droolicious : very big toys

AirborneMini Tuning: The Ultimate In Pimp-My-Bugaboo Stroller Style

Chris Ford — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Is your Bugaboo stroller just too average? Or did you buy it before you realized there were much newer and more expensive strollers out there? Or, maybe you (gasp!) received it as a gift? Well, if you are the victim of such first-world problems, then AirborneMini from Iacono Design has your solution. They make insanely cool aftermarket parts for Bugaboo strollers all machined out of aluminum - not the least of which are those sweet rims in the picture.

The idea is, much like a person might modify a motorcycle or car, you buy and install accessories or add-ons for your Bugaboo to make it cooler. AirborneMini Tuning currently has, in addition to the rims, five parts to choose from - a Billet Cup Holder, a Drop Axel, Custom Brackets, Wheel Bullets and a Billet Coaster Board. According to the web site you can purchase the parts individually or in packages. Unfortunately there is no price information, but there is a contact form to fill out if you're so inclined.

A drop axel kit with machined aluminum rims? I have to say that would look seriously badass.

Check it out at AirborneMini.com

Note: For those of you who were wondering (I was when I first checked it out), a "billet" is what you call the piece of metal before you "machine" it out into a useable working part. Usually it's used when referring to motorcycle parts, but hey, why not strollers?

Digital Recipe Reader Holds Secrets for Grandma's Fudge, 2,499 Others

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:04:00 GMT

Sure, having up to 2,500 beloved family recipes stored digitally could present even more of a hazard than filing them on cards if the kids start messing around with this digital recipe reader, but if you're looking to cut kitchen clutter (and don't mind dropping $300 to save some paper), go ahead and splurge. Besides the file, the reader also has three separate timers, along with conversion and substitition tools -- and considering it lets you upload and synchronize recipes online, you'll probably never lose Grandma's fudge recipe, anyway, even if your littlest mistakes the gadget for a video game.

$299.99 (ships early November) from Neiman Marcus.

Explore Space From the Comfort of Your Home PC

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:04:00 GMT

Hubba-Hubble: The Slooh Explore's remote-telescope interface.

If the kids or your budget can't yet handle a real working telescope, the Slooh Explore Space Prepaid Telescope Card lets you bypass both obstacles while still nurturing the whole family's inner astronomer. The card gives you a year's worth of connectivity (via your Web browser) to a high-powered observatory in the Canary Islands, virtually guaranteeing incredible, pristine-quality access to the night sky anytime you log in. And, unlike what you might run into with a real telescope, Slooh Explore answers the kids' tough questions, with audio segments, narration and alerts to upcoming space missions all being part of the interface.

$49.95 from Amazon.

Look Out! It's the Spy Gear Roll-In Blaster

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:04:00 GMT

Among the gazillion new levels of secret-agent coolness in Spy Gear's 2008 line, the Roll-In Blaster stands out -- and blows up -- as one of the coolest. You roll the softball-sized distraction into a room, and it dramatically stands itself up before exploding into pieces, complete with sound effects to fry Mom and Dad's last remaining nerves. That, of course, makes it all the more appealing to kids, as does the fact that they can rebuild it to wreak havoc again and again and again.

$11.99 from Amazon.

Very Big Toys: Monster Lab to Keep Halloween Going Through November

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:04:00 GMT

In Monster Lab, you play an Igor-style apprentice who's tasked with creating a Frankenstein of your very own out of some 150 monster parts. Sounds like any kid's dream Halloween game right? Well, you'll have to wait until Nov. 4 (or Nov. 30 for the PS2 version) to get your ghoul on, but we've got some teaser video and screenshots to keep you and the little monsters sated till then. Plus, if you're like me, the year pretty much ends after Halloween, anyway, so having something gruesome to look forward to in November is like finding an extra treat at the bottom of your candy bag.

Shown above, Eidos' trailer for the game can provide more context than these admittedly out-of-context screen shots do, but considering Monster Lab's basic premise -- make your monster; explore the land; seek out other monsters to clobber in battle; and embark on a series of quests and mini-games -- we don't suspect the game will take long to figure out:

Rated E10+, Monster Lab hits stores Nov. 4 for Wii ($39.99 from Amazon) and DS ($29.99 from Amazon), and Nov. 30 for PS2 ($29.99 from Amazon).

Very Big Toys: A Candy Grabber That Won't Rip You Off

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:04:00 GMT

Considering the surplus of Halloween candy many of us are about to inherit, it should be easy to keep this arcade-style tabletop Candy Grabber filled for some time after the 31st. Of course you can also fill it with organic sweets and healthy treats, but what's the fun in that?

