 |
 Sharing
family space with children can create a sense of unity
and togetherness. Kid Places in Family Spaces (tm) is
the newest category on toytips.com. Providing research
on products that kids can either use with mom and dad
or use on their own, this area is dedicated to products
in all areas of the home to make family life a little
more comfortable. In hopes to make family life with children
convenient, we carefully select products that make sense
for family use with children of all ages.
 |
Whirlpool
Polara Refrigerated Range
$1799
whirlpool.com
For
busy working parents, this is a time-saver for
cooking healthy family meals. This is a standard-size
electric range that can be set to a refrigerator
temperature and then switched to a baking mode
so dinner is ready at a predesignated time. A
"warm" mode automatically kicks in after
an hour and if not tended to, will switch to refrigerator
mode for 24 hours. Children should not use this
oven alone.
|
 |
DYSON
Vacuum cleaner
$399.99
dyson.com
This
vacuum uses cyclone technology and picks up debris,
dirt, pet dander and allergens. Filters and bags
and not needed and the assembly is easy. It can
be used on carpet or hard floors and the cord
is long to go from room-to-room comfortably. NOTE:
It is important that dust and dirt are removed
from flooring often to eliminate children breathing
in debris.
|
 |
GE
Advantium 120
$749
ge.com
For
families on the go, this speedcook oven cooks
food up to 4 times faster. It looks and runs on
a 120 outlet like a microwave but it cooks with
light. It has a microwave option to switch between
a convection cooking mode or a microwave mode.
This cannot be used on a countertop and must be
placed over the range. Children should never use
this oven alone.
NOTE:
It is important to have children assist you while
preparing meals, not only to teach them how to
cook but also to let them know they can be part
of the preparation process! This is a great chance
to begin teaching the importance of healthy ingredient
choices.
|
|
InterfaceFlor
Prices vary by room and tile size
interfaceflor.com
These
are changeable 19.5 square-inch tiles of carpet.
They come in many styles and colors so you can
design a room based on your preferences. The installation
process is simple and our testers put an entire
floor down in less than 2 hours! There are sticky
low-tack adhesive tabs on the back for secure
positioning and because each tile is identical
in size, they can be cut to cutom fit areas that
may need less.
NOTE:
Be sure to use a chalkline in the center of the
room to make sure you set an even fit. If a tile
becomes stained or worn down, you can replace
the individual tile, leaving the rest of the floor
as is--this is both cost-effective and sanitary.
TIP:
For age-appropriate children, having them
choose their own color and design based on their
(parent-approved!) individual tastes may encourage
a family project to do together! As long as an
adult is involved, children can assist with the
installation process.
|
 |
GE
Arctica Refrigerator
$1699-2999
ge.com
The
best feature on this side-by-side refrigerator
is the accurate temperature controls. For families
with on-the-go needs, you can cool foods and beverages
in minutes, thaw meat and other freezer items
SAFELY in hours and accelerate ice production
up to 50% more (a much appreciated feature for
unexpected social gatherings of big birthday parties!)
The ice dispenser accommodates sports bottles,
oversized glasses and mugs, smoothie makers and
blenders.
NOTE:
For families with preschool, school age children
and teens, we suggest to keep a shelf in the refrigerator
filled with after school snacks that children
can access. Be sure to choose nutritious options.
To read the Toy Tips nutritious and delicious
guide, click
here)
|
 |
Capstone
Industries
Timely Reader
$9.99
timelyreader.com
Reading to children and having them read to you
is important to begin as early as possible. This
will encourage reading interest and developing vocabulary
and intellectual thinking. This reading light is
ideal for parents and children who prefer to read
in bed or as a convenience for bedrest moms that
are expecting! Featuring an adjustable arm with
multi positions, it easily 'clamps' on books, magazines,
newspapers and oversized reading materials. There
is a programmable timer and beeper which is ideal
for children with timed reading homework assignments.
