lilSugar -- Mommy's little helper.

Toy Box: KOTA The Triceratops

lilsugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:00:17 -0800

Forget the rocking horse, this holiday is all about a dinosaur! KOTA The Triceratops ($300) is a plush, prehistoric pal that your lil guy or gal can ride on. Six "D" batteries bring this endearing, movable toy to life. He stomps, laughs, munches on a leafy snack and responds to voice and touch. Ideal for children three and up, wee ones weighing less than 60 pounds can hop on his back and hang on to a built-in handle as he moves around (Kota does not walk).

Standing two and a half feet tall, this is the present that will command attention under your Christmas tree. Mommies looking for a deal should check out Costco stores where I spied this find for $235!

Update: Costco is now offering this in store with a rebate so the final price for the dinosaur is $150!

Where Do You Shop For Toys?

lilsugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:30:50 -0800

With the toy catalogs piling up on my kitchen table, most of the talk in my home is around new playthings these days. I buy toys, both for my kids and as gifts, from a variety of different places, but started thinking about where people shop. So tell me, where do you buy most of your toys?

Where Do You Shop For Toys?

Online

Big box stores (Costco, Target, Sam's Club, etc.)

Traditional toy stores (ToysRUs, KB Toys, etc.)

Independent retailers

Other - I'll tell you in the comments.

Toy Box: $2 Toy That Makes a Two-Year-Old Happy

lilsugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0800

My son's birthday party isn't for another week, but the other night he opened a few gifts and it was the present topper that occupied him for hours. A fan of all things in flight — rockets, airplanes, helicopters, jets, hangliders, even birds — he was smitten with the tiny matchbox airplanes, or "big jets" as he refers to them, that my mom found for $2 each at Target. He fell asleep with them in his hand and woke up to soar them in the air some more. If you've got a lil aviator, check out the Matchbox Skybuster 10 pack ($22) it's reasonable priced and might even come in handy on an airplane.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving: eBeanstalk.com

lilsugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:00:15 -0800

Buying gifts for lil ones can be a lot of fun, but for the gift giver who wants her present to stand out among the heaping pile of blankets, onesies, and burp cloths, it can be a difficult task to take on.

One site, eBeanstalk.com, has made the gift giving process a little bit easier and a lot more fun. The company specializes in Gift Series ($82 and up), where the child will receive four developmental and learning toys over a 12-month period. That means she'll get one gift every three months! Not only that, but each toy is matched to the stage of your recipient's development for when she receives it. Choose from a pre-made Gift Series or create one of your own based on your budget — there are a ton of options! A friend created a gift series for her niece and it was a big hit at the baby shower.

Toy Box: Which Toy Would You Induct Into the Hall of Fame?

lilsugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:00:39 -0800

Toys buy moms and dads time. From the cardboard boxes our children turn into forts to the train sets that occupy them for hours, some playful inventions deserve recognition. The National Toy Hall of Fame recently inducted some more playthings to sit alongside past honorees. A report said:

The three were chosen to join the Strong National Museum of Play's lineup of 38 classics ranging from the bicycle, the kite and Mr. Potato Head to Crayola crayons, marbles and the Atari 2600 video game system.

Which games or objects would you nominate?

Source

Toy Box: Rockin' Rabbit

babysugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:00:00 -0700

I've seen oodles of animal rockers — most of them plush and straight out of the jungle, if not the typical equine friend. Instead of a furry horse friend, the Play Sam Rocking Rabbit ($150) is modern, spunky, and adorable all at once.

At just under a foot high, this ruby red rabbit is suited for 1-year-old tykes ready to take a hare for a hoppin' good time!

Toy Box: Damhorst Toys

babysugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:00:19 -0700

I still have a soft spot for traditional presents when gifting a newborn. I look for classics that the parents will cherish now and the child will continue to enjoy.

The family-owned Damhorst Toys began making wooden puzzles and stools in 1971. Their personalized puzzle stools are still some of the most beautifully crafted gifts I have come across. Modeled after jigsaw puzzles, they can be used to teach hand-eye coordination while providing your lil one with a sense of independence as she steps up to the toilet or the sink on her own. Though the business has grown out of their basement, the company's quality remains the same. The latest addition to their line is this adorable train puzzle stool ($99) with a usable engine. I especially like the engraving option that allows you to imprint a message for the recipient on the underside of the stools. Just don't ask me what sage words of advice to print there for all of eternity!

