Saturday, January 24, 2009

Toy Recall Lists and Searches - New Service from Parents.com

Parents Recall List Toys PhotoUp-to-date Toy Recall Lists and Searches for Parents from Parents.com

I recently discovered a rather handy service for parents (and anyone concerned with toy recall lists and information) - it's a new free service offered by Parents.com (website of Parents, Family Circle and American Baby magazines). You can visit their website and very easily find out recall information for any toy (or other children's product) - or get complete lists of items based on category.

Here's how to do it - step-by-step:
  1. Go to http://www.parents.com/product-recalls
  2. Enter/select the information you want (if you want info on a specific item, enter the product information in the top field - for a complete list, select a category from the dropdown box instead).
  3. Select the time period you are looking for in the last dropdown box (or leave it set at "all" for all time periods)
That's it! You will see a list come up that gives links to complete information on the products including the product name, company that manufactured the product as well as a recall date. There is also a link for each item in the "product name" column that will bring you to a page with full information on the recall and a photo of the item.

This is a quick and easy way to access information on any product you might have concerns about, or a way to find out which items to avoid before making a purchase.

PS: I have included a link for this free service right here on this blog so you can access it at any time, right from here. You'll find the link in the right-hand bar of the blog.

Nifty! Thanks Parents.com - as a parent, I for one appreciate this handy service. =)

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Jakks EyeClops Bionicam - For How Much?

Jakks EyeClops Bionicam ToyJakks EyeClops BioniCamis currently available on Amazon Toysfor about 75% off what it could be purchased for during the 2008 Christmas season - ?!

I saw this toy become more and more popular during the holidays and finally it was listed as one of the Top 10 Toys for Kids - it's demand rose quite fast!

But - 75% off - really?


I thought maybe the sellers on Amazon were making an error on this - but I checked and checked again to make sure and it's no error. (I wish, wish, wish great toys like the Jakks EyeClops Bionicam were discounted like this before Christmas too!)

Jakks EyeClops Bionicam is one in a series of some great EyeClops toys from Jakks that super-duper-magnify anything and everything - kids are having a great time with them.

The Bionicam is portable so kids (adults too) can magnify anything, anywhere, then transfer the images to their friends online so they can take a good close look too. =)

Fun stuff!

The current price (as of this writing) on Jakks EyeClops Bionicam is around $20 (from it's normal price of around $80) - but anything below $60 would be a great deal on this toy!!!

Nuff said.


It might seem a bit "distasteful" to reach into pockets so soon after the holidays - but wow, this is a deal I for one just can't pass up. Way too fun. =)

All for now!

Tonya B.


Thursday, January 8, 2009

Nintendo DS Kids Games 2009

Nintendo DS LogoThe Nintendo DS system has really made gaming easy and transportable too - and the Nintendo DS Kids Games for 2009 have made the DS not only fun for teens and more experienced gamers, but younger kids too!

What kinds of Nintendo DS Kids Games are available? Well - here is a great list for you - the Top Nintendo DS Kids Games that are popular, fun - and (perhaps most importantly) appropriate for kids...

1. Disney Club Penguin for the Nintendo DS - kids can be "secret agent penguins" to take on top secret missions and earn gaming coins along the way. One thing about this game that stood out to me was the fact that when kids belong to the club (that comes along with the game) they will receive automatic updates (fresh games) and newsletters. This is a fun aspect of the games that will keep them from ever getting boring!

>> Disney Club Penguin for the Nintendo DS is available for a great price on Amazon.com Games.

2. Mario Kart Nintendo DS Kids Games - Mario Kart isn't just popular on the Wii! It's a GREAT game for the DS - in fact there are several new racing tracks that are available for the DS. Plenty of gaming options and fun for kids.

>> Mario Kart Nintendo DS Kids Games are available online for a nice price from Amazon games.

3. Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia -Almia is a new region that has opened up with this game and is a larger world with many more gaming opportunities than previous versions of Pokemon Nintendo DS Kids Games. Take a journey to become a Top Ranger utilizing different approaches and characters. Fun stuff!

>> Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia for the Nintendo DS is available from Amazon and eBay for some great discounts.

4. New Super Mario Brothers for the Nintendo DS - Coooool! Us "old fogies" that loved to play the original Super Mario Brothers will love this one too - and it's a great game for kids. Play in the original Mario Brothers world but with many improvements, more power ups and more. (This one is my personal new favorite for the DS.)

>> New Super Mario Brothers for the Nintendo DS is available from Amazon for a nice price.

