Top 7 toys to keep children engaged for hours

Top 7 toys to keep children engaged for hours

Choosing the right toys to keep children busy can be a rewarding task. Kids are usually filled with boundless energy, so it is important to find toys that delight their interest for long periods. However, a child might lose interest in their toy quickly, and in such cases, parents often face the challenge of choosing toys that provide lasting entertainment. To help out, here are some toys that offer both fun and developmental benefits for children.

A marble run set

This set provides endless opportunities to build creative structures while helping children hone their problem-solving skills. Children might also be amazed at the results when the marbles roll through the custom mazes they create.

Wooden puzzle

Parents can find many wooden puzzle designs on retail websites or local stores. The puzzle is equivalent to playing Tetris but in a tactile form that could help engage and exercise the brain, reducing screen time. Experts indicate the toy is suitable for children ages 3 to 12.

Drone

With more modern toys in the mix, one can consider purchasing an affordable drone. These are easy to use and could keep children of most ages and even parents entertained for hours. For improved safety, one should look for drones intended for indoor use and those with soft plastic rubber pieces at the bottom and bumpers around the blades to protect it and others around the toy.

LCD writing tablet

An LCD writing tablet could encourage children to practice their numbers and letters. They could also draw things that they want, helping them enhance their creativity. Experts recommend that the item is suitable for children 18 months old and above.

Walkie talkies

Walkie-talkie toys have been popular for years and function significantly well. Some options support distances up to 2km in neighborhood conditions. These are one of the perfect options to keep children away from digital distractions while still connected to technology. Furthermore, it also improves hand coordination. 

Classic Lego®

One could be any age and still enjoy building with LEGO®. The classic builder set has ideas for kids to consider, create, and build. But one could use their imagination to construct anything, from houses to horse stables to trucks. There are ideas to address every age and development level. Many kids will likely stay engaged building things with a classic LEGO® set for hours.

Kinetic sand

One of the most open-ended toys on the market today is kinetic sand. The material does not dry out and creates a minimal mess, making cleaning easy. The kinetic sand gets stuck together, allowing kids to make all kinds of creative things with the box. If one runs low on the sand, they only need to buy a replacement pack, and the supply is brand new.

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5 mistakes to avoid when buying tickets for live concerts or shows

Concerts in large stadiums provide a truly unique experience. But finding tickets for the best rows before they sell out can be time-consuming. Tickets can be purchased in different ways, including online, at the venue, or through a middleman. Regardless of the method you choose, it is essential to confirm the tickets' validity to prevent becoming a victim of fraud. Here are some things to avoid when buying live concert and show tickets. Visiting fake links Scammers often use phishing to obtain financial and personal information from people booking tickets online. Once they have this information, they access the victim's bank and credit card accounts. They mainly trick buyers by sending emails or text messages that appear to be from legitimate banks, credit card companies, or event organizers. These emails include a link to a different page that asks for personal data like birthdate, social security number, and bank account details. As a result, the con artist gains direct access to the victim's account. To avoid fraud, ensure the links you visit are valid and come from reliable sources. Last-minute bookings Tickets to shows featuring popular performers sell out shortly after the dates are made public. So, booking tickets just a few days before the show or concert can be risky. To ensure you get the passes, purchase tickets as soon as you learn that your favorite artist is performing. Doing so also gives you time to look for discounts or special offers and pick the best seats inside the stadium. If necessary, set a reminder for when the tickets go on sale. Ignoring the terms and conditions Before buying live concert or show tickets, carefully read the fine print. Check for any stated age restrictions to avoid wasting money and being denied entry at the gate. Also, read the terms and conditions to understand what is permitted in the stadium or ballroom and what should be left behind to avoid confusion later. Further, check the return and exchange policies to avoid last-minute stress. Falling for fake tickets During big events, scammers produce fake tickets and mark them down to lure customers. After receiving the payment, they disappear or present a fake ticket. Buying tickets directly from the venue or a trustworthy secondary source is advised to save money and avoid falling for such cons. Search for official websites, investigate the vendors, and purchase tickets only from sources that provide a justifiable return. Finally, use a credit card to buy tickets as they are more secure than other forms of payment. You can cancel credit card payments immediately if you discover the tickets are fake. Using third-party apps for booking Avoid downloading third-party apps that promote simple ticket booking, deals, discounts, and other benefits on the day of the concerts. These apps may contain spyware and malware, compromising your smartphone and exposing personal information. Only use the Google Play Store or App Store to download apps for booking live concert or show tickets. You can check out reliable websites like VividSeats and StubHub to book tickets to concerts, shows, and other events. The platforms offer exciting deals and discounts for events like the Superbowl and performances by popular artists like Madonna and Taylor Swift. 

