Monthly Archives: April 2013

Can’t We Just Sleep on It? Pretty Please?

Getting little kids to settle down, go to bed, and actually stay there isn’t always easy—especially if a child is afraid of the dark (actually, very few are afraid of the dark itself, it’s what’s lurking in the dark that’s the problem). However, as we all know, having some kind of comfort item makes it a lot easier, whether it’s a blankie, a pacifier, a stuffie, a favorite dinosaur, or a tractor. This week we review several products that are designed to make bedtime (and sleep time) in your home positively dreamy.

Pillow Pets
pillow-petRemember when Pillow Pets were all the rage? Well, now they’re back with a number of fun new items, such as sweatshirts, slippers, night lights, and blankets, all made of super-soft chenille plush, and all sporting the friendly animal faces that make the original pets such an important part of bedtime for kids everywhere. Oh, and keep an eye out for the Pillow Pets toothbrushes and glow-in-the dark Pets. Really. Great for keeping the kids in bed or as a familiar friend to make it easier to fall asleep in the car or unfamiliar places. Depending on the item, Pillow Pets range in price from about $14.00 to $30.00. http://mypillowpets.com/

ScareMeNots
scare-me-notThe company says that ScareMeNots are made for kids who need a little help facing their everyday fears. And with names like Courageous Carrie and Knockout Ned, and Defender Dave, these friendly monsters actually work. They’ve been to school and know all the ways to protect your little one from any boogie men and monsters that may be lurking around or come out after mom and dad close the door at night and the lights go down. They may also be able to help a bit with bad dreams (the power of suggestion is an amazing thing, isn’t it?) ScareMeNots have multiple eyes so they can stay awake and watch over your sleeping—or fearful—child. And they have these great tails that make it easy to hang from just about anywhere or to tuck between mattress and box spring to guard against the evils under the bed. ScareMeNots have won several toy category awards and are available in travel size ($14.95) or full size ($24.99). http://www.scaremenot.com/

Shnoozles
schnoozles 008Shnoozles are award-winning, research-backed plush dolls that have patented eyes. Yes, patented. Unlike the eye-studded, always-awake ScareMeNots, Shnoozles eyes gradually close (by pulling gently on the eye lids), which shows kids it’s safe to do the same. By gently encouraging kids to stay in bed and fall asleep, Shnoozles make going to sleep something to look forward to. And by reducing nighttime tears and tantrums, these soft, adorable little guys also help parents reduce the stress they feel when dealing with a child who keeps popping up out of bed like a whack-a-mole. Most refreshing of all, in an age where just about everything has an app or batteries or buttons or buzzers, Shnoozles have none. Nothing that could inhibit sleep by keeping your child stimulated, nothing to wake him up if he rolls over it in his sleep. Shnoozles have won a number of awards for quality and innovation, including the Mom’s Choice Award and Creative Magazine’s 2012 Creative Toy Preferred Choice Award. Shah-Shah comes in pink and Shu-Shu in brown. Both come with a Sleepy-Time Rhyme book and retail for $24.99.  http://www.shnoozles.com/

Come Fly with Me: Remote Control Helicopters

This week, we review four different remote-control (RC) helicopters (there are so many more that we’ll be reviewing more in the not-too-distant future). Each is a little different, but they do have some things in common. To start with, you’re going to need a lot of batteries. In most cases, the remote control unit (not the actual helicopter) takes 6 AAs. The choppers themselves have rechargeable batteries that will give you 10-15 minutes of flight time between plugins. They also all have a built-in stabilizer (sometimes called a gyro) that, as one of the manufacturers put it, lets you focus on flying instead of on trying to keep it from crashing. Finally—and most importantly—they’re a fantastic way for dads and kids to have a ton of fun playing—and learning about the physics of flight—together.

 

Hercules Unbreakable Helicopter (World Tech Toys)

hercules unbreakable helicopter parents@playOne of the biggest complaints people have about RC helicopters is that they’re fragile—sometimes breaking on the first flight. The Hercules has resolved that issue by making something that is amazingly durable. We didn’t test their claim that the body can withstand 200 pounds of force, but we did crash the helicopter from altitudes that would have permanently grounded any other bird. The Hercules uses the standard dual-joystick controls: one side controls up and down and speed, the other controls front, back, left, and right.  Sounds complicated by you’ll get the hang within seconds. $82.95. http://worldtechtoys.com/

 

Cobra Air Combat Helicopter Set (Cobra RC Toys)

cobra RC fighter helicopters parents@playThis set takes RC flying to a whole new level by allowing pilots to compete head to head in a game of aerial laser tag. The set comes with two small, infrared-equipped helicopters, each with its own dual-joystick controller. But what makes this especially cool is that pilots shoot each other’s chopper with blasts of infrared beams. The first time you get hit, your bird starts spinning. The second time it spins the other way, and the third, it loses power and lands. Because maneuvering and firing takes more coordination and control, this one’s recommended for ages 14 and up (although my 10-year old daughter had no problem kicking my butt). $85.  http://www.cobratoys.com/

