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Bigger Toys for Bigger Girls and Boys
Written by: TheCelebrityCafe.com Staff
Everyone loves toys and games for the holidays. Here are our favorites for the 8 and up crowd - including you adults out there!
Tyco R/C N.S.E.C.T.
This is a radio controlled plastic "insect" that mimics the Bombardier Beetle, but uses rockets instead of fluid to scare off the enemy. Its movement is somewhat lifelike so parents will be suitably repulsed. The website is set up in pseudo-military fashion to be more attractive to the kids who play games and accumulate points and status with their peers. Its style is reminiscent of a crab, but the eating is not as good.
The Blue MAN Group
Without seeing the show, it's very hard to explain just what these instruments do and the impact the unique sound makes on the audience. Just imagine adults dropped onto another planet and making discoveries about that world. Now imagine a safe secure theme that excites, enhances the mood and reveals itself to be a heart pounding "life beat," that shouts "I can do IT" and "what is it!" at the same time.
Keyboard Experience, has a full working keyboard and the percussion instruments to enhance the music. And since music is in the heart of the beholder, you will be held, beholding!
The Percussion Tubes are similar to those on the keyboard and are motion sensitive tubes that add a spice to the pre-recorded tunes, or even your own iPod connected to it. And if nothing makes sense but reads familiar, then you're ready to play these instruments in the marching band.
Razor Dirt Quad
"Ride at your own risk and use common sense." "Do not ride where pedestrians or vehicles are present." "Do not exceed the weight limit of 120 pounds." Now I see a problem…I have to lose weight! How about a Dirt Quad that can handle the man with something extra? The unit comes in compact packaging with very little assembly and its own tools. Probably the hardest thing is getting the kids to wait until the battery is charged. It is recommended that the kids be 8 and up for safety and good judgment. Wearing a helmet is a must. This unit is perfect for someone with a lot of property, or on a light course to break the kids into motors and racing. I remember making a similar quad when I was a kid, but since batteries didn't last long we used an extension cord, so it worked great for about 50 feet. Then the plug pulled out and we walked back. The kids today have it better.
SweetskinZ A full color reflective bike tire
These are tires that redefine a street racer in day or night. Here are colors that attract, and styles that explode the norm and push cool almost beyond the grasp. The directions are clear: don't waste time, energy, or the power of thought, just do it, brother…click the link and fly away. Add these to the machine and pump it off. A helmet is absolute, if only to keep your brains in place, head in gear and eyes in their sockets, however the padding is optional, but you'll need it to fight off petty thieves who want your mojo.
PollyWorld
This is a cartoon world just for girls that are based on real life themes, with an added bit of super exaggeration to keep everyone on the edge of their seats. The added fun comes in with the DVD and other toys that develop Polly's World and experiences. While having fun with the light up stage and the fashions, don't forget that the website is an intricate part of the fun. It shows off all the Polly products and the collector will find it a fun spot to add to their collection.
Yamaha "Real Rhythm"
Yamaha is bringing out a new series of hand percussion instruments for kids that are right in tune with their lifestyles. The instruments can be taken almost everywhere without the typical fear of water or humidity damage to the wood or skins. The words wood and skins have to be put in italics, since Yamaha has invented new products that function for both, yet the sound is almost indistinguishable from the "real" thing. Coupled with reasonable prices, this can be the first set for budding musicians. Take a choice of Bongo, Floor Tom, Konga or Tambourine, forget the weather and go. Even stored in the closet to be rediscovered when they are teenagers, the music will sound crisp and full.
"Dragonology" Sababa Toys
For ages 8 and up, a book about dragons is made into a game that encourages a non-violent and respectful attitude instead of a killing mentality. That is different: working with dragons instead of fearing them. To win, the players must accompany Dr. Ernest Drake on his adventures and collect Dragons while hiding their strategy from the other players. Little action figure player pieces give an additional dimension to the game and are certain to become collectibles on their own.
Digital Blue
It was bound to happen, movie making made easy. The Disney Movie Maker and the Digital Movie Creator 2.0 are simple to run movie cameras in a compact form. It may look like it's for the kids but the resulting production can stand on its own. The software allows editing, special effects and music to be added to your movie. The website actually helps encourage the kids to be more creative in their thinking and writing. Like when it suggests keeping a notebook with movie ideas and writing an outline for the movie. It looks to me like Digital Blue has tapped into a way to make kids want to learn without pushing the issue. Along a similar line is a little digital camera under the American Idol co-label. Very small and compact, the camera has a USB interface and 16mb memory - good enough for 80 pictures at average quality. It also has video editing software as an added feature. The first rule of photography is to have the camera with you at all times. The camera is small enough and functional enough to meet that rule.
CRACKERNOMICS International Business Game
The full title of this game is "The Global Business Game for Kids." However, this game should be played by adults to get a better grip on the internal business theories that affect local jobs and the local economy. The principal theories have been boiled down to their simplest elements for the kids, but in doing so they have become more understandable to adults. So parents look it over and give it a shot before the kids, they may want an increase in their allowance to offset the rise of interest rates in Peru.
