meta-dad » toys

Pirate Ships Attack!

Meta-Dad — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:19:02 +0000

Happy Squash Toys are all entirely hand-crafted by Jim and Jenise from Hillard, Ohio, they’re a true ‘Mom & Pop’ operational. They make wonderfully original designs, never from a pattern. All toys are made of poplar wood with oak axles and all paints and finishes are applied by hand and are lead free and non-toxic.

Seems that the legislation that was recently enacted to protect us the Consumer from lead-filled toys puts the smaller toy makers at risk. The third-party testing portion of the bill adds a costly leg to the toy-making process for companies like this and may squeeze many of them out of business. While lobbists and industry are busy raising fists at each other, we should be helping out the small companies that consistently craft good safe stuff. There are two great reasons to shop from a place like Happy Squash, they make unique & safe hand-crafted toys at a good price and we need to support these smaller shops anyway we can or they will simply disappear.

HappySquashToys @ Etsy.Com

6-in-1 solar-powered transformer toy

Meta-Dad — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:30:31 +0000

It’s about time they came up with a transformer toy that actually ‘does’ something. The 6 in 1 Educational Solar Kit, an excellent beginner building kit designed to teach how solar power is used to drive a small motor. Kids use the 33 snap together parts (no tools required) to build six different working models including an airboat, windmill, puppy, and two different planes.

It’s very inexpensive [under $20 bucks], clear easy to follow instructions, a great self-contained take-home project, challenges young people to be technically precise with miniature parts and hours of fun experimenting with solar energy.

$16.95 [+shipping] via Carl’s Electronics

Non-toxic bath toys for the tots

Meta-Dad — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:30:22 +0000

Times are changing but I have found it is still hard to find non-toxic toys that are free of phthalates, BPA and PVC which are the standard for most soft plastic or rubber toys on the market. Of course there are standard wood toys and a few classics, but few true gems.

One of the rising stars is the Boon line which is surprisingly accessible, meaning, I have found their stuff at Target, as well as Amazon. Specifically, the Boon Scrubble toy is a playful lil’ set that will encourage the kids to scrub and squirt there way through their bath-time routine.

I will introduce you to additional non-toxic bath toys as I stumble upon them. Feel free to drop me a line or comment if you know of some great affordable products out there. In the meantime, you may want to consider dropping $8 bucks and replacing that classically toxic rubber duck in you bathroom.

Boon Scrubble $10 bucks [+shipping] at Amazon.Com
All Natural Rubber Ducks at Amazon.Com

Additional Articles:
The ebb and flow of toxic toys
5 cool & affordable eco-friendly kids gifts
All-natural teether for the tots

Plush toys recalled by Old Navy

Meta-Dad — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:30:53 +0000

Old Navy has voluntarily recalled their recent line of plush toys on concerns of the button eyes posing a potential choking hazard. The stuffed animals and creature toys in question are made out of cotton and have plastic button eyes. They come in a variety of styles, such as a rabbit, penguin and reindeer.

Unlike most recalls I have seen, Old Navy is offering customers who return these recalled toys to any store before July 1st, 2009 for a full refund, they will receive an additional $5 coupon toward a future Old Navy purchase. Nice touch.

If you think you own one of these (or someone you know), please follow the link to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Press Release to check the style number listed. If you do, you can contact Old Navy toll-free at (866) 580-9930, or or e-mail the firm at custserv@oldnavy.com.

Sited Links:
CPSC Press Release | Old Navy Recalls Stuffed Toys; Button Eyes Can Detach…
Old Navy, Customer Service | Recall Information

Clever modern green toys

Meta-Dad — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:30:02 +0000

To me, the problem with most eco-friendly toys is that they lack the same level of visual fancy that their phthalate stuffed, lead choked plastic counterparts have. Is it the limited palette of materials? Perhaps. Is it a general lack of robust design, in this growing corner of the toy industry? Maybe.

Occasionally, I stumble upon some beautifully designed pieces and here is a small round-up of recent finds. I tend to look for stuff that has a strong visual design, that doesn’t cost a lot. Here are three of my favorites right now.

This all-natural wood Rolling Turtle push toy (*pictured above) from Nova Toys is fantastic for babies and toddlers alike. Watch the striped ball on the Large Rolling Turtle’s back spin as he is drawn forward by his head or pushed by the tail. Kids and adults alike will love to watch these roll!

Rolling Turtle $28.90 [+ shipping] @ Nova Toys

Rolling Turtle $20.78 [+shipping] by Haba @ Amazon

The Wind-up Dragster at Rosie Hippo Toys really does move out, and the rear wheels have a rubber tread for gripping action. At this great price you can get two and have your own drag races. Hardwood, almost 7″ long.

Wind-up Dragster $10 [+ shipping] @ Nova Toys

Also at Rosie’s is one of my favorite riders, the Skuut Balance Bike. It has a simple approachable design. It is the perfect size and shape for toddlers, and it has no peddles or brakes so it is a great way for them to learn control and balance.

