The Origin of the Barbie and Ken Dolls

There are many children who have a favorite type of toy. This can be teddy bears, Cabbage Patch dolls, Care Bears, soft dogs and cats. They can even be the world famous Barbie and Ken dolls. These two dolls are well known by many people and not just children. While these two dolls are mainly used as toys by little girls, collectors will not hesitate to buy either of these should they come across one.

The Barbie and Ken dolls are made so that they resemble adults. The many different careers and styles of the years have an impact on the lives of these dolls. Today you will find that the world of Barbie has many accessories and items that can be used with either of these two dolls. There are also companion dolls that are of different ethnic backgrounds.

The original Barbie doll was based on a German doll called Bild Lilli. Once Mattel made Barbie and acquired the rights to the German doll, Lilli was soon discontinued. Barbie was then officially given the name Barbara Millicent Roberts. Ken was named Ken Carson. The names for the Barbie and Ken dolls were taken from the names of Ruth Handler, who was the original designer of Barbie.

While Barbie made her debut into the toy market during 1959 at the International Toy Fair in New York, Ken made his appearance during 1961. From 1961 Barbie and Ken have been considered as a couple. Their relationship was a on and off relationship. After a 43 year relationship, the Mattel Company decided that it was time for the two dolls relationship to end.

This separation lasted for about 2 years. In 2006 Barbie and Ken were made into a couple again. While the reason for the separation of the famous couple is probably due to a decline in sales, the reason they are a couple is that probably Barbie doesn't sound complete without Ken.

While the popularity of both Barbie and Ken is attributed to the clothes and accessories you can buy, the look of the dolls may also play an important role. For many young girls Barbies looks are in keeping with the careers that she keeps getting. This fashion conscious doll has gone from being merely a fashion doll to a pilot, doctor, airline stewardess, astronaut, rock star to even being a fairy tale princess or mermaid.

Now while Barbie and Ken are just toys they are iconic figures. The looks and careers you see these dolls appearing in are an indication of how toy fashions can change. The one constant perhaps is the imagination and the endless hours of fun that a girl can derive from just playing with her Barbie and Ken dolls.

Online Toy Store Safety Tips

Online toy stores are ideal places to shop for toys. Your chances of locating that hard to find toy are much higher online, and you can easily compare prices and read reviews before making your purchase.

Of course, while you surf the online toy stores, do not forget to keep safety in mind. Here are 3 quick tips for buying safe toys online:

1. Do not buy building sets with magnets for children under the age of 6

Small magnets that come loose from toys pose a severe choking hazard. If you buy a building set or other toy with small magnets, make sure you purchase your toy from a reputable toy manufacture. Once you get the toy home, regularly inspect the set to be sure none of the magnets have come loose. Be sure to keep small magnets away from young children who might swallow them.

2. If you are buying a scooter, skateboard, bicycle or other riding toy, buy a helmet as well

When you are buying a bicycle, scooter or other riding toy, be sure to purchase the necessary safety related equipment. Every child should have a multipurpose, and proper fitting, helmet that can be used for bicycles, scooters, and other riding toys. Elbow pads and knee pads are also essential for skateboarding and can be especially helpful when your child is first learning to ride a bike.

3. Never buy small balls or toys with other small parts for children under the age of 3

Small balls and other toys with small parts pose a choking hazard for children under the age of 3. Be sure to check the manufacturer's age recommendations and any warning indicating that the toy would not be safe for children under the age of 3. If you are shopping at an online toy store and there is no recommended age range for the toy you are considering, do not purchase the toy for a child under the age of 3. Find a similar toy that specifies the recommended age range on another website.

Imagiplay Wooden Children's Toys

ImagiPLAY Toys

Buying "green" products made from environmentally-sustainable, renewable resources has gotten easier and easier, thanks to a growing demand for these items and the availability of online shopping. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could find toys that are made with "green" methods and are produced by fairly paid manufacturers? Thanks to ImagiPLAY Toys with Integrity, you can find a wide selection of toys you can feel good about buying for your child or giving as gifts.

The Company

The founder and president of ImagiPLAY, Barbera Aimes, studied language and music across the Unites States and In Japan before settling in Boulder, Colorado to establish her business. Barbera believes in the value of play and in creating positive change. Her goal is to "help children appreciate our world. " ImagiPLAY toys make available safe, earth-friendly toys that teach children the alphabet, counting, and eye-hand coordination, all while fostering imaginative play and teaching about the diverse animal species our world contains.

