traveling artist: Crayola Color Wonder Tiny Tube

 The Playful Walnut, The Traveling Walnuts
Mar 232012
 

I’m convinced that my bag will forever contain remnants of my daughters’ fledgling careers as artists. Broken crayons, dried-out markers and scraps of paper and old receipts have served as the materials and canvases for everything from stick figures to cityscapes. In fact, some of their best drawings have taken shape en route to some remote destination, so I often make sure I am armed with sufficient supplies. For convenient creativity, we’ve got our hands on the latest travel-friendly art kit: Crayola’s Color Wonder Tiny Tube. Looks may be deceiving, as this pint-sized container holds over 10 feet of tear-off activity sheets, along with 3 markers. We love the fact that the drawing sheets have adhesive backing, so they stick on to any surface for static (read: in-place) coloring. Hard to believe that everything fits right in the handy tube, which goes directly inside your car’s cup holder. Time to rid the backseat of those hard-guzzled juice boxes and make room for the artistes! Pratt and RISD, here we come…

In a Nutshell: Good things do indeed come in small packages. This mini art set makes a great road-trip companion or Easter basket stuffer.

Tags: , , , ,

channeling tony hawk: janlynn design your own skateboard

 The Playful Walnut
Mar 162012
 

I get a kick out of seeing hipster kids on their skateboards. Because they aren’t as common out here in the ‘burbs, it’s a small slice of city life that reminds me spring is almost here and that every kid deserves a way to get around town and hang out with their friends. I admit I’m not cool enough to frequent skateparks, but I am hip to the skate board lingo and know a cool deck when I see one. (For all you novices out there, that’s the part of the board that you stand on.) We think the Design Your Skateboard Kit from Janlynn is one way for crafty kids to make a statement on the streets. This kit comes with everything you need to make a custom design, including the skateboard itself. You paint directly onto the wood deck, let dry and then affix the non-skid tape onto your board. There won’t be any mistaking your board for anyone else’s. And that will make even the most seasoned skater pretty “stoked.”

In a Nutshell: Get ready to ride on a personalized skateboard all your own. We think this DYO Skateboard Kit is “sick”–and we mean that in the very best way.

Tags: , , , , , ,

i see iowa, i see maine: license plate game app

 The Playful Walnut, The Smart Walnut, Wired Walnuts
Mar 152012
 

What would a road trip with the kids be without playing the license plate game? For as long as I can remember, my sister, brother and I passed the time seeing how many different state plates we could spot on those long treks down I-95. The game always seemed to start off slow–how many times could we spot New York and New Jersey before getting out of the tri-state area?–but before long, it got a lot more interesting as we headed south. If you’ve tried unsuccessfully to engage your tech-savvy kid in this classic game, it’s time to kick things up a notch, smartphone-style. Introducing pl8s, a kid-friendly travel app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch that gives a virtual shout-out to U.S. geography. When you spot a particular state’s license plate, tap on the state on pl8s and find out how many points you’ve earned, along with a fun fact about that state. You can earn more points depending on the rarity of the state plate or your distance from that state. And don’t worry about your kid hogging up the entire game; pl8s can be played by up to 4 people. (Sure beats watching that same Big Time Rush movie over and over…)

In a Nutshell: A new twist on an old travel game favorite, pl8s takes your mind places, without having to leave the backseat. It’s available for download in the Apple App Store.

Tags: , , , , , ,

keeping ‘em in line: skip hop alphabet zoo stack & stick animals

 The Playful Walnut
Mar 122012
 

My 3-year-old is a little drill sergeant. She never lets her menagerie of stuffed animals get out of step. If they are not properly arranged on her bookshelf, she stops whatever she’s doing to straighten them out. A mother’s dream–or worst nightmare? Of course, it wasn’t always like this. Ordered chaos was fine by her when she was younger and just learning to play with her toys. When she stacked up her blocks in her earlier days, she’d quickly knock them down again and again, her chubby little hands toppling them over and clapping in sheer delight at her mastery of cause and effect. Fast forward to the present and this preschooler is all about order. People near and dear to me say her obsession is all my doing, but I haven’t the faintest idea of what they’re talking about. What I do know is, were she a baby today, how much she would have loved the Skip Hop Animal Zoo Stack & Stick Animals. No matter how you stack these adorable plush creatures, they stay in place. We love them for their eye-catching design and ultra-soft bodies–ideal for the most “destructive” little builders (you know the ones we mean). Now, please excuse me while I fix my bookshelf. A few titles seem to be out of alphabetical order…

In a Nutshell: Blocks that stay together, no matter how you stack them.

