
As seen on August 29, 2005: Cool Weather Kids Fashions
The right accessory can make an outfit more attractive, a little more noticable or picture perfect. We have rounded up a variety that we have tested with the TRIPLE T wash/wear test which means we have worn and washed 3x consecutively to be certain the colors will not fade, there is not excess shrinkage and it still looks good to wear. Shoes are worn in outdoor settings and machine washed. TIP: When looking for clothes for children, be sure to buy the correct size but make sure there is a little growing room without a super tight fit.
As seen on August 18, 2005: COOL Back to School Supplies
Over 33 million students will be heading back to school this year and parents spend an average of about $50 per student on new school supplies. While many are basic and needed supplies, there are some much cooler and hip products that we reviewed that can be used as homework help, in the classroom, for projects or quiet studying. Be sure when shopping for school supplies to follow the suggested school list and look for the best deals as they seem to go on sale weekly from July- until summerr starts at most mass market discount and drug store chains. Even grocery stores have some great deals. Don't forget to take a picture of each child's first day (every grade) for memories later!
As seen on July 1, 2004 - Patriotic Toys!
For an American history enthusiast, collector or anyone interested in showing American Spirit, these toys all have a patriotic theme. Used as a a tool to teach patriotism to children, they can be used in the classroom or as a family activity. TIP: Each of these is ideal as a birthday gift for anyone born on the Fourth of July or anyone who is studying to become an American citizen.
As seen on June 6, 2005-Gifts for Dad
Every day of the year can be devoted to dad with our guide. We have searched and researched lots of ideas for gifts that make life a little more comfy, tasks a little less hard and interests a little more fun for any dad and granddad. After reviews of over 75 items, we narrowed our list to our top 10 picks. Keep in mind these are not meant to be for just Father's day but for any occasion that makes dad feel special.
As Seen on June 2, 2005-Sun protection
Summer is coming and it is so important to protect children from the sun's harmful rays. Keep in mind there are a variety of products to consider bringing along when you plan a day in the sun with a child of any age. Infants should never be left in the sun and all children should have limited exposure during the peak hours when the sun is brightest.
Protective sunwear. There are a variety of manufacturers who make these but look for sun suits that cover the child's arms and middle. The best sun suits can block out close to 98% of harmful UV rays. Choose light or bright colors but never dark ones. Always make sure to include a hat.
Shoes: Don't forget the feet. They burn easy and stepping on hot ground burns. TEVA makes a child's sandal that can be worn near swimming pools and in lakes. Water resistant and easy to dry, the velcro closures are ideal for small children to be able to get on and off. We found some of the best selections at Zappos.com.
Wagon-riding: For children who ride in wagons, you may not realize how much sun a child is exposed to. This WagonWare protective top is an accessory to a wagon that can be clipped on the top. It covers the head and is ideal for walks in the zoo, at the park or in the neighborhood. It is very easily to install and is washable.
Sunscreen: This seems obvious but a necessary product for all children over age 12 months. Pediatricians do not recommend children under 12 months to wear suncreen so it is best to have them wear sun-protective clothing.
Sun protection tents are a must for younger infants and ideal for children who are sitting, and can play inside. This personal size tent allows a child to stay safely inside. There is enough room to crawl around, take a nap or play with small toys. Make sure an adult is supervising and never leaves the child alone. It pops up easily, fits into ints' own bag and has a handle for portability. I suggest keeping one in the trunk of the family car for those just-in-case moments!
Sun cream for sunburns: Aloe Vera works very well but if you do not have a fresh plant on hand, keep a bottle of cream available just in case of any suburn. Be sure to check with a pediatrician concerning the strength recommended by the age of the child. It is best not to put on any child under 12 months. There are a variety of brands on the market today. We suggest creams made with flowers which have been known to heal burns faster.
Hat for parent: The best prevention on sun exposure is to cover your self and your children. It will make your day in the sun much more enjoyable!
As Seen on May 17, 2005- Kids Summer Fashion For Outdoor Play
On average, a parent will purchase 3-7 new outfits per child for summer play. These tend to be used for outdoor play, everyday-wear, summer parties, picnics and at the park. Keep in mind that play clothes usually tend to get much dirtier and more worn out than school clothes so it is best to keep that is mind when you are buying.
Outfits for toddlers/preschoolers make their debut this season with bright and bold colors. Toy Tips searched for styles and designs that fit well, wash well, and wear well. All of the selections in our guide were worn by children and needed to pass our standards of the triple wash/wear test.
All clothes were laundered in the Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer (for Toy Tips review, click the kids places in family spaces option in the menu bar).
Because summertime is about getting lots of dirt, sand, grass stains, and ice cream on clothes, for our research, we used Tide Cold Water detergent for washing. We found the detergent did remove most of these stains and without discoloring or fading. It also left a nice scent. In our original test, we reviewed 75 kids shirts, pants, shorts, dresses, shoes, overalls, skirts, socks and shoes. The ones in this guide all passed the size-shrinking test which means they did not shrink a size or more after three washings.