$39.95 (or roughly 80 failed trips to the claw-grabber game in your local restaurant) from Firebox. (Candy not included.)

Very Big Toys: BuggyBoard Maxi Keeps Both Children On The Stroller

Chris Ford — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:01:00 GMT

This small wheeled board attaches to the back two wheels of your stroller, allowing older kids to ride behind the younger kids in the stroller up front. It's an idea I originally saw only on Bugaboo Strollers, but now with the BuggyBoard Maxi by Lascal you can use it on all kinds of strollers - probably the one you already have.

The Maxi is the newest version of the product, and it fits to umbrella strollers as well as larger prams. It has larger wheels, reflectors and a a "Lift-n-Store" system that gets it out of the way and off the ground when you're not using it. I use the Bugaboo version, and it's great for long walks with both of my kids. If you've got a new addition to the family and you want to keep both your kids moving on your stroller, it's definitely worth checking out.

BuggyBoard Maxi, $89.95 at RegalLager.com

Very Big Toys: Hot Wheels T-Rex Rampage Set Reviewed

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:04:00 GMT

Hot Wheels seems to have learned a lesson after its unfortunately, if aptly, named T-Wrecks play set kept falling apart: Take the T. Rex off the track if you want to give kids a dino set worth keeping. That said, the T-Rex Rampage Play Set is basically a collection of individual Hot Wheels City pieces with a plastic dinosaur added -- and while the individual pieces aren't much sturdier than any Hot Wheels play set before them, they're at least built to fall apart this time, with various trigger points that the dino can hit, Godzilla-style, as it makes its way through the city. (The electronic sound effects, which include roars, explosions and general sounds of destruction, are a nice touch.)

My boys, ages 5 and 8, put it through the paces and haven't gotten bored yet (which is saying something), and the only mildly frustrating experience so far has come via the helicopter mounted atop the skyscraper, which loves to come undone regardless of whether the T. Rex is attacking it. Their little brother, age 2, is obsessed with the set (particularly the car launcher) despite being proof positive of why the age recommendation is 4 and up: He unwittingly causes more damage than the dino anytime he sits down to play.

Here's hoping that someday Hot Wheels, Matchbox and their ilk will design play sets that are as strong as the cars they're built to accommodate, but for now, this is one of the more reliable sets out there. Damage counter starts at $39.99 from Amazon.

Very Big Toys: About That Razor Recall...

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:04:00 GMT

If you're one of the astute Babble readers who was wondering why we recently geeked out over a new Razor scooter that had been recalled, let us clarify: The Razor PowerWing is indeed under a recall due to a laceration hazard on the rear wing (fun!), but the affected models were made between 8/2007 and 8/2008. If you took our advice and picked up a PowerWing, don't panic: Check the product ID (IDs to worry about are Y708, Y709, Y710, Y711, Y712, Y801, Y802, Y803, Y804, Y805, Y806, Y807 and Y808) on the underside of the wing first to see if you need to contact Razor for a free replacement kit. Full information on contacting the company and understanding how to identify if your scooter is affected can be found at Razor's recall website. And if you don't already have the US CPSC's recall website bookmarked, we recommend checking it regularly, especially as we head into the holiday shopping season.

Very Big Toys: Win a KooKeys Plush Toy + Online Access Code! (Ends 10/31)

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:04:00 GMT

Each KooKeys plush toy comes with a code that kids can use to access a safe online universe where they'll customize their own KooKeys avatar, personalize its world, and dive into fun interactive games. The toys, which start at $12.99, are available in stores now, but we're offering 5 lucky Babble readers the chance to score a free KooKeys plushie of their own!

To enter, just email us your name, address and daytime telephone number at babblecontest@gmail.com. At 5 p.m. EST on Friday, Oct. 31, we'll choose five winners at random from the pool of entries to receive a KooKeys plush toy (not necessarily the ones shown here) and accompanying online access code.

If you can't wait till then to have one, visit KooKeys' store locator to find a retailer near you. Good luck!

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Lets You Control Heat and A/C from Your Desk

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:04:00 GMT

As a fan of shiny, gadgety stuff who also happens to be freaking out over the potential cost of heating his family's home this winter, I'm OK with looking past the Ecobee's estimated (it won't be available till 2009) sticker price of $385.

At its core, the Ecobee works the same way as your current programmable thermostat, letting you tweak your home's temperature based on anthing from personal comfort levels to a need to keep the bills low. But let's say you forget to set it before leaving to drop the kids off at school: Log into a Web portal via your work computer, and you can adjust the settings remotely. Not a necessary feature, sure, but that's pretty cool.