Tags: , ,

poseidon’s playground: baby neptune activity saucer

 Gear for Baby Walnuts, The Playful Walnut
Mar 062012
 

During bathtime the other night, my 7-year-old asked me what life was like before her little sister “hogged up all the tub toys.” Ah yes…I remember those days like they were yesterday. When my now-3-year-old was an infant, I had no choice but to lay her on a blanket just outside the bathroom door, while I washed her then-4-year-old big sister. As she became more mobile, my biggest dilemma was about how to keep her clean after being bathed and dressed for bed. That was when I had one of those lightbulb moments, realizing I could secure her in an entertaining spot and not have to worry about her running amok in our family room. That “safe spot” was none other than her Exersaucer. While some moms complained of its tremendous size, lamenting yet another piece of grown-up furniture lost to the arrival of baby gear, I took great pride in the fact that I had found a solution to a parenting logistics problem. For the time being, my daughter’s activity center was a safe haven–for both of us.  The bobbing toy knight, mirrored castle and other playthings  that entertained her were music to my ears. It’s why I get a little jolt whenever I see a new stationary activity center hit store shelves, including the latest from Baby Einstein. The Baby Neptune Activity Saucer is well-stocked with eight ocean-themed toys, a piano, mirror and toy tray to keep your little one happily bouncing along. The pivoting seat lets her turn her around completely as she plays, so she can easily keep on eye on you (and you on her) when you’re not right on top of the action. For me, that meant a cleaner, happier baby–and one less thing to stress about.

In a Nutshell: Let your little water baby go under the sea and explore her surroundings…without getting wet. The Baby Neptune Activity Saucer is available now.

Tags: , , ,

no rain date required: insect lore campfire kids

 The Playful Walnut
Mar 022012
 

My husband is a former Boy Scout and doesn’t exactly have the fondest memories of scouting. It’s mostly due to the fact that every time there was a overnight camping trip, it rained. And we’re not just talking April showers…more like cats and dogs, if his memory serves him correctly. To this day, the mere thought of being outdoors in a tent gives him the willies. And taunt him with a sleeping bag and a lantern? Don’t even go there. For those campers who have never met a roasted marshmallow that they didn’t like, comes an entire line that doesn’t depend on Mother Nature to have a good time. Campfire Kids indoor camping gear contains everything you need to simulate an overnight in the great outdoors. There’s a pretend campfire that illuminates (with the help of AA batteries, of course), a lantern with nighttime animal sounds (complete with the “woo, woo” of an owl) and even a bearskin rug to decorate your tent. (No worries, animal lovers; no furry friends were harmed in the making of this product.) The entire line is enough to make even the most hesitant camper go grab his backpack and set up shop. Hey, if Campfire Kids would have been around when my husband was a boy, maybe this childhood trauma wouldn’t have persisted. Roasted weenie, anyone?…

In a Nutshell: Make like Davy Crockett and grab your gear. Campfire Kids is a surefire hit for indoor play, no matter the weather.

Tags: , ,

seussical celebration: pbs kids cat in the hat marathon

 Reading with Walnuts, The Playful Walnut
Mar 012012
 

Happy (almost) Birthday, Dr. Seuss! Whose childhood hasn’t been enriched by the whimsical menagerie of characters that Theodor Geisel created over the years? From The Cat in the Hat, to Yertle the Turtle, we’ve been able to experience the charming stories of these unique individuals who we grew up and then, share them with our own families.  Had the beloved author still been alive, he would have celebrated his 108th birthday on March 2, 2012. In honor of Dr. Seuss, PBS Kids will be broadcasting a 2-hour marathon of “The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That” this Friday. The on-air festivities will feature two never-seen-before episodes entitled “Seasons–Spring and Summer/Fall and Winter” and “When I Grow Up/Doing It Differently.” The cat’s zany antics are sure to delight viewers of all ages, so be sure to set your DVR for school-aged viewers. With future generations growing up with the Cat, Dr. Seuss and all his imaginative cast of characters, this cat is bound to have more than nine lives.