Summer Play Clothes TIPS:
1. Never allow children to wear clothes with strings on shirts, jackets and pants. These can get caught on outdoor play equipment and can be dangerous.
2. Always have children wear well-fit socks that hug the ankle when playing on INDOOR play equipment at fast-food restaurants. Kids are not allowed to wear shoes on these equipment pieces and
tight fitting socks give them a better grip while climbing.
3. Make sure a child wears water shoes in lakes, streams, ponds and parent SUPERVISION IS A MUST. It is easy to slip on rocks and muck, Tread bottom shoes allow for better comfort.
4. Wear sunscreen and re-apply every 4 hours to all children over age 1.
5. Invest in a good hat for outdoor play.
6. Make sure a well-fitting bike helmet adorns the head of any tot- biker passenger, roller-blader, scooter -rider, bike-rider or skateboarder. Helmets should not be loose and can prevent brain injury in the case of a fall.
7. Light jackets and long pants should be worn after dawn when the bugs start to bite.
8. Sundresses are cute but halter sundresses expose the back making it prone to sunburn. Always pair the outfit with a light sweater or shrug when worn outdoors.
9. Rainboots for splashing make great sandbox shoes. Always keep outdoors and hose them down to keep them clean.
10. Buy a swimsuit that fits. Loose-fitting suits have a way of removing themselves in the water. Save your child the embarrassment and make sure it fits correctly before use.
As Seen on May 6, 2005-Quick Trip Essentials that fit in a Diaper Bag!
It is essential to make sure whatever you bring along for baby fits inside the diaper bag! It is easy to stuff, overstuff and pack too much. As a rule of thumb, for a quick 3-hour trip away from home, pack 3-4 diapers, food, formula, wipes, toy, bib and bottle. If the diaper bag does not come with a changing pad, bring one along. Here are some ideas that make away stays a little more comfortable for baby. All of these products are designed to fit inside a diaper bag (not all at once) and to provide a cleaner environment in public places. Whether you are going to a restaurant or on vacation, consider these to add to your packing list!
As Seen on April 20, 2005-Mother's Day Gift Guide
Mother's Day gifts can be zippy, fun and functional. Traditional gifts such as flowers, candy and hearfelt cards are ALWAYS appreciated but what about some trendy new ideas? Whether you are shopping for an expecting mom, new mom, grandmom or stepmom, these ideas are personal and show you have put thought into the gift itself.
As seen on April 8 , 2005-Family Organization!
Family Organization is a must-have for planning. Having a place for everything allows for more together time and an easier routine when raising children. We have reviewed and tested products that make any kind of organization easier for parents. All have been "TTT" rated for function, durability and assembly.
As Seen on April 6: Upcoming New Summer Toy Reviews
Toy Tips visited the International Toy Fair and searched the aisles for our picks of 2005 testing. We just began our process for summer toy reviews and while the reviews are not available yet, here is a sampling of what we we will have in our full guide published on May 15!
Star Wars III: Return o f the Sith is the new blockbuster movie planned for release on May 19. These toys hit the toy shelves on April 2 already but if you are interested in these, I'd look sooner than later. Collectors seem to buy them early. Fun for summer weather are bubble-makersand Wild Planet''s new Tek Tag, a new outdoor toy to interest and engage kids who enjoy computer and technology play to get outside and run around! For rainy-days, Curious Pictures Bug Bonz are a construction toy to make bugs! How fun is that! K'nex has some new scary-looking Beast models that incorporate movement and are enticing to school-age builders. Paper Dolls are reintroduced this year and they are magnetic for refrigerator play. Barbie has a new softer version for younger girls. If you are interested in classic traditional cloth dolls from your chilhood, I found the Little House on the Prairie cloth dolls, complete with all family members! Check back for all the reviews and our entire summer toy list!
As seen on March 16, 2005- Easter Basket Goodies!
Are you looking for creative ideas to stuff an Easter basket, a birthday party goody bag or for another occasion? These "TTT" products have all been tested and reviewed for functionality and use. All have a creative edge and are an alternative to the same ideas most commonly used. TIP: When packing a basket or bag, be sure all products fit inside and are not too heavy or weigh it down.
As Seen on January 28, 2005- Post Potty Training Products!
Once a parent accomplishes potty training for any child, it is important to stress hygiene and introduce products that make this whole new experience a little more comfortable and rewarding for the child. These "TTT" rated products are best to consider for regular use or as needed.
