Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Trending Baby Names, 2014: United States and Australian Parents Choose Same Names

By Sharon Rose



      Many of the trending baby names for 2014, in the United States and Australia, are the same. As we get closer to the end of the year, looking back on 2014, some of the happiest events were the births of our babies!  Picking a name for your baby is never easy.  Names impact lives, so naming Baby should be taken seriously. Should you pass on a family name or choose from the name book?  In recent years, Pop Culture  has influenced what we name our babies.  In 2013, Finn, from the TV show Glee surfaced.  In 2012, parents embraced, Rue, and Cato, and in 2014, Aria, all names from the break-out hit movie, "The Hunger Games."  Not so much my favorites, I was happy to see that, North, and Blue, have not gained popularity.  They have not been my more recent celebrity favorites.  Personally, I tend to like the more traditional names.  Hopefully, I didn't speak too soon!




 

      Taken from the U.S. Social Security registry, in 2014, the most popular girl name remained Sophia, and the most popular boy name is Noah, ending Jacob's 14 year reign as #1.  Others in the top ten for girls and boys: Emma, Ava, Isabella, Olivia, Jackson, Lucas, and Ethan; and still a favorite, Aiden, remains in the top ten. 

      On the other side of the world, Australian parents have tended to look towards long time favorites, dating back generations.  No pop culture influences here. Taken from the Australian national registry, the #1 boy's name for 2014, is Oliver.  The #1 girl's name for 2014, is Ava.  The most popular boy's name in 2013, Jack, has dropped to #3.  The most popular girl's name in 2013, Charlotte, has dropped to #3, also.  Other names in the top ten in Australia for girls and boys: Ruby, Olivia, Ava, Liam, Lucas,  William, and Noah.  In fact, the boy's name, Noah, is #1 in the USA, and #2 in Australia.  As you can see, American parents and Australian parents love the same names for their babies.  Here is more about trends in naming babies for 2014, at our sources, the Top 20 Baby Names in the United States and Australia.  Take a peek!  



 
 
 
 
Copyright, Trending Baby Names, 2014: United States and Australian Parents Choose Same Names, Parents Want to Know 101, Sharon Rose, December 30, 2014.  All rights reserved. 

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Parents Want to Know 101: Toy Guide 2014 - 2015



By Sharon Rose


Our all new list for 2014 - 2015.  Unique, fun, and educational toys. *Prices taken from Walmart price list, unless otherwise stated.  Prices will vary throughout holiday.  *Some prices given found online. 



1.  Anki Drive Starter Kit Smart Robot Car Racing Game; Age 8 +.  Price: $149.99.  Description: Toys and video games partner-up in a first-of-its-kind, real-life robot battle-racing game.  Starter kit includes 2 robot cars, and the starter track that can be rolled out on a table or the floor.  To race the cars, download the free app needed to take control of the cars.  Each player must have an iOS or Android device to take control of a car.  *Look for further device information when you shop for this game.

 Anki Drive Starter Kit Smart Robot Car Racing Game

 

2.   Disney Frozen Sparkle Princess Elsa Doll; Age 4+; Price: $14.99. Frozen Sparkle Anna of Arendelle; Price: $12.79, Amazon.com.  Description: Lovely character dolls, made famous and endearing to children who are fans of the Disney movie, "Frozen."

Frozen Sparkle Princess Elsa and Anna of Arendelle

 

 3.   Laugh & Learn Crawl Around Car, Fisher Price; Ages 6 mos. - 3yrs.; Price: $38.99, Amazon.com.  Description: Shaped like a car and child sits in it to play.  Plays more than 75 songs to sing-a-long with, can twist steering wheel, honk horn, shift gears and turn the key, etc.  Imaginative play.


 

 


4.   Parum Pum-Pum Drum; Ages 18 months +; Price: $34.00; Description: Comes with drumsticks, jingle bells, tambourine, maracas with clackers, and 2 egg shakers.  All fit inside for easy travel.

 
 




 



Parum Pum Pum Drum


5.  Bright Eyes Blanket; Ages 3 and older; Price: $19.99, online purchase only. Description: Use for blanket, towel, or dress-up; choose from puppy, duck, panda, or kitten attached hood.   

6.   Fisher Price Classic Two Tune TV; Ages 1 yr. and up; Price: $22.22, Amazon.com.  Description: this picture, music box has been around for generations to enjoy. Plays, "Row Row Row Your Boat," and "London Bridge Is Falling Down," while related scenes scroll across the screen.


