Huge enough to play with anywhere and cuddly enough to fall asleep on, these Jumbo Pillow Pets are made of the softest plush fabric. That makes them great for kids who have a hard time going to sleep while traveling. And they also make for a familiar face when visiting family out of town. And because they are machine washable, they are easy to keep him clean and safe for kids. No “Velveteen Rabbit” syndrome here. Just toss into the washer and then into the the dryer. Nice and easy.

Jumbo Pillow Pets are a full 30 square inches and come as Jumbo Lady Bug, Jumbo Puppy, Jumbo Zebra, Jumbo Teddy Bear and Jumbo Panda. And I’m thinking if your kid is really into the Dreamworks picture Kung Fu Panda, this is a great way to play out the fantasy of having the Dragon Warrior with you on vacation! Course, for me, it would have to be the Teddy Bear. Is there anything better than the overnight friend who’s been chasing off the monster under the bed since 1908?

On sale at Amazon right now with a cost of around $50 with free shipping!

Hat Tip – Best Toy Guide

We’re all friends here at this kindy
Although at times you wouldn’t think so
But a smile and a hug, or a gently I’m sorry
Makes you feel okay
Okay, okay, okay, okay
- We’re All Friends, Lyrics

Sounds like a great sentiment doesn’t it? But when you’re in a band that makes millions a year in merchandise, CD sales, and concert tickets, that sentiment amounts to more of a line item in a ledger than an actual concept. Even more so if you’re one of the Wiggles who’s been sent packing with his hat in hand.

Sam Moran, aka the Yellow Wiggle for the last 5 years, was abruptly fired over the holidays and replaced with the original Yellow Wiggle Greg Page, who had left the kids band five years ago to attend to an illness he had contracted known as dysautonomia. According to the Wiggles press release, Page had returned to fine form and Moran had offered to step down so that Page could resume his role as the original Yellow Wiggle. But the real story is that Moran was forced out. Dumped to make room for Page’s return.

Passing the shirt.

Now as a parent who has a kid who grew up on the Wiggles, I am happy for Page’s return. The Wiggs weren’t really the same after his departure and apparently everyone thought so as their Disney Channel TV Series was canceled shortly after he left the group and ticket and CD sales have dropped dramatically since. But here’s the thing. Kids who remember Greg as the Yellow Wiggle are approaching their teen years. Kids who know the current Wiggles now, don’t know or even care that Greg was the original Wiggle. He’s the outsider. The guy who replaced THEIR Wiggle in the Yellow Shirt.

And what makes it even more interesting is that the other three Wiggles – Murray (Red), Anthony (Blue) and Jeff (Purple) – are sole owners in the Wiggles, Inc., sharing equally in the annual $28.1 million payday. This is believed to be the reason for Moran’s unceremonious departure as he was merely on a performing contract getting an annual salary. But since Page got a buy out when he original left the group, his returnb means that he is also merely a shirt for hire. So with millions in toys, CDs and ticket sales on the line, the big question will be – if the bottom line doesn’t rise, how long before Page gets the boot for someone else?

Hat Tip – The Telegraph

For Girls:

1. Barbie – let’s face it, you can’t go wrong with Barbie. At 50 years old, she’s still hot and fashionable and with the new I Can Be a Computer Engineer Barbie, she’s putting forth a great message that girls can be anything they want.

2. Bizu Style Studio – With Bizu Studio, girls can make their own jewelry and accessories. Comes complete with beads, Beading Tool, 4 Character Templates and 2 Key-Chain/Backpack Attachments.

3. Fur Real Friends Electronic Pets - Nothing beats a puppy for Christmas. And with the realistic fur and interactive nature of the Fur Real Friends, kids can have that special friend without parents worrying over potty training! When you talk to her, she responds with a puppy babble. Give her a bone, she makes crunching sounds like she’s chewing it. And pet her back and she barks and wags her tail.

4. WowWee Paper Jamz Pro Mic Series – with Paper Jamz Pro Mic series, kids can live the rock star fantasy of their favorite stars. Features 2 built-in songs, auto mode that adjusts effects on the fly, Perfect pitch to keep you in tune, auto harmony sound, and a Chorus Multiply mode

5. Gift cards – When in doubt, the all purpose gift is a gift card. And if you give an iTunes gift card, you’re turning your coolness factor up to 11.