As Seen on December 15, 2004- Holiday Fashion for the Whole Family
Holiday Fashion for the Whole Family:
The winter holiday season is the time of year that cute clothes are of the most interest! Everyone wants to look their best for the parties, family functions and for all those memorable pictures! We rounded up some of the most fashionable styles and conducted our triple wash and wear test. That means we have testers wear them and we launder them 3 separate times to be sure the seams do not split, colors don't fade and fabrics do not shrink more than a size. Based on reader request, we have included a family guide to include kids, moms and dads and will updating this guide in spring, for back-to-school fashion and holiday!
As seen on November 9, 2004- Mess Free Toys!
Finally- ideas on toys that don't make clean-up a chore!
These toys are ideal for travel, play dates, rainy day activities and everyday use. All toys are "TTT" rated and tested for durability, ease of use and easy clean up for parent and child. Encouraging a child to clean up their toys instills a sense of self respect and responsibility.
As seen on October 20, 2004- Halloween Ideas!
Halloween is the one time of year that is silly, fun and scary all at the same time! Parents search for Halloween costumes, treats, party favors and decorations that are erie, scary or just really cute. We tried and tested over 25 products to compile a list of great ideas for Halloween parties and plans.
Each suggestion has been reviewed by parents, kids and are "TTT" approved. Boo!
As Seen on September 22, 2004- New Baby Gifts!
Sometimes it is hard to find a baby gift for a mom who received EVERYTHING at her baby shower or a mom who already has other children. Appropriate for new parents or caregivers, these products are ideal alternatives to a traditional "new baby" gift.
As Seen on April 1, 2004-New Toy Tips Reviews Coming Soon!
Toy Tips will begin the annual testing and review of new toys seen at the American International Toy Fair held in New York City this past February. Hundreds of toys will be reviewed. Here is a sampling of some in celebration of outdoor play in time for Spring weather! Full Toy Tips reviews coming in June!
As seen on Monday,
June 14, Gifts for Dad and Child
It is important that dads spend time with
their children and for their special day, Toy Tips conducted a review
of products of over 125 products to find those that are most useful
or that enhance the quality time dad spends together with his children.
All products were tested with fathers and feedback was provided to
us on the most useful and interesting products dads would like to
receive.
Click here to
read the guide
As seen on May 3/4, 2004-Gifts for Expectant Moms
It is exciting for any new
mother to prepare for the arrival of an additional family member.
In addition to all the new gear a child requires there is also a lot
of things a mother needs for her own comfort. Our expectant mom guide
combines comfort and style to include products that help make mothers-to-be
a little more comfortable during her pregnancy and beyond! All products
are tested using the Toy Tips methodology on a consistent basis. This
ensures that continuous use of the product is favorable and useful.
All listed products surpass higher than average scores and we do not
publish any review that is not positive. NOTE: For full reviews,
click the expectant mom guide on the homepage!
toy tips
expectant mom gift guide
For a special treat:
Expectant Mom Portrait-A memorable gift for any expectant mom or
to give to another family member is a professional portrait of her
while she is pregnant. At this studio, makeup application and hair
styliing is INCLUDED in the price. Prices vary. glamourshotsusa.com
The Hot Mama Gilligan Style Hat- A cute white summer hat is monogrammed
"Hot Mama" in hot pink! Matches almost any beachwear and
is ideal for the mom who is expecting her first, second or fifth!
$25 preppychicks.com
Retailers to watch for hip-fashion in pregnancy
clothes:
A Pea In the Pod- apeainthepod.com
JCPenney Maternity- JCPenney.com
Gap Maternity- gap.com
pokkadots.com
preppychicks.com
babysbestdesign.com
merrell.com
2003 Kid Tips
Report segments:
As seen on Oct 21, 2003
Halloween is all about fun and not-so scary fun for little
ones. Safety is most important for this Holiday whether your
children will be participating in trick-or-treating or attending
Halloween-themed parties. Here are a few tips on products you
may want to consider.
Click <here>
to read about our Halloween tips.
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As seen on Sept. 24, 2003
Click here
to read about our Toddler Fall/Winter Fashion
As
seen on Sept. 9, 2003
Click here
to read about our Restaurants-On-The-Go
As
seen on Sept. 8, 2003
Click here
to read about our Nutritious Guide |
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As seen on April 15, 2003
Choosing a stroller is as personal as choosing a car! There
are so many models and designs, each one appropriate for a different
lifestyle. While it is nice to receive a stroller as a baby
shower gift, it is better to choose the one that fits your own
lifestyle and is comfortable for your size. Strolling with your
child is a bonding activity to do that will create memories
and new discoveries for your child as s/he grows.
Before purchasing a stroller, you need to consider the function,
design and price for your lifestyle.
Click <here>
to read about our Stroller Reviews
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As seen on December 4, 2002
Tool toys allow a child to use creativity and imagination
to build and role play while using logical thinking, fine motor
skills, hand eye coordination and concentration. There are a
variety of toys for different ages and more examples are listed
in our toy search' area. These are the toys highlighted today.
Click
on link below to view details.
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