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,

Toy Box: Grooving on a Groovin' Balance Board

babysugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:00:00 -0700

Teaching patience and a balanced perspective to a youngster can be a brain teaser for many, dare I say most, parents. Toys that encourage learning that type of behavior are too few and sometimes plain boring. The Groovin' Balance Board ($98) may teach a tot a thing or two while providing them hours of pleasure. Children can learn to balance and play a labyrinth game all while strengthening their core muscles.

At $98, most parents will only want to buy one so taking turns will be mandatory. But if the lessons go according to plan, sitting out and waiting a turn will be a piece of cake.

Toy Box: Quiet Hours Knit Play Food

babysugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:00:19 -0700

Tea and hand knit cookies anyone? I recently came across an online shop that sells some of the most darling toys I have seen in a while. Selling only artisan-crafted items, Quiet Hours Toys features an array of classically designed items that do not require batteries, screwdrivers or instruction manuals to operate.

I was particularly taken with the shop's knit play food. The collection includes everything from produce items and sweets — like sandwich cookies to sushi and each item is hand-knit. A welcome change from the crates of plastic food with fake labels, I can see my daughter and I sitting down for an elegant tea party featuring these delectable items. To see the entire knit food collection,

Toy Box: Playskool's Noodleboro Learning Games

babysugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:00:25 -0700

In this world of instant and text messaging, cell phone conversations and general rudeness, it is a wonder our children have any sense of social skills at all. Teaching children manners is never an easy task, but it becomes even more difficult when there are so few good examples. The team at Playskool recently introduced a new line of board games designed to introduce social graces to the junior set. The Noodleboro line includes three games that teach manners, listening and sharing. Each game comes with a book and CD featuring a story to go along with the game's theme and some fun songs that support the social skills. We had the opportunity to test out the games over the past week. Take a look at the slideshow here to see what we thought of these products.

Ecotot: Green Tea Set

babysugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:00:03 -0700

My daughter is obsessed with tea parties. I love watching her gather her stuffed animals around the table and serve them cups of her finest brews, but I've been hesitant to buy her an actual tea set because the only ones I've seen are made with questionable paint sources and plastic.

The eco-conscious company Green Toys makes a tea set that will leave the worrisome mother gleeful. Crafted from recycled milk jugs, moms can rest easy knowing that the "green" tea their tot is steeping is phthalates and BPA free. For $25, the cheery hued plastic finery serves up four cups, saucers and spoons, a tea pot, creamer and sugar dispenser.

Haba Toys Show the Soft and Colorful Side of Hard Wood

babysugar — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 11:00:34 -0700

The company that makes Haba toys was founded in the 1930s and you can tell — in a good way. The line of wooden playthings offers the simplicity of a low tech era coupled with bright and lively colors. There aren't any bells, whistles or knobs on them so your little one's imagination will have to do most of the work.

The inexpensive toy food pieces, like this box of toast ($7), are made of hard wood and finished with non-toxic paint.

Ecotot: Sak-O

lilsugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:00:38 -0700

Stuffed animals can overwhelm a mother as they multiply, but I've got a soft spot for Sak-O, the one hundred percent handmade sock puppets. The cuddly creatures ($49) are all artfully made from a single or pair of socks. Using stitching and buttons, the animals come to life in a whimsical way for people of all ages.

My son is smitten with his Eco-friendly pal, Peeko, who arrived in a box complete with a birth certificate and card describing the crocodile's curious personality. There are eight designs to choose from and no two stuffed animals are exactly alike. Parent of babies and toddlers should use caution in giving the toy to their tots, as small buttons can be a choke hazard.

Harmonicas: The Harmonious Musical Instrument

lilsugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:00:58 -0700

When you have kids, talking, screaming, beeping, and blaring products are part of the program — even those that mysteriously turn on in the middle of the night. Most youngsters delight in the sounds created by banging a drum, playing a horn, or clashing symbols. While the actions benefit a wee one's development, they can leave moms and dads with mind-numbing headaches.

