Featured Products RSS
New Deals RSS

Kidzsacks (compare prices) are clever kids' backpacks made from 100% recycled, organic cotton. While many toys claim to be eco friendly, it's rare to see one made from 100% recycled material. It's just another reason why parents should read labels carefully!

Included with the backpacks are a pack of eight non-toxic, washable markers. Kids color in the designs on the canvas to make each Kidzsack unique, then if they tire of the colors you just throw it in the wash! I used the markers to color a Kidzsack with my son and we REALLY colored it. I used black and purple and red and laid it on thick. Then I followed the directions and threw it in the wash with some detergent and a big dose of skepticism. Voila'! Out it came. Good as new. Not a trace of the markers was left behind.

Kidzsacks feature several different designs including castle, jungle, sea-life and sports themes and they have exclusive deals with many big-name resorts, so you may see them in a gift shop on your next vacation. It's a great souvenir because it gives kids something to do while traveling and they can schlep their own stuff!

Kidzsacks are recommended for ages 4 and up.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

Kidzsacks: Eco-Friendly Backpacks for Kids originally appeared on About.com Toys on Saturday, March 20th, 2010 at 06:00:46.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

The CPSC has just announced that about 1,000 bicycle bells manufactured by Botou Baite Bike Bell Company and distributed by Do It Best Corp. have been recalled due to lead-paint contamination. They were manufactured in China and sold at Dollar Stores and Do It Best Hardware stores in the United States.

If you have this recall toy in your home, you should take it away from children immediately. Visit the CPSC website to read more information about this recall and to sign up for free email alerts for future toy recalls. Toys.about.com is also keeping a list of recent toy recalls.

Toy Recall - Bike Bells originally appeared on About.com Toys on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 at 20:20:49.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

I am dying to get my hands on a Geomate Jr. Geocaching GPS (compare prices.) Geocaching is a great family activity that gets everyone outdoors. The Geomate Jr. has 250,000 geocache locations preloaded. Simply scroll through to find the one closest to you and set off on foot, following the arrows on the screen. When you get there you'll find a box with little notes or treasures. Just be sure to pop in your contribution to the cache and put it back exactly as you found it.

Participants gain an understanding of longitude and latitude, map reading and following directions, plus kids love the thrill of the hunt. (Besides, a little exercise and fresh air never hurt anyone!)

When I get the opportunity to test Geomate Jr. I'll put up a full toy review, but I can already tell my family is going to have fun with this.

Geomate Jr. - Geocaching for Kids originally appeared on About.com Toys on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 at 01:13:46.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Zibits are mini RC (remote-controlled) robot toys that come in 12 collectible styles. Only about three inches tall, Zibits go forward and spin around when you push the button on the remote control. Remote-control toy collectors and robot freaks would enjoy these. They are quirky and make cute sound effects, but unfortunately there's no reverse, they don't go very fast and they stumbled over the grout on my tile floor. They cost less than $10 apiece so Zibits might make a nice treat for good behavior. They are recommended for kids 8 and older.

Zibits Mini RC Robot Toys originally appeared on About.com Toys on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 at 01:21:48.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

I admit it. Splashy the Whale (compare prices) by Pressman Toys sat on my "Toys to Review" shelf for some time before I let my kids get their hands on it. I think I was afraid that a water-spewing whale game would make a mess, and for that reason my children would love it to pieces. My fears were completely reasonable. My 4-year-old son said, "It's so wet that I love it!"

Splashy the Whale works a bit like the "Operation" game (compare prices) of our childhood. Players fish out the plastic life ring, fish skeleton and seahorse pieces with a plastic fishing pole. If they touch Splashy's tongue he gives them a spray of water. I anticipated a few drops, but if the piece gets stuck on his tongue, Splashy continues spraying for a good five seconds. Be sure to clear the playroom first!

The end result was two happy but soggy kids. They laughed hysterically and unknowingly worked to develop their fine-motor coordination. I just hope it doesn't leave a mark!

