droolicious : pretend play

Introducing the Eco Town by Plan Toys

elizabeth leach — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Eco Town by Plan Toys includes an eco home, eco train station, eco charging station for electric cars, eco street accessories and a play mat. Plan your city any way you want as long as it's eco! With solar panel roofs and electric cars, this eco town is made from solid wood and is completely non-toxic.

Eco Town by Plan Toys is available at Oompa for $149.99.

Fisher-Price "Say Please" Tea Set

elizabeth leach — Sun, 17 May 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Every little girl loves having tea parties and this tea set will actually join the party. With songs, sound effects and lessons on manners, the Fisher-Price Say Please Tea Set is like having tea in an enchanted Disney movie.

Press the tea bag and listen to songs, pour the tea and hear pouring sound effects and the tea pot will remind you to "say please" with a British accent! Your child will learn about shapes from the cute little cakes and learn her manners as she plays tea party.

Purchase the Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Say Please Tea Set for $18.00.

Cool Tools Activity Set

elizabeth leach — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:01:00 GMT

I bought this toolbox for my daughter and I'm so impressed with the quality of the design. I especially love the retro illustration on the toolbox of a handyman (unfortunately, I haven't found a photo of the front of the toolbox), but the entire toy is brightly colored and very clever.

Set includes four tools: a drill that drills (battery operated), screwdriver, hammer and wrench. There are nails and screws you can hammer and screw and a shaper sorter that can be used to learn about shapes and to pound to your heart's content. Sound effects and music make this a real activity center that folds up in a cute plastic case.

The Cool Tools Activity Set is by International Playthings for $27.99.

5 Best International Food Play Sets

SunnyChanel — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:16:00 GMT

You can get your kid the burger & fries, plain produce or basic meat and potatoes play food sets, or you can introduce them to a more cultural array of tantalizing tastes and textures. Here are five diverse international play sets for your kid’s kitchen fantasies.

Wooden Sushi Set by Melissa & Doug (above)
Nigiri, Rolls, soy sauce, chopsticks and of course a sushi knife. $19.95 here

African Play Food By Mojo Education
Fish, okra, plantains and other tasty looking African staples for $16.99 here.

Hispanic Foods by Learning Resources
Includes Set includes tamale, enchilada, taco, quesadilla, empanada, rice, beans and flan. $17.95 here

Italian Food Set
This seven piece set includes lasagna, spaghetti, meat sauce, italian bread, two slices of pizza and salad. Manga! $14.95 here.

Good Fortune - Chinese Food Play Set by Small World Toys
Includes: chopsticks, soy sauce, rice, tea cup, shrimp, lettuce leaves, spring roll, dim sum holder. dim sum, dumpling, fortune cookie, Chinese take-out box $10.80 here.

For a Gender-Neutral Tea Service

Heather Kuldell — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:06:00 GMT

Tea: It's not just a girl thing. Some little boys like play tea time too. While many tea sets cater to a frilly, flowery crowd, the Curious George Tin Tea Set ($15.38) opts for bright red, yellow and of course, the eponymous monkey. The 15-piece includes a serving try and service for four, no matter what gender the guests may be.

A DIY Library

Heather Kuldell — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:32:00 GMT

While I’m sure computers and bar codes make tracking books much easier for libraries, I miss the old-school card catalogs, the tiny drawers stuffed full of yellowed, hand-typed cards. Anyone else with similar fond memories may like the Personal Library Kit ($20). The kit includes library tech of yore: adhesive pockets to stick into books, insert cards for checking in and out, plus a date stamp, pad and pencil. It could be used for real book borrowing, but could easily stock any kids’ imaginary library once you swap the ink pad for one that's washable.

Fire Up the Grills!

Heather Kuldell — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:07:00 GMT

Time to move the cooking — even the imaginary kind — outside. While you fire up you grill, let the kids toss items from the snazzy Soft Grill Set onto theirs. This plush set includes an array of meat-eater options including three spooky white sausages (weisswursts, maybe?), a fish, a shish kabob and a decadent-looking, 1-inch thick steak. Each piece is made from poly-cotton and can be tossed into the washing machine should they get a little charred.