While we were vacationing in Lake Tahoe, my husband picked up a couple of harmonicas ($5) for our daughter and son to entertain themselves on the car ride home. After the kids blew into them a few times, I realized that no matter how novice the player, the metal instrument is melodic. A tot may need to be fine-tuned and musically gifted to play a violin, but on the harmonica anything goes. My lil ones soon discovered how to perform duets, and they love carrying them around in their lil blue cases.

Toy Box: Tori Rocking Horse

babysugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:00:13 -0700

Living in an apartment has given me a greater appreciation for smaller baby items. I am often amazed how much space my daughter's toys take up.

Though known more for their mid-century furnishings, the people at Design Within Reach have created the perfect rocking horse for space-challenged families. The beautifully sleek Tori Rocking Horse ($100) folds almost flat for storage between uses and can even fit under a crib. Eco-conscience moms will also like that it is made from chemical-free, end-of-life rubber wood, meaning that it is made of wood that would have otherwise been burned.

Toy Box: Project It!

babysugar — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:00:23 -0700

If you have a lil scientist or artist on your hands, perhaps you should arrange to have one of these Kid O kid-friendly projectors ($60) on tap. Wee ones can take their artwork or local finds and place them under the simple white machine for a big screen adventure on their own bedroom wall. Magnifying the image five times, youngsters can marvel at the magnificent colors of a stargazer's petals or create a slideshow to share with their families. Mom and Dad, bust out the popcorn and get a front row seat for the best show in the house!

Simple or Swank: Seesaws

babysugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:00:50 -0700

Whenever I visit my old park back in Texas, I still like to hit the old-school seesaws. Spending countless hours bouncing up and down with a friend on the other end seemed to be the best pastime. These smaller seesaws offer tots the ability to work their wee leg muscles while enjoying some good ole fashioned fun.

Simple: The plain jane birchwood IKEA item is a steal at $60.
Swank: For a little added security, you can offer your child the $215 Log Rocker with spunky red handles and a wider base.

Which one do you like better?

Toy Box: At Home in the Trees

babysugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:00:50 -0700

As a child, one of my favorite poems was Shel Silverstein's "Tree House." I dreamed of having a tree house I could escape to when I needed a minute alone. Now that I am about to move, I couldn't help but go ga-ga over this Tree Top Inn designed by Barbara Butler. The multi-tree, multi-level house has a 17-foot swinging bridge, an eight-foot straight bridge, a club house with a tin roof, a balcony, several decks, and a winding staircase. The San Francisco-based Butler creates a variety of backyard play structures for kids and adults, often using colorful redwood and including a secret escape hatch in each model.

To see why my dream may be put on hold,

Eco Tot: Giant Earth Ball

babysugar — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:00:01 -0700

What better way to show your kids how to love Mother Earth than with a Giant Earth Ball ($98)? The 40-inch diameter ball was created with NASA satellite photos, so it offers an astronaut's-eye-view of the world. The cities glow in the dark and it comes with a handbook full of educational games and resources. It's almost as neat as the giant Hyper Core inflatable bubbles the Jolie-Pitt kids play with — only it's not $2,100!

Toy Box: Wooden Horse Walks the Plank

babysugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:00:19 -0700

I often dream about decluttering my house of all-bright plastic toys and blocks and replenishing it with modern and basic doodads to intrigue my wee one's imagination. What I like most about bland natural wood toys is they can easily blend into a neutral adult setting without causing too many eye sores.

This simple $26 carved wooden horse walks himself down a 14-inch plank only to do it all over again. Intended for tots, I'd happily buy this trinket for my coffee table. Adults can enjoy the endless addictive entertainment it provides just as much as the youngsters. If horses don't suit your fancy, choose from penguins, turkeys, ladybugs, ducks, rabbits, and more.

Ecotot: Paperpod Cardboard Creations

babysugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:00:36 -0700

My great-grandfather used to say that the best gift you can give a child is a cardboard box. He would marvel at the myriad ways a lil one could use the box — climbing in and out, coloring it, turning it into a house, and more.

Maybe that's what the folks at Paperpod Cardboard Creations had in mind when they began crafting furniture and toys out of recycled cardboard. The British company's sturdy, lightweight, and environmentally-friendly creations include rocket ships ($77), forts ($39), and teepees ($80) that are easy to assemble and fold flat for storage. The blank canvas created by the cardboard also gives your tot the opportunity to showcase his creativity, as paint, marker, crayons, stickers, and glue can all be used for decorating.