Fisher Price Classic Two Tune TV

7.   Melissa & Doug Classic ABC Wagon Pull Cart, Ages 3 yrs. and up; Price $12.99, Amazon.com. Description: 30 alphabet blocks, a colorful way to learn the ABCs. Use as building blocks and pull in cart. 

8.   Hot Wheels Street Hawk, Remote Control Flying Car; Ages 5 - 15. Price: $49.92. Description: Lots of excitement when kids see this flying car take to the skies.

Hot Wheels Remote Control Flying Car
 
9.  Tekno Robotic Puppy Blue; Ages 5 yrs. and up; Price: $69.95, Amazon.com.  Description: Robotic puppy, with bone and ball, responds to voice commands, lights up, makes sounds; interactive fun.

Tekno Robotic Puppy Blue
  
10.  Zoomer-Interactive Dino, by Leap Frog; Ages 3 +; Price: $79.88.  Description: Roars, moveable, and ready to be trained by his owner to dance, follow you around, and more.  The perfect pre-historic pet.  Has storage section to hide away treasures. 


Zoomer Interactive Dino
 

11.  LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra Kids Learning Tablet - pink or green;  Ages 4 - 9 yrs.; Price: $149.99, Target. Description: WiFi /Kid Safe Web, pre-screened by Leapfrog has appropriate content only. Play games, download music, write, draw, search, etc.



LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra Kids Learning Tablet 


12.  Vtech Kidizoom Smartwatch; Age 4 +.  Price:$49.99, Kmart. Description: Perfect for young photographers, this durable smartwatch makes it easy to take photos and record videos on the go.

Vtech Kidizoom Smartwatch

  
 13.  VTech Pop & Count Vacuum; Ages 12 mos. - 36 mos.; Price: $19.49, Amazon.com. Description: Interactive push toy introduces counting, has sing-along songs, and more.

VTech Pop & Count Vacuum

14.  Nintendo Wii Gaming System in Black Bundle with Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort; Ages 6 yrs. and up; Price: $129.00.  Description: Action packed games; you control action on screen; includes Wii console, remote,  nonchuck and game. Other games available include: Michael Jackson: The Experience, $14.96, Walmart, and Just Dance Kids 2014,$39.25, Amazon.com

 15.  Furby Boom, by Hasbro; Ages 6 yrs. and up; Price: $63.99. Description: Comes in many colors and bold designs. Plush interactive toy that talks, dances, blinks, etc. Develops a personality based on how you play with it. Comes with an app that you use to take care of your Furby Boom: bath, dress, and even have it hatch an egg to create a new generation of Furbies.

Furby Boom, by Hasbro

 16.  Leap Frog Tag Learning System & Books; Ages 3 yrs. and up; Price: From $38.00 up. Description: Encourages beginners to read; uses “touch to word” wand with audio.  

17.  Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn - Learning Puppy; Ages 6 mos. - 36 mos. Price: $14.99, Amazon.com. Description: huggable toy that teaches alphabet, numbers,  counting, parts of the body, sing-a-longs and more. Heart lights up and twinkles to the music.

Fisher Price Laugh & Learn - Learning Puppy
 

18.  Mini Micro 3 in 1 Scooter; Ages 1 - 5; Price: $91.99, Amazon.com. Description: Available in various colors.  Interchangeable, 3 size versions in 1 as kids grow.

Mini Micro 3 in 1 Scooter


 19.  FurReal Friends Get Up and Go Go My Walking Plush Pup Pet; Age 4 +. Price: $26.99, Amazon.com.   Description: Experience what it's like owning a cuddly pet.  Plush pup is controlled by lease to walk it, wags tail, tilts head, barks when you talk to it, and more.   *See other FurReal Friends.  Prices of other animals vary.



FurReal Friends Get Up and Go Go My Walking Plush Pet


 20.   WowWee MiP Robot RC Robot; Age 6 +.  Price: $96.99.  Description: WowWee Robot shows off personality by communicating through motion, sounds, and RGB LED eyes.  Robotic modes include, roam, dance, stacking, and programming.

WowWee MiP Robot RC Robot

 
21.  Flutterbye Flying Fairy Doll; Ages 5 - 9; Price: $24.77. Description: Launches from base and magically flies through the air.  See instructions.

Flutterbye Flying Fairy Doll

 22.  Xbox One Bundles; Ages 5 to adult; prices vary.  Includes, Xbox One Halo: The Master Chief Collection Bundle - $329; Xbox One with Kinect and Forza 5 Motorsport - $429.99; Xbox One Bundle with Choice of 1 game & 12-month Xbox Live Gold Card $379.

