I’m always conflicted about spending money on newborn toys. Sure there are the cute, squishy blocks and the rattly shakers, but my kids usually seemed just as happy with a ladle and a plastic bowl. But there is one newborn toy that I’ve definitely found useful – an activity mat. Also known as a play gym, play mat or baby gym, these devices usually consist of a mat, some kind of bar system that goes over the mat and detachable toys.

For the last two weeks I’ve been testing out the newly-released Fisher-Price play gym called the Luv U Zoo Deluxe Musical Mobile Gym, and my 3-month-old gives it two gurgles and a grin. The Luv U Zoo comes with a circular mat that is lightly padded (though I wouldn’t recommend using it directly on a hardwood floor), colorful (without being obnoxious) and is decorated with letters, shapes and animals to amuse your little one. Three bars connect to the center unit which includes a rotating mobile function, lights and music (4 AA batteries required). Around the bars and on the sides of the mat, there are hoops to attach any of the 5 detachable toys which include a mirror, rattle, plush toy and other “chewables.”

I love that the Luv U Zoo provides a variety of types of stimulation and can be used to teach the child about cause and effect, object permanence (there’s a butterfly hidden behind the elephant’s ear) and even more advanced skills like letters, shapes and animals.

The Luv U Zoo is also great for tummy time and can even provide entertainment in the stroller (the detachable toys can be hooked to the sun visor of a car seat or stroller). Plus, the whole thing is washable – a must-have to remedy the spit-up phase.

Visit www.fisher-price.com to learn more about the Luv U Zoo ($60) or to see Fisher-Price’s entire collection of activity gyms.

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Disclaimer: I received a sample of this playmat for the review.

Here’s the note about it from Fisher-Price, including a link to the extensive recalled product list.

This article on the Today Show’s website talks about some of the hazards involved with using these products.  You can also all the Fisher-Price hot line at 800-432-5437 for more information.

Thomas was tugged by The Pegasus, a historic tugboat that participated in both World Wars, and play station activities were hosted aboard the Lehigh Valley #79, a restored 94 year old wooden covered barge.   Showcased were the latest Thomas & Friends toys from Fisher-Price including the Zip, Zoom & Logging Adventures Playset, Thomas & Friends Shake Shake Bridge, Return from Misty Island Playset and Follow Me Thomas. Children got to experience the new toys and to watch a sneak preview screening of the movie before the DVD officially debuts next month. My kids, pictured below, attended the event and had a wonderful time.

In Misty Island Rescue, Thomas leaves the Island of Sodor for the very first time. Misty Island is full of new  characters and new placess, and is a place where nothing quite works as it should! Misty Island Rescue The Movie will be released on DVD on September 7, 2010, from Lionsgate Home Entertainment.

The four new toys were introduced. The Zip, Zoom & Logging Adventures ($60) is part of the TrackMaster Line,  feature including a zip line and motorized logging mill. Suitable for ages 3 and up.

Thomas & Friends Shake Shake Bridge ($25), also in the TrackMaster Line, enables kids to play out Thomas’ encounter with Shake Shake Bridge  in Misty Island Rescue. They can send a motorized Thomas  around the Misty Island track as he teeters and totters over fallen logs on bumpy track. While Thomas wobbles across the bridge, the rails collapse! Suitable for ages 3 and up.

From the Take-n-Play collection is the Rescue from Misty Island Playset ($40). It features two destinations – Misty Island on one side and the Island of Sodor on the other side.   Kids can take Thomas through the two-leveled play on Misty Island and then send him wobbling over the Shake Shake Bridge to return to the Island of Sodor. All of the Take-n-Play products connect together (which is a terrific feature!). For ages 3 and up.

Follow Me Thomas ($45) was also featured — a chunky Thomas engine and easy-to-use lantern remote. Your child can point and move the light and Thomas will follow along. As he moves, he says interactive phrases and sound effects. When you press any of the buttons on the lantern, Thomas will do one of three programmed moves including, figure 8’s, circles, and zig zags. Now you can have your friend Thomas with you wherever you go.  Using infrared technology, the Thomas engine reacts to the light of the lantern and follows along for endless fun. For extra play, boys can press one of three large buttons on the side of the lantern to activate pre-programmed moves including zigzags, figure eights and circles. For ages 2 and up.