4"AA" batteries are required and are not
included. |
 |
Lightwedge
$34.95
lightwedge.com
A page of a book or magazine slides into this reading
light and with the press of a button lights up the
page for easy reading in the dark. It provides two
levels of light: a high beam and a low beam for
sensitive eyes. Four "AAA" batteries (not
included) are required and last for approximately
40 hours of lighted reading. Ideal for adults, school-age
children or anyone who needs a little extra light
while reading, this is portable and can also be
used on an airplane or outdoors when light is limited.
|
 |
Duet
Washer/Dryer
Whirlpool
$2200 for the set
whirlpool.com
A household with children seems to need to do
the laundry more often. When choosing a washer/dryer,
we recommend that the size accomodates your laundry
needs and fits comfortably in your home. NOTE:
Children should not operate either machine unless
there is parental supervision.
|
Toy
Tips tested this model with the clothes listed in our
Spring/SummerStyle guide
(click here for
more details)
This washer and dryer each comes with an elevated base
(that pulls out to a storage drawer) to reduce bending
and boasts a futuristic-style design. The front-loading
automatic washer is energy-efficient and features electronic
controls and sensors, child resistant safety catches and
electronic doors to prevent the door from opening during
the wash cycle. It has five temperature combinations and
numerous speed settings facilitated by a variable-speed
motor. The tub is constructed of stainless steel, and
the water level automatically adjusts to the size of the
load.
Using less water- approximately 18 to 25 gallons (compared
to 40 gallons for a top-loading capacity load), the lower
half of the tub fills with water then lifts and tumbles
clothes using approximately 35% less water and 50% less
energy. It does not require a central agitator and can
accommodate larger items including blankets and bedspreads.
Because there is a higher spin cycle than conventional
washing machines, it extracts more water, so less time
in the dryer is needed providing another energy efficient
savings.
The WHIRLPOOL "DUET" dryer compliments the washer
in both form and function.
The safety features are similar and include child resistant
safety catches and automatic doors that open upon completion
of the drying cycle.
The dryer may be operated in either manual or automatic
cycle. In the manual mode, time can be set in one-minute
increments; temperature can also be set. Any of these
parameters can be changed anytime during the cycle. Any
of three variations can be programmed: timed-dry, touch-up
and quick-dry.
If the automatic cycle is chosen, time is not adjustable,
as in the manual mode, rather dryness level is selected
and built-in 'wet' sensors set the drytime.
Overall, we found both machines to be an ideal choice
for families who do laundry often.
 |
HEAD/Penn
Racquet Sports
iExtreme (Ti.Agassi Series)
$140
head.com
The game of tennis promotes family interaction,
sportsmanship, competition and hand eye coordination.
This tennis racquet features large sweetspots for
ball control and easy handling. Available in 25",
23" and 21" lengths, these racquets can
accomodate family members of various ages. Available
in fun bright colors, these will definitely stand
out on the court. Encouraging tennis as a family
game promotes sportsmanship, taking turns and practicing
individual skill. |
 |
Big
Bang Products
Kelysus Self-Opening Beach Mat
$29.99
kelsyus.com
It is important for children of all ages to be
protected from the sun. For parent and child sunbathers,
this self-opening beach mat uses the flick of
a wrist to open a compact 19" disc to a 65"
by 38" oval. Features include a terry top
water-resistant flat surface with an inflatable
pillow, drink holder for bottles or cans and an
optional canopy for face protection. The wind-resistant
inner ring keeps the mat flat and open so it will
not blow away. It is compact, weighs 2.5 pounds
and fits in its' own shoulder bag that doubles
as storage for sunscreen, sunglasses or keys.
|
Outdoor
Toys
It is important for a child to play outside in the fresh
outdoors. Adult supervision is ALWAYS recommended and
given today’s busy parent lifestyle, it is nice
to spend time with our children outside playing in the
sandbox or pushing swing!
Outdoor toys encourage gross motor movement, social
interaction and physical exercise. Getting kids outdoors
with parental supervision must always be in a safe environment.
Toy Tips offers toy reviews for outdoor play.
<Click
here for reviews>
|
|