The Ecobee's color touch screen lets you set the indoor temperature with a few iPhone-style control panels (there's even a weather-forecast app that lets you preset heat or A/C based on outdoor temperatures), but particularly cool is the "Quick Save" option, which sets up your home to conserve energy with one click.

Keep an eye on Ecobee's site for an official launch date, and have an HVAC professional on call, as this one'll take some work to install.

Very Big Toys: George Foreman Lean Mean Fryer

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:04:00 GMT

Nuggets, meet your new best friend: The George Foreman Lean Mean Fryer ($150) literally throws food into a spin cycle after it's done cooking. (Because "before" could get ugly, we'd imagine.) The result, according to the fine print on Foreman's website, is that whatever you throw into the Lean Mean Fryer emerges with up to 55% less fat absorbed.

The gizmo doesn't actually remove whatever fat is present in the food before you submerge it, of course, which is a good thing to know if you're planning to experiment with Twinkies and Snickers bars.

Very Big Toys: A Working Lightsaber for Your Wii

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:43:00 GMT

OK, so it won't actually slash through and cauterize limbs (we assume that's a bonus for most of you), but if you and your mini Jedi knights have been seeking a more realistic way to fight your way through Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, the Glow Saber Duo Pack ($34.99 from Amazon; coming Oct. 21) puts you that much closer to the action. Just slide your Wii remote into the saber's handle, and start choppin'.

While the Glow Saber's blue (if you're down with the light side) or red (for you dark-siders out there) plastic blades don't actually serve a purpose beyond looking really cool when they're lit, they certainly don't take away from the fantasy. Not allowing "T-rated games in your family's Wii, of course, could greatly affect your need to worry about that fantasy in the first place.

If you're still not sure whether Star Wars: The Force Unleashed has a place in your home, this primer from parent-friendly game site What They Play offers some of the best pro/con arguments you'll find on the game. (Full disclosure: My kids, 8 and 5, both play it with Dad's supervision.)

Very Big Toys: Pzizz Power-Napping Software

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:04:00 GMT

Though sleep-aid software Pzizz is being marketed as a cure for insomnia, harried parents know there's a big difference between the inability to sleep and the inability of someone else to let you sleep -- and luckily for us, Pzizz is also a lifesaver in that area.

The non-addictive (though I assure you you'll crave it) application combines sound effects, narration, binaural beats, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and meditative music to create a deeply relaxed state in you -- not quite REM sleep, but close enough that you'll awake feeling as energized as if you'd just had a three-hour nap. In fact, given how groggy actual naps make me feel, I've found that Pzizz leaves me feeling in an altogether revitalized state, though it takes a few days of getting used to the system in order for it to really lull you. (Especially if you're not used to experiencing a fully relaxed state -- such as, you know, a parent under assault from little ones 24/7.)

Pzizz includes stand-alone software and an iTunes-like interface for your Mac or PC, but it can also be synced with your iPod -- which is especially helpful if your desktop PC doesn't exactly offer room for napping. Two modules -- "Energizer" (for general relaxation and stress relief) and "Sleep" (for when you really need to hit the hay) are available, and it's backed by a money-back guarantee.

You can download a limited-use demo (197MB) that includes both the Energizer and Sleep modules here, but to get the full experience, you'll really want to purchase it. Buy the bundle ($49.95), the Energizer or Sleep modules ($29.95 each), the physical boxed set ($49.95) or the handheld unit + boxed set ($147) via the Pzizz online store.

Very Big Toys: Tantrum-Throwing Alarm Clock

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:04:00 GMT

So you've tried in vain since the start of school to get the kids to wake up on time, but every morning it's the same grouchy, bleary-eyed tantrum. Time to turn the tables with the Tantrum-Throwing Alarm Clock, a fearsome little timekeeper that can match the worst your kids can throw at it (although if they actually throw it, all bets are off).

Within five minutes of your pre-set wakeup time, the clock's feet and body start to emit a pleasant glow, and even when the alarm first sounds, it only taps its arms to nudge you from your slumber. Hit the snooze button, though, and the clock really lives up to its name, throwing a full-blown temper tantrum that can extend for up to an hour of painful whining. It's easily placated when you're behaving well, though: You can pet a sensor on the clock's head to make it smile during non-snoozing periods, and it also dances to music from the included radio or your external MP3 player.

$49.95 from Hammacher Schlemmer.

Very Big Toys: Insane Animatronic Lion Mask, Complete With Night Vision

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:04:00 GMT

This one's just for fun, unless of course you're really looking to score parent-of-the-year honors when the school stages The Chronicles of Narnia this year: Via MAKE, a 117-step Instructable(courtesy of costume maestro Solion) for making your own animatronic lion mask, complete with stereo night vision and amplified hearing augmentation. Extra genius points if you can finish your own in time for Halloween.