Thank you to Hit Entertainment and Fisher-Price for providing a gift bag that contained the DVD of Misty Island Rescue, some small Thomas items and one of the new toys from Fisher-Price.

Also plays 5 sounds and phrases and is much easier to snuggle with than a regular Thomas Train (which my son has tried to do!). Phrases include: “I’ve run out of steam” and  ”We’ve been really useful today.” The volume is fine for little ears. For ages 18 months and up. Requires 2 AA batteries (which are included)

Click here to buy on Amazon for $19.11 – eligible for free shipping with $25 purchase, or free shipping with Amazon Prime account.

Thank you to Fisher-Price for providing samples for review purposes.

Mattel and Fisher-Price introduced many cool new products for 2010 at the recent ToyFair. As I walked around Mattel’s press section, I actually got overwhelmed. Broken down into sections and by sub-brands, they had so many products to show (and super-enthusiastic demonstrators)

Here are a few of my favorites.

The iXL (shown in picture above) is a story book, game player, note book, art studio, music player and photo album. It looked amazing and I would love a closer look! It will retail for $79.99 and was named the hottest toy for this holiday season by Mattel’s President.  It features and attached stylus pen, an SD card slot for expanded memory, and a USB cord to connect to the computer. Users will be able to add their own photos and songs (MP3s and WMAs)! It can store multiple software titles, songs, and pictures. While you won’t need cartridges, you will be able to purchase licensed software CDs ($24.99 each/sold separately). Ni-Hao Kai Lan, Disney Princesses, Handy Manny, Batman^TM, Toy Story^TM and SCOOBY-DOO!^TM software cds will be available June 2010; Shrek^® and SpongeBob SquarePants^TM software CDs will be available Sept. 2010. It will come in 3 colors – pink, blue and silver. Requires 4 “AA” batteries.

Dance Star Mickey looks so fun — he dances to five different songs and does the MoonWalk!  Also filled with interactive activities, Dance Star Mickey has a sense of humor too. This one if also going to be huge for the holidays.

Fisher-Price is now producing the Thomas & Friends Trackmaster line. New and notable is the ZIP, ZOOM & LOGGING ADVENTURE PLAYSET. It promotes the Thomas & Friends CGI new DVD release Misty Island Rescue. The playset features a motorized Thomas engine and features a cool zip line and motorized logging mill.

The SING-A-MA-JIGS! were a delight. They chatter, then they each sing their own song, and then when kids put them all together and squeeze their tummies one more time,  they sing together in perfect harmony. They’ll retail for around $12.50 each.

Stinky™ the Garbage Truck (under the Matchbox brand) was dynamite! This interactive garbage truck drives around, loading and unloading. He’s got over 80 phrases, various movements and sounds. Retailing for $59.99, it’s for ages 3+ and will be available in July. Little boys (and probably girls) will definitely flip over Stinky!

Check out my Whrrl Slideshow of Mattel/Fisher-Price.

I know in our house, we’ll have frequent toy purging sessions. I’ll put together a pile of old toys for Goodwill or Purple Heart and no sooner will I have the pile of “baby toys” ready to go when someone pulls something out.  And we’re talking some toy I thought they would have completely overgrown. (Weebles for my 5 year old.  Or a rattle for my 2 year old.)  It just never ceases to amaze me.

Other times, we’ll be at someone’s house and they’ll pull out some toy I would have never imagined them to play with.

So let me tell you guys, the Fisher Price Little People Ride-On School Bus is an example of a toy my kids just love, despite the appropriate age range for this toy, and despite my predictions on what the kids would think of it.

Because not only does my 2 1/2 year old love it, but my 5 1/2 year old son does too.  This little ride-on gets pushed around and played with on a daily basis in our house.

Maybe it’s the under the seat storage compartment (they regularly store Matchbox cards and other tiny toys in there).

Or maybe it’s the Little People in front (a bus driver and kids) or the music.  Whatever it is, my kids love to take turns pushing each other around in this toy.

The age range for this toy is 12 months-3 years, but take my advice – sometimes these toys can go a long way.

Find it in-store at Target, online at Amazon for $34.99 or in other various local retailers.