droolicious : Toys

I Like That Boom Boom Pow!

Cathy Hale — Sun, 31 May 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Believe or not, the 4th of July is right around the corner. Where does the time go? Wanna be festive without doing all of the shopping yourself? Here's a bucket-o-fun for the kiddos with a sprinkle of excitement.

Aptly named the 4th of July Bucket, this treat spells star-spangled fun with fireworks that won't really get anyone in trouble. It comes with lots of red white & blue goodies like a festive headband, gumballs, cookie cutters and a meteor storm toy. It may have some small pieces in it, so check for choking hazards if little ones under three are playing with it. Retails for $49 at Chasing Fireflies!

Who Wouldn't Invest in Instant Gratification?

JeanneSager — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:25:00 GMT

If your kids are into instant gratification (and what kid isn't), why make them go through the whole pumping action in order to spray their buddies down this summer?

The Turbo Fill Blasters from Fisher-Price get their power from a pumping station that fills them up AND pressurizes them for maximum squirtage.

Good for kids who haven't gotten down that pump and squirt action, even better for parents who don't want to be filling up their kids' toys every five seconds, you can get it from Amazon for $34.99.

Might we suggest you invest in an umbrella too?

Etsy Alert: A Captive Caterpillar

SunnyChanel — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:30:00 GMT

Bug out with this new pet, the captive caterpillar. Fortunately no feeding and care is needed. This colorful caterpillar is made handmade from felt and lives in a happy habitat made of wood twigs, leaves created from recycled wood sweaters and of course a mesh top for adequate air circulation. The caterpillar, by Etsy crafter Sharlet, will live forever so there no fear of any insect funerals in your future. The little critter comes in a classic Mason jar and you can adopt one here for $18. You can also pick up a ladybug or butterfly too.

7 Days of Dolls: Pucci Inspired Penelope Peapod

SunnyChanel — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:30:00 GMT

The coolest thing about Penelope Peapod dolls? It’s not just a doll, it’s the way these dolls are carried that really sets it apart. The Penelope Peapod doll comes with it’s own draw string fabric covered basket which not only closes for an easy and stylish doll transport but it doubles as a bed for little Penelope. And style comes easy to the two moms who started this company, one of them was the co-founder of Kate Spade.

Above is Pucci inspired paisley pattern of the Pink Lemonade doll and basket. You can pick one of these up here for $40.

Make Your Pencil Do the Robot

JeanneSager — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:01:00 GMT

The pencil may be the simplest tool there is, but it gets geeked out with this robot.

I haven't tried it myself yet, but sharpening pencils apparently winds the Walking Robot up (although the key winds him too, so you can have your fun when the pencils are done). Best of all, your kids will never be caught putting off homework because they don't have a sharpened pencil again!

Get it for $8.99 from Boys to Men Gifts.

More Robot fun:

Robotcha? You Betcha

Mustaches for Girls?

Heather Kuldell — Wed, 27 May 2009 02:08:00 GMT

Have a product you'd like to market to girls? Make it pink. Even if it’s something inherently masculine ... like a mustache. Stylish Mustaches for Girls ($5.95 at Archie McPhee) offer the dapper lass seven options to decorate her upper lip for the week. Silly? Yes. Fun? Absolutely.

Ocean Adventures With These Bath Toys

Lisa Estall — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:44:00 GMT

Baby can have fun in the bath with these Patch Flip Finnie Bath Toys. Made of terry cloth cotton, they also squirt water. Each set comes in a resusable plastic case.

These are recommended for ages 10 months and up. I really think they are cute!

It’s $14 and sold at Calliope.

Robotcha? You Betcha

JeanneSager — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:31:00 GMT

In a household where Yo Gabba Gabba's Plex reigns supreme, it's been a tough row to hoe with the slim pickings for female robot fans out there.

Hello Robotcha, a company conceived under the direction of its owners' three-year-old son. It's a place where robots and ice cream are omnipresent, and we've finally found robots for every kid's futuristic fantasy. Switch the nameplate on your front door to the Jetsons, because the future is here and if it strikes your fancy, it comes in pink, light green and even ruffles.

The company with "shirts for kids who like robots" - because what kid doesn't? - Robotcha sports boxy designs that come from a whole new box. Robots with ice cream cones, green bots planting flowers (the GrowBot), and friendly automatons waving howdy. Suddenly, we don't even care if it will clean our bathroom for us; at least these robots turn out our kids looking good.

Get a hoodie for her, a tee for him and throw one in the pile for Dad (Father's Day is coming, hint, hint) straight from Robotcha.

Why French Cooking Kids Don't Get Fat

JeanneSager — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:01:00 GMT

One whiff of freshly baked French bread, and my hips grow two sizes. But I'm getting the feeling it will all work in the reverse with the new French Cooking Set from the Playful Chef.