For Boys –

1. NERF – It’s NERF, or Nothin’. That’s the slogan and it’s true. Boys love the Nerf NStrike toys and the new disc shaped Vortex line is a must have for the holidays. Greater range, cooler designs, and disc shaped darts. But if you don’t want to risk getting something they already have, you can always just get accessories like more ammo or the cool bandoliers (you can’t have enough clips), or don’t worry about it, you can always use a second gun!

2. Hot Wheels Video Racers – With a video camera built into it, the Hot Wheels Video Racer gives a driver’s eye view of all the action. And every kid has the fantasy of racing on a Hot Wheels track. So this is a must. Just make sure you bring a track if your Nephew doesn’t have one. Or if he does, more track is always welcome.

3. LEGO – There’s no way you can go wrong with a LEGO building set. Because one, kids can always use more bricks and b) with sites like Rebrickable, the more sets you have, the more sets you can build you don’t have! And if you’re kid is into a certain line – like Ninjago, Star Wars, or especially the new DC Super Heroes line, they’ll certainly think you’re the coolest Uncle or Aunt on the planet with a new set under the tree!

4. Video games – What kid doesn’t like video games? And with new titles like SkyRim, Portal 2, and Little Big Planet 2, there’s a great game for all ages.

5. Gift Cards – Why a gift card? Well, kids love to choose their own toys and they’re likely to get more cards from other family members. Adding to the talley means they can get larger gifts or multiples. And if you’re the Uncle who gives the card that gets them over the top on a huge gift, he’ll remember you for it!

In 1920, nearly 50 years before I was born, the top toys for Christmas were the Teddy Bear, Erector Set, and Lionel Trains. Noteworthy facts about each, the Teddy Bear was named after former President Teddy Roosevelt – who refused to shoot a black bear while on a hunt. and Lionel Trains is now owned by musician Neil Young.

Then, in my era, the hot toys were Rock’em Sock’em Robots, Barbie, GI Joe, and the introduction of a little juggernaut known as Star Wars action figures. It also marked the beginning of what would soon come to dominate the toy world, as video games like PONG were the obsession of every kid willing to forsake outdoor play for watching a little white dot bounce back and forth across the screen.

By the 1990s and 00s, video games were well entrenched as kids have wanted Game Boys, Playstations, Nintendos and XBoxes. Yeah sure, kids have wanted action figures like Power Rangers and Buzz Lightyear, LEGOs and Transformer Dolls (and remember POGs?), but it’s clear that kids trends have gone from imaginative play and building things, to virtually blowing stuff up while networked with other kids all around the world. For a peak into the evolution, check out the timeline here.

The Marines have been collecting Toys for Tots since 1947. Semper Fi!

And it’s grown far beyond and extra curricular activity for off duty Marines. In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved making the annual Toys for Tots drive an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve. Over the last 62 years, the US Marine Corps Reserve have distributed over 400 million toys to more than 188 million needy children and the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation has added to the toy collections by purchasing nearly a half billion dollars in toys to insure that no child gets left behind at Christmas.

And this year, as with any year, the campaign needs your help. You know the mission – pick up an unwrapped toy for a boy or girl and look for one of those dashing jarheads sitting next to a collection box near the entrance to the store. Or, you can Swing by http://www.toysfortots.org/ to make a cash donation to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. While at the site, you can find more information on a toy collecting center in your area.

Semper Fi and Merry Christmas!

“It’s the ideal situation for the holiday time. You can stuff toys under the tree for under 50 bucks. If you were out there buying them, there’s just no way you could do that.” – Paul Reinsmith, Boston MA

The service is called Toygaroo, and it works the same way as Netflix and Gamefly. For a monthly fee, parents choose from a list of toys for ages 0-5 and up (although most of the toys are for toddlers and infants). Name brands include Fisher Price, Little Tikes, LeapFrog, and Little Einsteins. You choose toys, they mail them to you and you keep them as long as you want. Return them, and then Toygaroo sends you the next toy in your toy queue. And parents don’t have to worry about used toys – which you will get sooner or later – as Toygaroo sanitizes every toy it gets back and ships them out again in a good quality package. All plans are billed monthly and toys can be exchanged every 30 or 60 days. But if your kid simply won’t let go of their toy, parents can buy the toy at a discounted price. And if a child breaks a toy or loses a piece, then the same discount purchase scheme applies.

