2009 Toy Fair

Though the weather may not be cooperating to the fullest extent, the calendar reading March has my mind drifting to Spring toys and outdoor fun. At the Toy Fair last month, I was lucky enough to preview a few of Step2's new outdoor products, and I was quite taken with the Water Rush Quarry ($100). A new take on the classic sand and water table, this sand box comes with an adjustable cover that slides up and over to create the ultimate race track for water, rocks, or matchbox cars. The set includes a crane, two bridges, a tunnel, a dam, a ramp, a bucket, a shovel, and two vehicles, which all enhance the experience.

I can already see my lil ones racing pebbles down the river to see which hit the sand first. Best of all, the whole set closes up at night, so there are no surprises hidden in the sand box the next morning.

• The Toy Fair in NYC offers a peek at 10 reasons we're doomed.— Gizmodo
• So we know it's happening, but which TV stations will be making the transition to digital this week? — Switched
• Stop taking calls from your angry ex with Trapcall, which reveals who's behind blocked calls. — Lifehacker
• It's old-computer project time! Here are some options for giving vintage machines a makeover.— Unplggd
• Feeling dirty like under the bed? Maybe you need a little NES soap to make you fresh and clean. — Engadget