We call our KidAlert! by name, it’s “Michael”. So, when the kids are getting ready to play outside, I say, “Don’t forget to take Michael with you.” It has become an inside family joke that we have a third child.

This year, her 10yr old daughter dressed up as a KidAlert! for Halloween, and here’s the proof!

• Sagan’s Universe also included a lengthy post on the new 50′s Diner: “Video Review: Step2 Goes Retro for Phenomenal 50s Fun!”
• City Mama lauded our Fun Flow Play Sink as perfect for her backyard: “Hot Links“
• The Sacramento Bee featured our All-Star Sports Climber, Neighborhood Fun Center, and Fun Flow Play Sink in their summer toys roundup: “The toys of summer: Here’s how to keep kids busy and happy during the dog days“
• The Hot Mom’s Club released a review of our also-new Creative Projects Table: “Study Desk and Creative Projects Table” (User login required. Free user accounts available)

Read more about this toy donation at gazetteonline.com.

Do you blog? Review the Step2 products you own on your blog and link them to our site! Then, let us know about it and you could be featured in a future “Step2 on the Web” update.

At Step2, we’ve always been big fans of developing young and active imaginations with durable playhouses, toy kitchens, riding toys, and more. Designing Spaces, an educational TV program that plays across the United States, recently ran an episode that featured this beneficial style of play. Take a look—we’re sure you’ll be convinced that something wonderful happens when play time becomes about imaginations, family time, and social interaction!

What is truly unique about these Step2 toys is their strength across multiple categories. According to AblePlay.org, it is quite common for a toy to be strong only in one category on which it focuses. Four out of the five toys recently reviewed by AblePlay from Step2 have acheived ratings of 4 (Very Good) or higher in three out of the four rating categories!

Star rankings as explained by AblePlay are as follows:

• 5-star: Exceptional
• 4-Star: Very Good
• 3-Star: Good
• 2-Star: Adequate
• 1-Star: Not suitable

Special Needs Rated toys:

• Deluxe Canyon Road Train & Track Table
• WaterWheel Play Table
• Doorway Playhouse
• Soft & Sturdy Giant Blocks
• Soft & Sturdy Timber Blocks

If an item does not show up on the “Made in U.S.A.” list, please refer to the product details page on our website for further information on the origin of its components.

With the recent rash of recalls by large toy companies, we’ve been receiving a number of inquiries regarding our toys, and whether or not they might contain lead-based paints. We’d like to help put your mind at ease when it comes to Step2 toys.

First of all, children and their safety are our primary concern. At Step2, we take great strides to ensure the safety and quality of our products.

The vast majority of Step2 products are manufactured in the USA through a process called rotational molding that does not use paint at all. While we do import some accessories and smaller toys from China, none are manufactured at any of the plants involved in the recent recalls. Also, all of our imported products meet ASTM (American Society of Testing & Materials) requirements and guidelines.

We go to great measures to ensure quality control of sourced items and components including:

1. Step2 utilizes an independent Hong Kong and China-based sourcing group to perform multiple, detailed inspections during production and after production at the factories in China. Any components that are found not to comply with our stringent quality standards are held up and not allowed to ship.
2. Step2 regularly submits samples of each of our products to independent 3rd-party accredited testing agencies to conduct detailed testing to ensure compliance to the applicable safety standards.
3. Step2 requires certifications that the coatings purchased by the factories in China for use on our components are, in fact, lead-free.

We hope these facts help alleviate any concerns you might have had about Step2 products. We value our loyal customers and want you to know we will always maintain a level of quality and service that is worthy of your confidence.

Jessica lives in a neighborhood that has about 30 young children, but no sidewalks to create any type of safety boundary. Because her street connects two larger streets, they receive a large amount of shortcut traffic. So the neighborhood took action: to date, Jessica estimates that around 15 families on her road use KidAlert signs to caution motorists to slow down.

The results have been great, and the brightly-colored safety signs have even had some unforseen benefits, as Jessica notes, “It has brought our neighborhood together.” You can see how one block of her street looks in this picture that she sent us:

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Jessica does say that the signs have helped slow down traffic. “The cars absolutely slow down now, with all the reminders, at least 40 in all!”