LilSugar

Toy Box: PlayFoam

babysugar — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:00:27 -0800

At a local indoor playground, I spotted one of the most ingenious toys I've ever seen. Similar to play–dough, PlayFoam is a moldable substance made of foam dots that lil ones can squish or build into shapes and creations of their liking. Unlike their competition, the goods aren't sticky or smelly, which is a nice advantage for mama. And, it never hardens when left out!

The fun stuff is available in various colors, glow in the dark and sparkle versions. The best part about the cool stuff is that it's inexpensive. A pack of six colors will set you back about $8.

Storybook Masks Bring Books to Life

babysugar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:00:58 -0800

There's a reason classic storybooks continue to resonate with lil ones. The sweet tales, with their fun characters, colorful story lines and ultimate morals, have educated generations of tots.

Getting tykes interested in the classic characters can be a tough sell. Given all of the products associated with the movies, television and video games they watch, it can be hard to convince a wee one to follow a classic tale like Goldilocks. With EQD's storybook mask sets ($12), traditional books and songs come alive. Each set includes four or five foam masks that can be used to act out the traditional tales or sing along to the nursery rhymes. Perfect for dress-up, impromptu plays and even classroom story times, the sets include such beloved stories as Cinderella, Three Little Pigs and The Ugly Duckling.

Simple or Swank: Play Mats

babysugar — Sun, 24 May 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Every parent wants to raise their child to be the next Einstein by surrounding them with stimulating toys, bright colors, and tactile objects. Play mats can entertain tots while also helping them learn how to reach, grasp, and roll over in their early months putting them on the track to Geniusville.

Simple: The IKEA play mat is a steal at $25 and has aerial toys dangling from foam arches.
Swank: For twice the bucks, the $65 Tiny Love Gymini: Super Deluxe Lights & Music Play Mat literally offers a few more bells and whistles with flashing lights, crinkly fabrics, textures and four musical selections.

Liven Up Bath Time With Tiny Tillia

LilSugar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:00:53 -0800

Finding cute and fun toddler bath products that aren't connected with a television character is not an easy task. Tiny Tillia is an adorable line of paraben-free and earth-friendly bath, body and play products. Created by London-based designer Tiffany Lerman, novelist Jackie Collins's daughter, the line includes head to toe foam washes, shampoos, bubble baths and hand sanitizers ($16) featuring a cast of whimsical cartoon characters based on Lerman's family. Duncan Dog, Indy Sheep, Ben Giraffe and TT Cow each have their own traits and are packaged as stuffed animals or bath mitts with accompanying bubble baths ($15). The products' Tropical Blast and Flower Power scents have attracted a celebrity following, including Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lopez, and are sure to encourage your lil ones to spend a few more minutes cleaning behind their ears.