Evening star., 1948-12-01
Shop Talk: Toys for Christmas
By Dorothy BihIman

Baby dolls are very lifelike this
year The soft, plastic skin feels
almost real. They can be bathed,
fed from a bottle and one doll even
COOS softly and cries when she Is
squeezed. Another one cries when
a pacifier Is placed in her mouth
and still another actually "burps"
after her feeding. Little girls will
have endless hours of play with
such dolls as these. Also awaiting
the little girl Of the family are every
conceivable household appliance.
There is q washing machine, vac
uum cleaner, pop-up toaster, waffle
iron, clear plastic pitcher and glasses
that are made to look like crystal,
but are unbreakable. The doll
houses and furnishings may be
secured to reflect Colonial or modern
design and some are even equipped
with a television set
There are delightful toys in the
transportation line! A new me-
chanical horse is large enough for
a child to ride and it actually gallops
when pedalled. Miniature automo-
biles have three gearshifts and .
brake 50 that they can be operated
forward and backward. Some Of
the cars look almost like the large
1948 models, with your choice Of
convertible coupe, station wagon and
even q taxi.
The mechanical construction sets
now are made for each age group,
so the younger children need not
become discouraged by having to
use sets beyond their ability. This
holds true of the hobby kits and
model train, boat and airplane kits.
A construction kit of the DC-4
transport plane, moccasin making
kit, plastic brick model house build
ing, and leathercraft sets have been
introduced for the older children.
Following are few suggestions
broken down into age groups.
For under two years: A plastic
baby exerciser, soft washable cloth
dolls, woolen or hard rubber animals
for biting and teething, floating toys
for the bath, plastic blocks with
colored animal object inserts or
musical balls.
For toddlers: This age group likes
to push and pull things as they
learn to walk, and lift and carry big
things to feel their muscles. A cart
pull toy that can be filled with toys
would be nice, or perhaps a wood
truck, brightly colored take-apart
toy that can be put together again
or perhaps a supermarket shopping
cart.
Two to four years: This age US
ually prefers active playthings.
Railroad station, gas station, zoo,
an airport, mechanical horse that
gallops when pedalled or an auto
mobile large enough for the child to
ride in. This is also the age group
that appreciates q toy telephone,
wood interlocking train and finger
paints.
Four to six years: Coasting wag-
on, chain drive tricycle., sled. punch
ing bag, outdoor gym. Fireman,
policeman, nurse costumes to dress
up" In, picture puzzles OF. familiar
scenes and a small electric record
player with records fit this group to
T. Children this age need plenty
of toys for active play with others,
also they are in the initiative play
stage. Boys like to initiate a garage
mechanic or storekeeper while the
little girl fancies herself Florence
Nightingale.
Six to eight year olds: The active
age continues, but with more force.
At this stage they will ask Santa for
a two-wheel bicycle, roller skates,
Jump rope, doll carriage with doll
and layette. You'll find parcheesi,
dominoes and games for teaching
spelling and arithmetic much In
favor.