Cyber Monday 2010

If you are on our email list, you got some terrific deals today! If you are not already on our email list - join today! There will be plenty of terrific "customer" only" deals before the end of the holiday season.

Just Arrived from Belgium!

Lilliputiens toys cannot be easily described. But if we were to use one word that sums it up,then it would be ‘wonder’. Wonder is the common theme in all of their creations. The magic of hidden surprises, the stirrings of curiosity, the shapes that get you thinking... every plaything is a voyage of discovery. In their world full of little wonders, every toy has its own fun story. Lilliputiens’ numerous mascots each have their own magical universe – ones in which your children can lose themselves endlessly. Soft materials and disarming characters engender trust while the many shapes, colors, noises and hidden surprises will continuously challenge their inquisitive spirit. A fun and high-quality way to learn. If you’re looking for stimulating, heart-warming attractive and completely safe toys, for little pieces full of wonder filling even you with pleasure, then Lilliputiens has got it. >

Baby Zoé is lying snugly in her basket, underneath a blanket. When she wakes, it is time to change her hat. The hat and pajama set is easy to remove and to put back on, so that little hands will delight in taking care of baby!

Giddy-Up with Star Willow Stables!

Star Willow Stables is no ordinary place. Fantastical horses come here from all over the world to improve their own unique tricks and talents. Still, these special horses always remember that friendship comes first.

  

Keep your Star Willow Stables horse looking horse show ready with this fanciful Grooming Set. Your horse will definitely come in first place with these adorable accessories. Included are 2 clip-on hair extensions, 3 hair clips, and hair comb

Denver A-List Winner!

We are delighted to announce that we came in Second Place for "Best Children's Gifts" on the annual Denver A-List competition.  Thanks to all of our customers who took the time to vote for us!!

Vote for piggy roo for Best Children's Gifts!

If you haven't had a chance to vote yet, please follow the link below and vote now!
http://kmgh.cityvoter.com/piggy-roo/biz/406606

Thanks!

Say it, wear it, mean it with Shains, new at piggy roo!

Shains are an exciting new way to say what you want, wear it, and mean it!

Shains are recycled accessories that encourage and empower people to make their own statements and change them whenever they want! Shainsware, the company, is dedicated to producing eco-friendly products that are useful and empowering. Shains products are made of recycled and recyclable parts and everything Shains produces is certified lead free. The 60 Piece Bracelet Starter Kit by Shains comes with a recycled bracelet and 60 elements, including the alphabet and 7 cool icons!


Ages 7+

We carry lots of different styles and colors Even key chains!

Troop Groovy Girls by Manhattan Toy

Helpful Haylee, Fair Faye, and Responsible Rilee are Girl Scouts who represent the values that are important to Girl Scouts everywhere: Strength, Consideration, Responsibility, Helpfulness and Fairness. The girls come with their very own removable Girl Scout vest.

Pull-Along Zebra by Plan Toys

The Pull-Along Zebra is an adorable toy that children will love! The interesting character of the Zebra will surely help to motivate children to walk and move around. This toy also helps parents teach about color and direction such as left, right, backward and forward. 19m+

Play-Challenged Parents: Playing with Your Kids When (Shhh!) You’d Rather Not

Parents want to be more than just parents. We want to be good parents—and by “good”, we mean exemplary. That’s why we try so hard to get it right. We cuddle up with the kids every night to read a bedtime story. (Or six.) We work to strike a balance between predictable family routines that anchor our children and unstructured time that gives them space to test their creativity. For us, parenting is about much more than keeping them safe, clean, and fed.

And because we know play is important, isn’t it the highlight of our day when we get down on the floor with the little ones to build with blocks or put four-piece puzzles together? Well, actually….maybe not. Many parents may be reluctant to admit it, but some of us just don’t like playing with our kids very much. Are we bad parents?

“Relax, relax, relax,” urges Linda Lembree, owner of piggy roo in Broomfield, Colorado, an expert on play and toys for young children and their families. “Here’s the thing. For some adults, engaging with kids and their play really is the highlight of their day. For others, frankly, it’s just plain boring and not very much fun. It’s not about good parenting or otherwise. It’s all about your personality.”

It makes sense that not everyone is wild about playing with their kids, says Lembree. “Think about how it feels for a child adjust to your world—say, when you go shopping and they tag along. Ten minutes feels like three days to them,” points out Lembree. “It’s really no different when you adjust to your child’s play world, which is all about make-believe and ever-changing rules that you don’t understand and high energy activities that may exhaust you after a long day at work. Ten minutes of that will feel like an eternity to some moms and dads, and reasonably so.”

Research supports this claim. Princeton University professors Daniel Kahneman and Alan Kreuger found that while parents generally insist playing with their children is among their favorite activities, the time they spend doing it gives them about as much pleasure as housework does. Research also demonstrates that parental engagement with children during play can support literacy development and imaginative thinking.*

If kids’ play is indeed so important, and you’re one of the parents who don’t find it so interesting to play with your child, what should you do?

Lembree offers these suggestions:

· Plan your parent-child play around things YOU like to do. If you like museums, take the kids and bring colored pencils and paper to “copy” masterpieces together. (Make sure your budding artist keeps his creativity on the paper!). Visit parts of the museum that have interest for both you and your kids, like dinosaurs or miniatures exhibits. If you like leisurely walks, set up a scavenger hunt for your little one along and bring her along. If you like books, make books together—you a scrapbook, your child a story for grandma.

