LilSugar

Victoria Beckham's Posh Pink Baby Shower Was Packed With Fabulous Gifts

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 09 May 2011 05:45:26 PDT

Victoria Beckham is thinking pink! Following a perfectly pink baby shower to celebrate the upcoming arrival for her fourth child, and first lil girl, the fashion designer took to her Twitter account to thank her party's hosts, Eva Longoria and Ken Paves, for throwing the Saturday afternoon fete. After tweeting that she was instructed to "wear something waterproof for my baby shower!I'm now very nervous!" Victoria later tweeted this photo of she and some of the shower's guests (including fellow expectant mama Selma Blair) showing off toilet paper gowns. Games weren't the only activity at the party, keep reading to see some of the gifts Victoria reportedly received over the weekend.

Source: Yfrog User victoriabeckham

Sunny Days: 10 Great Toys to Take Kids Outside

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 04 May 2011 05:47:46 PDT

April showers are behind us turning thoughts to the sunny days of Summer! Before Memorial Day weekend sneaks up on us, stock up on the latest and greatest toys to encourage tots to head outdoors. With new toys at the ready, kids will be begging to enjoy the fresh air. Check out these 10 new toys for outdoor fun.

Lil Gift Guide: Best Gifts For 3-Year-Olds

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 14:00:04 PST

Three-year-olds express their wishes and will tell you just what they want this holiday season. Beat them at their own game with toys that allow them to express their creativity and independence!

Dress-up play is always fun and Melissa and Doug's Police Officer Costumes ($30) are the perfect start to a dress-up trunk. Help lil ones learn their letters the fun way – Dr. Seuss's Super Stretchy ABCs Active Game ($20) encourages tots to twist and turn while reaching for letters. Let Elmo help teach preschoolers their shapes and numbers with the Play-Doh Elmo Play Set ($20). For the kid that has everything, the Lo-Boy Converto Tricycle from Angeles ($300) lowers the center of gravity for a smooth ride around town. The Shuttle Imagination ($70) will get tots coloring and reaching for the stars!

Lil Gift Guide: Best Gifts For 2-Year-Olds

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:00:00 PDT

Two is twice the fun! Toddlers are constantly on the move, and keeping them still for more than a few moments requires engaging toys and activities. From a play kitchen where a wee one can whip up an imaginary dish to a first trike, these picks should keep any kiddo occupied!

Budding chefs can whip up something tasty with Smart Gear's Wooden Cooking Center ($170), which includes a stovetop, oven, and sink. Melissa and Doug's Car Carrier ($15) allows tots to load and move the four included cars, and the set matches up with all wooden train tracks for added fun. Kid-O's Bilibo ($30) is a seat, a hat, a step stool, a hiding spot, or whatever your tot makes of it - that's the beauty of this creation. P'kolino's Multi-Solution Shape Puzzles ($20) have a different final outcome each time, making them fun - and interesting - for more than the standard two minutes. The Wishbone Bike ($250) grows from a trike, to a first running bike, into a big-kid balance bike, with little more than a flip of the body - meaning lil ones can use it for at least two years.

Toys to Extend Preschool Learning

LilSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:00:17 PDT

Preschool's out for Summer, but, it's an optimal time to continue the play-based learning the tykes experience in the classroom. Take a look at some of our favorite toys that stimulate young minds.

Simple or Swank: Wooden Baby Walkers

LilSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:00:41 PDT

When baby looks like he is ready to take his first steps, mama may turn to a walker to help steady her lil guy. While some of the push toys feature flashing lights and music to encourage tots, more traditional wooden versions are making a comeback. Unfortunately, the fewer the frills, the more expensive the items seem to be.

Simple: Melissa and Doug's Chomp and Clack Alligator Walker ($30) is made from hand-sanded, painted wood to create a colorful push toy with three clacking alligators.
Swank: Plan Toys' Woodpecker Baby Walker ($76) reflects the company's Eco-friendly mission. The natural wood colored toy is made from recycled rubberwood trees and has three nature-inspired animals that move as the walker is pushed.
Which one do you prefer?