In a Nutshell: Check your local listings for the PBS Kids’ Cat in the Hat marathon. Long live Dr. Seuss, in our hearts and in our childlike imaginations…

Tags: , , , ,

retro recycling: alex juice tab jewelry

 The Accessorized Walnut, The Playful Walnut
Feb 282012
 

Nearly every Monday morning, my day begins with a pop. Opening up a new container of O.J.  for my family’s breakfast involves fussing with that pesky juice tab–and some careful manipulation. If I don’t watch out, I’m liable to splash juice all over the kitchen counter, not to mention me! What exactly are these pull tabs good for, anyway? I finally got my answer when I saw the new Juice Tab Jewelry line from ALEX at Toy Fair earlier this month. These otherwise impractical do-dads have been fashioned into the latest crafting accessory for girls ages 6+. You’ll recognize the telltale tween icons in the button holes–from peace signs and hearts, to flowers and stars–and they couldn’t be any easier to put together. Just pull down the tab’s ring, fit it through another juice tab and so on and so on. You’ll have made a colorful bracelet faster than you can say “peace love world.”  Each set comes with 12 tabs and is available in a variety of citrus-inspired collections, like Tropical Zest, Wild & Fruity and Berry Blast. This is not only a great rainy day activity, but an ideal birthday party ice-breaker (the Party Punch set comes with 48 tabs). Besides, we think it’s a much more amusing way to put those O.J. tabs to good use.

In a Nutshell: We got the juice! Juice Tab Jewelry provides 100% of your kid’s daily serving of playtime.

Tags: , , , ,

vineyard-bound: playmobil harbor line

 The Playful Walnut
Feb 232012
 

After an unseasonably mild day in the middle of February, my thoughts naturally turn to summer vacation. Each year, our family takes a week-long getaway by trading in the daily Long Island rat-race for a leisurely paced sojourn somewhere in New England. Last summer it was Gloucester, Mass. and the year before that, coastal Rhode Island (we tend to favor towns by the sea, if you hadn’t already guessed). As I peruse the myriad of family-friendly destinations up north, I find myself drawn to Martha’s Vineyard again and again. I love the idea of a place where my day is dictated by what beach I’ll swim in and what flavor of homemade ice cream I’ll be sampling later on. Thoughts of a great escape couldn’t have been far behind in the making of Playmobil’s Harbor line of playsets and vehicles that will launch later this spring. We were treated to a walk-through of the line’s latest updates at last week’s Toy Fair where we paid particular attention to the Car Ferry with Pier. Not only does this ferry really float, but it has a fold-up ramp that ensures a smooth departure for both vacationing vehicles and their passengers. It also comes with four figures, a motorbike, bicycle and life rings to get people to their destination safely. So, no matter whether your resident playmates are headed to the Cape or up the coast, with the Playmobil Car Ferry, they won’t miss the boat. As for me, I’ll send you a postcard when I get to the Vineyard…

In a Nutshell: Feel like you ferry your kids around all day? Let their imaginations take them for a ride instead –and tell them it’s the captain’s  day off. The Playmobil Car Ferry with Pier will be available in April.

Tags: , , , ,

creative conducting: b.toys symphony in b

 The Playful Walnut
Feb 202012
 

Helping kids develop an ear for music is one of the great joys of parenting. Ever since my girls could utter their first words, we’ve been introducing them to the different sounds and singers whose music delights our listening ears. My 7-year-old knew her Billy Joel from her Frank Sinatra even as a preschooler, while my 3-year-old is just beginning to identify a saxophone vs. a trumpet. We’re not surprised then that Symphony in B., a new musical toy that we saw at Toy Fair last week, has taken center stage. Following a shape sorter concept, mini maestros can place any combination of up to six miniature musical instruments (from a total of 13) in their corresponding slots, select the type of music they’d like to hear and let the serenading begin! Mix and matching everything from a clarinet to a sitar makes for unique composing. If you’re looking to playtime more educational, this toy is the perfect excuse to turn music-making into a learning experience. As each instrument sounds, it lights up to help kids pinpoint woodwinds from brass, percussion from strings. Before long, your kids will know their “Piano Man” from their “Ol’ Man River,” too.

In a Nutshell: Ready to move past pots and pans? Help your kids graduate from the School of Rock to something a bit more sophisticated will be like music to your ears.

Tags: , , , , ,

 Older Entries  Newer Entries