Available from Leaps and Bounds for $14.95.

Train Your Iron Chef with Cooking Essentials Stainless Steel Set

Heather Kuldell — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:08:00 GMT

Every kitchen stadium, even a micro-sized one, needs the right tools to host a cooking competition. The Step2 Cooking Essential Stainless Steel Set furnishes fun with pots and pans that look as though they belong in mom and pop’s kitchen, but scaled down. The shiny set includes a stock pot, two pots, a saute pan, a colander, coordinating lids and two pot holders. All that left is to unveil the special ingredient.

Available on sale for $29.99 at Dinnerplates.com.

Bookworm Series: Princess Baby

Cathy Hale — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:00:00 GMT

This curly-haired beauty does not want to be called "Miss Muffin" or "Giggly Goose." Enough with the nicknames! (I'm sure my babies don't like their goofy nicknames either.) She's wearing a shiny crown that glitters on the cover and she dances with a prince. Come on, mommy & daddy, she's "Princess Baby!" Thanks to author Karen Katz for such a wonderful read. Shop Barnes & Noble.

Play Cops and Robbers for a Steal – 50% Off

SunnyChanel — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Who wants to go to jail? With this set, pert near everyone will. You can get a steal on this old school Police Station from Pottery Barn Kids is a solid wood structure that has it’s own jail cell, windows, a working front door, and some quaint painted details.

But will your kid be a cop or a robber (which are sold separately)? This 22 x 11 x 18 play set was originally $99 but it now on sale for half off at $49.99. Check out the police station here, don't worry there won't be mug shots or fingerprinting.

Would You Spend $2000 on A Tepee?

SunnyChanel — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:45:00 GMT

Would you spend $2000, actually $2200, on a tepee for your kids? Yeah, me neither. But if you do a thing for tepees of an heirloom quality and you just happen to have that kind of money burning a hole in your pocket, you can pick up this tepee from Design Within Reach.

What makes this structure have such a high price tag? This top of the line tepee was designed Dave Ellis who started creating his own line of tents and tepees way back in 1982. He uses exceptional materials and the construction provides proper ventilation, is flame resistance and has reinforced stress points. It has a sewn-in floor that provides proper air flow and protects the interior from the elements. Yeah, I love a good old-fashioned tepee as much as the next person but for $2200? I wish they’d get rid of one of those zeros and they’d have a deal. You can check it out here.

A House for All Your Fairies

SunnyChanel — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:49:00 GMT

Do you believe in fairies? My little girl does. They live in our cupboards, under the bed and in the bottom of our vacuum cleaner. I think I may just have to get this Tree Trunk Dollhouse just to educate my daughter on where fairies REALLY live…tree trunks. This Waldorfian wooden house is “lovingly built to resemble the hollowed trunk of a tree (a known fairy hangout).”

This dollhouse has three levels, a staircase, and the base is a green puzzle, comes with a 8-piece River Bridge Puzzle and has extras like a 3-piece Mushroom Dinette Set, and a hammock. You can get yours here for $214.95 for the whole shebang or you can just get the “Tree Trunk Lodge” for $99.

Acting Out (In A Good Way)

Lisa Mulcahy — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:30:00 GMT

Most kids like to be the center of attention. Here’s a way to create an amazing venue for a budding actor, performer, or puppeteer. The Super Star Theater, $170 at FAO Schwarz, features a "main stage" with backdrop and front curtains, ticket booth with pockets for cast photos and show theme signs, tickets and showtime clock, a light-up wipe-off marquee with dry-erase marker to write cast names, concession stand with popcorn bags, dressing room with mirror, echo microphone, puppet show panel to convert stage into puppet theater with three hand puppets. Hopefully this all adds up to a lot of occupied time and maybe some video-worthy performances.

