Destiny Baby

When it comes to buying toys featuring our kid’s favorite television characters like Diego or Dora the Explorer, it’s not just about buying any toy with the name of the character slapped on. As we’ve mentioned before, child development experts have repeatedly shown that the best kinds of toys encourage unstructured playtime and have multiple uses.

Diego is a popular children’s cartoon character on Nick Jr. (Baby Destiny looooves him!) He’s an animal rescuer and cousin to Dora the Explorer, who goes on adventures all over the world. Like Dora, the show is interactive, asking young viewers to identify objects, follow clues, all while teaching vocabulary (including Spanish!) Stores are filled with toys and products featuring both characters.

Below are some of the best toys and books we’ve found featuring both of these favorite cartoon characters. Follow the links below to find out more about educational toys featuring Dora the Explorer or Go Diego Go!

Cake decorating fun

If you and your child are like me and mine, you have probably gotten a number of invitations to summer birthday parties and are in a mad gift scramble to keep up. Instead of running from store to store, you can get great educational gifts for toddlers online with free shipping, coupons and discounts you won’t find in physical toy stores.

Of course, if you are throwing a birthday party and need some supplies or ideas for throwing the perfect toddler birthday party, don’t miss out on ordering invitations that feature modern, fresh, chic and fun designs from Tiny Prints. They even have a new line of baby shower and birthday party invitations that are real easy on the wallet, with cards as low as 59 cents each!

Here are some great July deals on creative, educational toys and outdoor activities below:

BabyUniverse deals:

FREE Shipping on All LeapFrog Tag Junior Systems & Storybooks at BabyUniverse.com Offer good 7.5 to 7.18

FREE Shipping on SELECT Gyms & Playmats at BabyUniverse.com Offer good 7.5 to 7.18

The next two are about to expire on 7/15:
Free Shipping with purchases of $75 or more at BabyUniverse.com. Offer ends 7.15.09

Summer Savings are here! Get 10% OFF purchases of $100 or more at BabyUniverse.com. Offer ends 7.15.09

Limited Time Offer! Save 10% on ANY purchase of $200 or more at BabyUniverse.com Offer good 7.5 to 7.18

New EToys deals:

Save 20% on ALL Netbook Accessories at eToys.com. Offer good 7.12 to 7.25

Save 10% on purchases of $100 or more at eToys.com. Offer good 7.12 to 7.25

Save 40% on select Summer Play Toys & Games at eToys.com. Offer good 7.12 to 7.25

Free Shipping on ALL Video Games at eToys.com. Offer good 7.12 to 7.25

Free diapers, wipes, formula, children’s books, magazines and more are right at your fingertips. Last year we posted some of the best websites for free products for babies and moms. However, if you don’t have time to search endlessly through the internet for real offers for free products, why not give BabytoBee a try? I’ve used them to sign up for free product samples. They are the best destination for expecting parents and families to get evaluation and trial samples of products from top advertisers. If you are like me and are watching your pennies real closely these days, follow the links so you can get FREE stuff for any Mother-to-be or Father-to-be!

Don’t miss out on another great gift for parents, from My Parent Rewards. It’s a perfect gift that can be used for a fun-filled day or night around town or while traveling. You can give the gift of a coupon book good for 2-for-1 deals and 50% off of restaurant, retail, grocery, pharmacy, golf courses, travel, online shopping and much more at over 100,000 different retailers and locations!

Here are the latest coupons, discounts, buy one-get one free and free shipping offers on toys, educational toys, videos, games and more from Disney, Nickelodeon, Melissa & Doug, and more! We’ve gathered these together for you for the month of July:

eToys:

Buy 2 get 1 Free, Plus Free Shipping on ALL Melissa & Doug Toys at eToys.com. Offer good 6.28 to 7.11

FREE Transformers Potato Head with any Transformers Toy purchase of $50 or more! at eToys.com. Offer good 6.28 to 7.11

Buy 2 get 1 FREE on ANY Disney Movies at eToys.com. Offer good 6.28 to 7.11

Save $5 when you spend $25 or more at Etoys.com. Limited time only!

Save 10% Off purchases of $100 or more at eToys.com. Offer good 6.28 to 7.11

Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.

Nickelodeon Summer Reading Program: Buy 2 Books, Get 1 Free (Offer ends 07.31.09)

Buy 2 SpongeBob DVDS and get a Free SpongeBob Lunch Bag (ends 07.31.09)

Free Telestory with any Dora Order of $35 or More!

Free Shipping Over $40 at Shop.NickJR.com (Use Coupon Code ecr36 through 07.31.09)

BabyUniverse:

Keep baby entertained, Save 20% PLUS FREE Shipping on select Graco & Fisher Price activity items at BabyUniverse.com. Offer good 6.7 to 7.4

20% off Select Infant Toys plus Free shipping when you spend $50 or more at BabyUniverse.com.

Limited Time Offer! Get $5 Off Purchases of $25 or more (Restrictions Apply) at BabyUniverse.com. for a limited time only!

$5 off on EVERY Pampers or Huggies Value Box of Diapers & get free shipping when you spend $75 or more at BabyUniverse.com. for a limited time only!

10% Off All Baby Monitors at BabyUniverse.com. for a limited time only!

Happy shopping!