So what's the secret?

Made for kids five and up, the latest in the line of cooking utensils made for kids but food grade for use in real kitchens, the French Cooking Set lets you cook up Parisienne cuisine with your kids. And if you've ever tried ANY project with your kids, you'll know you get more than your fair share of exercise chasing after them.

With their own toque, French rolling pin, measuring cups spons and baking pan, plus recipes for five "French" foods thrown in (French fries just doesn't sound as authentic as pommes frites!), your little gourmet will be galloping into the kitchen. Maybe you'l have a day to sit around and eat bon bons yet.

Get it from the Chocolate Cake Club for $28.95.

Meet the GreeNees

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Say hi to Mr. GreeNee and Mrs. Vision GreeNee, the green-minded pere and mere of a new eco-friendly plush family, the GreeNees. The creative handiwork of a real family -- mom Ellie, dad Shai, and kids Dylan and Sawyer -- the GreeNees are patterned after drawings by daughter Dylan, who finished the creations when she was just 6.

As for their actual green appeal, the GreeNees are made from certified organic cotton, and each embodies a different concept about going green: Mr. GreeNee fights global warming; Mrs. Vision is an organic fanatic; daughter Val is an animal lover; son Henry digs solar power; family dog Dakota is a recycling machine; and family cat Gap uses her innate H20 aversion to teach water conservation.

Each GreeNee is $20 -- get yours and learn more about their green family values at The GreeNees. [Plastic and Plush]

Keep Things Swinging from the Car Top

JeanneSager — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Tell me if this story sounds familiar:

You're driving along, and the baby starts crying in the backseat. That stuffed elephant you carefully tucked in their carseat? Yeah, it's on the floor. AGAIN.

Not anymore.

The Kicky Pants Auto Mobile keeps all toys within reach at all times, but it also keeps them locked in place. The stretchy fabric cord runs across the inside of the roof of your car. Plastic rings come as part of the package, and allow you to hook their toys to the Auto Mobile. So the toys wobble, but they don't fall down.

Ah, who knew you'd ever drive an uninterrupted drive again?

Get it from the Itsy Bitsy Baby Boutique for $19.95.

Lorette Trailer And Max Push Cart

Lisa Estall — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:22:00 GMT

This wooden contraption tows and pushes little ones around. The Lorette Trailer is designed by Wolfgang Sirch & Christoph Bitzer and is an example of modern design at its highest form.

It attaches to the Max Push Cart, another unique German-designed toy. I just wonder if it would be hard on little tushies?

The trailer is $220 and the push cart is $235. An expensive ride if kids really want you to buy them!

Pop Goes the Barbie

SunnyChanel — Fri, 15 May 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Now this a whole lotta look for our old pal Barbie. Nope this ain’t the blonde, subtle Barbie of yore. This is the Pop Life Redhead Barbie. This new Barbie collector's release features a crazy cutting edge hair do (just thinking how much hair spray would be needed to do this makes me dizzy), a bold zebra stripped jumpsuit and she even comes with a hot pink modern Eames era chair. You can pick on up here for $53.99.

Hopping, Scooting Fun

Whit Honea — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:04:00 GMT

Does your kid like the hop and the scoot and the fun and the stuff? Hey, who doesn't?

Little Tikes understands this, and they threw in an ATV to boot. Introducing the Hop & Scoot ATV.

Here's how it works: Kid sits on ATV. Kid bounces on ATV. ATV scoots. That's right, we've got a ride happening here, people. This is pure wind in your hair.

My 3-year-old enjoyed it so much he's on the box. Literally. He's sitting on it. Coincidence?

Five Finds for On-The-Go With Your Little Monkey

JeanneSager — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:30:00 GMT

The comparison between kids and monkeys is an obvious one. Both wiggle out of any situation. Both love to climb. And both are just too darn cute. With roadtripping on my mind of late, and starting to top the minds of parents planning vacations everywhere, I've put together a list of my favorites for on-the-go with your little monkey!

Before you can get this show on the road, you have to have everything ship shape and bristol fashion. Or car shape and booster fashion as the case may be. The olli from clek has earned its place as parents' favorite booster seat because it's easy on us all! With a strap that makes it easy for them to carry (especially if you're taking a trip by plane or train), a easy click system into the LATCH on your standard automobile and a design that's easy on their hind end and legs on long car trips, the olli has alley-ooped into our hearts. Throw on a Paul Frank cover (which can be removed for washing!), and I'll be a monkey's uncle if this isn't the best booster seat I've found yet. Get one from CSN Baby for $99.99 with free shipping with little Julius monkeys printed all over or get the Standard Julius (just one big monkey face) for the same price (including free shipping) from Strollers.com.

