LilSugar

FAO Schwarz to Get the Toys R Us Treatment

LilSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:00:09 -0700

It's a toy story. There is no better factory of fun than FAO Schwarz's flagship store. With toy soldier greeters, life-sized stuffed animals and a world-famous walkable piano, the 145-year-old toy emporium has been a wonderland for lil ones and their parents for generations.

FAO Schwarz has been a backdrop in many feature films, including Big,
Baby Boom and Big Business and currently serves as the home of the make your own Muppet Whatnot Workshop and Make paint your own pottery studio.

This week, the luxury shop announced that it was moving under the Toys R Us umbrella, thus saving it from financial distress. Do you have a family tradition or memory tied to FAO Schwarz?

Toy Box: Muppet Whatnot Workshop

babysugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:00:07 -0700

It is always an exciting afternoon when the FAO Schwarz holiday catalog arrives. While I may still be planning my Halloween activities, it is never too early to sit down and thumb through the book of extravagant toys for children of all ages. This year's edition was filled with massive stuffed animals and a $10,000 military ATV, but what really caught my eye was the new Muppet Whatnot Workshop that is due to open next week.

You know the extra Muppets you see when watching Sesame Street or old versions of The Muppet Show on YouTube? The ones that are in the background and rarely have any big lines? Those are Whatnots and now you and your lil one can work together to create a custom puppet of your own. To see how the process works, and how much this creation will cost, read more.

After choosing a body, eyes, nose and hair style, you can select the appropriate clothing and submit your design online. Approximately a month later, your personal Whatnot arrives in the mail. The kits ($130) will be sold exclusively through FAO Schwarz and include reusable stickers of each of the design options, as well as a gift card to cover the cost of the design, creation and shipping of your puppet.

While the price may sound a bit steep, the idea of having a Muppet of my own has me actually putting this on my holiday wish list.

Trendtotting: Tiny Dancer

LilSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:00:27 -0800

Whether she's got bound toes or two left feet, every lil girl can be a ballerina, or well, look like one. These fun finds will have her feeling like the prima ballerina.

Angelina Ballerina books - These sweet stories of a light footed mouse who can't shake dancing from her mind sweep readers off their feet.
Ballet Topsy Turvy Doll - Held one way this doll is dressed for dance class in a black leotard and white tights. Held the other, she's recital ready in a sparkling ensemble.

Tutu Couture - FAO Schwarz hosts this online boutique where lil dancers can design the handmade tutu of their dreams.
Pink Velvet Ballet Flats - These slip on flats are dainty enough for dancing, but their flexible rubber sole provides functionality for every day wear and elastic straps secure them to lil feet.
Metallic Fleece Ballet Warm Ups - The faux wrap style hoodie with satin neckline trim and matching pants are a cozy way to warm up after a dance session.
Pink Ballet Slipper Bag - A quilted tote to store the ballet necessities in to and from class.

Angelina Ballerina Book ($11)	Ballet Topsy Turvy Doll ($28)
Pink Velvet Ballet Flats ($19)	Metallic Fleece Hoodie ($12)
Metallic Fleece Pant ($9)	Pink Ballet Slippers Tote ($20)

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The Gifted Child: Five-Year-Olds

LilSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:00:16 -0800

The kindergartner on your list may be a bit precocious at times, but he is still a baby in your eyes. Help him continue to explore the world around him with some gifts that are sure to get him asking questions.

Among our favorites for the five-year-old this year are:

A Make My Own Monster Kit from FAO Schwarz. The kit includes colored pencils, paper, and a detailed questionnaire from which you actually design your monster. The design is then turned into a plush monster, complete with a tag that explains the scary guy's back story.
Even though you cringe at the sight of a bug, your tot may love the creepy, crawly things. With the Talking Bug Identifier your little entomologist can ID the critter by answering a few simple yes and no questions.
The Clementine Printmaking Kit comes with six all-natural paints, brushes, rollers, recycled paper and textured painting tools to help your budding artist create beautiful masterpieces.
Create an indoor garden filled with beautiful butterflies with the Discovery Butterfly Canopy. The kit comes with a voucher used to order five painted lady caterpillars and the necessary food needed for the larvae to become flying beauties.
The 170 pieces and 20 marbles included in the Deluxe Marble Run should keep your tot busy for hours. With ramps, bridges, a swivel track, spinners and a motorized conveyer, no two marble runs will be the same.
Up your cool factor with your kids by introducing them to the Crayola Glow Station. Equipped with a light wand, a light-sensitive canvas, and cool stencils, they can design glow-in-the-dark creations like they've never seen before.
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