Posted by Joe on Apr 1, 2009 in
Green Toys,
Plush,
Toy Fair 2009 This is part of a series of posts related to my recent trip to the American International Toy Fair in New York City.
I’ll admit I knew about these before Toy Fair. My mom has the whole set. But the people at the booth were some of the friendliest at the show, so they’re worth talking about!
Idbids are “Green Toys. Each plush is made from 100% organic cotton colored with all natural dyes. They promote being kind to the earth and taking “iddy biddy steps” which make “a biggie big difference” in saving the earth.
The three plush (Scout the Cloud, Lola the Flower, or Waverly the Raindrop) can be purchased separately or in an “Eco-Friendly Starter Kit” that includes an organic cotton backpack, field guide (which includes 10 iddy biddy steps kids can complete), color storybook, and access to the online portion where kids can receive a certificate of achievement when they complete their iddy biddy steps, as well as choosing which of three charities to help out.
They’re a great gift idea! And they help the earth too! It’s the only one we’ve got! Check them out at Idbids.com!
Tags: Green Toys, idbids, lola, scout, Toy Fair 2009, waverly
Posted by Joe on Mar 1, 2009 in
Food,
Toy Fair 2009 This is part of a series of posts related to my recent trip to the American International Toy Fair in New York City.
Ok, so this post isn’t about toys, it’s my blog, I can do what I want..
One day this year we skipped the usual hot dog vendor and a friend suggested Jackson Hole. I hadn’t heard of it either..
Literally a “hole”, a tiny restaurant a little bigger than my bedroom where the tables are basically next to each other. Don’t let that fool you. They always say good things come in small packages, this is no exception.
From breakfast to burgers to a full line of desserts, they’ve got it all, and each is even better than the last. if you’re in the city (they have six locations) definitely look them up!
http://www.jacksonholeburgers.com
and put a quarter in the jukebox for me!
Tags: Jackson Hole, Lunch, New York City, Toy Fair 2009
Posted by Joe on Feb 23, 2009 in
Plush,
Toy Fair 2009,
Toys This is part of a series of posts related to my recent trip to the American International Toy Fair in New York City.
But the sun rolling high;Â Through the sapphire sky;Â Keeps great and small on the endless round…Â Â *ahem*
They’re friends, and they eat each other! It’s a complicated relationship..
Meet Food Chain Friends
Created by Pintsize Productions, Each of these adorable plush has it’s own species name and backstory, as well as conveniently fitting in the stomach of the one a size bigger!
Pictured above is the “Alpha Series” (which you can purchase as the set of five or in smaller sets of two or three)
“The Fraaky, the tiniest creature of the Daro prairie, scurries to and fro, bonking into things and feasting on dust too small to see with the naked eye. His best friend and main predator is Skitter, with whom he loves to play a great game of tag. The Skitter is similar to the Earth rabbit in size. He likes to hop to great heights, but often bops his head on low hanging branches. His large ears allow him to hear things miles away. His favorite pal is the Sleeth, with whom he likes to play hide-and-seek. The Sleeth is a slug, snake like creature that slithers through the tall Daro grass. He loves to play games and can often be seen chasing his own tail! He eats anything in sight, especially the Fraaky! The Herkin is the furriest creature on Daro. He likes to roll around in the prairie grass to cool off on a hot summer day. He plays hopscotch with the Skitter on lazy days. And the Skitter is tasty too! The Lankum is a slow creature, but his tongue is fast and he loves to talk! The Lankum is shy and embarrassed by his appearance. He shares much more than a meal with the Herkin!”
Also available is the “Beta Series” (in a set of five or smaller sets of two and three)
“The Zezzel is the tiniest and most active creature in the Daro Forest. His favorite food is the moss of the Floober trees where he also takes cover inside the bark. The Skoodle looks very much like an earth snail. However, his shell is not completely hard, thus exposing his body through swiss-cheese like holes! He snacks on the bark of the Floober tree where he occasionally finds a delicious treat, the Zezzel! The Fergel is a lot like the Earth squirrel, but he has a very large mouth! He jumps among the Floober trees staying a step ahead of the Vextie! His favorite snack is his pal, the Skoodle. The Vextie is the fastest and sneakiest creature in the Daro Forest. He is reminiscent of an Earth lizard. He enjoys snacking on moss and Fergels and Skoodles and an occasional Zezzel! But he scatters when he sees a Frokol! The Frokol is a jolly creature, but rather dull. He loves to hear himself talk and rarely notices when someone creeps away from the conversation. He has vacuum-like lungs that can suck the bark off the Floober tree and little creatures, too!”
The depth and storyline behind each of these characters goes far deeper, all while teaching children science!
Be on the lookout for my personal favourite, the “Gamma Series”, available soon!
Tags: Food Chain Friends, Pintsize Productions, Plush, Toy Fair 2009
Posted by Joe on Feb 21, 2009 in
Toy Fair 2009,
Toys This is the first in a series of posts related to my most recent trip to the American International Toy Fair in New York City.
Quelf by Imagination Games is described as a new definition of random. Players take turns moving around the board choosing various cards such as “Roolz”, “Stuntz”, or “Scatter Brainz” and following the (totally random) instructions on them.
One card will have you singing songs of the sea while splashing water on your face, while another will ask you to name as many different things that give you a rash as you can possibly think of. Choose not to do a stunt, or fail, and pay a penalty (always moving back spaces, sometimes involving standing in a corner or wearing tin foil on your arm)
The absolute random nature of the cards makes for a unique and exciting experience every time you play!
They sucked me in with a giant Super Ninja Monkey and a Platypus
and the premise of winning a free copy just for volunteering to play a short game on a makeshift stage. Always ready to make a total fool of myself, I agreed.
My first task was to sing a childhood song (We went with Row Row Row your Boat) with my teeth clenched and while patting my head. (there is not, nor will there ever be, video =P) While my opponent was asked to name a word that sounded like Third, that rhymed with Bird, that could be Heard. (she came up with Curd..) I was then tasked with touching my tongue to my nose which is a lot harder than it sounds! My lacking a sense of humor opponent was asked to name the seven continents, of which she could only name three. And with that I was deemed winner! I’m hoping to round up a bunch of friends soon to play the full game, and I’m certain we’ll all have a blast!
If you’re looking for a party game and like Apples to Apples, Cranium, Zobmondo, or just really having a good time, Quelf is the game for you!
Tags: Board Games, Imagination Games, Quelf, Toy Fair 2009