Guaranteed to provide hours of uninterrupted play, the products can be purchased in the US at Cardboarddesign.

Mommy's Lil Helper: Toy Boxes to Go

babysugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Going over to a friend's house for brunch can be an ordeal. As a parent, gone are the days of rolling out of bed and heading over with a latte in hand. Having a child adds a whole new dimension of packing her food, a change of emergency clothes, diapers, wipes, books, and toys.

The creative geniuses at Skip Hop have crafted a simple solution for parents on the go. Forget organizing a diaper bag filled to the rim with toys. Simply scoop up the Bin-Go organizer ($25) from your living room floor and be on your way. The sightly caddies are easy on the eyes and a cinch to handle. When the party's over, just drop the box back on the living room floor and let your afternoon resume.

Toy Box: Bowling for Dolls

babysugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:00:26 -0700

Getting the whole family dressed and motivated to go to the bowling alley is an adventure in and of itself. Provide some in–house entertainment with this delightful $25 Matryoshka doll bowling set. Leave the gutter balls behind and spare yourself the time and effort of wrangling the troops and let your tots knock down the wooden beauties in their underoos and pajamas.

Toy Box: Dolls with ALL the Parts

babysugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700

The other day I stepped into my local toy store to pick up a few things for my daughter. Browsing the doll section, I stumbled upon these soft cuddly Baby Bottom dolls. Clothed in diapers and a tee–shirt, the $20 tag read, "anatomically correct."

Curiosity got this cat. I pulled the bloomers down and took a peek into the toy's nether regions. A tad surprised, I reacted with an elementary attitude. I pulled the britches up and chuckled to myself. For tots showing interest in the opposite sex's anatomy, a Baby Bottom doll may help mom and dad tackle a difficult subject with some ease. Aside from their physical exactness, the machine washable dolls are also politically correct: parents can choose Hispanic, Asian, African–American or Caucasian ethnicities.

US Lawmakers Hope to Ban Toxins in Kid Toys and Books

lilsugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:30:53 -0700

House and Senate lawmakers agreed to ban the use of a group of harmful phthalate chemicals in toys and other children's products this week. The move is a big victory for parents and health experts who have been fighting for the government to set some regulations on what goes into tot toys, according to The Washington Post.

The movement to ban the toxins accelerated last year when California prohibited their use in children's products.
The rare action by Congress reflects a growing body of scientific research showing that children ingest the toxins by acts as simple as chewing on a rubber duck. Used for decades in plastic production, the chemicals are now thought to act as hormones and cause reproductive problems, especially in boys.
Earlier this year, the country's largest retailer, Wal-Mart; the biggest toy seller, Toys R Us; and Babies R Us told their suppliers that they will no longer carry products containing the chemicals, known as phthalates, as of Jan. 1, 2009. Toys containing these chemicals, however, will still be on many retail shelves during the holiday season.

A White House spokesman said President Bush opposes the ban, but that it is too early to say whether he will veto the measure.

French Flash Cards Are Très Magnifique!

lilsugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:30:53 -0700

I know more than 44 percent of you speak other languages besides English with your children, so why not add another?

After reading educational experts suggest using flashcards to spruce up comprehensive and help children prepare for the upcoming school year, I was pleased to find this charming French flash card set ($14).

The pack is perfect for practicing your Français and pretty enough that it could be used to help decorate your crib once your child has learned all the vocab words.

Soapstache Soap: Dress Up and Dress Down For Bath Time Fun

lilsugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0700

I recently learned 72 percent of your children love bath time — a statistic I can't quite believe.

My children are generally happy about bath time, but there are days when all the wooden boats and theatrics my husband and I can muster aren't enough to keep them scrub-a-dub-dubbing.

This Soapstache Soap ($5) just may be my next gimmick. I'd doubt there's a little boy out there who could resist the temptation of playing with (and thereby cleaning with) a mustache made of soap.

Toy Box: Mad Hopping Fun

babysugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:30:53 -0700

Bouncing 'round, bouncing 'round, bouncing 'round a room can bring a tot much laughter and joy while also expending some energy. Show your wee one the pleasures of a blown-up sphere that can take him down the street and back or just a vertical indoor adventure.

