what's the buzz | toy chest | gold stars | keep in touch
toy report | join us | main menu

WINTER PLAY

Children will spend hours in the snow; therefore, a well-chosen toboggan and snow shovel will greatly enhance their play. Look for equipment that is rustproof and smoothly finished, with handles made of plastic rather than metal.

Toy skis should be used only in the backyard and on slight inclines, and toboggans should be used on safe, obstacle-free hills that do not run into streets or pedestrian walks. Toboggans come in many shapes and forms, some best suited for the novice slider and others for the more intrepid. When selecting a sliding toy, keep in mind the hill on which it will be chiefly used. Steering and braking mechanisms may be important on toys for use on steep, busy hills, but only an encumbrance on gentle slopes or snow banks in the backyard. Check sliding toys periodically to ensure that they are in good repair, and never use a cracked or broken toboggan.

A baby sled can be a useful means of transportation for infants on winter walks. Be sure to bundle baby up warmly against winter winds and the chill that rises from the snow. Tuck blankets, drawstrings, and dangling mittens in carefully. Most pull sleds have no steering mechanisms, so watch for tipping on corners and when pulling over bumps and curbs.