Ask any avid collector of toy trains about American Flyer, and chances are they’ll be able to talk about these classic toy trains for hours. That’s because American Flyer is a tradition in the production of toy trains and has been for years. Since the beginning of the 1900′s, American Flyer has been producing top-quality toy trains and brought smiles to the faces of millions of people who received them as gifts or heirlooms. A truly unique find in toy train systems, American Flyer continues to be a popular name in toy trains and continues to bring happiness to today’s children and collectors.

American Flyer toy trains began as an idea to develop a clockwork motor for toy cars in 1901 by a man named William Fredrick Hafner. In 1905, he developed a train that could be operated by a clockwork motor on O gauge track. After receiving several requests and funds for orders, Hafner enlisted the help of his friend, William Coleman, to begin producing these new models of toy trains. At the time, Coleman had taken over control of Edmonds-Metzel Hardware Company, who had experienced financial hardship in 1906. The two friends immediately started to produce toy trains by using the surplus manufacturing potential of Edmonds-Metzel. The production was a success, and by 1910 Edmonds-Metzel left the hardware industry and changed its name to American Flyer. Originally American Flyer toy trains were thought to be generic in comparison to its competitor manufacturer, Ives.

During the First World War, American Flyer’s business expanded and eventually knocked out the German manufactures that produced the majority of toy trains sold in the United States. American Flyer introduced the first electric train in 1918. A windup device replaced the clockwork motor developed by Hafner and quickly became a popular toy among American children. Even with the growing popularity of American Flyer, the company still took second place to the Lionel Corporation – a rivalry that continues among toy train collectors today.

American Flyer toy trains are a popular display item at modern toy train conventions and shows, and are usually at the center of heated auction bidding. Although finding pieces from American Flyer toy train systems are not difficult, you can expect to pay top dollar for these classic toys. Even American Flyer catalogs are hot items up for sale and bidding at auctions and on the internet

In this demanding and competitive world, many people find that they tend to work too hard to the extent that it is hard to achieve a proper work life balance. I don’t spend enough time with my kids? I am too stressed? Does this all sound familiar? If yes, you will probably appreciate this article which seeks to introduce to you selective toys and games that can be enjoyed by parents and kids alike. Hopefully, this will enable you to spend quality fun time with your children and at the same time takes your mind off work and relieves stress.

Remote Controlled Toys

Radio controlled toys such as helicopters and cars provide the excitement that both children and adults desire and encourage interaction between parents and their children. Depending on what you buy, these toys can be enjoyed inside or outside in the garden, yard or park. Most RC toys are relatively easy to control, especially when under adult supervision and are suitable for children 8 years and up.

Puzzles

I highly recommend puzzles. There is a vast array of interesting puzzles in the market place such as the Tripod puzzle, Cmetric Too and of course the highly popular Sudocube which comes in a cube just like the traditional rubik cube. These puzzles are created to stimulate critical thinking and encourage problem solving skills, combining education and fun.

Educational Solar Toys

In today’s climate of environmental awareness, solar powered toys and kits are not only great fun, but also introduce children of all ages to the concept of renewable energy and offer adults and their children the experience of building the toys together. Different solar toys offer different degrees of difficulty when it comes to assembling, hence, you can be sure to find one that is both challenging and fun for both parents and child.

Active Toys

As the risk of child obesity increases at an alarming rate, it is important that we continue to look for creative ways to add activities into the lifestyles of our children. There are a number of fun games that encourages physical movements and exercise. Games such as Dance Pad and racket ball games are great way to achieve this goal.

Homemade Toys

Finally, there are many inexpensive ways to engage your kids and is fun for parent and child. Nothing beats the old fashion way of paper plane and kite making. Kids’ sense of pride in their kites is undeniable. No store-bought kites could have brought these children as close to the mystery and physics of flight as their own creations. Parents would no doubt enjoy teaching their children how to make these toys which they themselves played with as children. Teaching children how to make a toy can be a memorable and meaningful way to spend time with them.