LilSugar

Do Kiddie Characters Really Need Makeovers?

LilSugar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:00:50 -0700

After much speculation, the new tweenage Dora the Explorer was unveiled this week. Some mothers breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that the long haired, leggy character was not quite as mature as some had feared, and Mattel assured them that she will remain the same wholesome girl their daughters have grown to love. Dora is not the first children's character to mature right before our eyes. Last year the company behind Strawberry Shortcake revealed their modern version of the doll in hopes of attracting a new audience and Barbie seems to get slightly modified annually.

The Five Funniest Things We Saw at Toy Fair

LilSugar — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:00:28 -0800

Yesterday we showed you the top five trends from Toy Fair, but amid the great Eco-conscience toys and educational games, there were a number of items that kept us laughing throughout the day. From edible play dough to people posing with Lego men, there was a fair share of funny items. Check out our slideshow to see our favorites. Source

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Mommy's Lil Helper: Table Topper Placemats

babysugar — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 09:00:56 -0800

Taking your babe out to dinner can be stressful with people staring, highchairs in short supply and the possiblilty of temper tantrums. One way to make it easier is to bring along your own disposable placemats made by Neat Solutions ($9).

The placemats have two adhesive strips that you stick down on the table to keep it in position. You can choose from Winnie the Pooh, Dora the Explorer or good old Sesame Street. While you protect your child from the germs on restaurant tables, the designs and characters will keep your baby occupied and entertained. When baby is finished eating, all you have to do is wrap it up and throw it away.

if you're lucky, you'll get a bite to eat too.

Cereals Marketed to Wee Ones Are the Least Healthy Ones

babysugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:00:54 -0700

As if we didn't already know this... a new study out reveals that all of the commercials that bombard wee ones during Saturday morning cartoons are marketing the least healthy food options for youngsters. In between Imagination Movers and Dora the Explorer, tiny viewers are likely to see an advertisement for Lucky Charms, Coco Puffs, and loads of other sugar loaded cereals. When mama heads to the grocery store, it's almost a given that her lil guy is going to beg for the leprechaun laden box that just so happens to be right at his eye level and well within his reach. And to avoid a meltdown, she might just give in and buy it for him.

I had my fair share of Fruity Pebbles and Lucky Charms growing up but I am trying to keep my tots on the good stuff as long as I can - her top two choices are Life and Special K with strawberries. It's just a matter of time until she discovers the land of food colored corn puffs and floating marshmallows. After all, they are magically delicious.

Do you let your tot dive into the bright and sugary stuff?

Junior JetSet: Flying the Child-Friendly Skies

babysugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:00:00 -0700

While young passengers getting a set of wings and a tour of the cockpit may seem like a thing of the past, plenty of airlines still put forth extra effort to ensure that children enjoy their flights. From supplying baby food to gifting birthday cake, check out which airlines go the extra mile.

American Airlines offers changing tables on all widebody aircrafts and heats up baby bottles.
Continental Airlines provides special children’s meals for its youngest travelers. Infants under the age of two get Level 2 Gerber food. The airline also offers video games on its in-flight entertainment system.
Delta’s new in-flight entertainment system (available on certain flights) has a Fly Kids Channel featuring The Book of Pooh, Dora the Explorer, Hanna Montana and Legion of Super Heroes, among other shows and a number of video games.
Horizon Air offers travelers the ability to pre-order a personal DVD player for $10 each flight segment. The digEplayers are pre-loaded with movies, music and television programs for both adults and children. They also have snacks like Stacy's Pita Chips and Bear Naked Granola.
As the first US carrier with free seatback TVs, JetBlue offers kids a great selection of stations like the Cartoon Network, Nick at Night and TV Land. The airline’s trans-fat free complimentary snacks include animal crackers, chocolate chip cookies, and those great blue chips. When time permits, the captains visit young travelers and give tours of the flight deck.
Known for their no-frills service to keep costs down, Southwest will help you celebrate your child’s first flight with their First Time Flying Certificate. The pilots also give tots a tour of the cockpit before the plane’s departure.
Virgin America extends its cool vibe with an in-flight entertainment system featuring a selection of on-demand movies, video games and music on every seat back. The system even has parental control settings so you can monitor what your kids are watching. Healthy food and drinks are available throughout the flight, and the airline claims that its “mood lighting has been found to be soothing and calm for children, especially infants.”
We only focused on domestic carriers here, but I have to note that Emirates could be the most kid-friendly airline in the world. They provide kids with special brightly colored headsets for their seatback in-flight entertainment system, featuring hundreds of channels of TV, movie, music and video game programming. But best of all, if you let the airline know that it is your child’s birthday in advance, flight attendants will deliver a cake en route to your destination and take a party photo for your lil one to show off when they get home.

Source

Mommy Alert! Black Friday Deals

babysugar — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 01:00:07 -0800

Good morning! It's 4 a.m. and time to go shopping! We know you can't sleep thinking of all of those holiday bargains looming behind the sliding glass doors.

We're here to give you a head start and tip you off to some bargains:

Toys "R" Us has a list of toy sales that will make you dizzy. All Little Einstein books are buy one, get one free and Leap Frog Learn Around Playgrounds are half price. Doors open at 5 a.m.
Old Navy also has some steals for the entire family. Tees for the kiddos are $7 and mom can snag a cotton-cashmere sweater for dad for $15. Doors open at 5 a.m.
And of course Target is another place to hit this morning. Kids pajamas are $10, blockbuster movies are $3, and the Dora the Explorer Power Wheels is marked down to $50. Doors open at 6 a.m.

We know there's football and leftover stuffing, but it will still be there when you get back. Go enjoy some retail therapy and that super-savings high.

For more coupons to some of your favorite stores, click here.
Source