Skuut Balance Bike $89 [+shipping] @ Rosie Hippo Toys

Skuut Balance Bike $81.99 [+ shipping] @ Amazon

Smart Gear Wooden Balance Bike $79.99 [+shipping] @ Amazon

Mini Automoblox racing and building kits

Meta-Dad — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:30:28 +0000

The Automoblox Company manufactures a premium wooden toy construction system based on automobiles. They combine the timeless warmth of classic, natural wood and modern materials with advanced car styling.

A scaled down version of full-sized ones, the Mini Automoblox line is “future-retro” styling that fits in the palm of your hand. And its new universal connector system enables a rapid interchange of parts, further accentuating the fun factor of creating different cars styles.

Unique building system lets kids design their own cars
Combines heirloom quality and old-world values with contemporary design
Teaches creative problem solving, gross and fine motor skills, and visio-spatial processing
Removable plastic connectors teach shape recognition and color matching
Pieces mix and match with other Automoblox sets

Automoblox vis a vis Amazon.Com

Cool Modern Toddler Puzzles

Meta-Dad — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:00:54 +0000

This 10 piece hand-crafted puzzle stands up to brighten any room. As beautiful to look at as it is fun to play with, this makes an excellent first puzzle!

Kids love to play with the pieces like a playset, parents love the puzzle as room decor. Made with lead free, child safe paints and constructed from plantation-grown rubberwood, an environmentally-friendly hardwood.

Ages 3+

On Sale at Monkey Grass for $25 [+ shipping], usually $30

Modern Rocking Horse

Meta-Dad — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:00:47 +0000

Best known for his sleek wooden toy racing cars designer, Ulf Hanses of Playsam has created another modern classic with his interpretation of a rocking horse done in high luster red or black (pictured above).

$170 [+shipping] at Huset.Com
Playsam USA Resellers List [*you may be able to find a cheaper price elsewhere]

Clint Eastwood Minimates Action Figure

Meta-Dad — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:00:37 +0000

Based on a classic Eastwood western, the Clint Eastwood; The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Minimates Box Set features entertaining characters from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Don’t let these gunslingers get away!

They have put the Mini-mates spin on this classic Western! Bring your favorite Wild West gunslingers to life with this Minimates box set based on the 1966 spaghetti-western classic! Featuring the Good Blondie, the BadAngel Eyes and the Ugly Tuco as they search for buried gold, this set also includes Showdown Blondie from the epic final standoff! Sculpted and designed by Art Asylum, each 2-inch tall Minimate features 14 points of articulation and sculpted accessories!

So cool.

Clint Eastwood; The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Minimates Box Set at Amazon.Com ($16 bucks [+shipping])

Hey Dads, Need Some Last Minute Gifts…

Meta-Dad — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:00:14 +0000

We all procrastinate, that’s okay, so long as it gets done time and the job is done well, right. When it comes to holiday shopping there’s no exception. Here’s a quick list of five affordable gift ideas for the family with an emphasis on everybody in the family. They are simple ideas to help spark some memorable gifts.

Baby Leg & Arm Warmers – I love these things! I have written about them before. They protect Baby’s elbow and knees when they’re crawling about, they provide an additional layer of warmth, and they make diaper changes super quick. Get them for the newborn, baby or toddler! I am a big fan of the selection at BabyLegs (between $7-$21, most $7-$12) but due to their popularity you can now find them at places like Amazon and Target.

Framed Personal Photos – Take a minute to burn a CD with some favorite family photos, either jump in the car and take them to be printed, print them yourself or upload them to Shutterfly (or the likes of), next buy a single frame or a set of frames at your favorite store and viola, you have a thoughtful gift of memories that the wife, grandparents or the in-laws will adore.

Classic Toys Under $10 – There’s a number of classic toys (*that aren’t choked with phthalates or dipped in lead-heavy paints) that I would recommend for either stocking stuffers or as solid little holiday gifts for your favorite niece or nephew when visiting for the holidays. There is a solid list of classic inducted into the Strong National Museum of Play (here are a few);

Gardening Starter Set – Get a good sized planters pot and fill it with the following; a few bag of seeds (flowers, herbs are very hearty and forgiving), a hand shovel and rake, gloves, and if you want to make the kit complete buy yourself a small bag of soil and put it into a zip-lock freezer bag.

Or, if you’re like me and running out of time or don’t want the DIY approach, check out the cute Kids Gardening Kits that are available online (starting at $20 [+ shipping]).

Emergency Play & Craft Kit – I have recently written a post about this ingenuous piece of packaging. The Momergency Kit is a bag filled with stuff. Stuff your kids can use to do various activities and craft to pass the time when your stuck at the airport, waiting in holiday traffic or just killing time. Granted the DIY Dad in me is tempted to run to an office supply store and make one myself, the most redeeming aspect of this little gem is that a portion of the proceeds go to the Heifer International to fight poverty and hunger.