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.
The Big Wheel came out the year after I officially became too big to enjoy it, and as such, I have had to live vicariously through younger friends growing up, and my son who got his first Big Wheel (a Hot Wheels variant) at age 3. Made completely of blown plastic, the Big Wheel was the low to the ground, stylish tricycle that just screamed speed in comparison to the traditional trike. And a few years later, it came out with a hand brake which made for some seriously fun braking spins. And it’s three peg adjustable seat meant it could grow with it’s little speed demon.
The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Bounce & Spin Pony reminds me of those fun little spring powered numbers you see in neighborhood parks, only it does a heck of a lot more. In addition to bouncing backwards and forwards, it gives children up to 3 years a spin capability and can be used to control educational video games. So, it’s not only a ride-on pony toy, but a video controller interface. That’s very cool.
(2nd in a series)
Thinking about Lincoln Logs reminded me of that marvelous collection of sticks and wheels known as Tinker Toys. Also made of durable wood that will last to their kids and beyond (if you don’t lose the parts, that is), kids can use their imagination to create all kinds of constructed works of art, including structures, animals, shapes and more. The jumbo canister comes with 102-pieces including wheels, sticks, paddles, tubes and a host of other parts for building towering designs. Cost is about $25-35. There’s also a larger 250 piece set for about $150.
Parenting’s list of the top 25 best toys for 2008 is now out and broken down according to ages. The list is very diverse and offers some interesting choices for parents looking for constructive toys to give their kids this holiday season.
For rugrats, parents can look for the Yookidoo Discovery Playhouse. More like a easy up than playhouse, the Yookidoo offers numerous activities to stimulate the interest of toddlers up to a year and a half: shape sorting, spinning beads, and peekaboo games. And it’s decorated to look more like a fun monster than house. But at around $100, it’s a tad overpriced, I think.
Over the next few days, we’ll be highlighting the toys that TOYS R US thinks will be hot sellers this holiday season. We’ll break them down by age and give you the specs on the toys that Geoffrey thinks will make for a Holy Jolly Christmas. And all counting down to what Toys R Us calls the FABULOUS 15.
Today, we’re taking a look at hot toys for toddlers, our baby-24 months category (Year 1):
As if skateboards weren’t green enough, there’s now an electric skateboard that can go up to 19 miles an hour in about 4 seconds from a dead start without kicking, pushing or any other physical attempt to get it going. Jeepers, where’s the fun in that?
This P51 Mustang Pedal Plane may indeed be the coolest toys ever! At least, the coolest tricycle in existence. And at nearly $1,900 USD (£950) it’s also probably the most expensive (about $3,000 for a higher quality paint finish). But look at it! That sucker is COOL!
Designed by Los Angeles based architect Gregg Fleishman, Playgoda is made of slotted, laminated plywood and can be used to create a wide variety of strong playground equipment which can also be changed when it seems the design is losing a kid’s fancy.
What’s missing from the pure Tony Hawk video game fantasy is a cool input peripheral. Sure, there’s been several on the market that give you a half way experience. But what’s seriously needed is to make one that’s wireless so that skater/gamers can really cut loose. That would be off the hook. Well, QMotion, is promising that users will get some serious BigAir with … well, BigAir! And it’s all thanks to Tony Hawk who did some serious lobbying to bring the idea to reality. And now, it also has Redmond’s seal of approval.