droolicious : aaron burgess

Sonogram Cufflinks: There's a Dad Born Every Minute, Too

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 28 May 2009 23:21:00 GMT

New dads do a lot of dumb -- er, cute -- things to show pride in their pride, but transferring baby's sonogram photos to cufflinks takes things to a new level. If formal attire is your medium of choice for self-expression, simply upload the images to Cufflinks.com and wait three weeks for delivery. At $65 a pair, though, you'd better be serious about wearing the things.

Star Wars: The Essential Atlas Arriving in August

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Your kids know the planets well enough to make the jump to hyperspace in their sleep, but how well do they understand the geography, astronomy and political lines behind the Star Wars universe? When Star Wars: The Essential Atlas arrives in mid-August, it should help to fill in any such blanks -- because, you know, you've got to study something when school lets out.

Covering the most obscure corners of the Star Wars canon (as well as the big, famous adventures we all know and love), Star Wars: The Essential Atlas fills its 256 pages with maps, charts, data and facts galore on everything from the films to their book, comic and video-game spinoffs. Admittedly, I haven't actually seen a copy yet, but if Father's Day were a few months later, I know what'd be topping my list.

Preoder yours -- I mean your kids' -- copy now for $19.80 from Amazon, and save 34% off the $30 list price.

Step2 Skyward Summit a Little Rock Climber's Dream

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:00:00 GMT

If you don't have a natural rock formation handy for the job, the Step2 Skyward Summit makes a great place to plant your flag. The 80" high playscape features four different climbing surfaces that (save for the 80-pound-capacity platform) accommodate up to 320 pounds' worth of kid or grownup, and the cargo net and plastic grips provide ample leverage for scaling the summit.

$399.63 from Amazon.

Kid-Tested Dad's Day Gift: Olympus Stylus TOUGH Cameras

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

ALL CAPS because they mean it, man, Olympus Stylus TOUGH 6000 and 8000 digital cameras come with the added benefit of marketing that the company isn't afraid to back up. In fact, in a recent series of videos, Olympus stood behind its claims by handing over its cameras to the ultimate torture-testers: a room full of daycare kids.

Dustproof, crushproof, freezeproof, shockproof and waterproof, Stylus TOUGH cameras can apparently also withstand some more uncommon hazards, such as ice cream and finger paint. Check out the complete series below (the "best of" clip is posted here), and grab one for Dad (they're also klutz-proof) starting at $299.99 at Olympus.com. [CNET]

Episode 1: Playgroundproof

Episode 2: Icecreamproof

Episode 3: Fingerpaintproof

Episode 4: Fishtankproof

Episode 5: Iglooproof

Episode 6: Tricycleproof

Episode 7: WaterTableproof

Episode 8: Castleproof

Episode 9: Danceproof

Can't Go to London This Year? Pick Up London in a Bag

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:00:00 GMT

So your travel budget is nil this year -- that doesn't mean you still can't take that trip to London you've been planning. In fact, with London in a Bag, you can just bring the city to your playroom.

Okay, so maybe unboxing an adorably blocky Big Ben, Bobby, London Bridge and other wooden facsimiles of common London sights isn't quite the same as being there, but if you want a really authentic experience, you can pay in pounds sterling.

£12.95 (around $21 U.S.) from the Handpicked Collection.

Wilson Thinks Globally, Hoops Locally with Rebound Recycled B-Ball

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:30:00 GMT

This officially sized Wilson Rebound Basketball differs from your typical pro-sized ball in one key way: With 40% of its rubber cover being made from recycled scrap rubber, the Rebound aims to be the greenest ball on the court. Wilson still packages the ball in a display box, but, made as it is from 80% pre- and post-consumer recycled cardboard, even that's a little greener.

$14.99 from Amazon.

Meat Your New Favorite Bath Accessory

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Whether you're talking veggie dogs or all-beef frankfurters, nothing says summer like a freshly grilled hot dog -- you take into the bathtub with you.

Fear not, though: This Hot Dog & Bun Soap won't leave you smelling like paprika and garlic. The dog itself smells of bay rum, while the bun packs the scent of fresh-baked bread. And since the whole thing's made from vegan glycerin, it'll clean even the dirtiest vegetarian kid.

$8.99 from Perpetual Kid.