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Beware of these 4 online money-making scams

With online payment becoming the norm, it is possible to carry out transactions in no time. However, this ease of payment has also emerged as a double-edged sword, as several online scams exploit innocent people every day. In this scenario, users need to be extremely cautious while communicating with strangers online or making digital payments, even to seemingly trustworthy payees. Here are some online money-making scams one should watch out for. Voice recording scams With technology, it is possible to record the other person’s voice over the phone and manipulate it for money. Specifically, scammers use a software application to create a deep-fake version of the recorded voice, which is used to impersonate the individual to extract their information and access their investments or insurance policy details. Not answering unknown calls is the best way to avoid such scams. If the person still wants to connect, they may do so over messages. Donation scams Genuine donations can open up a whole new world for certain individuals and communities. On the other hand, donation scams can exploit philanthropists in the pretext of helping others. Charity scammers are usually well-trained to elicit empathy and masquerade as registered charitable organizations. Many people end up believing their words and donate large amounts without even verifying the organization’s credibility. So, if an organization calls up requesting for money, one should verify the source immediately. It is important to ask for the organization’s website or any other proof that it is indeed legitimate. Fitness scams Setting fitness goals is easy, but working hard towards them requires dedication. Taking the easy way out is often tempting, and fitness scammers exploit this tendency. They may lure individuals into buying products they claim are effective in burning calories, ensuring healthy skin and hair, building muscle mass, etc. Some scammers even convince fitness enthusiasts to sign up for gym memberships or online fitness classes at extremely low prices, taking their card details and emptying their bank accounts. When it comes to fitness, the best way is maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. All other shortcuts are most likely scams. Job opportunity scams Everyone is looking for that one breakthrough that can make them wealthy and successful. And while there are several genuine opportunities, the ones that seem too good are probably not true. Many scammers may ask individuals for a lump-sum amount to secure the job or expect them to sign bonds. They often justify these demands as necessary for training employees for the role. In the process, many individuals also end up sharing personal information with the scammer. Regardless of the salary and opportunity prospects, one should verify the credibility of any company or caller offering jobs. In any case, jobs asking for money or involving bonds may not be the best companies to work with. Scammers are always looking for opportunities to exploit genuine persons’ vulnerabilities. As a general rule, one should never trust any unknown caller or online source without verifying their credibility and ask for help if needed.

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4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

An investment advisor can be a game-changer. A capable advisor can help solve most of your financial issues and give you the best investment advice so that you can turn market situations to your favor. But, finding the right investment advisor is not easy. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while looking for the best investment advisor. Know what type of service you need First, you need to decide what kind of financial assistance you need. Do you need help picking investments? Or are you seeking advice on real estate, retirement, or insurance needs? Asking yourself these questions will help determine the type of investment advisor you are looking for. Nowadays, many people use a robo-advisor, which is as competent as a human investment advisor. A robo-advisor is great for investment management and other basic investments. But if you want substantial transformation in your money-situation, a human advisor is the viable option. Choose a fee-only advisor If you’ve decided to pick a human advisor, the next step is to choose the type of advisor: commission-based, fee-based, or fee-only. If you’re planning something big financially, you must pick a fee-only advisor. Such advisors work for and get paid by other clients like you, so they always act in their clients’ best interest.
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Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

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4 popular credit cards for college students

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A good credit score is essential as it can be a criterion for lucrative job prospects or renting an apartment. Moreover, a good credit score is an uncompromisable necessity while applying for a loan that has terms and conditions that favor you. To ensure that you have a good credit score, it is better to start building it young and early. One of the easiest ways to do so is by applying for a student credit card from prominent credit cards companies. Now, there are several credit cards companies that offer lucrative credit cards, making choosing the right one confusing. To help you narrow down your choices, here are some of the best credit cards companies that offer student credit cards. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: One of the biggest credit card companies in the country Bank of America offers a slew of benefits with its student credit card. With each dollar spent using this card, students can earn 1.5 points. This applies to purchases without any caps. The points can be redeemed as discounts on hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation packages. There are no restrictions or blackout dates applicable for availing these discounts. With no foreign transaction fee or annual fee, the card allows one to earn nearly 25,000 points on spending about $1000 in the first 90 days.
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What you must know about guaranteed business loans

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5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

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Exchange-traded funds (ETF) have been gaining popularity in the investment sector for some time now. Along with mutual funds, they have been one of the most preferred investment options among investors. With investors having pumped in billions of dollars in ETFs by now, these funds sure seem like a lucrative investment avenue. However, financial experts suggest treading this path carefully so as to avoid unforeseeable losses. Here are a few mistakes that you can avoid while investing in high dividend ETFs: Overlooking long-term investment Looking at long-term goals is the golden rule when it comes to any type of investment. However, seasoned investors invest in ETFs on a short-term basis through a type of trading called intraday trade. This type of trading allows the investors to buy and sell stocks and other investments on the same day. However, if not thought out carefully, investing in high dividend ETFs through intraday trading can result in lower returns and higher trading costs. Buying an ETF simply based on its name This is one of the most common mistakes people make when investing in high dividend ETFs. Investors may think that an ETF’s name provides an insight into its investment reach, i.e., whether the ETF has local or/and global investors.
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