If your kids are crazy about the little rubbery decals for their Crocs, Martin the Monkey from PakNak is waiting to clamber up onto their bag. For dressing up their bags when they're on the go, PakNak's decals sport a Velcro backing so they can be changed in and out while the "loop" side of the Velcro stays attached to their bags. We're bananas for Martin, but he's got other pals out there too. Get them from PakNak for $3.99, and take advantage of the promotion going for Babble readers - enter PAK20 at checkout to get 20 percent off your order.

And what's a bag decal without a bag to put it on? They weren't monkeying around when they made this one. The Four Peas Blue Monkey Duffel bag does succeeds where many bags for kids fail by offering plenty of space for all their stuff. Whether this is an "overnight at grandma and grandpa's" bag for hauling all their valuable stuffed animals or the suitcase for all their staples for summer trips, the sturdy nylon and denier bag (PVC-free), can handle everything they want to stock inside. Bonus points for the adjustable strap to make this one last out of toddlerhood and on toward teen. Get it from PolkaDot Patch Boutique for $46.

Before you offer up a primate education, I know monkeys and chimpanzees are not the same thing. Monkeys have tails, chimps don't, and so forth. But most folks who are fans of one are fans of the other, and every kid could use a friend in the backseat on a long trip (especially one who doesn't scream "I'm not touching you" with its finger hovering a quarter of an inch from his forearm). Why this admittedly non-monkey buddy? His plush outside is made from 100 percent soybean fibers, his insides from 100 percent Kapok. Part of Aurora's eco-friendly "Aurora Naturally" line, he's super soft and naturally resists bacteria (because we all know how clean kids keep their toys.) Get him from Amazon for $29.99 and qualify for free shipping.

Truly a two-for-one deal, Steven Joseph's toiletry bags are so soft and cuddly kids can fill them with their toothbrush and other must-haves or they can use them as a pillow on the ride to granny's house. Steven Joseph doesn't monkey around when cooking up goodies for kids - the bags are all machine-washable. Get the monkey toiletry bag for $18.95 from Chocolate Cake Club (add $10 if you'd like to get it personalized).

And check out these on-the-go goodies:

Roadtripping With LEGO

Gwyneth Reads Eric Carle!

First Look: Argington Miniature Set

Nicole Feliciano — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:30:00 GMT

Not your standard dollhouse furniture—mini modern design set from Argington.

Most designers show off their big ideas at design shows. Not so, Argington. At Brooklyn Designs, this NYC company highlighted some mighty small wares.

While we love the bunk beds, toy trunks and cribs from the duo behind Argington, these minis stole the show. Andrew Thornton and Jenny Argie (squish the names together and you get Argington) put together a special 20-piece collection of their children’s furniture designs and packaged it in a wooden valise. Full of delicious details and deep hues, this toy is definitely adult eye candy.

How perfect—when everyone else is cutting costs and corners, this pair is thinking big by thinking small. They crafted only 20 of these limited edition sets which include shrunken versions of their popular pieces, such as the Giza table and Sahara crib. $1000 for the set; Contact Argington directly for more information.

Pay a Visit to Spring Hollow!

SunnyChanel — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:30:00 GMT

The toy purveyor Sprig Toys creates eco friendly, sturdy playthings to inspire and spark creative play with dirt, water and anything else the kid’s are drawn to. The brand new Sprig Hallow line features the cartoonish characters Bee & Butterfly, Dragonfly and Dunebug in their own sets with vehicles, tools and accessories for the maximum use with water, sand and pert near any other outdoor element. Every piece is water resistant, environmentally friendly and are made from a “SprigwoodTM – a child-safe, bio-composite material made from recycled wood and reclaimed plastic.”

Dunebug’s Sand Truck has a built in bucket, shovel and rake. Dragonfly’s HeliScoopter features a divided scoop perfect for those big hauls. And last but not least Bee and Butterfly’s Farm includes Honey Bee’s Garden Home, a funnel, a chute, a truck plus flower seeds to get a little garden started. The recommended for age three and up and up and up. I think I had as much fun playing with Sprig Hallow as my own preschooler. You can pick up the Dunebug for $14.99 here, Bee & Butterfly Home for $29.99 here and/or Dragonfly's HeliScoopter for $14.99 here.

Insanely Awesome Motor Workshop

Cathy Hale — Sat, 09 May 2009 15:00:00 GMT

If you are looking for an awesome replica of a real workshop for your little handyman (or gal), take a look at this! I bought the Little Tikes 2-in-1 Buildin' to Learn Motor Workshop last weekend for my son and it is just incredible! I am still in awe over the working tools - the power drill even changes directions!