Splashy the Whale Game originally appeared on About.com Toys on Sunday, March 14th, 2010 at 14:14:23.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

I first saw Kid Hip personalized music CDs in the giant Toys 'R' Us store in Times Square and I was immediately curious. Kid Hip CDs feature nine songs and they say your child's name 50 times! Their list of available names features nearly 1,000 names, including "Dhruv," "Atreya"and even "Vienna" (just in case Jake's looking for a special gift.)

I expected the name to sound robotic and out of place, but it really doesn't. We play our CD over and over on the way to preschool and my son loves it. The songs, in my opinion, aren't Grammy-worthy masterpieces, but kids' music comes down to two questions: "Do kids like it?" and "Can parents stand it?" I respond to both questions with a "Yep! You bet." I guess I could do without "Raspberry Spray," an upbeat and catchy little ditty that encourages lots of spitting, but if that's the worst thing I have to deal with before noon then we're doing fine.

To hear the music and download MP3's, just visit the KidHip website.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

Kid Hip: Personalized Music for Kids originally appeared on About.com Toys on Friday, March 12th, 2010 at 19:18:15.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Remember when Greg Brady found that Tiki idol? Their whole Hawaiian vacation was cursed! CURSED! Well, hopefully Idolz won't have the same effect on your Hawaiian vacation.

Idolz are collectible, posable figures that stack to make a sort of action-figure totem pole. You can even wear them around your neck like Greg did! They are funny and sort of quirky with names like, "Gruntor" and "Zebo." Gruntor is one of the many odd little toys that decorate my desk and he always makes me smile.

Don't miss the results of the company's custom art contest. Eighth graders decorated the Idolz and the company polled Toy-Fair attendees to select a winner.

Tiki Time! Check Out Idolz originally appeared on About.com Toys on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 08:03:54.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

For some reason Tangle Toys (compare prices) are intriguing. They just beg you to pick them up and fidget with them. That's why the Original Tangle has spawned a long line of toys with varying colors, textures, sizes and shapes.

Tangle Toys are fun for fidgety adults but I think their real calling is helping kids with special needs. Twisting, turning and curving the Tangle in their hands makes it easier to focus in school or sit through circle time. I really like the rubbery, bumpy textured version for kids who respond well to texture.

A new book called, "Learning with Tangle Brain Tools" features great ways parents and teachers can use Tangle Toys in the classroom or at home.

The sections do come apart so it's not for kids younger than 3.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

Educational Toys: Tangle Toys originally appeared on About.com Toys on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 07:37:11.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

We've had a ton of snow this winter, and until my Zipfy Freestyle Mini Luge arrived I never would've wished for more. Now I'm checking the 10-day forecast and hoping for the white stuff! The Zipfy is a high-tech, fast-moving, maneuverable sled that comes in 1o snazzy colors.

I test and try every product I review, so there won't be a comprehensive toy review until I get to ride the Zipfy on the sledding hill. I'd love to hear from you if you've tried it because it really looks like fun.

Visit the company's website for amazing videos, some really cool music, community conversations and even a schedule of local races.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

Zipfy Freestyle Mini Luge - More Snow, Please! originally appeared on About.com Toys on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 07:25:35.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

In honor of National Grammar Day, March 4th, I'm outing myself as a grammar freak. I was raised by two teachers, I started learning AP style (the writing rules journalists follow) in high school and I majored in journalism in college. I've been writing and editing professionally for more than 15 years and I do my best to ensure that my writing is free of grammatical errors. Though I'm far from perfect, now that I'm a mom who's trying to teach correct grammar to two small boys, I have no patience for toys that use bad grammar.

I hope my one-mama crusade against trash-talking toys will be heard by the toy manufacturers, especially now that my voice is slightly amplified by toys.about.com. In honor of National Grammar Day, here are three products in which I've found grammatical errors.

• Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! A Tale of Tails DVD - It says, "I got it! I got it! I don't got it!"
• Chicco's Talking Vacation Car - It says, "In the middle's where it's at."
• LeapFrog's My Pal Scout - It says, "Me and my pal Johnny, we do everything together."

Is it important that toys use correct grammar? Would you buy a toy that sings in conversational English?

It's National Grammar Day, March 4th (Or march forth!) originally appeared on About.com Toys on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 16:53:23.

Permalink | Comment | Email this