The latest and greatest in gadgets, gear and goodies
Of the menagerie of talking, beeping and blinking toys, perhaps the most popular playthings in our home are the ones that don’t make a sound at all. No motion sensors, no batteries, no noise: the kid loves these toys as much as us. Silence–and simplicity–is a beautiful thing. Haba, Melissa and Doug and Plan Toys are some popular picks, but Nuchi is a newer line that I have my eye on, particularly the simple and classic train sets, like this Oval Train Set w/Crossing Barrier.
Fashionista mamas, take note: famed designer, Stella McCartney, will design a collection for GapKids and babyGap. The line is expected to launch in late 2009, and will be carried in select GapKids and babyGap stores in the U.S. and Canada, as well as online.
A few years ago, McCartney designed a highly coveted line for H&M that literally flew off the shelves. The affordability factor for McCartney’s designs that the H&M venture provided was, perhaps, one of the biggest selling points for that line. McCartney, a mom herself, said “I believe that kids clothing should be more accessibly priced, which is particularly important at the moment given the current climate.” I have no doubt this collection is going to be just as popular as the H&M collaboration, and I can’t wait to see what she conjures up!
Real World Wonders has launched a line of plush toys that also educate about wildlife conservation. There are currently 16 different Real World Wonders plush toys that are inspired by real animals from the Amazon, Galapagos Islands, North America, Arctic and Antarctic regions. Each character in these “gangs” comes with fun facts about the species and their habitats.
I’ll always have a soft spot for stuffed animals, especially now that the little guy is becoming more cognizant of the many different types of animals. There are so many great plush toys out on the market, but Real World Wonders has a new take on things. My favorite has to be Ruby RedRed-Footed Booby. Say that 10 times!
A couple of weeks ago, while visiting our neighbor, I watched our kid from across the coffee table as he stared at our friend’s Blackberry.
He eyed it, then looked up at me.
Eyed it, then looked at hubs.
He knew exactly what he wanted, and nothing was going to stop him.
And then, he lunged for his electronic prey.
With the swiftness of a gazelle, I shooed his tiny paws and averted a would-be Blackberry disaster.
Like most kids, our little guy is absolutely fascinated by electronics. Cellphones are everyday fixtures and of course, mom and dad are both iPod devotees and laptop junkies. It’s no wonder he’s always trying to snatch up our expensive electronic gadgets the minute we let our guards down. All he wants to do is “play” like mom and dad. But unfortunately, his kind of “play” often ends with a cellphone buried in a bucket at the bottom of the toybox for 4 days.
But alas, leave it to LeapFrog: the forward-thinking developer of children’s products recently released a couple of toys that address the would-be electronic gadget disasters. In fact, they even commissioned some research to delve further into the topic.
LeapFrog recently commissioned a “Save Your PDA” survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, which found that when kids have access to their parents’ PDAs, shenanigans often follow. Kids apparently are dropping their parents’ PDAs into the toilet (7%) and garbage (9%). They are also changing settings (32%), smearing food on the keypad or screen (23%) or placing calls (51%) to folks parents may not be too thrilled to talk to unexpectedly–such as mothers-in-law, bosses or people overseas. For a little extra excitement, 16 per cent of these unwanted calls were to 911. A lucky 12% of parents, though, found out about new features on their PDA, thanks to their children’s “exploration.”
We identify with so many of these, but most notably, we’re part of the 12% that learned about new features. Not surprisingly, we can’t replicate those new-found functions!
As electronics like Smartphones and PDAs become a mainstay in our lives, LeapFrog designed My Pal Scout and Text and Learn with curious kids in mind.
My Pal Scout is plush puppy that sings and plays games with kids 6 months and up. Scout can be personalized with kids’ names and favorite items via USB connection.
Text and Learn is a kiddie version of a PDA that even boasts a Qwerty keyboard. While it might not be able to log on to Gmail or save data like the real thing, the Text and Learn encourages basic computer skills and preschool learning with games like letter matching and shape identification.
Check out my first video review to learn more about Scout and the Text and Learn.