The $49 classic 70s Hopper puts a smile on my face as it brings me back to the olden days of bell-bottomed Sesame Street characters and Wonder Woman underoos. Intended for tots and their cronies, this googly-eyed jumping creature holds up to 220 pounds, making it perfect for a parental escape into childhood.

Simple or Swank: Retro Pink Tricycles

babysugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 06:00:08 -0700

Tricycles may not be an official license to drive, but they are certainly a sign of independence as little ones pedal down the sidewalk all on their lonesome. Saddle your sweet pea up in a charming retro ride that will evoke memories of T–birds, soda fountains, and 10-cent movies.
Simple: The timeless look of a $120 simple retro pink tricycle from Target is sure to be a crowd pleaser as your tyke trolls down the path.

Swank: The jewel-encrusted pink tricycle from Kitson may be the perfect gift for high-rolling princesses leading an entourage. If you want your child to be the sparkly leader of the pack, it will cost you $1,595.

Does either of these set of small wheels suit your fancy?

Make Room For More, Eco Dollhouse Addition

lilsugar — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 05:00:49 -0700

Even play families expand. As your child grows so does their doll collection. And, if your wee one is having trouble fitting their playthings in the Eco Victorian Home ($229), they can purchase a green addition ($93). Made of wood, this extra floor will increase living space. The environmentally friendly abode boasts street appeal with its carved architecture and has doors that open and close.

Lip Tip: Blowing Bubbles

babysugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:00:24 -0700

I cannot get over how a simple, timeless activity like blowing bubbles continues to entertain my daughter for hours. Each day we go to the park to see how big a bubble she can blow with her trusty plastic wand, and in the process she gets her hands covered in the soapy solution.

Then, I came across Little Kids' Squeeze 'n Blow Pop-Up Bubbles ($3). The bottle's unique design allows children to squeeze the bottle, revealing the ubiquitous wand that is already coated in soapy water. With a little puff of air, it produces tons of beautiful bubbles, and keeps my lil one's hands clean. Available in Dora, Diego, Backyardigans, car and fairy varieties, there is sure to be one that catches your wee one's eye. And, the bottles can be refilled with your own bubble solution.

Pimp Your Crib: Storage Solutions

babysugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:00:32 -0700

You want to provide your child with everything his heart desires. Unfortunately, that means every car, truck, train, ball, musical instrument and stuffed animal that has ever caught his eye. Finding a home for these treasures is another story.

Whether you are trying to reclaim your family room, clear a space from your son's bed to the door, or just create some order to the playroom, the Via Toy Box ($400-500 for a set of six cubes) company has created a great line of modular storage cubes that can be configured in numerous ways and a variety of color combinations that are sure to create a solution to your clutter needs.

Made of birch plywood and non-toxic, water-based paints and finishes, the boxes are child-safe and environmentally friendly. And the cleverly shaped tops and doors can even help you teach your lil ones about shapes and colors. Multi-functional storage, now we're talking!

Ecotot: Choppers Made for and Powered by the Friendly Skies

babysugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:00:16 -0700

Young children always seem fascinated by objects flying in the air. You can fly a kite or craft a paper airplane, but wooden solar powered helicopters are hard to come by.

Give your tot a lesson in solar powered energy with a sun–powered chopper ($32) in your own backyard. Available in five basic hues, the battery free toy (yeah, that's right!) provides endless learning
opportunities without all the leaded paint
and energy consumption.

Toy Box: Cheery Yoga Mats

babysugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:01:00 -0700

Youngsters are oddly flexible. When changing their diaper, it doesn't faze them that their feet are positioned easily by their ears. Encourage that ability to reach between their tiny legs with spider–like agility by giving them their own yoga mat.

Pint size yogis will enjoy the child sized Pottery Barn Kids (on sale for $20) elephant and hippo shaped mats. The large creatures will add a little flair and a lot of smiles to the standard downward dog and tree poses.

Toy Box: Jeux Clic & Roll Toys

lilsugar — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 10:00:42 -0700

Finding simple and thoughtful gifts for young children isn't always easy, but these Jeux Clic & Roll Toys ($20) provide a unique and winning option.

