droolicious : outdoors

Bug Your Gardening Kid

JeanneSager — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:32:00 GMT

If your thumbs are dyed a permanent black, but you're intent on raising a green girl or guy, we've got the set for you.

Drop this ladybug apron on their chest, and stick the little black gloves on their hands. From Sassafras, the Kids Ladybug Garden Set is packed with surprisingly heavy duty tools (the mini-rake - I think that's what it's called - has sharp points, so watch your kids like a hawk with this one).

OK, OK, with lack of gardening skills, I have to admit I'm just digging the cute red spotted handles on the tools. At least something in my garden looks good!

Get the whole set over at Chocolate Cake Club for $24.95.

Who Wouldn't Invest in Instant Gratification?

JeanneSager — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:25:00 GMT

If your kids are into instant gratification (and what kid isn't), why make them go through the whole pumping action in order to spray their buddies down this summer?

The Turbo Fill Blasters from Fisher-Price get their power from a pumping station that fills them up AND pressurizes them for maximum squirtage.

Good for kids who haven't gotten down that pump and squirt action, even better for parents who don't want to be filling up their kids' toys every five seconds, you can get it from Amazon for $34.99.

Might we suggest you invest in an umbrella too?

Moontent: Your Outdoor Room with a View

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:30:00 GMT

What adventurous little ones don't love the experience of camping overnight in the back yard? Okay, mine don't, but that's beside the point: With the Moontent's easy setup (it pops open in a few seconds, no assembly required) and two-person accommodations, you can keep the kids company while they get used to the great outdoors.

Despite what its name suggests, the Moontent also holds up well in the sun, thanks to its SPF 50 rating. Just don't expect it to perform well in a downpour -- that moon roof could get treacherous pretty quickly.

£31.49 (around $50 U.S.) from I Want One of Those.

Would You Spend $2000 on A Tepee?

SunnyChanel — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:45:00 GMT

Would you spend $2000, actually $2200, on a tepee for your kids? Yeah, me neither. But if you do a thing for tepees of an heirloom quality and you just happen to have that kind of money burning a hole in your pocket, you can pick up this tepee from Design Within Reach.

What makes this structure have such a high price tag? This top of the line tepee was designed Dave Ellis who started creating his own line of tents and tepees way back in 1982. He uses exceptional materials and the construction provides proper ventilation, is flame resistance and has reinforced stress points. It has a sewn-in floor that provides proper air flow and protects the interior from the elements. Yeah, I love a good old-fashioned tepee as much as the next person but for $2200? I wish they’d get rid of one of those zeros and they’d have a deal. You can check it out here.

Star Baby: Kingston is on a Roll

SunnyChanel — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:46:00 GMT

Looks like someone got something shiny and new for Christmas. Two ½-year old Kingston, the son of Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, showed off his new ride this week in Beverly Hills. Here he’s pedaling away confidently on his Trek Jet 12 2008. This study in steel bike for kids is a great step up from a tricycle. It comes with training wheels and a chain guard so they can learn safely how to ride a two-wheeler. You can pick one up from Goodale’s Bike Shop here for $179.99.

ABC Expo 2008: Little Life Animal Pack Backpacks

Chris Ford — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:32:00 GMT

OK. So my picture isn't the greatest, but the Animal Pack backpacks from Little Life are seriously cool. Well, more like seriously cute and useful, which together I suppose adds up to cool. A small daypack for your little hiker, a rain hood for fun and a tether for mom and dad? Never mind, it's seriously cool.

The Animal Pack comes in four animals (ladybug, cow, bee and turtle) and the hood of each is designed for each animal. So the bee has antennae, the ladybug has eyes etc. It's also designed for those parents who want a tether for their child and a have a child doesn't want to be tethered. "See Billy, I'm not putting you on a leash, it's just a fun backpack that daddy can hold on to at the same time!" (The tether is not for me, but I can see how it would be useful hiking).

It's been available in the UK for a while now, but it's coming to the USA on November 15th and will cost $40 to $42. It will be distributed by Rock Gear Distribution, but you can check out the product pages at LittleLife.co.uk.

