mini gaga

2010 Toy Of The Year - Paper Jamz

 

Announced today at the Toy Fair was the 2010 Australian Toy Of The Year. The WowWee Paper Jamz. An innovative guitar that provides an instant rock star experience and open-ended play. Blending technology and play with Active Graphics Technology which allows for circuit-embedded paper, enabling you to play like a pro by simply touching the paper surface. Said to be about an inch thick and believed to have inbuilt karaoke feature. We dont know when they will be available in Australia, as they are not even on the shelf in the US yet.

Featuring three modes for jamming and rocking out:

• Perfect Play: play perfect guitar to the 3 included hits
• Rhythm mode: control the rhythm for each song
• Freestyle: play real chords and real drums - create your own songs!

Features:

• Built-in speaker with volume control
• Line out for earphone or speaker accessories (not included)
• Includes 3 exclusive, licensed hit songs

Going Gaga Over - Balance Bikes

 

Wishbone 3in1 Bike from Thinking Toys

FirstBike from Cecil Walker Cycles

Tike from Tike

Kokua from LikeABike

Early Rider Lite from Honey Bee Toys

Microscooters G Bike from Entropy 

Going Gaga Over - Pretend Play Food

Make pretend play even more special with handmade food from talented crafters or DIY. These pretend play items look good enough to eat and best of all no calories. Cupcakes, fruit, teabags, milk, sandwiches, fish and eggs to name but a few of the wonderful food items to inspire little minds to act like grown ups, unpacking the groceries, having a tea party or baking coffee scrolls. You will find something for every child if you know where to look. 

If you are looking to make your own pretend play items you can try a some of these links, Snazzle Craft, One Inch World or Ume Crafts. 

The pictured pretend play food items are available to purchase from Look Mama Made It (1st) and Bugga Bugs (2nd - 5th)

Going Gaga Over - Seedling

Boys seem to be a little harder to pin down to start and finish a "craft" project. Mine seem so easily distracted and can never sit still long enough to even finish colouring a page.  Seedling has a whole range of kits that are boy friendly (they have a whole range of girl friendly ones too.) such as make you own kaleidoscope, make your own erupting volcano, grow your own vege patch and the worm farm.  

Seedling is all about giving kids the opportunity to explore their world and their abilities. A childs natural instinct is to get involved, give anything a go, think creatively and ask questions. Seedling creates kits to nurture this process and engage young minds, planting ideas that grow a passion for creative thinking. 

Available online at Ball & Skittle & Millie Molly Moo

 

Going Gaga Over - Sweet William

Sweet William, a collaboration of three sisters, Shelly & Paula and sister-in-law Jeanine, sharing their love of sewing, drawing, collecting and creating with each other to bring you an Etsy & Made It shop filled with many fabulous items, from stunning Camille (pictured above) to luscious canvas prints. 

You can keep up to date or gain inspiration from the trio numerous ways, their blog, Paula's blog and their Flickr account.

Sweet William were at the last Melbourne Mathildas Market and I will keep you updated if they will be holding a stall in March. 

 

 

Things That Go

 

Your retail guide to the coolest things on wheels this Christmas

1.  HaPe Bamboo Race car from Entropy    2.  Automoblox X9-X from That's My Toy   3.  Playsam Streamliner Cab from Tiny People  4.  Bajo F1 Racing Car from Millie Molly Moo  5.  Sparkle T girls skittles from Rudy And The Dodo  6.  Qtoys Benny The Concrete Mixer from Eco Toys

Going Gaga Over - Seed (update)

Seed have a great new range of toys in store and they are now available to purchase online at www.seedchild.com.au and if you order before December 10th you will have them delivered to your door in time to place under your Christmas tree

Going Gaga Over - Plan Toys

Plan Toys not only create fantastic toys that help your children to use their imagination and play freely they are also green. PlanToys practice the Three R's, reduce, reuse and recycle. There manufacturing process is designed to reduce waste and power and are always looking for ways to reduce their footprint. 

Plan Toys use organic rubber wood, nontoxic glue, water based dye and soy and water based ink.

Yogee have both the road & rail railway station and green dollhouse.

Going Gaga Over - And The Little Dog Laughed

And the little dog laughed by Australian designer, Kylie Platt has clothing, nap time & play time covered with her beautiful 2009 range. lovely hand knitted toys, crochet blankets and clothing for children they will not be mistaken for any other label it's unique, fun and brings that old world charm back to life with a modern twist.

Kylie has a passion for fabrics and design, and particularly loves to combine textures and mediums knits and fabrics, stretch and floral cottons, adding different layers to a piece that would otherwise be one dimensional.

Kylie's range has a point of difference by mixing old and new she has created a modern elegance that will stand the test of time. her toys and clothing are beautifully packaged in knitted bags or clear plastic zip up bags that can be used as a nappy backup pouch.

Kylie draws a lot of inspiration from her own childhood, and particularly likes to create timeless pieces that  evoke a sense of nostalgia.  The inspiration for the labels’ name comes from one of her favourite nursery rhymes from her childhood, Hey Diddle Diddle.

Styled Baby now stocks and the little dog laughed.  

Going Gaga Over - Wishbone Bike

 

I have always loved the idea of a balance bike, but hesitated when considered buying one as I imagined that it would only be used for a short amount of time, but the wishbone bike transforms from trike to bike with two seat heights to help with process. The bike grows with your child from 1 to 5 years old, giving your child a bike that fits them for 4 years instead of buying bigger bikes for them to grow into.

Every wishbone bike has 60% post-consumer recycled plastic wheels, is made from sustainably managed woods and is bonded and finished with eco-friendly products.  The Bike box and all printed material inside is recycled and printed with non-toxic inks. Wishbone Bike also meets Australian, New Zealand, US & EU safety standards.

Available online at entropy plus free delivery.