Coolest Toys

Some kids like to build Legos, others like to blow stuff up. But there must be a section of kids out there that likes to solve cold case murders judging by the CSI Facial Reconstruction Kit. Based on the long running, #1 rated CBS drama CSI (or CSI Miami, or CSI New York, or CSI [insert city name here], this kit allows kids to learn a mix of science, puzzle, art, and fantasy, as they work painstakingly to recreate the face of a victim from the skull left behind.

(more…)

As I kid, I was in hog heaven after getting a Johnny Lightning Hot Wheels race set for Christmas. The next year, it was Sizzlers that Santa choice to reward a year of good behavior with. I miss those Hot Wheels tracks. They gave me hours of racing fun. And in celebration of Hot Wheels fortieth anniversary, and the release of the blockbuster flop Speed Race, Mattel has done it again with the Hot Wheels Speed Racer Sky Jump Track Set. I’m betting it sells at the toy store better than tickets at the box office.

(more…)

According to World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH), 18 children died and hundreds were injured in toy-related mishaps last year. And every year, the watchdog group comes out with its top ten worst toys list in the hopes that parents will avoid such tragedies in the future. This year, the list includes:

- The Sportsman Shotgun by Parris Manufacturing Company. The Shotgun fires rubber bullets that have the potential to cause serious eye injury. Then again, any toy from BB Guns to Nerf air guns shoot a projectile that can injure the eye. In addition, the toy shotgun is covered with warnings against pointing it at others faces and eyes and warns of eye injuries. And suggests that it not be used by children under 14. Truth is, if parents are paying attention, and if they give such a toy to a proper aged children, this can be as safe as a bb gun. Still, to be safe, NERF Air soft guns are a fun and excellent alternative.

(more…)

Stratego is board game that’s part Battleship, part checkers. Best known as the board game Fox Maulder was playing when his sister was abducted by aliens, the game involves a square board with forty pieces for each side. The idea is to capture the opponent’s flag. So you hide it amongst your phalanx of officers and soldiers who bump up against the other side.

(more…)

Lego is on the verge of its worst nightmare. Its signature brick design is being pirated by a Canadian company and a European judge says that’s just fine with him. According to the European Department of Justice, Lego does not have exclusive rights to the Lego building block anymore after the Danish toy company sued a Canadian firm for making blocks so similar to theirs, they fit perfectly with the real McCoy.

(more…)

Another ride on classic toy that came out after I was too big to enjoy it was the KRAZY KAR. And oversized disk with two huge 18 inch wheels that moved as it was powered by hand cranks. The Krazy Kar was mostly for toddlers and kids under 4 or 5 years of age as it wouldn’t take over 70 pounds of weight. But it could go forward, backward, or spin in circles.

(more…)

Risk! Is a game of Global domination, combat and strategy. Game players receive a a set number of armies based on the number of players playing the game. Players then take turns claiming territories in five continents by placing one army piece in each country until all countries are claimed. Then, they reinforce each country until their armies are all deployed. Players then roll to determine game play order.

(more…)

Kids who are reaching the age where strategy games become attractive, and who are obsessed with “a galaxy far, far away,” will love the strategy game known as Star Wars Pocket Models. The concept is pretty simple. Collect trading cards and put together card board space ships, roll some dice, take some damage, rule the galaxy.

(more…)

The budding little civil engineer in the family would love this classic toy … ERECTOR SETS! Since 1913, erector sets have been used by kids to create everything from cranes to buildings, towers, excavators, bridges and more. The Erector set can teach kids to build just about anything they can imagine, but also teach them creativity, observation, deductive reasoning, logical thinking, principles of mechanics, physics & problem solving.

(more…)

In today’s high tech toy world where everything is about realistic graphics and tactile interactive response, it’s all to often forgotten that the simply joy for a family is to sit around the dining room table playing a board game. Whether Monopoly, Clue, Risk, Battleship or even Life, boards games like these can provide hours of good, quality family time while enjoying some healthy banter and competition.

So, in the spirit of paying tribute to these classic games, we present a series that hopefully will remind you of these fantastic games and rekindle an interest to go get one and get the family together for an evening. And, of course, we start with the granddaddy of them all, MONOPOLY …

(more…)