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Toys for toddlers

Recommendations

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Not Just Baby Sitters

Updated Apr 12, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

I LOVE Not Just Babysitters. While they are not a product per se, they run a totally awesome service in LA and soon NYC that greatly improves the quality of my family's lives. NJBS is a concierge service that manages nannies and other assistants to help make busy households run more smoothly. They are super-professional, punctual, well-educated, competent, and they engage well w/our kids who are 6 and 4. My wife and I can have a standing regular date-night using NJBS and know our kids are in safe and caring hands while we get a bit of grown-up time. Highly recommended

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René Magritte (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia

Updated Apr 10, 2008

1st to recommend

Description

Mike Venezia's series of art books for kids is awesome! i got a whole pile of his books about my fav artists for my six year old daughter, Kylan. The books explain both the artist's life and the basics of the artist's importance/relevance in plain language my 6 year old can read. He also uses comics to illustrate his points. It is a very unintimidating way to intro your kids to how cool art can be. My daughter has declared that Magritte and Picasso are her favorite artists and she is generally a fan of surrealism though she also likes cubism too.

Highly recommended as the books are fuun for both adults and kids and have obvious merit

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National Geographic Magazine

Updated May 3, 2007

2 people recommended this item

Description

National Geographic is possibly the most inspiring magazine I have ever read. I started reading NatGeo as a little kid and it really instilled a taste for adventure, science, and exotic locales/cultures in me. I have never lost that interest and always thought running NatGeo would be a blast.

If you are curious, have kids, or just love to look at beautiful pictures, I highly, highly recommend getting a subscription to National Geographic.

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The Blue Planet - Seas of Life Collector's Set (Parts 1-4)

Updated Apr 25, 2007

1st to recommend

Description

Blue Planet: Seas of Life is possibly the best nature documentary series I have ever seen. Costing over $10 million and narrated by the superb David Attenborough, Blue Planet travels the Earth's oceans and captures some truly spectacular footage from the deep benthic depths to the open pelagic ecosystems to tropical reefs and polar environments. It is AWESOMELY done and is the sort of dream project I want to develop/produce.

I think the sheer beauty of the oceans really comes thru and there is enough science to keep an adult interested while providing enough eye candy to enthrall little kids. Highly recommended

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Ant Works

Updated Mar 28, 2007

13 people recommended this item

Description

I got two of the Ant Works blue gel ant farms for my toddlers. I used to have ant farms and LOVED them. Since I was a kid, they have been updated and now use some sort of nutrient space gel for the ants to tunnel in and eat. Super cool

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Star Wars Force FX Lightsaber

Updated Feb 21, 2007

1st to recommend

Description

I admit it- I think being a real Jedi would be one of the coolest things ever. And it is not just so I could use fancy Jedi mind tricks. The lightsabres are awesome too. I got- and love- the double-ended Darth Maul Lightsabre. I know, its the Dark Side and all that but his was def the coolest one of the lot.

The actual dual lightsaber is about 6 feet long, has a progressive blade illumination so it looks sort of like the ones in the movies, and it solidly built. Plus you can break the two light sabres apart into 2 regular lightsabres for in-office duels. (Note: while construction is sturdy, they are not strong enough to really wail on each other w/them, the way my brother and I used to beat up each other w/our lightsabres back in the late 70's and early 80's)

Great management tool for start-up execs as well as a fun, active toy for toddlers who love Star Wars.

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FatBoy Beanbag Chair

Updated Jan 23, 2007

17 people recommended this item

Description

FatBoys rock. We have a giant one at home and it is both super comfy and super-durable which makes it ideal for a house w/2 toddlers. The kids like to jump into it or have me toss them onto it. I like to flop into it after chasing them around the house for hours.

Plus you can stack up the FatBoy so it is more like a regular chair where it has a back and a seat.

Comes in lots of fun colors and sizes/shapes too so they are plenty cool looking for the design snob in all of us (in other words, its not your 1970's nylon beanbag chair)

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WWF Adopt an Endangered Animal program

Updated Nov 30, 2006

1st to recommend

10 people recommended this item

Description

WWF's Endangered Animal Adoption program lets you adopt an endangered animal (you pick the species) in exchange for your sponsorship payments. Different sponsorship/adoption packages come w/different stuff but the basic idea is you get a picture of your animal, a plush version of your chosen species, some "official" adoption papers, and updates on how the animal and the species is doing.

When I was little, I LOVED being given animal adoptions as gifts. I have vivid memories of being the proud adopted parent of a panda, a manatee, a hippo, and a blue whale. I showed my adoption papers and photos of my animals w/great pride during show & tell, as well as did school projects about those species. Being a proud parent really got me fired up and interested in what was happening to these species as a kid and it is an interest that I have carried into adulthood.

While WWF animal adoption is not a conventional gift, it is a really memorable one for those budding young naturalists who want to feel involved and/or help save endangered species. A very worthwhile gift for a great cause, in my opinion.

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Fit Ball

Updated Nov 27, 2006

1st to recommend

Description

Fit Balls are inflatable exercise balls that are great for helping to develop core/abdominal strength, as well as balance. I use mine for ab work-outs that are low-stress on my back but high intensity for my core. Fit Balls are great overall training tools and I recommend them for any sport which requires solid core strength (which is really just about every sport)

I also use my Fit Ball as a chair. Sitting on one of these balls while working is fun, good for your balance, and does not cut blood off to your legs the way some chairs can when they hit the back of your knees/hamstrings. I am 6'2". If you are my height, get the 75cm ball. Also be sure to get the pump. Makes life much easier.