XBox


23.  Baby Alive Wanna’ Walk Doll; Ages 3 and up; Price: $34.88. Description: Doll walks and talks. Over 40 fun phrases and sounds.

Baby Alive Wanna' Walk Doll
 

 24.  Barbie Collector Holiday Doll 2014, Ages 6 & up; Price: $33.97,  Amazon.com.  Description: From the Barbie collection of dolls, wearing a beautiful, red, shimmery gown.  Popular with collectors.


Barbie Holiday Collector Doll 2014
 

 25.  Sofia the First Talking Sofia Doll and Animal Friends Play Set; Ages 3 yrs. and up; Price: $32.88. Description: Sofia, dressed in a beautiful ball gown and crown can talk to the animals. Imaginative play.

Sofia the First Talking Sofia Doll and Animal Friends Play Set

26.  Hot Wheels Wall Wheel Starter Set, by Mattel; Ages 4 yrs. and up; Price: $47.97. Description: Race track that mounts on wall at eye level; wall protective strips provided.
 
27.  VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker; Ages 9 mos. - 36 mos.; Price: $29.99; Amazon.com. Description: Helps your baby go from crawling to walking while having fun and learning with the removable activity board.

VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker

28.  First Act Disney Mater Acoustic Guitar; Ages 4 yrs. and up; Price: $39.94, Amazon.com. Description: Starter instrument - Cinderella, Lightening McQueen pictures on guitar, etc.  *Prices vary depending on Disney character and level of instrument. 

29.  Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes; Ages 0 - 6 mos.; Price: $8.00, Amazon.com.  Description: Baby version of MP3 player. Promotes an appreciation for music, has colorful dancing lights, and handle to carry along.  Baby will hear classical tunes by Mozart, Chopin, etc.

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes

30.  Leap Frog Pad 2 Power Kids' Tablet for Learning; Ages 4 – 9 yrs.; Price: $89.73.  Description: Kid-friendly tablet that imitates the iPads of their parents.  Includes rechargeable battery with battery pack; never buy batteries again ($40 value); take pictures and videos, play games, and much more.  Price shop this one as prices widely vary. 

31.  Simon Swipe Game; Ages 6 yrs. and up. Price: $14.76,  Amazon.com.  Description: It's the modern twist on a classic game, Simon.  It is a fast-paced game in which you remember and repeat the patterns. 

Simon  Swipe Game


32.  Disney Doc McStuffins Time for Your Check-up Doll; Ages 3-6 yrs.; Price: $32.97.  Description: African American doll is one of the hottest selling dolls, taken from Disney Channel TV show hit. Talking doll is dressed as doctor with bag of magical tools to fix toys. Includes talking lamb, Lambie. Batteries are included.

Disney Doc Mc Stuffins Time for Your Check-up Doll

33.  Disney Doc McStuffins Deluxe Get Better Check-Up Center; Ages 3 and up. Price: $69.99, ToysRus.  Description: Center has everything needed to heal the sick toys, to include The Big Book of Boo Boos to help in giving a diagnosis. 

34.  Evenflo Exersaucer, Mega Around Town; Price: $61.95; Evenflo Exersaucer Bounce & Learn Bee; Price $81.99. Evenflo Exersaucer Activity Center, Mega Splash; Price: $54.99. Ages 6 mos. - 14 mos., all at Amazon.com.  Description: Baby walker and bouncing toy; rocks, spins, and bounces.

Evenflo Exersaucer, Mega Around Town

35. Toy Story Power Blaster Buzz Lightyear  Action Figure; Ages 4 yrs. and up. Price:$33.74. Description: Battery-operated character from the movie has bonus items, including  a power blaster and energy shield, which fit into Buzz Lightyear's hands. Posable and talking action figure features retractable helmet and buttons that activate a variety of 20 well-known sayings and sound effects.

Toy Story Power Blaster Buzz Lightyear  Action




36.  Strider ST-3 No Pedal Balance Bicycle; Price: $87.50 - $181.99, Amazon.com.  Description: Pre-bike, balance bicycle for toddlers.  Comes in girl and boy colors.  Fits height 30" to 44" tall.  *Note that there are no pedals.

Strider ST-3 No Pedal Balance Bicycle

37.  Spider-Man Boy's Bicycle (Multi-16 inch); Ages - Base on height of child; likely will need to try out for height; Price: $97.99, Amazon.com.  Description: Comes with training wheels, adjustable seat, movie graphics.  Spider-Man Helmet, Age 3 +; Price: $20.00, Kmart. 
 