If you think about it, it makes total sense. A kid is all about the WOW factor when it comes to toys. They want what they see on television and then, what else they see on television. How often, usually within a few weeks or months, is it before a child just stops playing with a toy because they’ve moved on? And you never know until after you buy a toy if the kid will like playing with it or not. This way, they can try before you buy.

Now, you won’t find many toys for older kids who are into NERF, Barbie or video games, but for younger children until about 7 or 8, this is an ideal option. But you gotta sign up now if you want to get those toys under the tree for Christmas!

Hat Tip – CBS Boston

When fully opened, the Swoop Storage Matt looks like that ball pit I was talking about, that kids can dump all their LEGOs into and then sort them as they look for that perfect piece for whatever they’re building. Then, when ready to put away, all they need to do is grab the drawstrings and pull into a giant, LEGO filled ball for easy storage. Nothing could be easier! Then kids can pick up the entire kit and kaboodle and either stick them in their toy box or inside their closet. Now dad doesn’t step on them in his bare feet as he comes in to kiss his little angel’s forehead good night and yelps in pain, waking them up. Then they have to go through the entire rigamorrow of reading another story, getting a class of water, getting another story and hopefully, by midnight they’re asleep again … but I digress.

For about $45, it’s money well spent.

Hat Tip – The Ferret

Jakks Pacific, Inc., in association with Original Appalachian Artworks Inc., have announced the Connecting Generations for their Fashionality line of new Cabbage Patch Kids. There’s a new multi-cultural selection of toys and, like the original, kids can “adopt” their favorite and even create their own Cabbage Patch family tree. Each kid stands 14 inches tall with silky hair and one of 12 different personalities including “prepsters,” “skateboarders,” “girly girls,” and “artsy” types. In addition to their adoption papers, each Cabbage Patch Dolls have a unique and birth certificate. And with each purchase comes a download code for a Cabbage Patch Kids Video called “The New Kid.” Cost is $34.99, ages 3 and up.

Hat Tip – The Toy Book

You can dig through your child’s toy box and dig out his MPH set – every kid has one, right? Or, you can pick up this cool pirate themed Mr. Potato Head Halloween Pumpkin Push Ins by Jekyll and Hyde Props. The toy, which sells on Amazon for about $16, comes with the standard MPH ears, eyes and nose, * ands and shoes, and his trademarked eyebrow, teeth and moustache. And to make your Jack-o-lantern all piratey, matey, you can add the skull and crossbones pirate hat! All you need is to add your own pumpkin. The pieces come in a themed plastic bucket.

But hey, why stop there? You could have a Star Wars themed R2D2 Jack-O-Lantern by using the Star Wars Mr. Potato Head Artoo-Potatoo set. Or how about a Jack-O-Trooper with the Spud Trooper set? Or maybe Elvis, or Buzz Lightyear … with the Mr. Potato Head line, the skies the limit. And your little one has the fun of being able to make them with a simple push of the piece into the flesh of the gourd!

The other hidden benefit is that it’s easier to keep an eye on two kids who are riding together than riding separately on their own trike. But I’m not sure if the $300 price tag is worth it considering your average Radio Flyer trike runs about $60 and has twin steps for riding on the back of (not to mention the cool ringing bell and red/white tassels). But that’s largely due to the premium you pay courtesy Hammacher-Schlemmer. the Tandem Trike does look well put together with sturdy pipe construction and huge knobby tires. And it also has that small cargo sector in the back for bringing along teddy bears and what not on the ride in the park. So if you can swing the price tag, it looks like it could go the distance of a tough riding duo putting it through a lot of abuse before they grow out of it.

But that fire engine read of the Radio Flyer … it beckons me!

Hat Tip – Our sister site CG