Archive for the ‘outdoors’ Category

Red, white, and blue

Made in America

Here’s a sampling of some of our favorites that are Made In America–just in time for the fourth.

Harrisville Designs Potholder Loom, Ages 6+
$16.95

A favorite of ours since we opened our doors ten years ago.
This kit includes enough multi-colored loops to make 2 potholders, a sturdy 7 x 7″ loom frame made of metal not plastic, and 2 helping hooks. Woolen yarn has been spun in the water powered, brick mill town of Harrisville since 1794. This small village is nestled in the Monadnock Highlands of southwestern New Hampshire and is the only industrial community of the early 19th Century that still survives in America in its original form. In 1977, the Department of Interior designated Harrisville a National Historic Landmark


Green Toys Tugboat,  6 mo.+
$14.99

We love this 100% recycled Tugboat from Green Toys, all of which are made in the USA.

Embark on a cruise across the bathtub. Navigate the wading pool. Even splash around in the occasional mud puddle. There’s no end to the Good Green Fun™ young sailors can have with the Green Toys™ Tugboat. This colorful craft floats great, and has a wide spout to scoop and pour water. Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk containers that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, our trusty Tugboat is both good for the earth, and – most importantly – safe for the busy little folks who play there. No BPA, PVC, phthalates or external coatings. Packaged using only recycled and recyclable materials and printed with soy inks.

 

My Own Lemonade Stand (Daydream Play), Ages 2+
$39.95

“My Own Lemonade Stand™” is a foldable, ready-to-go storefront for your kiddies. It is tough and colorful: the top is laminated so it can handle an occasional spill. It’s easy to assemble, easy to clean, easy to store. The sharp design will attract customers and please the kids. It comes in three designs: Blue, Pink, and Green and Yellow Striped.

See our previous post about our contest throughout July to win a free Daydream Play lemonade stand. Post a photo on our facebook wall or to our twitter page of your family’s lemonade stand by August 1st to be entered!

100% American Made
Sustainable Materials
Phthalate & Lead Free

 

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Posted in arts & crafts, baby, bath and water, browse our inventory, five to six, for the environment, holiday, outdoors, seven to nine, three to four, twos | July 3rd, 2012 No Comments

We want to see your lemonade stands!

Win one of these!

Phew! It’s hot! Why don’t you cool down with some ice cold lemonade? July is a great time for kids to have a lemonade stand, and we want to see them! To encourage your kids’ entrepreneurial enterprises, we’re giving away a Daydream Play “My Own Lemonade Stand” with waterproof top–a $39.95 value (pictured above)! Post a photo of your lemonade stand on our facebook wall and you’ll be entered to win! Drawing will be on August 1st, so you’ve got the whole month of July.

The Daydream Play stand is 100% made in America and is free of phthalates and lead. It’s also made of sustainable materials, and to top it off the company donates 30% of their net profit to Rainforest Foundation. The “My Own Lemonade Stand” comes in 3 colors.

Lemonade stands are not only a great way to kill boredom on a summer day, but they are an opportunity for children to earn a little bit of money and to feel proud of their businesses. Plus, they’re so darn cute. So get squeezing and show us what you come up with! Winner will be announced August 1st on facebook.

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Posted in activities, arts & crafts, community, discounts/sales, events, family, five to six, for the environment, FREE, outdoors, pretend play, seven to nine, ten and up, three to four, win! | June 29th, 2012 No Comments

It lights, it flies, it returns!

flash flyer $19.99

Here’s a cool new toy for summer days and nights: the AFO flash flyer! A spinning “boomerang” propelled by a pull of the cord, the flash flyer will return to you after soaring through the air. Its coolest feature, however, is that it lights up! Try it at night in the yard or take it to the beach after dinner for extra vacation fun. Our family tried it together this past weekend after dark and it provided truly spectacular excitement as the whirring, glowing red halo of light floated back to us. It comes in red and blue and creates a dazzling circle of light while aloft. Check out the video above.

The flash flyer will provide hours of delight (recommended for ages 7+), and will amuse boys and girls keen on Beyblades for its similar motion. It can fly up to 40ft. in the air! It performs best when outside, but it’s light enough that it can be used in appropriate indoor spaces without marring surfaces.

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Posted in it flies!, outdoors, seven to nine, ten and up, travel | June 13th, 2012 No Comments

NEW Melissa & Doug outdoor play toys

Dart Dolphin Kickboard $6.99

Melissa & Doug has a special line of toys that inspire kids to explore and have fun outside. We have new items and some old favorites that are sure to win summer after summer… all at a great price point for birthdays or anytime gifts.