ABC Kids Expo 2008: BBO2 Outdoor Kids Furniture from notNeutral

Chris Ford — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:00:00 GMT

I'm a big fan of children's product design group notNeutral, and at ABC this year they had a big announcement. Working off of their already extremely popular line of bedroom and playroom furniture "BB2", they've created a durable outdoor version of the table and chairs called BBO2.

The table and chairs are made of an extremely durable post-consumer recycled plastic that won't fade or chip. Which means all those soda and milk bottles that you've been dutifully recycling all of these years have been transformed into beautiful children's furniture. The table is square (as opposed to the round BB2); available in blue, green, and special order black, white, red and brown; and should be available in January of 2009. It's not cheap, the table should retail for around $455 and each chair will go for $180. But if you've been looking for a play set that your kids can also bring outside, then this might be for you.

Check out all the other notNeutral kids products over at notNeutral.com

7 Days of Outdoor Toys - The Fun Roller Outdoor Toy

SunnyChanel — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:08:00 GMT

Have you ever wanted to be the Vitruvian Man or maybe more humbly a hamster in their exercise wheel? Well here’s your chance. Live vicariously through your kids when they hit the hills with their “Fun Roller Outdoor Toy”. This four foot tall durable plastic circle of air-filled delight will keep the fun rolling and rolling and yes, rolling. Just keep them away from traffic, trees and a field of sharp nails, the mom in me of course can think of at least a dozen ways playtime could end in disaster, but at least it’ll be fun getting there. Get you’re here for $39.95. And it’s recommended for five and up so don’t even think of putting your little crawler in there.

7 Days of Outdoor Fun: My First Real Fly Rod

Chris Ford — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:04:00 GMT

I realize this one's fairly specialized, but I think it still qualifies for 7 Days of Outdoor Fun. My First Real Fly Rod is exactly that, a fully functional rod for "the next generation of fly fishers." Details after the break.

My First Real Fly Rod is a "mid-flex" 8'6" graphite fly rod, with chrome guides and an aluminum reel seat. A legit fly fishing rod also comes with a legit fly fishing price. You can buy just the rod for $89.00, or get the whole outfit (reel and rod) for $149.00. Someone to teach you how to actually fly fish is extra.

Check it out at Orvis.com.

7 Days of Outdoor Fun: Throw & Catch Ball by Crocodile Creek

Heather Kuldell — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:24:00 GMT

When you’re letting your chickens out of the coup to go free-range, they only need one toy: a ball. A ball, especially a non-sport-specific type, offers plenty of outdoor entertainment for just a little money ($8.49 for the 7-inch size). The Throw & Catch Ball says kids should, well, throw and catch, but they can play plenty of other games or hatch their own. I suggest any sort of kicking game because nothing makes greater boing-oing-oing sounds than a rubber playground ball. In my household, “who can kick the furtherest?” and “who can kick the highest?” are popular.

Also available in other colors and sizes.

Light Up the Night

Lisa Mulcahy — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:00:00 GMT

There’s something nostalgic about warm summer nights spent outside. Running through the grass chasing fireflies, campfires and backyard exploring come to mind. If you’re looking for something a bit more sophisticated than a flashlight to light the way for your little ones, check this out.

The Luau lantern from Vessel, $199, is a rechargeable light that can be used on the tabletop or to go. One charge lasts from six to 10 hours (depending on how bright you keep it on.) With the same brightness as a 50W bulb the Luau is perfect for nighttime strolls, camping or bug hunting.

BubbleBotz: Kid's First Robot?

Heather Kuldell — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:45:00 GMT

Robots rule -- at least until they become smart enough to figure out they don't need to obey man and take over the world. But I wouldn't worry about BubbleBotz turning on your kids. These little palm-sized robots have one function: blow bubbles. A lot of bubbles. The bot's arms and antenna are posable, and each one comes with a oil-can-like container of bubble liquid.

Available at Arsa Toys for $9.95, and don't forget 2 AAA batteries.