Spider-Man Boy's Bicycle 16 '



Spider-Man Helmet
 

38.  Razor Crazy Cart,  Ages 9+; Price: $299.99.  Description: Go cart style riding toy goes forward, reverse, sideways, diagonally, and everything In-between. Goes speeds of up to 12 mph. 
 



 
Razor Crazy Cart


39.   Y – Volution Y Fliker F1 Scooter; Ages 5-9 yrs.; Price $99.99, ToysRus.  Description: Unique 3 wheel scooter.

Y – Volution Y Fliker F1 Scooter

40.  Fisher-Price Little People Animal Fun Sounds Farm; Ages 1 yr. - 4 yrs. Price: $37.99. Description: Imaginative play with farm, Farmer Jed, and animals who make sounds.

Fisher-Price Little People Animal Fun Sounds Farm

41.  Imaginarium Mountain Rock Train Table, Ages 3 and up; Price: $109.99, ToysRus. Description: Train set has over 100 pieces and 23+ feet of track. There are 5 different play areas, including Two Tower Bridge with lights and sounds, a 2-Level Mountain Tunnel, and Passenger Train Station. Hear the sounds of a real working train station. *Price shop; prices vary widely.


Imaginarium Mountain Rock Train Table

42.  Bright Star, Having a Ball, Get Cookin' Kitchen; Age 1 year +; Price: $34.99, Target.  Description: Playtime in the kitchen, with 2-sided display.

Bright Star, Having a Ball, Get Cookin' Kitchen


43.  Tabeo E2 8 Inch Kids Tablet- Silver (personal computer); Ages 6 - 11; Price:$189.98, Amazon.com. Description: kids' tablet, like adult version, to explore the Internet, watch movies, play games, etc. 

44.  Fisher-Price Imaginext Super Friends Batcave; Ages 3 - 8; Price: $29.99, Amazon.com. Description: Kids can pretend to protect Gotham City while living in the Batcave. Super heroes Batman and Robin mini-figures included and more. Download the free Imaginext Batcave app on your iPhone.  Use it with this Batcave for interactive fun on your iPhone screen and is compatible with iPhone 3G/3GS, iPhone 4/4S, iPhone 5 and iPod touch 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th generation (device not included.)



Fisher Price Imaginext Super Friends Batcave
 

45.  Monopoly Empire Game, by Hasbro; Ages 8 yrs. and up; Price: $21.99, Amazon.com. Description: Classic game with a new twist. Players buy their favorite brands and offices to build to the very top of their tower. Win by filling your tower with billboards.  


Monopoly Empire Game

46.  Our Generation 20" Thoroughbred Horse, and Our Generation Lipizzaner Horse, and various other models w/accessories; Age 3 +; Prices $13.99 - $27.99, Target.  Description: Includes saddle and saddle pad, bridle with reins, blinders, a pair of leg warmers, a brush, a carrot, a bottle, and a trophy.  Various horses have varied accessories.
 
 
 
Our Generation Thoroughbred Horse and Our Generation Lipizzaner Horse



47.  Our Generation Horse Stable; Age 8 +; Price: $112.00, Amazon.com.  Description: Pretty pink stable includes 3 stalls for horses and every thing needed for a little girl to care for her horse.  Fits 18" American Girl Doll.
 



Our Generation Horse Stable


48.  American Girl Doll; Age 8 +; Price: varies from about $174.00 - $275.00.  Many choices for doll outfits and accessories with varying prices.  Description: Dolls who represent girls from many walks of life, circumstances, cultures, historical eras, and achievements.  American Girl Dolls fit Our Generation Horses.
 



 
 
American Girl doll with friends, doll with horse riding outfit, and doll having hospital visit.
 

 49.  Woofer, Hound Dog Guitar; Ages 2+; Price: $19.99, Target.  Description: Plays 20 familiar to and 9 doggie ditties.  Has realistic strings.


Woofer Hound Dog Guitar


50. Elenco Snap Circuits Green - Alternative Energy Kit; Ages 8 +; Price: $48.95.  Description: Learn about energy sources by building any of 125 projects included in the kit. Create working electronics circuits that include, solar cells, windmill, LEDs, and more.


51.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Battle Shell Figures; Age 4 +; Price: Prices vary from about $9.99 to $19.99.  *See 11” figure for $15.19, Amazon.com.  Description: Each turtle figure is uniquely sculpted, with heights ranging from 4.25” to 11”.  Each figure captures the individual personalities of the characters from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV show. Each Turtle is wearing his signature bandana and comes packed with their two core Ninja weapons and added weapons rack.



Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Battle Shell Figures




Copyright, Parents Want to Know 101: Toy Guide, 2014 - 2015, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, December 1, 2014.  All rights reserved.