Present Professor » toy

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.

Band in a Bucket, Okay in Berlin

carli — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:27:20 +0000

First Act makes some really nice instruments for the pint-sized Picasso. (That sentence would have made sense if Picasso was a musician and not a painter, but it sounded good.) I’m partial to the Band in a Box, which includes a harmonica, egg shakers, a tambourine, a wooden kazoo, and more.

The kazoo even comes with a 34-page instruction book. Perfect for the aspiring professional Kazooer. Kazooist? Oh, who am I kidding? That’s not a real job.

Band in a Bucket Holiday Edition, $19.99 at Toys R Us.

Also shown: First Act Percussion Pack, $29.99 at Toys R Us.

I-Dog. You Human. But We Can Be Friends, K?

carli — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:15:55 +0000

When I was a kid, I wanted a dog. . . like, really badly. My mother saw this and decided to pretend she was allergic to dogs until I was 18. She also bought me a plush dog every birthday, which I guess was supposed to make me feel better but was really just, like, “Here, little Present Professor. Let me pour a little hydrochloric acid into your paper cut.”

Maybe if she’d given me this i-dog Plush Puppy speaker, I wouldn’t have been so upset. It’s cute and cuddly and will play music from an ipod, CD player, or most any music source. The sound isn’t fantastic, but it’s decent enough for a kid’s room.

I bought this for my 7-year-old niece for Chanukah. I hope it’ll be a nice accessory for her new ipod. And if not, I’ll take it. It’ll go well with the dozens of other stuffed dogs I have, floating on a river of tears and resentment.

i-dog Soft Speaker, $14.99 at Target stores and Target.com.

Woodn’t It Be Nice?

carli — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:16:42 +0000

Is there anything as classic as a set of hand-crafted wood building blocks? No bells, whistles, batteries, LEDs, CFLs, or PAM*s required. Just an imagination and a desire to build things. And then to knock them down and build again.

The set of 24 blocks in walnut, maplele, and cherry comes boxed and ready to give. And as with every purchase made from Little Sapling Toys, a tree will be planted for every purchase made. Your day to water it is Tuesday.

Block set from Little Sapling Toys, $20+ shipping.

*Parental assembly meltdown

Baby Love, My Baby Love

carli — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:20:18 +0000

Your baby may be oblivious to the commercialization of February 14 we call “Valentine’s Day,” but that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t have something soft and smooshy to chew on. Heart rattle from Yellow Label Kids (also available in yellow and blue), $8.99 at Oompa.

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: Sock It To Me, Monkey

carli — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:42:39 +0000

1. Sock Monkey 2009 Wall Calendar ($13.71, Amazon)

2. Sock Monkey Slippers ($14.99, Target)

3. Gift Box of 10 Sock Monkey Cards ($25 at Etsy)
Choose from the SockMonkeyCards store’s numerous designs. (If the gift box isn’t available, contact the seller–they will likely relist it for you.)

4. Sock Monkey Dreams: Daily Life at the Red Heel Monkey Shelter ($10.17, Amazon)
Humorous account of the life and times of various sock monkey characters

5. Original Sock Monkey Toy ($14.99 at ThinkGeek)

Be sure to check out the rest of our Gift Lists.

Gift List: Baby Gifts The Baby Probably Doesn’t Already Have

carli — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:58:14 +0000

1. Rockabye Baby: Lullaby Renditions of the Rolling Stones ($13.99, Amazon)
Also available: Lullaby renditions of The Beatles, U2, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, The Eagles, Bob Marley, Coldplay, and more. No, seriously.

2. Taggies Clickety Twist ($13.99, Amazon)
Texturally stimulating rattle makes fun “clicking” noise when baby twists one of the three colorful sections.

3. Baberoo Organic Cotton Socks ($12.55-$13.99, Amazon)
In a variety of styles, including ballet slipper and nautical stripe. (Some styles in very limited quanities.)

4. Le Sac Baby Igloo 500 ($116-$136 based on size, Land Of Nod)
Cozy insulated fleece sac keeps baby warm and cozy, while you brave the wind and the cold and the rain. Babies have it goooood.

5. Diaper Dude Mini Diaper Bag ($36, Amazon)
Worn on the waist or as a messenger bag, the Mini Diaper Dude holds two diapers, wipes, and bottles for dads on the go.

Be sure to check out the rest of our Gift Lists.

Gift List: Great Gifts To Build With

carli — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:31:39 +0000

1. Magnext 100 Count MagnaCase 360 ($14.99, Amazon)

2. LEGO Pink Brick Box ($14.99, Amazon)

3. Fantasy Blocks From Haba ($36.99, Oompa)

4. Tinkertoy Classic Jumbo Set ($19.99, Amazon)

5. Eames House of Cards ($25-$35, MomaStore.org)

6. LEGO Creator Mini Jet ($4.99, ToysRUs)

Be sure to check out the rest of our Gift Lists.

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.)