Why VTech Switch & Go Dinos are My Favorite Toys for Preschoolers

As a mom of three, I’m always on the hunt for the best new toys. If it will keep my kids happy, entertained, and provide some kind of developmental value, I’m all in! And trust me when I tell you the VTech® Switch & Go® dinosaurs, more specifically the VTech® Switch & Go® T-Rex Race Car, the VTech® Switch & Go® T-Rex Muscle Car, and the VTech®Switch & Go® Velociraptor Jet, fit the bill.

So, why do I love these part-dinosaur, part-vehicle, part-transformer toys so much? Let me count the ways…

1. They hone fine motor skills.

Not only do little ones need to work their brains and problem-solving skills to figure out how to transform the dinosaurs into vehicles and vice-versa, but they have to stretch their hands-on coordination as well. Plus, they’re easy to transform, so you aren't going to have to do it for them every time — although you might want to. They have a really satisfying tactile *click* when transforming that even I get a little sensory happiness from.

2. They fuel imagination.

I love a toy that develops my child’s skills, but I also want my kids to be kids! I love watching them use their imaginations and create their own worlds, characters and stories. The little digital faces on the Switch & Go® dinos change depending on which mode they’re in, and the different vehicles each have different voices, lights, and effects to keep those creative juices flowing.

It’s amazing to see all the different ways each of my three kids plays with these items. My 7-year-old son loves to crash, roar, and fly them. My 4-year-old daughter plays dino school (when they’re in vehicle mode, they’re the moms driving the kids to school, and then they transform into the dino kids once they arrive at school, obviously). My car-loving 2-year-old son zooms and races them all over the sofas and cabinets in vehicle mode. The possibilities are truly endless!

3. They’re interactive.

I don’t know about you, but my kids generally have the attention spans of a gnat, so for a toy to keep them entertained for longer than 2 minutes, it’s got to be interactive on some level. These Switch & Go® dinos light up, talk, change faces, make noises, and some of them even have little props that fire off with the push of a button. They keep my kids engaged and stimulated for long periods of independent play, which is basically the best gift a toy can give to a mom.

4. They have longevity.

Not only are these well-made and able to withstand the usual preschooler abuse, but they also have proven to keep my kids’ interest over many ages and stages. In my seven years of parenting, I’ve seen countless toys come into my house, only to be pushed into a corner and forgotten about a week or two later.

But we got our first Switch & Go® dino nearly four years ago, and they’re still a go-to toy in our house! My 7-year-old has just as much fun playing with them as his little brother — they really stand the test of time!

5. The price is right.

Best of all: These VTech® Switch & Go® items are affordable! They’re offered in so many different varieties and sizes, that you can really find one for any budget. They’ve become one of my go-to birthday party gifts for my kids’ friends, because I know it’ll be a slam dunk, no matter who the kid is. With three kids, we’ve got birthday parties out the wazoo, so it’s nice to not have to spend a fortune on gifts!

So, if your child doesn’t have any VTech® Switch & Go® dinos yet, what are you waiting for?! Go grab a couple and make your kid’s day!

Author Bio:

Chrissie Jones is a mom to three little maniacs, IVF survivor, and writer of OneHangryMama.com. Join her there for a dose of family-friendly meals, infertility support, gift guides galore, and a heavy dose of chaos.

Baby Playtime During First Year Milestones

Whether you’re a first time mom or a third time mom like me, baby milestones are just as exciting each time around! And, you better believe it goes by even quicker the more kids you have. I absolutely LOVE cheering on my new baby girl, Olivia, during each of her incredible first year milestones. I one hundred percent believe that childhood learning is done best through play.

BABY MILESTONES 1 – 3 MONTHS

Your baby will start holding their head up. They will also begin to smile, laugh and coo. Those are the sweetest sounds! The first baby “toy” I usually take out is a visually pleasing and soft play gym. The VTech® 7-in-1 Senses & Stages Developmental Gym™ is perfect from birth and beyond. I can encourage Olivia to explore the sights, sounds and textures of the mat, musical xylophone and sensory toys.

Babies can gaze at the overhead arches and linkable toys. This play gym truly can grow with Olivia all the way to toddlerhood. The developmental guide explains how to use the play zones for each stage. Look at her little feet getting ready to kick and play the xylophone!

BABY MILESTONES 4 – 6 MONTHS

Your baby will start to roll over, sit up, and grab at objects. Olivia is 6 months old and this is such a FUN stage! Her naps are becoming more scheduled now, so we are taking advantage of that special playtime period during the day.

The VTech® Tummy Time Discovery Pillow™ is perfect for both tummy time action early on and sitting up, which emerges later in the stage. The pillow has multiple textures, patterns and colors for visual and tactile stimulation. The light-up piano keys on the removable piano introduce numbers, colors, shapes and animals. It plays sing-along nursery rhymes, music and short tunes.

How adorable is the VTech® Explore & Crawl Elephant™?! I swear Olivia looks like she’s trying to make the same cute face the elephant is making. This crawling, ear-flapping elephant with a bright light up-star, encourages gross motor development as little ones crawl and walk after him. Olivia started to crawl right at 6 months, which is a bit early for this milestone. I keep telling her to slow down. Mama’s not ready for this to go by so fast! This cute elephant will grow with her beyond the crawling stage. It asks kids to identify colors and numbers by pressing buttons and has 45+ songs, melodies, sounds and phrases.

