Archive for July, 2012

Camp, camp, and more camp

Thinking Putty $2.99

Do you have kids at sleepaway camp? Here are some of our favorite goodies from the store that you can include in care packages to your camper. Think: coolest parents ever.

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty, $2.99. Ages 3+

This is the stress relieving, hand exercising, mind expanding, totally fun and addicting Thinking Putty! Crazy Aaron says, “There’s nothing silly about Thinking Putty!” This wild putty comes in fascinating varieties including glow-in-the-dark, thermochromic Hypercolor and more.

Swish, $12.99. Recommended 8+

A fantastic new game from Thinkfun that all fits into a small carry pouch. Swish is a clear deck of cards with different patterns on each–some are “balls” and some are “baskets”. The goal of this visual game is to “swish” the balls into the baskets of the same color by stacking cards on top of each other and allowing the circles to line up. Your campers will love playing this during quiet time in their bunks!
Unhinged, $14.99. Recommended 8+
 
Unhinged is a folding puzzle made of 10 hexagons that the player flips and twists to match one of 40 challenges. Kids who enjoy Rush Hour will also like this tactile puzzle. Ideal for single player, but Unhinged is certainly a puzzle that friends and siblings can help with. Also perfect for quiet time, or it can fold up and travel with your camper!

Write it! Camp Stationery, $7.99

If your camper won’t write to you on regular paper, try sending him this seal & send stationery, which includes 40 letters and 48 stickers! Multiple choice answers and pre-formatted fill-in-the-blanks make it fun for your camper to write home. We have a whole selection of traditional stationery as well, so come take a peak!

Smarties Candy pillow, $24.95. Ages 3+
This is sure to make your camper smile! You might not be able to send real sweets to your camper, but this will pass by the mail inspection, and your little camper will think of you when she hugs this sweet-tasting pillow goodnight.

The unbalanced, balance game!

Suspend $16.99

Melissa & Doug has come out with a great new game for kids 8+ that’s perfect for family game night or even as a travel game for family vacation. The point of Suspend is to balance 24 notched wire pieces on each other, starting from the stand. It might look easy, but it stumped us the first few times. The result, if you can get to the end, looks like an Alexander Calder mobile! It’s a real challenge that will engage older kids (and parents) over and over. All the pieces fit into a convenient cylinder that travels easily. Try tucking it into a care package for your camper. At this price point, it’s a steal, too.

Game play is for 1-4 players and there are several variations to try. It’s sort of like reverse Jenga! Remember: only one hand to move a piece? That’s rule #1.

Suspend was featured on the Best Toys Guide for Best Games of 2012. We want to give a shout out to Dr. Robert Nardone for alerting us to how cool this game is! So, have fun!

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