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This holiday season, Ni Hao, Kai-lan will take on a new adventure as she joins the ranks as one of the latest video games for preschoolers. Available for the Wii, Nintendo DS and PlayStation2, like the popular Nickelodeon show, the Ni Hao, Kai-lan video game by 2K Play will infuse learning the Chinese language and culture, with a bit of action and adventure.
I’m so excited about Kai Lan, simply because she’s a non-princess Asian cartoon character that our family identifies with–you know, because we tickle the sun and sing with tigers on a daily basis. Hooray for Ni Hao, Kai Lan becoming such a hit.
Mattel announced several products to go along with the launch of the new series, Hot Wheels Battle Force 5, set to debut in August on the Cartoon Network. The CGI-animated, Battle Force 5 is said to feature a team of drivers in super fast, super cool vehicles who must work together to save the Earth.
The Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 line features a full range of toys including battle vehicles and figures, a vehicle assortment, a trackset and vehicle assortment two-packs with a DVD containing the first episode of the show. The full Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 line will be at stores in October 2009. Activision Publishing will release a Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 videogame to Wii and Nintendo DS platforms this November. Also be on the lookout for a litany of Hot Wheels Battle Force licensed products for boys including clothes, footwear, role play toys, graphic novels, skateboards, bikes dvds, watches and more.
Always on the lookout for great wooden toys, I found this amazing Pirate Ship Playset by Happy Squash Toys on Etsy. From just the photos, you truly get a feel for the craftsmanship and attention to detail. I don’t even think there’s a wooden pirate ship out on the market as cool and green as this.
The pirate ship is made from poplar wood and painted with non-toxic paints and finishes. It features wheels hidden underneath to allow it to glide across any smooth surface. The 4 pirates are removable and the cargo hatch opens to hide their treasure. The ship features an embroidered sail and cherry inlay windows. The pirate ship playset retails for $65 and can be purchased directly from Happy Squash Toy’s Etsy shop.
And if pirate ships aren’t your thing, check out this flower power car!
If I associate anything with summer, it would definitely be a Mango A Go Go Jamba Juice smoothie. When I was pregnant, I craved these smoothies (ok, and ice cream too!) like it was nobody’s business! So when I heard that Jamba Juice is coming out with a line of toys, I couldn’t be more excited!
Think Wow Toys will create a Jamba-branded blender for kids, EZ-2 Make! Jamba Juice Smoothie and Ice Pop Maker, giving kids a chance to make their own smoothies and ice pops at home. Um, yum!
Beyond their delicious smoothies, it’s good to know that the company announced their eco-sustainability initiative earlier this year, too. Go, Jamba Juice!
On a related note, I’m wondering if Paris Hilton will invest in these toys to avoid the paps? Probably not.
I’m like a kid in a candy store whenever we stroll through our local health food store. With every trip, it seems like there’s a new brand or new packaging that catches my eye—Lifeway Probugs Organic Whole Milk Kefir is just one example.
As the organics and natural foods market continues to surge with so many parents filling their grocery carts with healthier foods these days, products that have been around for a long time are becoming more mainstream—and for good reason.
U.S. sales of organic food and non-food products reached $24.6 billion in 2008, growing 17.1 percent over 2007 sales, despite tough economic times, according to a new study by the Organic Trade Association (OTA).
I think our family certainly contributed to that statistic, especially now that we put much more thought into what and how we eat, now that we have a kid. Even though I’d never heard of it until the kid came along, kefir is a product that’s become a staple 
in our home—Lifeway Probugs Organic Whole Milk Kefir to be more specific. The best description I could find was from an LA Times article that describes kefir as a tangy fermented milk drink and a 
cousin to yogurt. It’s the healthy drink that has been credited with the longevity of people in the Caucasus. And, it seems like I’m not the only one who’s noticing kefir these days. Kefir may have originated centuries ago, but it’s now making its way to mainstream grocery stores.
So, what is it with kefir?
Considered a superfood by Dr. Perricone, one of Oprah’s doctor friends, kefir and other fermented and cultured foods is said to be “functional” foods—or in this case, 10 live and active cultures. As in, probiotics.