Dart Dolphin and Spark Shark Kickboards, $6.99

These cute kickboards just arrived! They can be used in the pool or at the beach and are sure to encourage kids to keep kicking! The characters motivate younger children to gain confidence in the water  and older kids will invent many games to play with these swimming animals. At such a bargain price they can be part of a birthday gift, party favors, or just a surprise goody to ward off boredom on warm days. Ages 4+


Tootle Turtle Lawn Mower, $29.99

Get your tot moovin’ and groovin’ outside. She or he will love to push this mower along the grass or pavement and pretend to mow the lawn with daddy. A storage compartment, “fuel” tank, crank notches, and pull-cord that sets off a real motor sound will provide plenty of ways to entertain your little one. Age 2+

 

Froggy Kickball, $9.99

These cute-faced, durable rubber balls are great at the playground or in the backyard. We also have Bollie Ladybug and Scootin’ Turtle. These balls are versatile and small enough for young kids’ hands to hold, making them perfect for kicking, bouncing, and catching. Ages 2+

Grub Scout Sprinkler and Blossom Bright Sprinklers, $19.99

Attach one of these to your garden hose for instant fun and cool satisfaction. At this price, the cute sprinkler (with grubs pictured above or pink blossoms, not pictured) can be a sweet and inventive birthday present for a friend or family member. Let your kiddos keep cool (and entertained) with fun and style. Ages 3+

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Posted in family, five to six, outdoors, pretend play, seven to nine, ten and up, three to four, travel | June 5th, 2012 No Comments

Lemonade Day Boston: May 5, 2012 photos

lemonade for sale!

Lemonade Day Boston, May 5, 2012 in front of the Wellesley store
Nicholas’ lemonade stand

 

On May 5th Nicholas, above, participated in Lemonade Day Boston sponsored by Babson College by having this FANTASTIC lemonade stand in front of our Wellesley store. What a budding entrepreneur!

On that Saturday, there were nearly 1,000 lemonade stands launched by Boston area kids. The event was attended by Babson President Schlesinger, Former New England Patriot founder, Matt Chatham, Lisa Donovan of Kiss 108’s Matty in the Morning Show and Chacarero Owner, Juan Hurtado. It was a success!

The idea of the event is to teach: “business basics, teamwork and self-direction to elementary and middle school students. Lemonade Day also teaches the power of philanthropy…” Children had the option of sharing a portion of their earnings with local charities.

We hope to see dozens of more lemonade stands as the season warms up to a peak! And what a great idea to not only help your kids realize that they have the power to earn money, but to then encourage them to give a portion to charity (no matter how small). Send us photos of your own lemonade stands throughout the summer or post to our facebook wall. We would love to see!

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Posted in activities, community, events, family, outdoors | May 23rd, 2012 No Comments

How to measure a jump rope

8-ft. Jump Rope $5.99

To celebrate Valentine’s Day and National Hearth Month, take 20% off all jump ropes tomorrow at both stores! Have a sweet and healthy 14th!

But for safety, here’s how to measure a jump rope for your child:

1. Have them stand on the rope in the middle.
2. The handles should come up just short of the armpits.
3. Pull it up and knot it there.

If you are at the store and trying to decide which one to buy, here’s a guideline: according to jumprope.com, a 7-foot rope is ideal for kids up to 4 feet, 10 inches tall, and an 8-foot rope works for children up to 5 feet 3 inches tall. Use 9-foot ropes for kids who are up to 5 feet 10 inches tall. Read more here. We offer two sizes: 8 ft. for $5.99 and 16 ft. for $11.99, both of which you can trim down to size.

Jumping rope is an excellent way to break from the screen and get some fresh air and exercise – get hopping!

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Posted in discounts/sales, five to six, outdoors, seven to nine, ten and up | February 14th, 2012 No Comments

Two new action toys we love

Waboba Streetball $9.99

Waboba, the makers of the ball that bounces on water, have introduced a new outdoor ball, this one for land. The Street Ball is a geometric oddity with many sides, so you don’t know where it will bounce! About the size of a tennis ball, it’s great for Wall Ball. Or bring it to the playground and see what it does.
$9.99. Ages 8+

We’re also super excited about FyrFlyz, which recently won the Platinum Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award. From the creators responsible for Magna Doodle, FyrFlyz (pronounced “fire flies”) is an updated take on the Yo-yo that lights different colors in the dark. Kids, tweens, and teens, can use it to perform different tricks, much like a yo-yo, except there are two strings to hold and the motion is horizontal, not vertical. While the central objects spin they draw lines of colored light, making a picture of whatever trick is being done. There are so many tricks to learn! Watch the video below for an introduction and an idea of some of the tricks that are possible:
$10.99. Ages 8+

 

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Posted in it flies!, outdoors, seven to nine, ten and up | October 20th, 2011 No Comments

It’s August!

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

We hope you enjoy the waning weeks of summer! from LittleBits and family (right).

Posted in family, outdoors, travel | July 31st, 2011 No Comments

Seaside Toy Picks from Mendocino, CA

Sand digger two-pack $4.99

Papo pirate and Sand digger by Spielstabil

Papo pirate and Sand digger by Spielstabil

On a recent summer trip with the family to Mendocino, CA we visited Village Toy Store.What a warm and charming place. Our young laddies (aged two and four) picked out catapults and pirate figurines from PAPO–a perfect choice for by the sea. And, of course, Village Toy Store had a great selection of kites too!

This is one of the most coolest and most efficient sand diggers we’ve ever seen (below right) – virtually indestructible and ergonomically correct. A bargain at 2 for 4.99!

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Posted in five to six, outdoors, seven to nine, three to four, travel, twos | July 31st, 2011 No Comments