Burgers, Fries and Fun

Lisa Mulcahy — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:02:00 GMT

Do your kids and their friends fight over the play kitchen? Here’s a great alternative that allows a bunch of little ones to do some role-playing at the same time. And oh yeah, it looks pretty cool too.The 50’s Diner by Step 2 has everything you would expect to see in a retro diner: booth-style seating, tabletop jukebox (that actually plays songs), and a kitchen. The kitchen includes oven, grill, fryer, icebox for storage and sink for cooking and cleaning. This set comes with a ton of accessories for both the cook and the customers. I think it’s a real bargain for $149.99. Perhaps that’s why the 50s Diner is topping holiday gift guides and winning awards up the wazoo.

Hottest Hotel in Town

Lisa Mulcahy — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:30:00 GMT

Released just in time for the holidays, I’m simply in awe of this dream dollhouse. Inside and out, it’s beautiful.

Designed to mimic a luxury Manhattan hotel, Pottery Barn Kids’ Palace Park Hotel Dollhouse, $699, is perfect down to every last detail (well, maybe the price is not so perfect). From the Murano glass-looking chandeliers to the green window facades and turned balustrades, the Palace is nothing short of opulent. Although I have seen life-size playhouses for price of this mini, I’ll file the Palace Park Hotel under the “if you’ve got it, then get it” category. But you might have to refinance your own home to furniture the Palace. None of the pictured furniture is included and each room runs about 80 bucks.

A Cape with Secret Pockets!

elizabeth leach — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:22:00 GMT

The best part about this super cute, satin cape is the four hidden pockets for your super hero to carry her secret weapons. Maybe it's the jellybeans that make her turn invisible or the glasses that make her see in the dark... or whatever her imagination dreams up. The cape also comes with three shield inserts that she can color herself.

The boy's cape is just as cute! Buy the girl's cape here. Both are at Giggle for $42.

All-Purpose Cape for Halloween or Any Special Day

Erin Behan — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:23:00 GMT

I'm a big fan of toys that ignite the imagination and encourage creativity. Allison Faunce's Little Hero Capes availalbe at Mahar Dry Goods ($35) do both, and in an impressive variety of colors and cool symbols. A word about the fabrics, direct from their maker: "Each Little Hero Cape is meticulously handcrafted in aerodynamic satin, features a snap closure for quick take-offs and boasts a flip-up collar guaranteed to create intrigue." As well, each piece is custom-made when you order, but the capes don't come with a custom-made price tag.

Baby Slings in Pint Sizes

Erin Behan — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:46:00 GMT

Our neighborhood play stoller of choice is the Maclaren ($29.99) and while I haven't seen any kids carting their dolls around in a play sling just yet, it can't be far behind. So when the little one asks mommy if she can wear her baby, too, mommy can find an easy answer with SlingEZee Baby Slings. Available in such "now" colors as blue chocolate damask and retro pistachio, the slings are $22 each.

A Toy with Limitless Possibilities

elizabeth leach — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:49:00 GMT

When I was a kid my favorite toy was a big cardboard box and I would make it into a house. The Eebee Adventure Play Mat and Activity Play House is much more than a cardboard box but I can see it would encourage the same kind of limitless possibilities for pretend play. This toy can really grow with your child. From tummy time, to building a house with a roof, and peeking out the window and waving, it fosters independent thinking and creativity.

Eebee's Adventure Play Mat and Activity Play House is comprised of six panels that can be Velcro’d together as a mat, a house, a tunnel, or whatever your child dreams up. Each panel has a different design and texture; there’s a mirror, a window with a curtain, a cut-out circle with a stuffed circle toy, Eebee’s face with squeaker, and a circle with floating shapes. But the best part is the all the opportunities for your child to be creative. Eebee’s Play Mat won the Parents’ Choice Gold Award for Toys.

Shop Eebee's Adventures at eebee.com or FAO Schwarz.