You’ve heard the buzz about probiotics, I’ve even blogged a little about it in the past; but in case you haven’t heard, probiotics are good bugs—good bacteria that help boost your immune system, among other health benefits. But as a mom, especially with the unavoidable worries about the Swine Flu, finding a food that boosts immunity is certainly something I am always willing to add to my grocery list.
I’ll be completely honest, you can’t miss the vibrant Probugs packaging. Resembling a modern looking juice pouch of sorts, Probugs has this awesome spout feature that helps contain leaks. The front of the package boasts their bug character, Polly the Probug, that I’m sure most kids can appreciate. So, on first impression, you have this cool package that’s clearly targeted to kids.
Some people buy portable yogurt, we buy Probugs. The kid sees it in the store and squeals, just like he does when he sees Elmo. We introduced Probugs when many people introduced baby yogurt, and since then, it’s been considered a treat, when really, it’s a healthy alternative to other snacks. Once we restock the Probugs stash, it never lasts. The kid finishes it, almost in one slurp–he loves it that much. The fact that the kid loves Probugs is huge, but I consider it a treat because it’s healthy, organic, helps boost immunity and aids with digestion. Lifeway Probugs Organic Whole Milk Kefir is yet again, another one of those products that I continually rave about.
As much as we love this product and how cool the nozzle is, I have to say that the individual packaging was a concern because as much as possible, I try to minimize our waste. I try to limit our juicebox purchases and other individual packaged products and opt for bulk containers. But after reading on the back of the package about Lifeway’s social responsibility, my concerns were offset after learning that the company uses renewable energy—a truly green tactic that I think more companies should follow.
Lifeway Probugs Organic Whole Milk Kefir comes in kid-friendly flavors—Orange Creamy Crawler, Sublime Slime Lime, Goo Berry Pie—and can be found in many health food stores and grocery stores including Whole Foods. In addition to Probugs, Lifeway has a lineup of kefir, yogurt, pudding and cheese that’s ideal for everyone in the family.
And speaking of Whole Foods, if you’re in the Chicago area be sure to check out the Whole Foods Lincoln Park Kids Weekend on June 6th and 7th. In addition to all the kiddie activities, Polly the Probug will be hanging out.
Oh, the awesomeness doesn’t end there. Lifeway is graciously giving one Next Kid Thing reader a fabulous giveaway—a variety bundle of Probugs Organic Whole Milk Kefir—one 4-pack of each flavor (that’s three, 4-packs in total!)
To win it:
Visit Lifeway and tell me what product(s) you would like to try and why.
For additional entries:
1. Tweet about this giveaway
2. Share this product review on any social netoworking site
3. Sign up to receive my updates via email. (If you already receive it, just let me know!)
Please add a comment for each of your entries. The giveaway ends on June 3 at 11:59 p.m.
Happy Wellness Wednesday and good luck!
*******This contest is closed ***********
Word on the street says a talking bean with a puppy-dog face is poised to be the next popular character from Japan.
Talking bean, huh?
With $30 million in retail sales, 250 products and 20+ licensees in the matter of months, it’s safe to say, Mameshiba is a licensing phenomenon in Japan. Mameshiba, literally translated as bean-dog in Japanese, are described as characters that spout random bits of trivia and have a quirky tone and family-friendly message that appeals to kids and adults. With a face that cute, how could you not love the Mameshiba characters.
It sounds like Mameshiba gained popularity from an ad campaign and has since gained so much popularity to become a household name. Other than keychains and small stuffed toys, it looks like there are various products like cell phone accessories with the Mameshiba license. I’m so intrigued by these talking beans.
The Mameshiba characters include Fava Bean, Tiger Bean, Red Bean, Soybean, Chili Bean, Almond, Edamame, Peanut, Lentil, as well as Jelly Bean and Coffee Bean characters. There are also a trio of Green Peas, a Chickpea and “The Scream,” based on the famous painting of the same name by Edvard Munch. Thought-provoking bits of wisdom include, “Did you know that the color of a hippo’s sweat is pink” and “Did you know that mosquitoes have 47 teeth?”