The Melissa and Doug brand name has become synonymous with quality in the eyes of many parents, so it’s no surprise that the Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel has been such a top seller in the world of toys for so long. Keep reading to find out more about this toy, and whether it’s worth your investment.

Features Of The Melissa and Doug Standing Easel

* 2 sided wooden easel – 1 side paper roll (not included)/ dry erase board, the other a chalkboard,
* Folds up for easy storage,
* Comes with a sturdy tray on both sides to store art supplies (not included),
* Adjustable height for kids aged 3 and above,
* Locking paper roll holder keeps the paper in place,
* Includes 4 clips and a child-safe paper cutter.

What Do You get In The Box?

When you buy this standing easel you’ll get the two-sided foldable easel, all hardware to put it together, and instructions. You’ll also get the clips and paper cutter, but it doesn’t come with the roll of paper or any art supplies. Melissa and Dog sell an art supplies kit separately if you need it.

Should You Buy The Melissa and Doug Standing Easel?

Although on first glance this standing easel may seem more expensive than the alternatives, most parents consider it excellent value given its quality. The fact that it can also grow with your child, as you adjust the height of the easel, makes it last as long as possible.

Kids under the age of three may find it difficult to reach the top of the easel, so it’s recommended for ages three and above. Thanks to the fact that it’s two-sided, two kids can easily draw on the easel at the same time. In fact, it’s a good-sized easel that makes it easy for both kids to work together on the same side if they want to.

Although you may be wary of buying such a big easel for your child, the main advantage of this particular one is that it’s easily folded up and put away (under a bed, in a closet etc.) if you need to. It’s light enough that the kids can even move it around themselves if they want to.

In short, this easel is an excellent high quality choice for your children, and well worth the money given how long it should last them. It’s easy for children to use, and easy to clean up afterwards. All in all an excellent product that’ll encourage creativity and skill development in your child.

Find It At Amazon ==>Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel

Sing-A-Ma-Jigs made waves in 2010 as one of the most sought after toys of the holiday season. They sold in huge numbers and are still popular today with kids aged three and up. Sing-A-Ma-Jigs are back again for 2011, more cute and in demand than ever before!

What Can Sing-A-Ma-Jigs Do?

What exactly are Sing-A-Ma-Jigs? In short, they’re stuffed creatures that talk and sing songs. Alone, they can sing one song, and one range of notes, but together they are all able to sing in perfect harmony! They come in a wide range of colors, and kids love to collect them.

There are a few different features on each Sing-A-Ma-Jig:

* Click their paw once and the sing-A-Ma-Jig will say hello,

* Click the paw again, and you have activated the first singing mode. This mode will allow you to get the Sing-A-Ma-Jig to sing a different note each time you press his belly,

* Clicking the paw again, you’ll activate a different style of singing,

* The fourth paw click activates song mode. Each Sing-A-Ma-Jig knows one main song. It’ll sing each word every time you press its belly,
meaning that you have complete control over the rhythm and tempo of the song,

* The Sing-A-Ma-Jig will even say goodbye when he realizes you haven’t been using him for a while!

These features are popular with young children, who have hours of fun singing along and hearing the different sounds the Sing-A-Ma-Jig can make. And they’re as much fun as a stuffed toy than a musical one – they’re cute, cuddly, and their mouths move when they sing!

New Sing-A-Ma-Jigs Duets

New for the 2011 holidays are the Sing-A-Ma-Jigs Duets. These are like traditional Sing-A-Ma-Jigs, but now come cuddling a smaller “puppy”. This means that they’re always singing or chattering in harmony. They’re just a new take on a tried and tested idea, and they still look and sound so cute.

Should You Buy Sing-A-Ma-Jigs This Christmas?

If your kid loved the original Sing-A-Ma-Jigs (and still does) then the new Duets toy will be the perfect gift for this Christmas. Many children like to collect the cute toys, swapping over their shirts, playing with them, or just listening to them sing in harmony.

There are some drawbacks to consider, however. Some kids can get bored with the limited scope of the toy. It’s great for kids who love to sing, but some just aren’t interested after a while. Thankfully they’re pretty cheap to buy, especially if you buy some of the older models instead of the newest releases.

One other thing to bear in mind – their singing sounds very computerized. Although the kids pretty much all love them, you may find this toy gets on your nerves after a while!

Sing-A-Ma-Jigs are destined to be a huge hit this holiday season, just as the were last year. Choose a Sing-A-Ma-Jig in your child’s favorite color and they’ll love their new cuddly friend.

Shop Amazon ==>The Sing-A-Ma-Jigs Duets – Green With Puppy