They're part art project, part roll toy. The toys ship as a little starter kit filled with laminated cardboard, wood, magnets, a colored illustration and outlined illustration to color. Really lil ones may need a helping hand to put the toys together, but the result is a sweet homemade toy that can be rolled all around the house.

Toy Box: Water Ball from Little Tykes

babysugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:01:00 -0700

As summer heats up, moms are challenged to entertain their school–free tots with activities that will keep them cool and hydrated. It's hard to beat the good old sprinkler in the lawn trick but the $15 Little Tikes Water Ball certainly gives it a run for its money.

While mom or dad inflate the mongo beach ball, the kids can slip on their swimsuits and watershoes preparing for an afternoon of spritzing and slippery wet games. Attach a water hose to the fully blown ball and let the waterworks begin. Parents can determine the height of the fountain sprays by adjusting the water pressure.

Now mom really can sit and relax with her lemonade in the shade.

Toy Box: Vilac Balloon Powered Boat

lilsugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:01:00 -0700

The days of "Rubber Duckie, you're the one — you make bath time lots of fun" may have gone down the drain, but that doesn't mean your child's nautical entertainment needs have to end.

The Vilac Balloon Powered Boat ($9) offers a retro option for playtime in the bath, pool or pond. I'm no mechanic, but it appears the balloon lets out air through a little tube and propels the all-wooden boat for some simple, all natural fun. Splash, splash, it's definitely time for a bath.

Toy Box: Small World Toys Mixes It Up

babysugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:01:00 -0700

Finding a modern day family that reflects the Leave It to Beaver image is extremely rare. Given every family is made up of different races, sexual preferences and ideals, I think it's important to teach your children about diversity from the get-go. Next time you're shopping for dolls for your children, consider integrating diversity into their play life.

Small World Toys has quite an assortment of dolls to create a colorful play land. By surrounding your child with an African–American family, an Asian–American brood, a Modern crew, and a Hispanic familia, you'll be giving your child a head start on the world before him. The $20 wooden sets can serve as a launching pad to educate your tot about various cultures and ethnicities while having fun all at once.

Junior JetSet: Keeping Peace in the Air

babysugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:00:50 -0700

Nobody booking a cross-country flight with a toddler thinks they are in for an easy trip. As I told you last week, my last trip was filled with airline delays and track and field moves to get me to my gate on time. While you can't control traffic delays and TSA bottlenecks, you can make the trip easier for your tot and your fellow travelers by filling your carry-on with projects and toys that make time pass a little faster. For a look at some of our favorite in-flight activities, click below.

ATM Machine Bank: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

babysugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:00:50 -0700

Money, money, money — do kids like playing bank? The invention of plastic cell phones and mini laptops were somewhat expected, but the Summit ATM ($30) caught me by surprise. Tots can play drive–through, only instead of just sitting pretty, this box of plastic is actually a working bank. Kids can store their dollars and coins while the machine keeps tabs of the amount. Are you all for teaching youngsters about money or do you think an ATM machine seems a tad extravagant?

ATM Machine Bank: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

Kid friendly — Sounds cool to me.

Are you kidding? — This is too much!

Other — I'll tell you below.

Toy Box: Radio Flyer Inchworm Bounces Back

babysugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:00:39 -0700

Look out parents! The classic Radio Flyer Inchworm ($44) is inching his way back into the hearts of his old playmates. Only this time the riders are their children.

The joyful green creature has footrests and flexible motions allowing endless bouncing pleasure. Mom and dad, the limit is 50 pounds so don't test its muscle and break the green worm's back. Your kid will be none too pleased with your antics.

LeapFrog Introduces New Products for Summer Fun

babysugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:00:29 -0700

Many toy companies claim to create fun and educational products, but few have been as successful as LeapFrog at integrating technology and toys. Earlier this month, we were guided through LeapFrog's new products for 2008. The company has added a collection of preschool games and added to, and refreshed, several of its other lines. Some of the products have recently begun appearing on store shelves, and others are set to debut next month. As we mentioned when we introduced you to the Tag a few weeks ago, LeapFrog is now connecting many of its toys to the Internet, allowing parents to get detailed insight into their child’s learning progress through their free Learning Path, an online progress report that details the skills a child has achieved and possible next steps. Even the toys that do not connect to the web can be added to your child's profile so that you can remember the skills he was supposed to be working on while he played with it. You can take your own tour of these new products through our slideshow!