Bubble Party Essential: Little Kids' No-Spill Big Bubble Bucket

Heather Kuldell — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:04:00 GMT

I've never met a kid who doesn't love bubbles. Shoot, I still love bubbles. Like any good hostess, I like to be prepared for spontaneous bubble parties. The essentials are enough bubble juice and wands to keep the party going without fighting. I suggest filling up the Little Kids' No-Spill Big Bubble Bucket with this quick and easy recipe.

To make bubble juice, add 1/2 cup Joy or Dawn dish detergent to five cups of cold water. When I say Joy or Dawn, I mean the the old-school, non-antibacterial, non-aromatherapy versions. You can try other brands, but they don't seem to work as well.

The No-Spill Big Bucket holds 32 ounces of the juice and comes with three huge, chunky-handled bubble wands. And just to clarify, "no spill" doesn't mean sealed. The twist-off top does a good job of keeping the liquids in the container just in case it gets knocked over, but I'd empty it before you put it away post-party.

Available at Kazoo Toys for $12.99.

Get Up and Get Out on Sassafras Ladybug Rolling Stilts

Heather Kuldell — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:39:00 GMT

I’m down with video games until this time of year. It’s sunny, it’s spring, get your butts outside! This naturally means finding plenty of things to occupy young adventurers, like Sassafras Ladybug Rolling Stilts. They’re simple: rounded wood blocks offer a little extra challenge for older kids and make a satisfying clompy sound on concrete or asphalt. It’s not quite as good as the coconut/horse gallops of Monty Python, but what is?

Available on Amazon for $10.25.

Get Some New England Style in Your Own Backyard

SunnyChanel — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:27:00 GMT

With the thawing of the winter’s woes comes dreams of frost free spring and summer afternoons at the family compound at the “Cape”, sinking your teeth into freshly caught crustations and carefully peeled grapes while sipping sun brewed ice tea. Sigh. For those of you, like me, who weren’t born into a New England dynasty and who happen to live hundreds of miles from a cape of any size or shape, we can still share that waspy beachy fantasy with our kids with this child sized Vintage Adirondack Chair ($188). It’s handcrafted and already comes with that “weathered” look so you don’t have to wait to have it aged by the salty sea air.

Sassafras Duck Croquet Set Quacks Us Up

Heather Kuldell — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:03:00 GMT

If you’re looking for a relatively calm outdoor activity, croquet may be just the game. There’s no running, no catching, and no flying objects to keep an eye on. The Sassafras Duck Croquet Set is an adorable, painted wood mini-set that includes two mallets, four balls and four duck-and-rope wickets. Assuming the play is less competitive than Heathers, you can adjust the wickets to offer wider targets for little players. A net carrying bag is also included; tea and pâté are not.

Available on Amazon, $16.95.

Copterdarts: Lawn Darts That Won't Take An Eye Out

Chris Ford — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:48:00 GMT

When I was a kid we had "Jarts" or "Lawn Darts." My dad has even told me of a time when he and his friends used to play a game called "knive-sies" where they would throw screwdrivers up in the air and try to get them to stick in the grass. Eventually, I suppose, someone had to go and get impaled by a lawn dart, thereby ruining it for the rest of us. Apparently someone has gone and invented a safe solution that also looks fun to play - Copterdarts.

The idea is the same as Jarts was. You've got a target that you put on the lawn and you try to get your dart closest. The copter darts have wings that make them spin around, slowing their descent. They are also guaranteed to always land standing up.

Copterdarts by OgoSport have an MSRP of $30.00.

Little Ladybug Tells Mosquitos to "Bug Off"

crazedparent — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 13:04:00 GMT

I'm not a big fan of mosquito repellent, even though the little boogers are fond of my sons and me when we're out for an evening stroll. We live near a creek, so we do get our fair share of the bloodsuckers. I'm wondering if this baby-safe mosquito repellant (£11.00), guised as a cute ladybug, could do the trick. You can clip it to a stroller (or crib, if you happen to get bugs indoors) and it keeps mosquitoes at bay for a radius of 5 meters with a tone that's barely audible (according to the manufacturer

JoJoMamanBebe).

Eh, summers almost over. I can wait 'til next year.

(Hat tip: Babygadget)