Toy Weblog

Marx playsets are among the most in demand and sought after collectors’ items today. Collecting vintage toys is one interesting hobby; collecting items from Louis Marx and Company makes the activity further interesting and worthwhile. To date, there is a rising number of people who are into buying and collecting the toy soldiers and playsets made by them.
Marx playsets had been among the most sought after and well known toy sets, particularly for their toys created during the 50’s, the 60’s and the 70’s. In those days, every active little boy would have included the toy soldiers and the supporting playsets and other accessories in their Christmas and gift-giving wish lists. Your dad or your grand dad probably would be able to tell you their childhood tales about playing with and enjoying their favorite Marx playsets.

Marx playsets are collections of action or military figures and adjoining accessories. The toy soldiers and other figures were given their own miniature environments and accessories so that they could be played with and enjoyed by kids who liked to set up their own miniature battlegrounds or western towns. In the past, such playsets were played individually or along with other kids.

Usually, the themes of such playsets were war-related, depicting soldiers’ from different time periods as well as various famous battlefield engagements. But there were also lots of western themed playsets that were very popular as many of them were based on hit tv shows on the period.

Collecting Marx playsets is truly one of the most interesting hobbies people have today. The vintage playsets can frequently be found individually or through sets at online auctions sites. There are also modern re-issues to consider as well — usually poured from the same molds as the originals. But usually vintage Marx playsets are more expensive and are more valuable to serious collectors.

Toy soldiers and other playset pieces were usually made of various metals, which is very characteristic of the toy industry prior to World War II. But as the war effort ramped up, Louis Marx and Company started producing their toys in sturdy plastic. Both the plastic and metal figures are highly collectible today though, so it just depends on how you want to focus your collection.

You can find terrific deals on Marx playsets and other vintage toy soldiers at: http://toysoldiers.collectiblesnook.com/

About the Author
Jenni Kerala is a writer, collector and Ebay addict who loves to find interesting and beautiful collectibles - especially vintage and retro items from the 1950s and 60s.

From a fragile helpless little creature who could barely open his eyes, you’ve seen how your little kid bloomed to become the active, curious, and energetic one-year-old that he is right now.

Now is the time when he graduates from the rattles and baby squeaky toys that used to make him burst into a fit of giggles. Now is the time when he progresses to more advanced toys that will be suitable in developing his skills and stimulating his mental growth.

Toys for one-year-old children include:

Stacking toys that come in different shapes, sizes and colors. These toys which include stackable cups, pails, and rings are helpful in introducing your kid to a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. By learning how to stack up these toys his fine motor skills, hand to eye coordination, and spatial awareness are also being improved.

Unbreakable mirrors of assorted sizes. You might have noticed that your kid loves looking at that baby he sees whenever he’s in your arms and you pass by a mirror. Toys like unbreakable mirrors are not only fun and enjoyable for your kid but will also allow for self-discovery which is important in his developmental progress.

Squeeze toys. These toys are good in improving your baby’s grasp and release skills while the squeaky sounds that come from it will make your kid burst into laughter. Give your kid a variety of squeeze toys which can also be used in games like “where’s the toy?” wherein you hide a toy and have your toddler look for it as his problem solving skills are being honed.

Cars, trucks and vehicle toys that do not have small or loose parts, sharp and pointy objects and are made of durable and flexible but safe plastic material.

Building toys such as large building blocks. Because your kid will be able to construct various creations from these toys, this is instrumental in honing his creativity and imagination.

Balls of various colors and sizes. Play baby soccer with your kid to improve his motor skills and eye to foot coordination by swinging him to kick these balls. Or use these balls to teach him about the round shape and the different sizes and colors and sharpen his visual discrimination.

Educational cardboard books with vibrant images and colourful prints. While your kid browses through these books, narrate to him and tell him about the things in the book, “this is a dog” or “this is a house.” This will be beneficial in helping your kid’s conceptual and language development.

Large dolls, plush toys or puppets. Babies are inherently enthusiastic about puppet shows. While these puppet shows are proven to keep baby amused and entertained, more importantly these will teach your kid about the art of conversation and encourage positive interaction. Have a Baby Einstein puppet talk to you and then respond. Talk about funny things or sings songs together.

Toys that mimic real-life gadgets and devices like toy telephones. Imitating older people is how a baby learns about the world around him Use these toys to encourage imitative play and cultivate his social and language development.

About the Author

For more tips and information about Baby Einstein Puppets, check out http://www.thekidstoystore.com.

Here is a cool  gift for the Family Guy fans, a  Cross Arm Position Talking Stewie 11″ Plush Figure Doll. They have is for sale on this web site.

.

.

.

. 

SAW Plush Doll, 12″ Saw Doll by Medicom. When detective Eric Matthews (Donnie Wahlberg) is called to a crime scene of a victim of Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), he finds a lead to the place where he is hidden. Once there, he realizes that Jigsaw trapped his son Daniel Matthews (Erik Knudsen) with three women and four men in a shelter, and they are inhaling a lethal nerve gas. If they do not use an antidote within two hours, they will die. Eric follows with increasing desperation the death of each member of the group in monitors, while trying to convince Jigsaw to release his son.

In the films Saw, Saw 2, and Saw 3, audiences were horrified as the villain crafted elaborate puzzles and ‘games’ for his victims. To communicate with his victims, the jigsaw killer would often communicate through a very eerie puppet, with dark eyes and vivid red markings on its pale white face. The Saw Puppet is now available in ‘cute’ plush form, perfect for the Saw fan in your life, or to add to your collection! You can purchase it at this online store.

Transformers Movie Hasbro Roleplay Toy Optimus Prime Voice Changer. Become the mighty leader of the AUTOBOTS! Defend the Earth against the DECEPTICONS as the invincible OPTIMUS PRIME! Lead your fellow robots in a battle to save the AllSpark from the cruel hands of mighty MEGATRON!

You can buy it at this online store.

.

.

Rob Zombie’s Halloween Michael Myers 7″ Action Figure. On a cold Halloween night in Haddonfield, Illinois in 1963, six year old Michael Myers brutally murdered his teenage sister after she had sex with her boyfriend. Michael is then locked inside Smith’s Grove Warren County Sanitarium where he is placed under the care of Dr. Sam Loomis who is the only one who sees the pure evil within the soul of Michael. In October 1978, Michael escapes from the sanitarium. After witnessing the escape, Dr. Loomis heads back to Haddonfield where he knows Michael will kill again on Halloween night. Michael begins stalking three teenagers, Laurie Strode and her friends Annie and Lynda. With the help of the town sheriff, Loomis hunts for Michael and hopes to put an end to his grisly murder spree. You can buy it at this store.