Present Professor » boys

A Game. No, It’s Not a Video Game. It’s a Game Game. Yes, They Still Exist. Yes, They’re Still Fun.

carli — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:51:44 +0000

The classic Ker Plunk game updated to include those unabashedly adorable aliens from Toy Story. The strategy is simple; the game, addictive: Players take turns removing sticks from the “rocket ship” and try to avoid the kerplunkety action of the little plastic aliens tumbling to the floor. Whomever is responsible for the fewest fallen little green men is the winner.

Toy Story Ker Plunk Game, $18.19 at Amazon.com.

What About Bob the Builder?

carli — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:51:04 +0000

As in, did you know that everyone’s favorite construction cartoon this side of Handy Manny is now the star of his very own stage show? The 90-minute musical extravaganza has an environmental theme and includes Scoop, Dizzy, Lofty and the rest of the gang.

A trip to a live show makes a great gift for a child: The experience will be a memory they won’t soon forget, and you keep yet another toy from clogging your home. To find when Bob the Builder is coming to a city near you, check out this TicketMaster Web site.

And if Bob’s not your thing, there are many other “ticketed” events to that make great gifts, from rock concerts to Broadway shows (Telecharge.com), to ice shows to Monster Truck shows to hockey games to. . . well, you get the idea. Not only does your loved one get treated to live entertainment, but they’ll get to spend some quality time with you. And after all, isn’t that the greatest gift?

And hey, a giveaway! We have two tickets to Bob the Builder Live! Spud’s Big Mess on May 30, 2009 at 2 p.m., at the Beacon Theater in NYC. To enter, leave a comment below and tell us the best live event you’ve ever seen. Good luck!

The sweepstakes has ended. Congratulations to winner Jackie H.!

It Only Goes To Show What Little People Can Do

carli — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:59:09 +0000

Back in the day, Fisher-Price Little People were actually little. Heck, they were originally made out of wood. And they made Little People versions of Sesame Street characters. And I had to walk 3 miles in the snow uphill (both ways!) just to get to the toy store to buy them.

Over the years, the Little People went through several changes–the current larger folks bear almost no resemblance to the originals, long since abandoned due to choking concerns. But now, Fisher Price has released 50th anniversary Little People sets very much like the originals. . . only not as little. . . ’cause, you know, the choking thing. Available are the farm, schoolhouse, and house set (a Target exclusive). All are portable, providing big on-the-go fun for your little person. (Target, $14.99)

Gift List: Books for Tweens

carli — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:30 +0000

1. Middle School is Worse Through Meatloaf: A Story Told Through Stuff ($10.18)
Through instant messages, letters from Mom, bank statements, to-do lists, report cards, and more, we learn the story of 7th grade Ginny as she navigates life’s ups and downs. Ginny struggles with some serious family issues, but the book is an overall delightful read.

2. Cool Stuff Exploded ($16.49)
More deconstructed than actually blown up, Cool Stuff features fabulous pictures and clearly-written text that help demonstrate how several high-tech items work. Included among the many gadgets and gears: a Seahawk helicopter, racecar, piano, and a wind turbine. Chapter introductions shed light on the items’ significance to our world.

3. In Your Face 3D: The Best 3-D Book Ever ($13.57)
Spectacular photos from seemingly every sport under the sun (football, rock-climbing, BMX, etc.) in stunning 3-D. The included glasses can also be used on Sports Illustrated For Kids’ Web site.

4. Paper Fashions Fancy ($14.93)
For the aspiring Project Runway champ, your budding fashion designer can use the stencils included with the book to design their winter collection–then bring their art to life with the decorated paper, beads, and sequins. There are even tiny little hangers for preserving each masterpiece. (Not included: Tiny little Next Top Model.)