BABY MILESTONES 7 – 9 MONTHS

Your baby will start to crawl, stand up, and the baby babble begins. This is also when more solids are introduced, and highchair time becomes more frequent. I’ve had a version of the VTech® Turn & Learn Ferris Wheel™ for each of my babies. The Ferris wheel will stay put with a suction cup bottom so you don’t have to keep picking it up off the floor. It will keep wiggly kids entertained as each spin plays sounds and songs with three flashing stars to capture their interest.

Olivia just had her first solid food! We went with mashed bananas. I’ve done avocado with my other two, but the avocado I bought went bad, so the next best thing we had in our pantry was bananas. She spit it out right away, but I love watching her explore new things!

BABY MILESTONES 10 – 12 MONTHS

Your baby will start to talk and say their first words (I’m rooting for “Mama”!). They also might begin to walk. But don’t worry if they don’t. That’s normal too. Neither of my first two walked before their first birthdays. Olivia seems to want to keep up with her older sister and brother though, so maybe she will surprise us!

Either way, the VTech® Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker™ is perfect for playtime during the later stages of that important first year. Start out with the easy-to-remove activity panel for floor play, then step it up with the fun-to-maneuver walker. Spinning gears, five piano keys, colorful rollers, light-up shape sorters, light-up buttons and a telephone handset offer endless fun that will stimulate your baby's learning and develop their motor skills.

You made it mama; that first year went by in a flash! Seriously, I can’t believe how fast my little one is growing (cue the tears!). You better believe I’m soaking it all in and taking advantage of playtime with our engaging VTech® Baby toys. For other motherhood ideas follow along at SUGAR MAPLE notes or on Instagram @SUGARMAPLEnotes. Let’s be friends! - xoxo Sarah

Sarah Harmsen is the creator behind SUGAR MAPLE notes – a lifestyle blog about home, family and motherhood. She’s a mom of two imaginative kiddos, Levi and Evelyn and one NEW baby girl, Olivia Jay. Grab a cup of coffee because Sarah is sure to have one in her hand. Come feel at home with her and her family as they make everyday moments into something special!

The Ultimate Baby Shower Gift Guide

When I think of baby showers, sweet little pink and blue petit fours, a mom glowing with her growing belly, and adorable gifts overflowing on a table immediately come to mind. My mind then drifts off to the fun part–picking out the perfect gift for the baby and mom-to-be.

What are good gifts to give at a baby shower? What gifts are both sentimental and will last beyond the first month of motherhood? What gifts will help the baby learn and develop?

As a mom of three and gift-giving enthusiast, I am here to help! I am spilling the beans on

three of my favorite baby shower gifts to give. These three gifts are sure to not only bring a smile to the mom-to-be’s face at the baby shower but also bring a smile to her face every time she uses them with her little one.

Here are three of the ultimate gifts to give at a baby shower:

1) LeapFrog® My Pal Violet Smarty Paws™ & LeapFrog® My Pal Scout Smarty Paws™

If you are looking for that special gift that you can personalize for the new baby that’s on the way, the LeapFrog® My Pal Violet Smarty Paws™ and the LeapFrog® My Pal Scout Smarty Paws™ are the perfect gifts. These smart stuffed animals can be programmed by you beforehand, while they are still in the box, with the new baby’s name. When the ears or paws are pressed, Violet or Scout will share songs, lullabies, and activities–many of them incorporating the child’s name. They are sweet stuffed animals for a baby, but also great toys that will grow with them as they get older and start learning to count, spell their name and learn about the world around them. These are toys that my 2-year-old and 5-year-old both still love. Their faces always light up when they hear the stuffed dogs say their name!

2) VTech® 7-in-1 Senses & Stages Developmental Gym™

For a mom, who may have a toddler or other children at home, the VTech® 7-in-1 Senses & Stages Developmental Gym™ is the ultimate gift. This activity mat will not only keep the new baby busy and curious from the newborn stage all the way up to 2-years-old, but it will provide mom with the perfect spot to set the baby when she may need to tend to his or her siblings. When I had my second and third child, an activity gym was one of the most used items in our living room for the first year.

This activity gym is particularly unique because it grows with the child. As they reach new milestones, it can be used differently. It even comes with a handy developmental guide that walks you through the different stages. From tummy time to kicking practice, to seated play, and eventually a ball pit, this activity gym is truly an all-in-one gift. This gift includes everything from the tummy time pillow to the colorful balls, to the xylophone. Just add a card and a bow and you are ready for gifting!

3)VTech® Tummy Time Discovery Pillow™

If you’re on the hunt for an adorable gift that is also practical, try the VTech® Tummy Time Discovery Pillow™. This darling, soft giraffe may look like a fun stuffed animal, which it is, but it also is a tool that helps to strengthen a new baby’s neck muscles and helps to prepare them to be able to sit. The giraffe is made up of different textures that add the perfect sensory element to tummy time. And the included light-up piano, mirror, and rattle can be taken off and used individually on the go. It’s kind of like having four gifts in one!

Baby showers are always such joyful celebrations. Skip the usual newborn onesies and opt for one of these three gift ideas instead! My favorite way to wrap these gifts is with pastel paper, topped with a silky bow and a little mini bottle of champagne for the mom-to-be. Something that will remind her that you’re thinking of her too.

Mandy Roberson is a certified childbirth educator, mom of 3 and founder of Momma Society--the community for modern moms. She loves holidays and making memories with her children. In her free time, you will find her crafting and creating fun printables for Magic Playbook--a monthly digital subscription for moms.