There are so many different things in this workshop that can be safely taken apart and put back together, it provides hours of enjoyment. I'm so impressed with this toy and all of the doors it opens for imaginative play. It's easy to assemble and looks great. I'm not even whining about all of the little pieces or the batteries. Yes folks, it's that cool! Get up and grow.

Arango Strawz

AmandaHill — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:00:00 GMT

Arango has this amazing straw kit with 24 pieces short and long to build your own straw as well as 20 pieces of curving material. I would imagine that the straw set would be very entertaining.

Click on over to Arango to check it out.

Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring My Bell

SunnyChanel — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:52:00 GMT

The bells, the bells are ringing...ringing for you and your kids. These Tone Bells from Pottery Barn Kids will help kids get in touch with the varying tones in music. Each of these metal bells has a different tone for endless combinations, songs, and masterpieces. To create your own musical magic you can get your set for $49 here.

Wireless Wheeling for the Backseat Driver

JeanneSager — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:06:00 GMT

They've graduated to forward-facing, and now your tot is telling you how to go and where? Let your backseat driver take the wheel with this wireless farmyard set with their own mini steering wheel.

Hang the Tiny Love Wonder Wheel Farmyard board on the back of your seat and hand them the wheel, so they can get to work pressing buttons to make Old McDonald sing, the puppy bark, the cow moo and the whole thing light up. Thanks to the wireless set up, kids can hand the wheel back and forth to each other so everyone in the backseat has a go. They'll be so wrapped up in the lights and music, they'll forget to ask "are we there yet?"

Get it from Student Market for $29.95.

Mrs. Potato Head's Got $1,500 Worth of Bling

JeanneSager — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:30:00 GMT

Remember how cool we thought we were when no long had to stick toothpicks into our actual straight-from-the-ground potato to play Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head Get Married? The plastic potatoes are soooo 1980, honey.

Because now Mrs. Potato Head's got bling.

Covered from head to, well, head, in Swarovski crystals, the Lady Spudiva is also way out of our price range. She runs a cool grand and a half over at Crystal Icing.com (although she's currently 10 percent off! Such a deal!)

So we're hoping this isn't meant FOR kids. Anyone, anyone, Bueller? Because my daughter has a habit of smashing Play-Doh into that big butt flap on the back of her (crystal-free) tuber.

What do you think parents, spectacular or spit up?

Check Out a Potato Head that's more my speed:

Stick it to - and on - Mr. Potato Head

First Look: Tiny Love Musical Stroller Toy

Nicole Feliciano — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:30:00 GMT

Time to hit the streets with a background beat.

Now that winter has gone, moms and dads are hitting the pavement with strollers and babies. If you intend on enjoying that cup of java you better take along some entertainment. Tiny Love has some new stroller toys that just hit the market. The Musical Nature Stroll has plenty to keep baby amused while you grab some fresh air.

What to do? There’s a baby-activated musical mirror with 3 groovy tunes (ok, maybe “Pop Goes the Weasel” isn’t for everyone), a propeller to spin, a parrot rattle to shake and more. We love that baby can’t toss this toy out of the stroller—it attaches firmly with two hooks. Buy at Albee Baby for $15.95

Old School Roller Skates – 50% Off

SunnyChanel — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:00:00 GMT

When I was a kid, I loved and I mean LOVED my roller skates. Since then other things have replaced the way kids roll like roller blades and those tiny hidden wheels in regular looking shoes. I was missing the old school big wheel variety, that is until now. The Barbie “Mia” pink skate isn’t just in a classic style, but it’s pastel pink, with hot pink wheels that just happen to have glitter inside. Yeah, Barbie doesn’t fool around. Best of all, they are currently half off from FAO Schwarz for $34.99 (regular price $65).

Roadtripping with LEGO

JeanneSager — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:00:00 GMT

If you want to keep a kid busy for hours, you can hardly do better then a LEGO set. Two new lines out from our favorite bricklayers take the building occupation on the road.

The LEGO Racers' Tiny Turbo Fold-Out Race Tracks give a whole new meaning to backseat driver. The plastic case that carries their bricks on the road doubles as a race track when opened up. Each set lets them build two different cars while they're riding along in the back of the car, and than it's all about the racing action. So keep your hands on the wheel while they do the steering. Get the Ice Rally (for kids who drive to extremes), Thunder Raceway (above), or take on a Desert Challenge, all straight from LEGO for $14.99.

LEGO Creator Minis pack three times the fun in a plastic container that's three times smaller than your average LEGO product box - leaving more room in the suitcase for extra swimsuits. There's more room in your wallet too; the new toys are a steal at $4.99. Get the Mini Jet or the Mini Off-Roader from LEGO.

Want more LEGO fun? Check out:

Blocks that Rock: LEGO Boombox

Sneak Peek at LEGO Rock Band