The Land of Nod
Special children deserve special toys that teach, challenge and inspire. Many of them have landed in the "Land of Nod" catalogue. For ages 8 and up is the "I'm Not Bored Anymore Art Jar," a collection of art thingies from glue to paper, craft sticks, buttons etc.- a little bit like an art shop in a bottle. Let imagination run rampant and creativity come alive.
The Noddo Croquet Set, played by two, allows for outdoor enthusiasm to be expressed in a constructive fashion. The game is easy to set up and play, and allows the children the freedom to design tough courses to break a sweat.
The third is the Land of Nod Teepee Tent. Again, imagination is called on to bring sunshine on a cloudy day. Simple to put together, a small "real" teepee is installed on top of the bed or in the living room. Close the shades, turn off the lights, add flashlights and the night is made by the time the last story is told. The quality and finish is good, and safe for the children to handle.
Fly - Pentop Computer
Fly is what the name says - a computer built into a pen. The pen of course is somewhat larger than typical, but is still manageable. The program cartridge is inserted into the top of the pen and when the pen is turned on the learning starts. For some topics like Algebra and Writing, the pen is used to do actual problems or write compositions. If the student gets stuck in the project and needs a hint, the pen will supply it. The pen also supplies the logic needed to complete the projects. Games are available like the game, Sudoku. Other games are more along a creative vein like "Pirates of the Caribbean," that was developed in cooperation with Disney, or Harry Potter, with 15 magical games. I admit this pen is very unusual and the kids will absolutely love to use it but…don't take it to school. A pen that talks may give you the answers!
Wild West Gunslinger Electronic Target Shooting Set
This is a plastic gun that uses an infrared beam aimed at a target to knock down the targets. The gun gives the sound of a shot and a ricochet and the infrared beam is reported to be harmless. I suppose this will keep the kids amused for hours. It works, but the gun looks somewhat real. The box says "pointing it at people, animals or at objects other than the toy targets…can be disturbing to others," like in a code red situation. The Miranda rights are not printed on the box.
Monopoly "Here & Now" Parker Brothers
This is a modern version of the traditional classic. Parker Brothers asked fans what they thought should be on the game board and then used the properties they suggested. It is very interesting to see what Americans hold near and dear. The airports, the properties, the rents and the penalties have all been brought up to date. Once Atlantic City was the hot spot; now see what the people came up with.
Twister Dance DVD
It's a game! It's a dance! It's a dancing game. Put the DVD in and follow the instructions to a lifelong skill of dancing! If Fred Astaire was alive today, this is what he would dance to. The game will teach you 40 different dance moves and three modes of interaction - learn, dance and move! You learn the dance steps in the first, practice to master them in the second and show off in the third.
Smarts Cards
Here is where the old flashcards finally grew up and became really useful. "Smarts" has put together a collection of topics that take you somewhere and help you do something. You've always imagined that you'd go to Paris, so try the Paris "Smarts." Find out interesting and useful things to see, do and eat in Paris. I'd say drink as well, but there are different games for wine, coffee, beer and cocktails. In fact, I bet they could even make up games to order, say, on calamari cooking. If only we had these in school.
Cranium - Pop 5
Its motto says exactly how the game is played: It's not what you know - it's how you show it! It dwells somewhere in the middle of a pantomime, sketching, sculpting or giving hints. Your opponents rate and give point allotments for whatever method you choose to use. It is fun for adults, but devastating for children since they know nothing about pop culture. Here's the chance to beat up on the teens and force them to talk to you. Teenagers will respect the effort you have put in, but will be totally mortified to play with their parents. Yes, families still exist and the stress that builds leaders is still there. Just like the old days.
SwingToss
This is a lawn game along the lines of "horseshoes with balls." Here, small balls are tossed at target bars and points are accumulated for which target bar it lands on. It comes in a light weight carrying case for easy transportation. It is great for the back lawn or the beach. As with horseshoes, adults and kids can play together, but it is better utilized when you actually talk to the kid between throws.
Think Geek
Our friends at Think Geek have sent some samples of their latest comfort toys. Like the Mr. Potato Head Star Wars action figure of Artoo-Potatoo, with the Princess Tater mock "hologram." One can shake and thrill to the feeling of actual real world participation in playing with such super heroes, and being led into the imagination that the mind can fester into the pustule of fun and pop it.
Along this theme is the Yoda backpack which is suitable for carrying pajamas for an overnight party, or you can pretend that Yoda has attached to your neck with his claws and is scratching at your hairline to draw the life force within you to him. Thank the force that he is hollow! The fact that he has three fingers and four toes should not be a problem unless you have to count to 20. He is the Yoda are not you?
What could better be, than Yoda, eating the neck of yours? A carnivorous plant collection! I wonder, could a vegan eat a carnivorous plant? Anyway, don't sleep late, these babies must be fed. Look close into their leaves, peer much closer, lean in, put your nose right up to the pod and smell that sweet perfume…sucker.
Trivial Pursuit Totally 80s
Boy when did we get old? To be immortalized in a Trivial Pursuit game is to become a memory worth remembering. The website alone brings back good feelings, but the game makes me dig deep. Where was I in '82? With you? Having gone through the time period thinking how bored I was, I really didn't think there was that much happening to talk about. Having played the game I can say I must have lived!
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