I Heart Guts Unveils 5 New Organs

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 26 May 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Jeanne dove into I Heart Guts' plush innards (ewww!) last month, but since everyone's favorite squeezable internal organs have just expanded into a few other areas of the body, we're heading back for another incredible journey.

Easily the best-named organ of the lot, Smells Like Spleen Spirit ($16, above is the blood-filtering powerhouse of I Heart Guts' new breed -- but if lymph leaves you feeling limp, the spleen has four companions to cover other vital functions: an intestine ($20), a bladder ($16) and a stomach ($18) for plush fanatics, as well as a limited-edition faux-patent-leather black heart ($24) for the true organ aficianados out there.

Check out the whole line at I Heart Guts.

Biodegradable Picnic Ware: Please Put Litter in Any Place

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Normally, we'd never suggest that you and the family toss your picnic ware into a lake or leave it behind on the campsite after you're done grubbing -- but that sort of thinking goes out the window (as opposed to into the landfill) when we're talking biodegradable picnic ware.

Made from 100% biodegradable cassava (the same plant that lends itself to your tapioca pudding), the set's plates, bowls and cups are literally the best kind of litter: Leave them in water for a week, and they disintegrate. Turn them into the compost pile, and in a few months you've got food for the garden, complete with soil-friendly starch. The wooden cutlery and gingham tablecloths included with the set don't break down quite so easily, but they're far more reusable than plastic and paper.

$29.95 from Firebox, and be sure to pick up a tent for the full camping experience while you're at it.

Moontent: Your Outdoor Room with a View

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:30:00 GMT

What adventurous little ones don't love the experience of camping overnight in the back yard? Okay, mine don't, but that's beside the point: With the Moontent's easy setup (it pops open in a few seconds, no assembly required) and two-person accommodations, you can keep the kids company while they get used to the great outdoors.

Despite what its name suggests, the Moontent also holds up well in the sun, thanks to its SPF 50 rating. Just don't expect it to perform well in a downpour -- that moon roof could get treacherous pretty quickly.

£31.49 (around $50 U.S.) from I Want One of Those.

You Rule! Cereal Bowl Starts Each Day On a Positive Note

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Before kids, I probably would've dismissed this You Rule! Dotted Cereal Bowl as trite, corny or overwrought, but with three kids and two parents scrambling to get out the door each morning, I've learned it's not that easy to shrug off the importance of daily affirmations.

Lead-free, and microwave- and dishwasher-safe, each hand-painted You Rule! bowl drives home the point that your kid matters, regardless of whether he or she makes it to the bottom of the bowl. (Although your presence at the table is probably the real exclamation point on these sentiments.) It's the little things, indeed.

$19.95 from Wrapables.

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]

Seat Your Little Somebody in a Sustainable Little Nobody

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Proudly sporting seven design awards, the Little Nobody chair by Komplot also gets points for its sustainability. Each 16.5" high chair in the line is made from PET Felt, otherwise known as post-consumer recycled soda bottles.

Get yours for kr 1.599 (around $205 U.S.) from Hay.

Lighten Up Your Blackout (Blinds, That Is) with a Safari Theme

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Blackout blinds are essential for ensuring lights-out during naptime, but they don't always have to be bland, thick sheets of white. Case in point: these blackout roller blinds from John Lewis, which doll up the aforementioned white sheets with playful, safari-themed prints.

Starting at £29 (around $45 U.S.) at John Lewis. [Bambino Goodies]

The Ultimate Soapbox Derby Entrant

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:30:00 GMT

Handmade in Denmark, the varnished-beech Play Soapbox Cart from Normann Copenhagen is priced formidably enough that it ought to include its own pit crew. Of course, if company is what you seek, we're pretty sure you'll attract a crowd if you decide to pull up to the soapbox derby in this beauty.

£2,150 (around $3,339 U.S.) from Bodie and Fou.

Tony Hawk: Ride Gets You Off the Couch and On the Board

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:00:00 GMT

If this exclusive skateboard controller isn't enough to get you amped for the upcoming videogame Tony Hawk: Ride, the video at the game's teaser site oughta seal the deal. Due later this year for Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360, Ride takes you off the couch and away from the push-button controller, giving you the full-motion freedom to execute grinds, flips, ollies, spins and other tricks using the board's built-in motion controls and accelerometers. Watch for another big announcement around the game at the annual E3 convention on June 2, and check out the controller in action at Gametrailers TV. [Uncrate]

Darth Vader Bust Bank: Ominous Theme Music Not Included

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:00:00 GMT

There's no dark side to saving money -- well, okay, when you're plugging your loose change into a Darth Vader bust bank, maybe there is. Featuring a detachable lightsaber blade, the 10.75" high Sith lord is ready to be your personal savings & loan representative. Just pull the plug on the bank's underside when you want to make a withdrawal, but proceed with caution, young Jedi: Vader doesn't take kindly to frivolous spending.

