LilSugar

Give the Dog a Bottle - 5 Toys to Use Water Bottles

PetSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:21 -0800

Crunch, Crunch, munch, munch. Some pups simply can't resist the temptation of a plastic bottle. Check out five toys to satisfy that craving including a DIY project idea at the end!
Source: Flickr User Sister72

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Target and Wal-Mart Start to Slash Prices on Toys

babysugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:00:28 -0700

Shoppers, listen up! The pumpkins are barely ripe for carving and already the mega stores are having price slashing wars. Target and Wal-Mart have made the 2009 holiday toy budget a tad more realistic as they have marked loads of games and dolls down to half-price. Parents who like to keep their local mom and pop businesses afloat may be reconsidering that approach this holiday season when they see Barbies and G.I. Joes at dirt cheap prices. Will the state of the economy affect where you are shopping this holiday season?

Tengu Lip-Syncing USB Toy: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:44:27 -0700

Although these little guys don't provide any sort of service, assistance, or overall use, they are pretty cute. The Tengu Lip-Syncing Toy ($40) sits on your desk and entertains you while you work by lip-syncing to the sounds around you. Even if you aren't blasting your iTunes, he'll still mime the sounds of your co-workers laughing, or the TV that's playing in the background of your home office - check out a demo on Tengu's website. Practical? No. Cute? Absolutely.

That's a Ring Zinger!

PetSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:15:35 -0700

OK, admittedly I just like saying ring zinger, but this toy's pretty fun to play with. The Kong Zinger ($10) hops, skips, and bounces its way away from your furry-fetcher's mouth, so when it hits the ground, he's gotta scamper about trying to snatch it up. My favorite feature is the included tosser (clean hands, yes please), so if it gets muddy, slobbery, or worse, I don't have to touch the toy to keep the game going. Buy a pack of extra rings, and you're ready to run!

Have you played with this toy or something else you love? Don't forget share your review with the PetSugar Street Team!

Crib Toys to Keep Babies Busy in Bed

LilSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:05:00 -0700

Party in the baby's crib! Once an infant is alert enough to take in their surroundings, add some stimulation to keep them occupied during non-sleeping hours. By putting a safe accessory in the crib, mom may buy herself a few minutes after nap time.

Before attaching any toy to the crib rails, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends checking to ensure that the ties are no longer than seven inches and that no loops have a perimeter greater than 14 inches. To see some entertainment options, check out the selection.

To see more crib toys to entertain babies, read more.

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Source: Flickr User valentinapowers

Mommy Dearest: Baby Drools on Toy and Mom Puts It Back!

LilSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:45:00 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

My friend and I like to take our kids shopping together once a week. The children keep each other entertained, and we get a chance to gab and buy groceries or birthday gifts and necessities. But, there's one thing that makes me uncomfortable - my friend lets her 3-year-old son and 11-month-old daughter each choose or hold on to a toy while we make our way down through the store. Then, she shelves them before check out. On our last trip to Target, she gave her teething daughter a plush toy that was covered in drool by the time she put it back. As a customer, I wouldn't want to purchase a germ infested item for my child. Do you think her practice is appropriate?

- You Play, You Purchase

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

You Play, You Purchase,

I've seen this happen a lot while out shopping with my own kids. And, it's the reason I reach to the back of the shelf when buying things like stuffed animals. I'd like to think that those that are harder to reach haven't been gnawed or drooled on. While it's one thing to let a child try a rocking horse or bike floor model, which is put out for that purpose, it's another to have them use an item as their own and not pay for it. Is there a reason your friend doesn't pack a teether or small toys in her diaper bag? Or, at a place like Target have her kiddos select something from the $1 bins to occupy them so she can also afford to make the purchases? I'd suggest those options since her current practice makes you uncomfortable.
– Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.

Pet Peeves: How Do I Know If My Dog's Toy Is Too Small?

PetSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:10:59 -0700

Q: I was soooo excited for my new dog, I went out and bought a ton of "puppy" toys . . . but now I'm wondering if he's outgrown them since he's almost one year old now. How can I tell if his playthings are the right size?

A: Ahh, new-puppy-mom syndrome - happens to the best of us! Not sure what kind of dog you have, but if he's a larger breed that grew significantly in size, there's a chance you may need to remove some of his old toys. Also, many puppy toys have a softer consistency so his adult teeth could tear them to shreds in no time at all.

My quick and easy rule is that if your dog can fit the entire toy easily is his mouth, it's too small. If you have a small dog, you may want to use the method some parents recommend - make sure it doesn't fit inside a toilet paper tube. Regardless, stay alert and promptly discard any tiny, torn bits or other possibly choking hazards. Don't forget, the same thing rings true for multiple pet homes (Saint Bernards could easily choke on a Chihuahua-sized toy) as well as those houses with tiny kitty toys laying about.

Source: Flickr User flygraphix

Twihard Cats Need Vampire Fangs

PetSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:00:30 -0700

OK, it seems that this vampire madness won't go away anytime soon - between Twilight and True Blood, I'm seeing fangs wherever I look. And how adorable is this kitty toy?!

Filled with stemless catnip, the felt toys won't draw any blood literally since the sharp parts are removed, and I'd surely be excited to see this kind of vampire coming at me! If you're not into the whole bloodsucking craze, there are some silly buck teeth to choose from, too. Nobody call a dentist, I want to see these pearly whites sticking out!

Vampire Fangs Moustache Catnip Pillow ($10)	Buck Tooth Catnip Toy ($10)
Buck Tooth Mustache Catnip Pillow ($10)	Lippy Fangs Catnip Toy ($10)

Online Sale Alert! Design Within Reach Dog Trainer

PetSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:30:18 -0700

If your pooches plan to get wet'n'wild this Summer, look no further than these stylish toys now 50 percent off.

Found at Design Within Reach, the "dog trainers" are made of durable canvas similar to lawn cushions and stuffed with cork so they float - it's easy to keep an eye on the pretty toys ($12.50–$17.50) in any pool or lake. Simply grab the plastic handle and toss for pets from puppyhood to water dog expert. Say splash!

Tell Mommy: What Are Your Top Three Toddler Toys?

babysugar — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 05:00:01 -0700

One person's trash is another one's treasure. The same can be said for wee ones and their toys. While my daughter obsessed over her Radio Flyer push wagon, some of her playmates found it less exciting than a rug. General favorites among youngsters are cardboard boxes, musical tables, or simple wooden figures.

What are the three toys your tot fancies most?