 

Force Flyer Motion Controlled Helicopter (Regal Elite)

force flyer motion controlled helicopter parents@playThe Force Flyer stands out by completely changing the way you fly. Instead of the dual-joystick controller, you use an accelerometer-equipped glove and a single, thumb-operated stick that controls speed and up/down.  The glove allows you to move forward, backward, left, and right just by subtly moving your hand the same way as if you were pretending that your hand itself was the chopper. Flying any of the RC helicopters is great fun, but Force Flyer makes the whole experience even better. Regal $35.95. http://forceflyers.com/

 

Puzzlebox Orbit

puzzlebox orbit brainwave controlled helicopter parents@playIf you think glove controls are amazing, get ready to pick your jaw up off the floor. The Orbit dispenses with joysticks and gloves and instead uses… your brain.  No kidding. Setting up the Orbit is a little more complicated than the others. You’ll need to download a free app and strap on a special EEG headset. Then, by clearing your mind and focusing at the same time (harder than it sounds but it’s completely doable and gets easier with practice), you achieve lift off.  Easily the most amazing flyer we’ve seen, the Orbit is actually less helicopter and more like set of rotor blades inside of a protective ball—a great feature. For now, the technology enables you to only get the helicopter to go up. But for the geniuses at Puzzlebox, it’s only a matter of time. $189.00. http://puzzlebox.info/

Making Science Cool

What image pops into your mind when you hear the word “scientist”? A nerdy guy or gal in a white lab coat hunched over a microscope? A wild-haired Albert Einstein look-alike mixing bubbling liquids in test tubes? Whether you thought of, we’re betting that you wouldn’t describe a scientist as “cool.” Unfortunately, that uncool factor keeps a lot of kid from going into science, and that may explain why the US is lagging so many other first-world countries in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math).  But there are a number of companies that have set out to turn those old stereotypes on their heads and make science cool. Besides being fun (and educational) for the kids, these science kits are also a fantastic way for parents and kids to play—and learn—together. Here are a few from Discover with Dr. Cool (www.discoverwithdrcool.com)

geodes parents@playBreak Open Real Geodes
When you first open up the box, there’s a moment of disappointment. All you find is a pair of safety goggles and plastic bag with six roundish rocks. But don’t be fooled: there’s a lot more here than meets the eye. We recommend that you and your child grab a hammer (not included), put on the safety goggles, go outside on the sidewalk, and crack open one or two of the geodes. Once your child has seen the beautiful crystals that are inside, she’ll be much more interested in reading the included Adventure Guide. The first thing you learn is that geodes are formed when gas bubbles get trapped in lava and are penetrated by minerals over millions of years. Knowing that those geodes are so ancient (and yes, they’re real) will make breaking open the next batch a lot more interesting.

dino excavating parents@play

Dino Dig Kit
Dinosaurs have fascinated people since the first bones were discovered about 200 years ago, and the Dino Dig Kit gives kids a small taste of what it’s like to be a paleontologist. Each kit contains a magnifying glass, a brush, a digging tool, and an egg-shaped plaster thing that’s painted to look like a T-Rex head.  It’s what’s inside that egg that’s so fun. Use the digging tool to chip away at the plaster, and inside, your young scientist will discover a real dino tooth, a small piece of actual dino bone, and some actual dino poop. Fortunately, all are fossilized. Because the plaster makes an incredible messes, we recommend that you do your excavating outside or, if you’re inside, cover your work surface with lots of newspaper. The included Adventure Guide gives a fun overview of what fossils are and how they’re formed, where they’re found, and even a brief discussion of dino poop (the scientific name is “coprolites,” and the biggest piece ever found was 2 feet long and 6.5 inches wide).
drcool pan for gold parents@playPan for Gold
As kids, we all learn about the California Gold rush and we’ve all seen plenty of pictures of miners squatting by the side of a river with a pie pan. If you’ve ever wondered how, exactly, you can find gold with a pie pan, you’ll love this kit.  It comes with an actual pan (plastic), two bags of “pay dirt” (which is more like sand), tweezers, and a magnifying glass. Most importantly, there are easy-to-understand instructions on how to use gravity, water, and the ridges on the inside of the pan to separate tiny nuggets and even tinier flakes (hence the magnifying glass and tweezers) from the sand. As with the other Dr. Cool kits, this one comes with an informative Adventure Guide and Activity Booklet with trivia, puzzles, and more.