Very Big Toys: Haunted Memories Is The Real Creepy Halloween Decoration

Chris Ford — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:51:00 GMT

This morning Aaron threw out the gauntlet, saying that the Hallowindow DVD might be the "Creepiest Halloween Decoration Ever," but I have to beg to differ. Haunted Memories is a company that makes frame-able old-timey photos of people for your wall. Except when you walk past the photo, the old-timey image morphs into a zombie, skeleton or ghoul. See the sweet baby above? Click the link below to see what she'll turn into.

These images aren't electronic, they're just a sort of trick photography thing. You can see from the animated GIF below to get an idea of how it works as you pass by. They're available in all sorts of people (kids, old people, even an old Santa) and in all sizes.

Most cost between $25.00 to $99.99. Check them out at HauntedMemories.com.

Very Big Toys: XGlider Foot-Sized Inline Skateboard

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:04:00 GMT

"Once you get the hang of it, the possibilities are endless." Ah, and there's the catch with XGliders, as the retailer's website makes clear: Actually getting on these foot-sized inline skateboards -- imagine rollerblades that don't actually attach to your feet -- is half the battle. If you can make it that far, odds are good that you'll be cruising around in no time -- or at least doing some interesting faceplants in the driveway.

For my money, the hardest part of the learning curve comes from the combination of the tight turning radius, the lack of foot straps, and the fact that your feet are working independently. (Imagine a Ripstik without the connection between either wheel.) The XGlider's ridged surface acts as a sort of non-abrasive grip tape, but it's also pretty handy when you work your way up to doing tricks, since it's kind of hard to nail kickflips with your feet still attached to a board.

Check out this clip for a perspective that's a bit more realistic than the usual zipping, flashing, professionally shot demo:

And now that we're up and cruising around with old Will, here's something to aspire to, courtesy of the zipping, flashing, professionally shot demo:

$99.99 from SkyMallSports.

Very Big Toys: Hallowindow -- Creepiest Halloween Decoration Ever?

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:04:00 GMT

Sure, there's the little matter of where to get a projector so you can show it, but if you've got the means, designer Mark Gervais' Hallowindow DVD will make your home the envy of the neighborhood at Halloween -- that is, provided it doesn't scare away all the trick-or-treaters.

This year's edition includes Hallowindow I and Hallowindow II montages, as well as four single-themed animations that run around two minutes each and are designed to be looped continuously. Gervais himself didn't even buy a projector to run Hallowindow on his own house (more tips on his setup here), and his instructions make it sound relatively simple to turn any street-facing picture window into a tableaux of horrors.

Hallowindow II's price varies depending on shipping costs (Gervais ships from Canada, and all videos are NTSC formatted for North America playback). Given how close it is to Halloween, the $42 Express Mail package might be your safest bet. [Via Neatorama]

Very Big Toys: Video Game Beanbag Chair - Pyramat Gamebag 2.1

Chris Ford — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:07:00 GMT

Getting your kids a special comfy chair with built-in speakers is kind of encouraging them to play video games, watch movies or generally waste time, but think of it this way. When they go to bed you'll have a totally sweet chair to waste time in too.

The Gamebag 2.1 is a bean bag type chair made out of "breathable microfiber fabric" that has surround sound speakers and a subwoofer in the seat. It's compatible with all gaming consoles (XBOX, PS3 etc.) as well as televisions, DVD players, hand held video games and iPod/MP3 players. There's even a smaller version (pictured below), the Gamebag Mini, that is pink only and is a little cheaper.

The Gamebag 2.1 is apparently available now at Linens N' Things for $89.99 and the Mini is available at Toys R Us for $49.99 (though nothing is available at their respective web sites yet). You can also check out products from Pyramat at Pyramat.com.

Very Big Toys: Kota the Life-Sized Animatronic Dino Unleashed!

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:04:00 GMT

We snagged a first look at Kota, Playskool's life-sized animatronic Triceratops, back in February, and after a minor delay, the great beast has finally hit stores. You can judge for yourself whether $300 is too much to drop on a single toy in this economy, but we'd venture to guess that if your kids are hardcore about dinos and you happen to pass by this thing in a store, it's already too late to say no. (Go ahead, question our judgment.)

Outside of having a somewhat happier-looking tyke on his back than the last time we saw his production photos, Kota appears to be pretty much in line with Playskool's original plans: Sure, he makes cute noises; yeah he sniffs your hand when you hold it under his nose; and OK, awesome, he's loaded with sensors that trigger responses to your voice and touch, including a munching sound that triggers when you feed Kota his included "leafy snack."