For the Culinary Copycat

Lisa Mulcahy — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:10:00 GMT

Anything that keeps my toddler occupied while I’m cooking is ok in my book. I’ve given in to fridge magnets (even though I vowed to never have one of those refrigerators with tons of crap hanging off of it) and have sacrificed some skillet pans, but now I think it’s time to break down and buy some “appliances” for my son. These look just like Mommy and Daddy’s toaster, coffee maker and mixer.

Since he’s going though a big time copycat phase, I think he’ll be pleased and will hopefully turn to his own culinary creations instead of hanging on my leg. Cookin For Kids’ toaster, coffee maker and stand mixer, are affordable at $9.99 each and besides looking good they move and make sounds like the real thing.

Forget About Rock Star, It’s Cool to Be a Cake Decorator

Lisa Mulcahy — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:28:00 GMT

I’m not ashamed. Before drifting off to sleep at night I have a guilty pleasure, flipping through magazines while watching TV Food Network’s Ace of Cakes. Since when did cake decorating become so hardcore and architectural? I don’t think I’m the only one watching. Surely little eyes are lighting up across the country when they see the sugar coated creations unfold out of fondant and gum paste. Look out Duff and Charm City Cakes, now they have a chance to practice. No stranger to fabulous felt food, you’ve seen Twinkle Kids on Droolicious before. Now just in time for spring, their Garden Cake is here, $59. It arrives in a white bakery box tied with traditional red and white twine and comes complete with 50 felt decorations that “magically” stick to the three tier felt cake.

Zid Zid Masks Bring The Zoo Into Your Playroom

Leigh-Ann Jackson — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Between this and my earlier post, you may be able to glean that we're on a dress-up kick in our house these days. To balance out all of the Disney-manufactured costumes that arrived in the mail this holiday season, I'm on the hunt for pieces that are more out of the ordinary (and that don't deplete too much from my own scarf and jewelry coffers).

Zid Zid's animal masks fit the bill.

The exotic kid's curios company offers these recycled cardboard masks that transform your kids into beautiful beasts (as opposed to whatever kind of "beasts" they may have previously been).

There's "Demure Blue Bird" (above)...

..."Intriguing Lion"...

...and "Lucky Elephant."

They'd also brighten up a room as wall decor. A craftier mom would pull out an art kit and try some DIY, why should I start off a new year kidding myself?

$14 each, Spunky Sprout.

This Holiday Season, Everyone Gets 'Mom' Tattoos!

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:02:00 GMT

Raise your hand if you regret any of your pre-kid tattoos. Thought so -- now, raise your hand if you want to save your kids from similarly bad ink. With SpinMaster's i-Tattoo pen ($17.99 from Amazon.com), your kids can either get tattooing out of their system early or start down their career path as the new Paul Booth. Either way, everyone wins. The kit comes with a battery-powered tattoo "gun" (actually a pulsing, pain-free pen with washable ink) and 30 stencils ranging from dolphins to tribal designs. Pretend laser surgery not included.

Start 'em Early: Working 2-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner

Mir — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 21:04:00 GMT

Every child needs a kid-sized vacuum cleaner, right? This 2-in-1 version from Gile Toys really sucks. I mean, it picks stuff up. Both the upright vacuum and the removable dust buster will pick up pieces of paper in addition to making realistic vacuuming sounds.

Of course, at $41.15, you could probably get both a regular hand-held and a lightweight stick-vac, but then the kids might catch on to the fact that you're actually, you know, making them clean.

Build Your Playhouse with Guidecraft

chrisjordan — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:01:00 GMT

Smooth solid wood playhouse by Guidecraft fits together like a puzzle. Sturdy design won't collapse if your child leans against it.

At 40" x 40" the footprint is large enough for multi-person play or for putting on a puppet show. Best of all, after play you can take it apart and store it flat. Perfect for those who have limited floor space or don't want to have a huge playhouse sitting in their living room.

Available at Comfort First for $299