If you have kids, Fit Balls are a super fun toy for them as well. Imagine if you had had a ball as big as you were tall when you were a kid. How cool is that?!

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Airzooka

Updated Nov 10, 2006

33 people recommended this item

Description

Along w/my lightsabre and katana, the airzooka is an excellent management tool to help keep the rough and tumble of start-up life and start-up samurai under control

Works great on toddlers too who seem to think it is a source of endless amusement.

Amazing what shooting a big ball of air can accomplish.... (via auntbeep)

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Trebimbi

Updated Sep 8, 2006

4 people recommended this item

Description

My kids have a set of these and totally dig them. Actually, demand them might be a better word since they like using these utensils so much and are not shy about expressing their strong preference. (via anndouglas)

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Theraputty

Updated Aug 20, 2006

1st to recommend

2 people recommended this item

Description

a super version of play dough. my kids love stuff like this where they can shape objects. I think they really enjoy being to have so much control over how a solid object looks.

Hours of fun, not as messy/crumbly as regular playdoh (via MissKellyOT)

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Kea™ - Kids Beginner Kayak - Includes Paddle - Ocean Kayak

Updated Aug 25, 2006

1st to recommend

Description

Great way for kids to play and learn about the ocean. Excellent for adventuring and exploring and playing pirate or world-traveller. Also a great way to introduce kids to various nature-sports and the great outdoors in general. NOTE: this is not for really little kids, and definitely not something that kids should use unsupervised. But you all knew that already...

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Interactive Wallpaper

Updated Jul 24, 2006

22 people recommended this item

Description

How cool is this for a room, especially a hyper-active toddler's? I used to write on the wall when I was little. Now the walls can simply change before my eyes.

Perfect for making a kid's room even more fun, though I suppose it could be a bit over-stimulating too (via daniellemaveal)

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Dora the Explorer: Dress and Dance Dora Doll

Updated Feb 13, 2006

1st to recommend

Description

My daughter loves Dora and I like her too. Dora encourages kids to bravely explore the world around them. I like Dora's very can-do attitude and think, as big, commercially-branded characters go, she is among the best.

I also prefer Dora as a toy or a book, instead of a passive/vegetative TV show. So this Dora doll is a good choice.

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LEGO Fun with Building Tub

Updated Feb 10, 2006

1st to recommend

Description

LEGO is the undisputed king of kids toys and no list would be complete w/out something from them.

For toddlers, I still like the basic building block set the best: it encourages creativity and imagination.

This set comes w/over 800 pieces which, to a toddler, seems like an enormous bounty and to a parent seems like a huge potential mess waiting to spread around the house.

Beware, stepping on a LEGO w/bare feet in the middle of the night hurts!

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Super Art Table

Updated Feb 10, 2006

1st to recommend

Description

I wish I had one of these when I was growing up. It is an all-in-one art station where kids can create to their hearts content. It has lots of little storage areas to help keep the mess/supplies contained as well.

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Aerobie® Squidgie® Ball

Updated Feb 10, 2006

1st to recommend

Description

I have loved Aerobie's product since I was a kid. The squidgie ball is of the same high quality and good design one expects from Aerobie.

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Henderson Neosport Toddler Frontzip Neoprene/Lycra Shorty Wetsuit

Updated Feb 10, 2006

1st to recommend

Description

My kids dig wearing their wetsuits. I think they like the vaguely super-hero-esque look, as well as the bright colors. Great for sun protection, as well as keeping the kids warm at the beach and in the water.

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Little Drummer Set by Voila

Updated Feb 10, 2006

1st to recommend

Description

OK- admittedly this is not a toy every parent wants their kid to have. But, if you can deal w/the noise, it is a real pleasure to see an exuberant toddler feel empowered as they happily bang away on their drumkit.

Quality materials, cool design, and not too heavy or bulky.

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Sector 7 by David Wiesner

Updated Feb 10, 2006

1st to recommend

Description

OK- admit, you are really sick of reading the same insipid story to your kids every night. Never fear, David Weisner has created a number of books that appeal to both toddlers and adults.

Sector 7 is a surreal tale of a boy who befriends the clouds and persuades them to shapeshift into giant cloudfish floating along in the sky.

The book has no little text but huge, beautiful images that encourage both the parent and the child to make up and personalize the storyline in ways that can enrich the experience for all.

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Brio Building Sets for Infants & Toddlers Category

Updated Feb 10, 2006

1st to recommend

2 people recommended this item

Description

Wooden Blocks- a classic toy that never goes out of style. Brio makes some nice ones: quality wood, nice finish. I recommend getting several boxes so your kids can construct a sprawling block metropolis across your living room

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Plasma car for toddlers

Updated Feb 7, 2006

1st to recommend

7 people recommended this item

Description

My 2 year old son, Oliver, loves this scooter/car hybrid vehicle. The plasma is really easy for kids to control and it appears to handle really well. I think they enjoy the feelings of mastery, motion, and physical control the Plasma car provides them. All in all, highly recommended as a toy that engages both a toddler's body and mind.

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Pleo from Ugobe

Updated Feb 7, 2006

1st to recommend

2 people recommended this item

Description

This looks like it will be a must-have for little boys everwhere. A robotic dinosaur w/personality. I would have LOVED this when I was a kid. I am getting one for my son.

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The Gordon Gould Weblog
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