That's all great, but Kota's ace card remains the fact that, holy crap, you can ride on him! Well, not literally: His back is a spring-loaded seat that triggers stomping noises when you bounce on it, and the music he plays is really just a soundtrack to your imaginary ride-on adventures. Until someone invents a walking, life-sized dino, though -- and when that happens, we imagine it'll take slightly more than the 6 "D" batteries that power Kota -- the little dude remains king of his jungle. Don't just take our word for it, though -- check out the kids in this completely random clip starring Good Morning America weatherman Sam Champion:

$299.99 from Amazon.

Very Big Toys: Razor PowerWing Three-Wheeler

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:04:00 GMT

In anticipation of the holidays, Razor rolled out its newest three-wheeler, the PowerWing, this week at Toy Wishes Preview 2008 in New York. While at first glance it looks as though someone slapped a hot-rod-style spoiler onto the back of the company's trademark scooter, that little extra in the PowerWing's rear end has some nifty functionality.

The PowerWing's 68mm rear inclined caster wheels keep your weight behind the handlebars (the front wheel is 125mm, or around double the size of a typical skateboard wheel), and to accelerate either down hills or on flat surfaces, you just move from side to side on the "wings" and let gravity do the hard work. Obviously, this makes things a little complicated when going uphill, but at that point you can just push the PowerWing like you would a regular scooter.

Tricks, on the other hand, become much easier with the PowerWing: You can lean to zip around tight corners, and shift your weight to pull off side drifts, wheelies, 360s and spinouts. There are around 8 million amateur videos of the thing in action on YouTube, but here's the PowerWing's trick potential captured in a little over three minutes:

There's a front-wheel hand brake, too, so you don't need to rely solely on foot power to slow down, and the PowerWing folds away for storage when you're done tearing it up. Best of all, though, those wings accommodate up to 220 pounds of grown-up, so you can pull out the PowerWing to play while the kids are at school.

$99.99 at Target.

Very Big Toys: $180 Nintendo DSi Coming Nov. 1

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:10:00 GMT

...If you live in Japan, that is. The rest of us will have to wait until sometime next year, according to Nintendo's recent press announcement, to get our hands on the next-gen handheld gizmo.

For those asking the inevitable "Is this going to merit a DS Lite trade-in at GameStop?" there are definitely some nice improvements to consider: the slightly slimmer design, the slightly larger (17% bigger than those on the DS Lite) dual 3.25" screens, the built-in web browser, the music playback, and the 640x480 digital cameras -- one on the outer shell and another inside on the DSi's hinge -- as well as the SD memory-card slot and the ability to buy and download games via Wi-Fi at Nintendo's upcoming "DSi Shop."

The DSi (official Japanese website here) is only launching in white or black, but given the colorful precedents set by the DS Lite, we'd imagine that won't be the case once it's had some time to age. [Image via DS Fanboy]

Very Big Toys: The World's Tallest LEGO Tower

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:04:00 GMT

What's 96.7 feet tall and contains almost 500,000 bricks? While I'd like to say "My summer home," the answer is in fact this record-breaking LEGO tower, the tallest such structure (by 7 inches -- see the old record-holder here) ever built. Hundreds of kids gathered near Vienna's city hall recently to assemble the tower in celebration of the four-day festival Friends of Children.

While a Guinness World Record was shattered in the process, no one was physically injured: The children did their work on the ground, and organizers used a crane to assemble the tower and support wires to keep the structure from falling apart in the city's 60 Km/h winds. (Note to self: Remember that the next time the kids start stacking bricks to the Moon.)

Behold:

Another group is already at work in Wolfsburg, Germany, building the world's largest LEGO suspension bridge -- we'll definitely be watching. Oh, and while we're talking records: If you'd like to see the largest LEGO set that's actually available for purchase, we've got that covered, too. [DVICE via News.com.au; images: Reuters]

Very Big Toys (Sort Of): The World's Smallest R/C UFO

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:04:00 GMT

Yes, this micro-sized remote-control UFO poses an obvious choking hazard to wee ones, but we'd also advise against letting overly curious adults open their mouths too close to the thing, lest they end up in an accidental remake of Fantastic Voyage.

Scarcely bigger in diameter than a silver dollar, the MicroFly ($24.99 from ThinkGeek) actually looks to be surprisingly easy to maneuver: It flies via a single propeller on its bottom and moves up and down through a simple slider control. Check out the video below and let us know what you think -- and stock up if you're so inclined: No matter how many additional MicroFlies you add to your fleet, they all use a single channel to run off the same universal remote.