Toys from Our Past: Clackers

I know that I am giving my age away, but I wanted to mention some very interesting things that I found out about Clackers the other day. Does anyone remember this extremely dangerous toy that was sold from the late 60s and the early 70s? Clackers consisted of two long strings, approximately 12 inches in length tied to a single ring that was about two inches in diameter. Now that is really not the dangerous aspect of this toy that I am referring to even though we all now that those strings may be dangerous when placed in the hands … Continue reading

Those Great Consignment Shops

Consignment shops are great to shop at for people who do not have a lot of money to spend on clothes and various other items. They are also wonderful for people who tire easily of the “same old thing” or need clothing just for a short period of time, such as during pregnancy or the in between periods of weight loss. Women who are pregnant generally only need their maternity clothing for about 7 months or so. In the early months of pregnancy their regular wardrobe should be fine. After the baby is born they can usually get back in … Continue reading

Stained Glass Kid’s Craft

Are you looking for something different to try in a kid’s craft project? Imagine Nation “Tiffany” Style Stained Glass by Natural Science Industries is a great pick. For just under $12 this kit features four different projects to decorate using paint to make pretty stained glass decorations. This kit comes with three glass bottles of different shapes and a plastic box. The directions are simple and easy to follow. This kit instructs its users to apply an outline paint on to the items, which gives the resemblance of lead and implies a three-dimensional look. Once the outline paint has dried … Continue reading

Mittens Moms Love

The No Snow Snuggler mitten is more than just a mitten. This great winter product invention is a blessing that both kids and their moms adore. The No Snow Snuggler is actually a shirt that is worn underneath your child’s winter jacket. The mittens are built right into the sleeves and extend up to the child’s elbow. The shirt itself is made out of fleece with a high collar to protect your child’s neck, giving added warmth in that area. The shirt portion of the No Snow Snuggler has an easy access zipper up the front of it. This protective … Continue reading

Zhu Zhu Mania!

I don’t drink, but I now see why other parents do. I seriously considered knocking back a few stiff libations after spending countless hours (see: THREE SOLID WEEKS) trying to get my hands on a Zhu Zhu Pet. A Zhu who? If you have a young child at home, then I don’t have to explain, but for the rest of you moms and dads, who haven’t been sucked into Zhu Zhu hell, allow me to elaborate. Zhu Zhu Pets are the hottest toys since Tickle Me Elmo, Cabbage Patch Kids, the Tamagotchi “digital pet,” Furby, and every other must-have plastic … Continue reading

Love-Hate Toys

If I had to make a list of the toys I have a love-hate relationship with, Wacky WallWalkers would be at the top… the very top. As a child I adored the sticky, octopus-shaped goopy blobs that would “crawl” down a wall after you threw them against it. As a parent… not so much. Whereas I appreciate the fact that the toy is one of few that can actually survive repeated torture by unruly kids, I’m not fond of the way its sticky exterior attracts hair, carpet fibers and the occasional Fruit Loop, like flypaper. If you have never hurled … Continue reading

Toys with Secrets

What happen to the days when you could go shopping for a doll and not have to worry about upsetting an entire segment of the population? Parents, whose young daughters are avid American Girl doll fans, listen up: Some vocal historians don’t want you to buy Rebecca Rubin—-the latest member of the American Girl family. Apparently, her name conjures up bad memories for those who were affected by a series of fires in Oregon. Dear, sweet Rebecca Rubin—-the new American Girl doll-—is a nine-year-old growing up in New York City in 1914. She is a daughter of Russian-Jewish immigrants and … Continue reading

Mom Alert: New Tweenage Dora Has Arrived!

I gave you the heads up about this “new and improved” Dora in a previous blog, but now the day has come… Tweenage Dora is here. Well, kind of. She won’t be hitting toy store shelves until November (just in time for Santa to tuck her under the Christmas tree), but her prototype was unveiled last week at the New York Toy Fair. Brace yourselves mom… here’s what the new Dora has in store for girls 5 years and up: · An updated Dora with long, luxurious hair and a massive wardrobe · A complete line of Dora’s girlfriends with … Continue reading

Getting Personal: Holiday Gift Idea

Looking for a unique holiday gift that also shows off your little darling? Have you considered personalized food? Remember the boxes of Wheaties with your favorite sports figure on it? Well, now you can also have your child’s image adorning a box of Wheaties . Just go here and upload a photo. Caution: they are a bit pricey- $35 for one box. Or maybe I’m just frugal! You can also choose from mugs ($19), a t-shirt and box set ($50), magnets ($5) and a few more items. A better deal is a 12-pack of soda from the Jones soda company, … Continue reading

2006 Best Games

This year two games shared the title of 2006 Game of the Year in the Toy Industry Association toy awards Hullabaloo and Apples to Apples. Read on for description of the winning games plus three other games that were nominated for the award. Apples to Apples Cost: $20-25 Manufacturer: Cranium I love this game. It is a simple word association game. The cards have different words and each player tries to match a word on their card to a chosen word. One player acts as judge and chooses the winning word. The game gets loud as players try to convince … Continue reading