What’s Up...

What’s Up With Pixar’s UP Movie Toys?

By dungan

up pixar movie toys 182x179 custom Whats Up With Pixars UP Movie Toys?

UP, Pixar’s latest animated feature opened in theaters last week, and surprised everyone by grossing a hefty $68.2 million.

But you might be asking, where are the UP movie toys?   They are almost nowhere to be seen in the marketplaces around the globe.  In fact, Thinkway Toys, who manufactured a slew of great toys for Pixar’s Cars actually did not make a single toy for this movie.

Dora the Explorer...

Dora the Explorer Games and Toys

By Mary Price

dora explorer candyland boardgame Dora the Explorer Games and Toys

Dora the Explorer is a brave and curious character who crosses age and gender-specific play lines with her show, toys and games.  These are no errant Scooby Doo adventures either, as the characters explore their world by helping others and learning about new perspectives along the way.

The Twilight Board...

The Twilight Board Game - An Honest Review

By Mary Price

twilight board game 206x239 custom The Twilight Board Game   An Honest ReviewThe Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer has infected vampire-lovers of all ages.  The young adult trilogy about a high school girl making some tough decisions has become a movie with plenty of fans, managing to reach even more people when it hit the big screen. With more fans comes more fun and games for those who love this story. My favorite of these games is the Twilight Board Game which, in essence, is a trivia game.

Recently Recalled...

Recently Recalled Toys - How to Stay in the Know

By Mary Price

recalled beach chair 170x223 custom Recently Recalled Toys   How to Stay in the KnowBuild-a-Bear Beach Chairs have recently recalled over 250,000 folding chairs due to a laceration danger.

This is just one recall of many this year: how can you keep up?  In this article I explore easy ways for concerned parents to stay on top of the news in regards to toy recalls.

The good news is that many companies are stepping up to be compliant with the CPSC toy safety regulations for 2010.  The safety enforcement was set to begin in 2009, but the delay has been set to allow companies (especially smaller ones) and the CPSC to find ways to budget the necessary costs of the new required tests.

Latest Toy News

Recently Recalled Toys - How to Stay in the Know

Recently Recalled Toys - How to Stay in the Know

Build-a-Bear Beach Chairs have recently recalled over 250,000 folding chairs due to a laceration danger. This is just one recall of many this year: how can you keep up?  In this article I explore easy ways for concerned parents to stay on top of the news in regards to toy recalls. The good news is that... 

World’s Biggest Toystore Coming to London

The UK is upping the anty, as we say in the US, with plans to build the world’s biggest toy store in South London. Details have not been released to the public yet, but we do know that the large open-floor store will be called Grandpa Grey Goose. Kids and parents will be able to roam around the... 

Are Small Toy Stores An Endangered Species?

Are Small Toy Stores An Endangered Species?

“Going out of Business” is becoming a common sign in toy stores these days. At first it was the independent, smaller toy stores which, however disappointing, is not terribly surprising when costs are considered.  The bigger stores offer very little in the way of customer service, but have prices... 

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Action Figures

New Star Trek Action Figures Unveiled
New Star Trek Action Figures Unveiled

It’s official, the new Star Trek action figures will be released on April 19, 2009.  These classic... 

New World of Warcraft Action Figures Revealed
New World of Warcraft Action Figures Revealed

Tuskarr the Scaly World of Warcraft continues to surprise even veteran game analysts with its increasing... 

Dark Knight Toys - Too Dark for Kids?
Dark Knight Toys - Too Dark for Kids?

Are the new Dark Knight Toys too dark for kids? That’s the drama being kicked up in Australia,... 

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Wooden Toys

Haba Wooden Blocks Make the Cut
Haba Wooden Blocks Make the Cut

I was recently in the market for some wooden toys for my nieces and nephews.  I wanted to steer clear... 

Wooden Toys Stimulate Local Economies
Wooden Toys Stimulate Local Economies

Classic wood abacus by Melissa and Doug Wooden toys have always been a favorite of mine.  There is something... 

Melissa & Doug Toys: My Top 5 List
Melissa & Doug Toys: My Top 5 List

Quality products from Melissa & Doug have my appreciation and that of others, even in a less-than-booming... 

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Baby Toys

Review of Baby’s First Blocks by Fisher Price

Review of Baby's First Blocks by Fisher Price

Baby’s First Blocks from Fisher-Price is a new twist on an old favorite. Remember that shape sorter? I sure do.  I remember playing with it for hours with my younger brother and, more recently, have spent countless hours doing the same thing with my daughter.  Read More →

Baby Puzzles: the Original Mystery

Baby Puzzles: the Original Mystery

We all love a good puzzle, whether that’s a crossword challenge in the daily paper, a mystery novel, or an old-fashioned jig-saw puzzle.  This curiosity and drive to “figure it out” actually develops very early in childhood development - about six months, or when babies begin to explore... 

Early learning toys from babies to preschoolers

Early learning toys from babies to preschoolers

Despite the warnings you may have heard that recommended ages listed on toys can be inaccurate, it is still possible to find the right toy as a gift if all you know is the child’s age. In particular, age categories are more consistent with younger children, from babies up to four or five years old.  Read More →

Read more about Baby Toys

Board Games

The Twilight Board Game - An Honest Review
The Twilight Board Game - An Honest Review

The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer has infected vampire-lovers of all ages.  The young adult trilogy... 

Snow Tails Boardgame Coming To Shelves Soon
Snow Tails Boardgame Coming To Shelves Soon

Popular board games are ones that balance risk, skill, and chance.  This “magic bullet”... 

Journey to the Center of the Earth Boardgame
Journey to the Center of the Earth Boardgame

Mayfair is scheduled to release an English version of its popular German boardgame Journey to the Center... 

Read more about Board Games

Building Toys

Classic Building Toys Still Entertain
Classic Building Toys Still Entertain

When I think about traditional toys I usually conjure up some vision of grandparents and grandchildren... 

Lego Loses Trademark of Classic Bricks
Lego Loses Trademark of Classic Bricks

Lego lost its bid to make the iconic brick shape of its products a trademarked-protected design.  According... 

Lego Builds Futures
Lego Builds Futures

We just learned that Lego is teaming up with public schools next fall to encourage building and engineering... 

Read More About Building Toys

Learning Toys

The Twilight Board Game - An Honest Review
The Twilight Board Game - An Honest Review

The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer has infected vampire-lovers of all ages.  The young adult trilogy about a high school girl making some tough decisions has become a movie with plenty of fans, managing to reach even more people when it hit the big screen. With more fans comes more fun and games for those who love this story. My favorite of these... [Read more of this review]

LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Teaches with Ease
LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Teaches with Ease

The LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Alphabet Set is a toy that manages to withstand lots of repeat play and keeps the kids occupied for a long time. As most parents know, these are both wonderful things. [Read more of this review]  Read More →

Wild Planet Hyper Dash Toy Review
Wild Planet Hyper Dash Toy Review

Wild Planet comes up with some wonderful toys from spy gear to science kits, and this toy is no exception.  Hyper Dash is a game that incorporates four different possibilities for play into one simple game.  Speed, skill, memory, coordination and teamwork are challenged with the different skill level/play options available. [Read more of this review]  Read More →

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