Cheme Designs Water-Play Tables

Warm weather is here. Cheme Designs has some of the most beautiful play tables. Your kiddies can splash in water without making too much mess and in great style.

Xploderz Water Gun

I pride myself on being a fairly casual parent. I'm not one of those parents who think that their children should only play with monochrome wood toys. So when I first saw the Xploderz water guns I was in love. The guns are a mix of water gun and paintball gun. You hydrate the little balls and you're ready to go. And they don't leave bruises. I'm thinking of buying the Xploderz XRanger 2000 for myself. I have the perfect flat spot on roof to fire down from. My boys better watch out.

Xploderz XRanger 2000

Xploderz Face Off 400

The Montessori Outlet

A lot of parents want their children to play with beautiful wooden toys, but they can be so expensive. So I was surprised to find out about the Montessori Outlet. The company sells toys based on the Montessori system at amazingly great prices based on authentic blueprints.

This lovely leather Buckling Frame costs just $9.95.

And I think the 4th box of the Color Tablets is one of the most beautiful toys ever, and Montessori Outlet is offering a set for $36.95. If I could only figure out how to play with it.

Fisher-Price Bounce And Spin Activity Center

While the  Fisher-Price Bounce N Spin Froggy Activity Center may clash with your couch, it looks like it would like it one hell of a good time. And that's what really matters. Fisher-Price could probably make it adult sized, sell it to bars and still have a hit on their hands. But back to babies. They don't always need to play with politically correct wood toys.The activity center will rotate 360-degrees and bounce up and down. And there are toys all the way around the seat to keep the baby entertained. And an entertained baby is a happy baby.

And since the Bounce and Spin is so small that you can hide it behind the couch when company comes over. I am so thankful that plastic toys weren't out of style when my boys were little. $69

Barbie Basics

We were toy shopping this weekend when we passed the doll aisle and something dressed in black caught my eye. I stopped and went back to have a look. I was surprised to find it was a Barbie doll. I don't spend much time looking at dolls, I have boys. And most Barbies remind me of surgically enhanced porn stars. But these dolls looked and were dressed like sophisticated women.

Barbie Basics Model #005

Barbie Basics Model #009

It's a black Barbie with a real black nose. What a shock!

Barbie Basics Model #010

Barbie Basics Model #012

Christmas Gift Idea

I'm not one of those parents who refuses to let their kids play with brightly colored plastic toys that make noise. I could live without the noise, but I know that the world isn't going to end if a toy isn't wooden and educational. But I still don't understand why Hasbro's Transformer's Revenge of the Fallen Construction Devastator is so popular. Sure it's a huge Transformer made up of six smaller Transformers, but those Transformers don't have individual robot modes. And you know that it's going to be hard for the average kid to put together.It also costs like $100.

But did my kid ask for it? Yes. And did I buy it? Yes. And it wasn't easy to find. But I found it at the second Target I went to, it was sold out online. And it only was $80. Do I feel like I paid too much? Of course. I think that Hasbro should have marketed this thing more toward fanboy collectors and not to children, who are usually broke due to the fact that they are just children after all.

I will write a review after the wee tyrant plays with on Christmas morning.

Christmas Gift Ideas

German toy manufacturer, Haba designs some of the cutest play food available. Don't waste your money on plastic play food that will do nothing to inspire your wee one's imagination. The food is available at Amazon, Petit Baby, and Padilly.

Beatrix Potter Emporium

I received the following request:

Hello,

I would like to buy a gift from the work of Beatrix Potter for my little niece.

I live in Paris and I'm looking for a shop which sells these items (object, not books).

Could you please give me some adresses?

Best regards

Jérôme

The best place to start is probably the Beatrix Potter Emporium. They have a ton of gift ideas and they ship worldwide. I suggest the Miniature Coffee Set.

Performance Premium Trike

I love this shiny blue tricycle by Performance Bicycle. It is also available in pink. $89.99

NYKO Wing

Looking for a graduation gift for a video game loving grad (Or dad, it is almost Fathers Day.), check out the NYKO Wing. The wireless controller enables you to play classic video games on the Wii without being tethered to the game console. And the two AAA batteries give you up to 30 hours of playtime. $29.99

Wilson Rebound Recycled Basketball

The eco-friendly basketball, made of 40% recycled scrap rubber. Even the packaging is mainly made of recycled materials. $12.99

Lego Architecture

Lego and Brickstructures have teamed up and offering some of the the architectural world's greatest hits. The skyscraper sets being offered currently are the Sears Tower, John Hancock Center,Empire State Building, and my favorite, the Seattle Space Needle. The skyscraper sets have around 69 pieces, so a child of around 10 could actually put them together.

But the sets that are causing the most excitement are the Frank Lloyd Wright building sets. You too can have a model of Falling Water and the Guggenheim Museum in your home.

The sets come with a name plate and a booklet containing facts about the building and its architectural significance, and the model instructions. And the prices are just $45-$50. Which is a lot less than many Lego building sets.

HIPo Modern Rocking Horse

This rocking horse is made of hand bent oak plywood. Hipoart was inspired by the work of Charles Eames. but you won't be paying an inflated price this mid-century inspired beauty. This pony is just $149.99

Stuffed Godzilla

For the kid who is too cool for a teddy bear there is always this plush Godzilla. $9.99

Rocking Horses

If you like the look of the Hermes' stuffed horses but can't afford the $370-$890 price tag these rocking horses have a similar look at a fraction of the price.

Chunky Clydesdale Pony Rocker $110

Black Jumping Pony Rocker $110

Rocking Horse

I wish that I could find this rocking horse. I would use it as a sculpture.

source

Ikea Leka

Ikea Leka baby gym, $29.99.

Other Toy Posts

Favorite Posts of 2008- Farmer's Market Basket

This mini shopping basket is so adorable, a tiny exact copy of the real thing. It would be so great for pretend play, and for bringing home their picks from the farmers market. About $37 and it can be shipped to the US.

My Favorite Posts of 2008 - Gigan

The bad parenting weekend has kicked off. My youngest son spent a whole hour sitting at the open door waiting for UPS to bring his new Gigan.

i-Tattoo Maker

If you are looking for the toy for your future hipster or skate punk the i-Tattoo Maker (GR8 TaT2 Maker) would be great. The pen even vibrates like a real tattoo pen. While it is sold out at eToys, it is available over at Amazon. There must be a pricing mistake though, because it is only around $15 everywhere else, but Amazon has it listed for $199.99. I suggest contacting customer service before you order.
Other Toy posts