How the Products are Made

ImagiPLAY's toys are all made from environmentally-friendly products. You won't find plastics and other synthetics among their products, so you don't have to worry about lead and other toxins. ImagiPLAY uses primarily plantain-grown rubberwood from rubber trees grown in managed forests. This wood is not only beautiful, it is durable and splinter-free, and allows for the trees to have a "second life" after their sap-producing years are over.

Not only are the products made from earth-friendly products, but they are manufactured in a way that respects their makers: because the factories where these toys are produced are close to the places where the workers live, those who make these toys can maintain a healthy life/work balance.

So, not only can you rest assured that they products you buy are helping to sustain our earth, you can know that they are produced in a way that fairly treats the company's workers.

The Products

You'll find toys for toys for babies and toddlers, and beautifully crafted animal figures for older children available through ImagiPLAY. Their baby rattles are crafted from smooth, beautiful, managed forest beechwood, and polished with beeswax. Toddler push toys in a variety of shapes, from hybrid cars to ducks, are made of rubberwood so they are safe for your child and your floors.

Puzzles, blocks, and bead mazes, all made from earth-friendly wood, will entertain your toddler for hours. Check out the veggie cutting set, which allows toddlers to "cut" vegetables made from colorful wood and to reassemble new vegetable creations with Velcro.

ImagiPLAY's puzzle playsets are puzzles and figures in one. After your child takes apart the three-dimensional pieces of the rainforest puzzle, he will want to play endless imaginative games with the figures, learning about different species as he manipulates the colorful, easy to hold pieces.

Colorific Earth Puzzles and Natural Dream Puzzles are interlocking, three dimensional, wooden puzzles that will spark your child's interest in the animals they represent as well as teach him hand-eye coordination. Wooden playsets such as A Day in the Kingdom or a Day on the Farm feature characters and sets to foster imaginative play, all made from easy-to-hold, durable wood.

Room décor items are also available, featuring giraffe bookends and wild animal coat hooks. Collectible animal pairs feature zebras, wolves, lions, and other sets of wild animals in both natural wood and painted wood. These animals will be sure to spark some imaginative play and to encourage your child to learn more about the animals these toys inspired.

USA Map Floor Puzzle, 50 pieces

Product Details

Brightly-colored, imaginatively-illustrated puzzles for learning and play. Rugged pieces that are easy for little fingers to put together. The handy storage case lets kids take the puzzle wherever they go. Finished floor puzzle is 20" by 30". For ages 4-7.

• 50 Pieces
• Multi-use case
• Great Graphics
• High Quality
• Recommended Age Range 3-6

Wild Animals Floor Puzzle, 36 Pieces

Product Details

Give your preschooler's spatial thinking and fine motor skills a workout with this large, colorful puzzle. Big, thick pieces are perfectly sized for a young child's grasp. We love the kid-friendly illustrations and coordinating carrying case - perfect for clean-up, storage and travel! Includes 36 pieces and a coordinating carrying case. Crocodile Creek puzzles are designed in the United States. Puzzle pieces are made of thick cardboard. The case is made of thick cardboard with a plastic handle. Dimensions: Case: L 10.5 x H 7.5 x W 3.5 in. Puzzle: W 20 x L 30 in. Learning skills: Cognitive, Language, Sensory, Social/Emotional and Independent Play. Ages 2 Years+

• 36 Pieces
• Multi-use case
• Great Graphics
• High Quality
• Recommended Age Range 3-6

Melissa & Doug Presidents of The Usa Floor Puzzle - 100 Piece

Product Details

Portraits of all 43 U.S. presidents are featured on a giant floor puzzle that's fun for the whole family. The sturdy puzzle pieces are 20% thicker than other floor puzzles and the easy-clean surface keeps them looking new. 100-piece puzzle measures approximately 2 feet by 3 feet when completed.

• Comes with thick, durable pieces
• Features a gorgeous variety of realistic, appealing images
• Bright, sturdy packaging withstands many uses
• Contains 100 pieces
• Each President's portrait is shown, with his name underneath

Velociraptor Dinosaur Floor Puzzle

Product Details

Velociraptor Dinosaur Floor Puzzle