· Keep it short. Find games or activities you can finish quickly without feeling rushed. (piggy roo has plenty of ideas.) If you find your attention wandering during play, opt out by telling your child, “It’s time for me to stop playing now, but you can keep playing by yourself.” If the activity requires two people, show your child how to adjust the activity to do it by herself.

· Give yourself credit. If the get-down-on-the-floor play is only slightly more tolerable than the endlessly-push-the-swing-at-the-park play, and you’re feeling guilty about not wanting to do any of it, give yourself credit for the things you are doing. “Sometimes parents get a bit narrow in their definition of play,” says Lembree, “and they don’t realize that reading, for example, ‘counts’ as play and can be made even more playful by acting out the story together. An ‘I Spy’ game at the grocery store is wonderful play, even if it’s in the context of another non-play activity.”

Parent-child play does support healthy child development and help create treasured memories. Yet you don’t have to have the play repertoire of a preschool teacher or the non-stop energy of your neighbor who never seems to do anything except play with her kids. As play expert Lembree says, “Just relax.” Your child will thrive if you just let yourself be you. After all, the real, authentic you is the most important person in the world to your little one.


*Alan B. Krueger & Daniel Kahneman & David Schkade & Norbert Schwarz & Arthur A. Stone, 2008. "National Time Accounting: The Currency of Life," Working Papers 1061, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section.
Jerome L. Singer and Dorothy G. Singer. The House of Make Believe. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1991.

Tie- Up Shoe by Plan Toys

The Tie-Up Shoe by Plan Toys encourages children to learn the correct way to tie their shoes. Cute design of shoes are used as a means for kids to practice lacing the rope into the shoes. This toy assists in physical development, language and communication, mathematical development, and logical thinking. 3+

Gather ‘Round Dinner Game by Family Time Fun

Is meal time in your household becoming more of a chore than anything? If so, the Gather ‘Round Dinner Game can spice up the conversation around the table and bring your family closer together. The game is quick and easy! Just sit down to dinner, push the button, watch for the light to land on a dinnertime activity and let the fun begin. Some of the cards ask questions like “What would you like a second chance at” or “What is one of your favorite family memories?” Ages 5+

Basic Words English/Spanish by Mudpuppy

This interactive game helps children learn basic Spanish while brushing up on simple English words. There are 26 puzzle pieces included. The puzzle pieces have half a picture on them and the correct match to the piece finishes the image off and gives the child an English or Spanish translation of the word. Ages 3+

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Blunders by Successful Kids

The game Blunders makes social and dinner etiquette fun and interactive for children. Four types of cards in the game: Multiple Choice, True of False, Scenario, and Charade, contain a question and then an appropriate answer. The final two cards, Reward and Consequence, help the players advance on the game board or penalize the players by having them fall behind. Players help Becky, Bobby, Brenda, and Billy Blunder move through "Blunderville" learning how to have nicer manners so that they will have more friends, do better in school, and get invited to the Mannerlys' Annual Pool Party Extravaganza. Ages 5 to 10

This game won eight awards in 2008!

• iParenting Media
• Dr. Toy
• Creative Child Perferred Choice
• National Parenting Center
• Mr. Dad Seal Of Approval
• The Toy Man Editor's Choice
• The Toy Man Award of Excellence
• The Toy Man Seal of Approval

A Big Cheer for Cloverleaf Corners by Calico Critters

A Big Cheer for Cloverleaf Corners set contains a miniature bunny and mouse dressed head to toe in cheerleading gear. They even have pom poms and megaphones! All they need now is a routine and the bunny and mouse are ready to rock!

Hook a Duck Carousel by Callico Critters

A new product, Hook a Duck Carousel from Calico Critters is an adorable carnival game for all your Calico Critter pals. The carousel contains ducks that your critters remove with poles and then keep as prizes. Turn the knob to make the ducks move around the carousel. If your children are fans of Calico Critters, this is a perfect addition to their collection.

Slice and Bake Cookie Set by Melissa & Doug

Are your kids constantly wanting to help out in the kitchen? Well now they can with their very own Slice and Bake Cookie Set! The set includes 12 cookies, 12 cookie toppings, an oven mitt, a spatula, a knife, a cookie tray, and cookie tube. This set is very interactive and entertaining for children. The Slice and Bake Cookie Set helps teach basic shape and color recognition, and beginning math skills. It also promotes fine motor and eye/hand development, and creative expression.

My favorite thing about this product is how realistic everything looks and feels. I recommend the cookie set for any family that has a little chef wanting to cook all the time. It's fun for them and leaves no mess behind for you to clean up!

Shrinky Dinks Kits Now Come in 2 Sizes!

Alex Toys has just released new Shrinky Dinks kits in a smaller, perfect party favor size. We love the fact that these Shrinky Dinks are precut - just color and bake!

Calico Critters Plush Toys Are Here!

Calico Critters has just introduced a new line of plush critters. There are 4 characters to choose from: Lauren Fisher Cat, Nibbles Norwood Mouse, Willow Cottontail Rabbit and Penny Petite Bear. Each doll measures approximately 8" in height and comes dressed in removable clothing. Collect them all!!

Talking Railway Series by Thomas & Friends

The Talking Railway Series brings the world of Thomas & Friends to life like never before. Each Talking Railway Series vehicle activates personalized greetings from Sir Topham Hatt at Talking Railway Series destinations.

piggy roo offers the entire lineup at discounted prices. Check them out today!!