Toy Box: Felt Play Cakes

lilsugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:00:52 -0700

If you've got a budding baker in the house, The Traveling Toy Store, has a hands on kit for kids that helps them fine tune their cake decorating skills and keeps them out of the kitchen, Felt Play Cakes ($26). Future lil pastry chefs will love the project that has them adhere more than 20 wool felt design pieces to the three tiered cake. The company ships the toy confections in a white cake box tied with bakery twine.

Say Ni Hao to Dumpling Dynasty

babysugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:00:52 -0700

Sure it's fun to play doctor, explorer, beautician and fashion designer, but wouldn't it be more exciting to actually have the instruments to do so? Dumpling Dynasty indulges tots with real life tools in beautifully packaged tins ($22).

Kids who fancy themselves the next Christian Siriano or Tory Burch will be overjoyed to have their own sewing kit complete with six spools of thread, assorted needles, pins, measuring tape, seam ripper, buttons, scissors, safety pins and a thimble. For tots who fawn McDreamy, the First Aid kit may be more their appropriate. The Shoe Shine package or the Pigtail Kit is a must for dapper babes who don't like to make a muss of themselves in public.

When the innards are all but used up, you can find another use for the handsomely decorated tin; a snack bin, a crayon keeper or a treasure box for special findings.

Toy Box: Mod Dollhouse Furniture

babysugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:00:03 -0700

Does your dollhouse need a renovation? Plan Toys has the goods to revamp your lil one's home into a swanky modern living space for miniature people and their pets. I imagine if Elroy and Judy Jetson played with lil figurines, they would have pined after the Plan Toys Modern Furniture Set ($50) as it best suits their lifestyle.

Ditch the old three–cushion couch for the posh pink and white sofa complemented by the large flat screen television. In addition to being fashionable and chic, the sleek bathroom package and the funky kitchen gear keep the Eco-friendly wooden play set colorful. Next up, the Barbie Hybrid!

Mini Vespa: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

babysugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:00:52 -0700

My daughter is still too young to hop on the Mini Vespa for Kids ($450) and take it for a ride, but just the thought of her on it has my brain racing. Designed for children ages three to seven, it's just like the real thing only mini. Would you buy the ride for your lil rascal?

Mini Vespa: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

Kid Friendly — Va Va Va Vroom!

Are You Kidding — Put the brakes on.

Something else. See my comment below!

Toy Box: LeapFrog Tag Reading System

babysugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:00:00 -0700

If you have a budding reader on your hands, keep your eyes open for LeapFrog’s new Tag Reading System ($50), which hit stores this week. Designed for children ages four to eight, the system features a stylus with a camera in its tip that “reads” the letter, words and symbols on the pages of the 16 books in its library, including favorites like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, The Little Engine that Could and Olivia ($14 each).

We had the opportunity to test the Tag earlier this month. To see our review,

Toy Box: Green Toys Sand Play Set

babysugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:00:42 -0700

Summer and the beach go hand-in-hand. Since there's been so much fuss about the greening of toys, I was excited to come across Green Toys’ Sand Play Set ($22) at Giggle the other day. Since providing my tot with her own shovel, rake, bucket and sand mold, I have the peace of mind that the products are made from recycled plastic milk containers and are environmentally safe and phthalates-free.

All of Green Toys products are made in California, from milk jugs discarded by the state's residents so there is no need to worry about overseas plastic regulations. According to the company, every pound of recycled milk jugs used in making their toys saves enough electricity to keep a laptop computer running for a month. And the set comes in recycled corrugated boxes that are 100 percent recyclable.

The Battle Between Bratz and Barbies

lilsugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 10:00:39 -0700

A legal battle has been waged between the makers of Barbie and Bratz dolls. Seventy four percent of lilsugar readers said that they would allow their daughters to play with the iconic Barbie despite her impossible curves and the fact that her feet have never been planted firmly on the ground. But, there's a newer doll in town that has done its best in recent years to put the plastic blond bombshell out of business — Bratz. Created by a former Mattel employee, the nine-inch Bratz come gussied up with smoky eye shadow and a whole lot of attitude. Do you think she's got what it takes to bury Barbie?