The Best Toys: My Pal Scout and My Pal Violet

For any parent searching for toys for younger kids it can be hard, they aren't really old enough to know what they want and there are so many toy options out there to choose from.  As a parent of a toddler and a preschooler and what feels like mountains of toys, really only a few stick out as what I would consider a great toy or would recommend to anyone and these are at the very top of my list. My Pal Scout and My Pal Violet by Leapfrog are toys WE love at our house, meaning kids and parents. 

I first ran across this dog when I was searching for something to help my four year old sleep in his own bed at night.  After reading and researching I thought he was probably too old for the toy and maybe it was simply a baby toy and so I ended up buying one for my three year old because she loves anything cuddly and it looked really cool.  It was an instant hit with her, she loves it and can't sleep at night without it.  It is really neat toy, you hook it up to your computer to personalize it with your child's name, favorite foods, and animal and if your not computer savy don't let that scare you away because it was quick and easy.  My daughters face lights up each time Violet sings songs with her name in it.  It is a great price at around $20.00 it isn't too fancy, but just enough which is one of the things I love about it.  My four year old also fell in love with it and now his his own and they both love to sleep with them.  I also just ordered one for my nephew who is only a few weeks old but, this is really a toy that will last from baby through to preschooler, not many toys out there that can do that.  This would be a great gift for a baby, toddler, to preschooler who needs a cuddly friend.

One quick gift giving tip for this toy, if your going to give this as a present open it and hook it up to your computer to get it personalized for the child before wrapping it up. I know technically this goes against some gift giving rule out there, but trust me it's a rule worth breaking in this case and the parents will probably thank you with one less toy to maneuver out of a package. The parents can always go back and modify or change the settings later but, when this gift is unwrapped and it is ready to go the child will be delighted when the puppy says it's name just like magic!