5. Monsterology: The Complete Book of Monstrous Beasts ($13.59)
Following in the footsteps of previous “ologies” (Pirateology, Dragonology), Monsterology takes readers deep into the fantasy world of griffons, sea serpents, unicorns, and more. Written as a journal of the fictional Dr. Ernest Drake, the book is filled with sketches, maps, observations, and the ology-trademark secret treasure-filled flaps. Readers will find gems, “unicorn mane,” and even textured patches of “monster skin.”

Check out our complete list of Gift Lists here.

I’ve Got the Whole World. . . and That Includes The Stars

carli — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:46:19 +0000

I love globes. I think they make great gifts for anyone. Sometimes I like to look for countries I’ve hardly heard of. . . countries like Turkmenistan and Gabon and Canada.

But the Kids Glow Star Globe doesn’t stop at giving you the world. Turn off the lights, and you’ve got the moon and the stars and the planets as well, as the globe converts to a personal planetarium, minus the admissions fee and celebrity voiceover (although I hear you can hire William Shatner, for a hefty salary).

$39.99 at Target. (Available in most Target and toy stores as well.)

Gift List: Great Toys For Tween Boys

carli — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:04:04 +0000

See how I managed to rhyme “toys” with “boys?” You ain’t seen nothing yet. Wait till you see what I do with “dads” and “grads.”

1. Air Hogs Zero Gravity remote control car, $24.95

2. Nerf Dart Tag Strikefire 2-Pack, $26.99

3. Wild Planet Spy Wire Game, $14.98

4. Star Wars Transformers Crossovers Republic Gunship/Clone Pilot, $14.95

5. Tabletop Foosball Table, $59 + free shipping

We List You A Merry Christmas. . . and A Happy Chanukah, New Year, Winter Solstice, Festivus, etc.

carli — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:10:08 +0000

Now that we’re really into the nitty gritty of the gift-giving season, I’m introducing a new feature on Present Professor: Gift Lists. The lists will be fast and furious–click on each link if you want to know more about the items presented. Over the coming days and next few weeks, you’ll find lists dedicated to gifts for tweens, children of the eighties, dedicated bakers, sports fans, and more. If there’s anything you’d like to see, please suggest a gift list! (I’ll also continue to write longer pieces on individual gifts.)

In honor of this new feature, and in honor of it being Monday, we’re having a GIVEAWAY! The giveaway is an item that I haven’t featured on any of my lists–in fact, it’s hard to find anywhere. This week’s giveaway? Two Bakugan Starter Packs. (You can read my review of Bakugan here. You can read more and watch a video here.)

To enter, browse our new Gift Lists. Then leave a comment on this post saying which item you’d most like to give or receive this holiday season.

But wait, there’s more! I just know there are folks out there in Cyberland who need gift-giving advice. And here I am, a Professor of Giftology, a goofy title I egotistically bestowed on myself, twiddling my thumbs. So this week, if you ask the Present Professor to help you find a gift for your aunt or son or imaginary friend or secret pain or your brother, you’ll get an extra entry into our giveaway. And if I answer your question, you’ll get a third entry–so make ‘em good!

Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

Band in Berlin. . . Or Wherever You Live

carli — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:37:06 +0000

Band in a Box set includes 6 little wooden instruments for 6 little human hands. Hands not included.

From Land of Nod, $24.95, Ages 3+

8 Is Enough

carli — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:43:17 +0000

Plush Menorah with removable candles.

Much, much safer than cuddling with a real lit menorah.

$15 at The Jewish Museum Shop

Sock it to Three

carli — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:14:33 +0000

Stream of consciousness thoughts on LittleMissMatched socks, available for the whole family:

Three socks.

Two feet.

One sock stays home.

None of them match.

That makes it fun.

These particular knee highs cost $12.

There’s also anklets and fuzzy socks and tights and other stuff. Yay.

I think I want some cocoa now.

How about those Mets?

Did you see Grey’s Anatomy last week? It was, like, poignant.

Visit LittleMissMatched.com for a complete catalog, to order, or to locate stores in your area.