Top 5 Trends Spotted at Toy Fair 2009

LilSugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:00:13 PST

More than 100,000 new toys were on display at the annual Toy Fair in NYC this week, some of which are destined to become the it toys of the holiday season, and some of which may never make it to store shelves. After roaming the convention center's massive halls, we were able to spot a few trends for the coming year. Take a look at our slideshow to see the top 5 toy trends for 2009.

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The Gifted Child: Three-Year-Olds

LilSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:00:45 PST

Three-year-olds tend to be a bit fickle as they express their independence. One moment they are telling you they can do it all by themselves, then the next they insist on holding your hand. When shopping for a gift for a preschooler, look for items that showcase their new found abilities.

Among our favorite selections for this age group:

The ballerina in your life will be begging to put on a recital with the Acting Out Dress Up Musical Skirts that either play music from the Nutcracker or Swan Lake with the flip of a switch.
The little John Bonham or Tommy Lee in your family will love the Plan Toy Musical Band drum set. Featuring drums and cymbals, this environmentally-friendly set, is not too loud and is made from replenishable wood.
One of the coolest new toys on the market, Automoblox, are more than just wooden vehicles. Each car can be taken apart and reassembled, and, once additional cars are purchased, the interchangeable parts can be used to create new, unique, creations.
Sprig Toys use kid-power, rather than batteries, to move their environmentally-friendly, paint-free vehicles. Unlike other vehicles on the market, the trucks and all terrain vehicles in the line use kinetic energy to move, make sounds and light up.
Get your tot up and moving with Animal Scramble a new game of hide and seek that encourages listening and following instructions.
What preschooler doesn't like ice cream? With the Melissa and Doug Ice Cream Set your lil one can dream up the quadruple scoop cones while practicing her colors and numbers.

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The Gifted Baby: Two-Year-Old

LilSugar — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:00:00 PST

Two isn't terrible! The key to entertaining a rambunctious two-year-old is patience and a steady stream of back-up ideas to prevent meltdowns. Look for toys that keep children active as well as items that let them explore their creative sides.

Among our choices for lil two-year-olds are:

Kitchen play items like grocery carts, play food, and cash registers allow toddlers to imitate adult behavior, while increasing vocabulary and introducing numbers.
Easels, like the Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel promote independent play, while allowing children to draw, paint and play with chalk.
Radio Flyer's Little Miss Scooter, which also comes in red, will be a hit on the playground while teaching lil ones about balance and stability. Just don't forget to purchase a helmet to go with this gift!
The PlasmaCar is one of the coolest products on the market. Unlike other toddler ride-ons, it does not have pedals. It uses natural forces of centrifugal force and gravity to zoom around the playground.
Unlike an easel, Aquadoodle's Draw N' Doodle Mat will not make a mess of your home. Using nothing but a water-filled marker, tots can draw on this mat as often as they like, without ever having to replace their canvas.
If green markets are more your thing than grocery stores, check out the Market Stand complete with bins and baskets ready for imaginary play.

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The Gifted Baby: One-Year-Old

LilSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:00:29 PST

One-year-olds are on the move! Whether they are already walking or on the verge, their increased confidence makes them inquisitive of the world around them. When shopping for gifts for tots seek out toys that help them explore their surroundings. Here our some of our favorite picks!

A wooden pull along toy like the Quack Pack Pull Along Toy from Apple Pie that wiggles as the toddler pulls it on its way.
A five-in-one activity cube like the Busy Body Cube from BabyStyle, which features mazes, beads, magnets, clocks and puzzles to keep lil ones entertained for at least a few minutes!
The LeapFrog Fridge DJ introduces numbers, letters and popular children's songs while displaying the characters on its screen. Best of all, it attaches to any magnetic surface, so it can entertain babes while their parents complete kitchen tasks.
Melissa and Doug's line of large knobbed puzzles are a great introduction to puzzles and can help lil ones stay put for a few minutes at a time.
Bring out the athlete in your toddler with the Little Tikes Little Champs Sports Center. The perfectly sized basketball hoop is a great way to introduce a variety of sports.
Push toys encourage tikes of all walking abilities to get up and go, which is why I love this BabyStyle Wooden Jeep. Made of natural rubber wood and featuring rugged tires, the car can be used inside and out.

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