$15 from ThinkGeek.

Gary, a Future-Proof Robot Made from... Wood?

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Who says robots have to be made out of steel to last multiple generations? Gary, the handmade hemp, pine and oak robot from Our Children's Gorilla, can take nearly anything the kids throw at it -- which is good, because at this price, how many of us could justify throwing Gary away?

900 SEK (around $114 U.S.) from Our Children's Gorilla.

Get DS-Style Gameplay for Your Dusty NES Cartridges

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:00:00 GMT

If you haven't kept up with video-game advances since the acronym NES stood for "cutting edge," you can relive your 8-bit favorites on a handheld system that's almost modern-looking enough to keep the kids from poking fun at you. OK, scratch that: With your gigantic 8-bit cartrdiges sticking out of this Retro Mini Handheld, you'll be a perfect target for the kids' guffaws -- but let's see who's laughing after a few rounds of Mega Man.

$49.99 from ThinkGeek.

Rave O-Zone Plus: Waterpark for a Water Body

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:00:00 GMT

It's a grand and change less than the full-sized water park Rave Sports also sells, but the Rave O-Zone Plus should keep the kids just as happy on the water this summer. At over 12 feet long, the bounce/slide combo is allmost big enough to fit in your pool, but if you've got access to a bigger body of water and some life vests, you'll probably get far more mileage out of the thing.

$479.99 from Amazon.

Hubba-Hubble: Skip Hop Outer Space Bumpy Playball

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:30:00 GMT

If you've been following the NASA astronauts' mission to make repairs on the Hubble Space Telescope, you know those are some serious manual-dexterity skills at work up there. With its easily grasped loops, nubs and textured edges, Skip Hop's Outer Space Bumpy Playball can help to get your future space-walkers' digits ready for such daunting tasks. The ball is one of several new space-themed goodies from Skip Hop -- and gravity, of course, comes standard with the line.

$15 from Skip Hop.

Colorful Automatic Tape Dispenser for the Craft Table

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Actually, I'd prefer to have one of these gadgets on my work desk, but considering its kid-appealing design and easy use, this colorful automatic tape dispenser makes even more sense on the craft table. Four AA batteries (not included) power the gadget, and the clear plastic case lets you marvel at the complexity behind its simplicity.

$28.99 from Perpetual Kid.

Taco Night Made Easier: Kapoosh Taco Tender

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:00:00 GMT

If you're running out of ways to make taco night more interesting, well, the Kapoosh Taco Tender won't get the kids to try that veggie chorizo you've been digging. The Taco Tender will, however, make it that much easier to dish out the same three ingredients without cracking your shells, and with space for three tacos, it even makes a clever serving tray.

$5.71 (regularly $6.99) at Amazon.

IdeaPaint Turns the Family Room Into a Whiteboard

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:30:00 GMT

All of us are familiar with chalkboard paint by now, but from the boardroom to the classroom, we and the kids have grown way more accustomed to doodling our next big ideas on whiteboards. Enter IdeaPaint -- a single-coat paint that transforms any surface into a canvas for your wipe-off markers -- to expand the possibilities for where we might whiteboard next. The kitchen? Sure. The kids' playroom? Even better. The brand-new 50" flatscreen? OK, maybe the possibilities are a little limited.

$4 per square foot -- learn more at IdeaPaint. [Mighty Haus]

Chem C3000: The Ultimate Chemistry Set?

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Offering 387 different experiment in 32 different categories, Thames & Cosmos' Chem C3000 might be the most formidable-looking chemistry set for kids (ages 12 and up, that is) I've ever seen. It sure beats the cheapo lab-in-a-box I got when I was a kid -- although there's something to be said for making a discovery (in my case, that Star Wars figures are no match for alcohol-burning lamps) with limited tools.

$194.82 (regularly $240) from Amazon. [The Awesomer]