5. Littlest Pet Shop: Winter for Nintendo DS - There are 20 Littlest Pet Shop pets to collect, adorn with some great outfits and accessories and play games with too. There's quite a bit to this one and tends to be a favorite DS game for the little ladies.

>> Littlest Pet Shop: Winter for Nintendo DS is available from Amazon (probably the best price you can find.)

If you're looking for a great Nintendo DS Kids Game in 2009, the above are some great suggestions and are much loved by kids.

BUT - if the above games don't strike your fancy (or your kids) there is another place that you can check - and check again for updates:

>> Click Here - Find an Updated List of the Best Nintendo DS Kids Games on Amazon.com

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Additional Resources:

>> Nintendo DS Kids Games on Squidoo Shopping

>> Nintendo DS Kids Games - 2009 Top 5 on Associated Content

Saturday, January 3, 2009

2009 - Best of Playstation for Kids

Sony Playstation LogoWhat are the best Playstation for Kids games 2009? I'm not talking about games for the PS2, PS3 or even the PSP console but the original Playstation console.

Did you know... The original console games are still extremely popular in terms of kids games? True.

Well, of all the Playstation games this year (and there are a lot of them), here are the Top 5 best-sellers that have appropriate content for children:
Spyro the Dragon game for Playstation
1. Playstation Spyro the Dragon - Spyro the Dragon is very very busy trying to find and rescue his friends from the evil Gnasty Gnorc - and kids can help him along. This is a great game for very young gamers, since it's fairly easy to control and is a good introduction to gaming. (It's fun for more experienced gamers too.) >> Available for a great price from Amazon.com Games.

2. Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped for Playstation - Another great choice for beginning gamers and is also fun for those who have been at it a while. Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped for Playstation (as you might have guessed from the title) is one in a series of great games for kids and is gobs of fun. >> This Playstation for Kids game (as well as the other Crash Bandicoot games) is available for a nice discount from Amazon.
Spiderman game for Playstation
3. Spiderman for Playstation - A great game for kids who love any of the Spiderman movies - it's pretty life-like and kids can take on the role of "Spidey", swinging from the highest heights, climbing walls and defending good people (including himself) against the evil guys. A great choice for kids who like a bit of adventure packed in with their games. >> Best price I've found for Spiderman for Playstation - eBay.com.

4. Playstation Spongebob Squarepants: Super Sponge - This Playstation for Kids game has a hilarious theme - Spongebob (the player) works to hunt down his favorite superheroes - Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy to get their autographs for his very own. Some crazy and fun things happen all along the way. >> Great new and used prices for this game on Amazon.com games.Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for Playstation

5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for Playstation - This is a great game for kids in terms of it's original challenges (it's not entirely based only on the movie) as well as some very nice graphics throughout the game. This is an excellent choice if you're looking for a "newbie" gamer but again is popular with some more experienced gamers as well. >> Great Buy - Amazon.com Games.

There's the scoop! Even though the original Playstation console has had a couple of upgrades to it, it's still well used, and the variety of Playstation for Kids games is not lacking whatsoever!

Want to see more?

>> Find these and more great Playstation Games for Kids for 2009 on Amazon

All for now!

Tonya B.

PS - Have fun gaming kiddos!! =)

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Additional Resources - Playstation for Kids:

>> Playstation for Kids (Squidoo Shopping)

>> Playstation for Kids 2009 (Hub Pages)



Thursday, January 1, 2009

Computer Kids Games for 2009 - What are the Best?

Computer gaming console disk and equipmentI'm rather excited - today I am starting a new series of posts regarding the best appropriate video games for kids - starting with Computer Kids Games coming into 2009!

I've been doing quite a bit of research in this area as of late because I know that with all of the games available, many are inappropriate for children and this is a concern for parents. (I also know this because I am a parent!)

At any rate - this specific post is all about the Best Computer Kids games for this new year - and here they are (rankings based on popularity as well as consumer ratings and appropriate "E" ratings for kids):

1. Nancy Drew: The Haunting of Castle Malloy - Nancy Drew games are an extremely popular series, this is the latest and greatest among them. It's based on an "Irish Wedding" theme and there is one heck of a mystery to solve. Lots of fun, and challenging for kids.

>> Find Nancy Drew: The Haunting of Castle Malloy on Amazon.com or from eBay auctions.

2. World of Goo Computer Kids Games - This sounds pretty simple and silly, but it's actually far from it! This is one of the most fun and challenging games I've ever seen and is perfect for kids who love puzzles and other types of mental challenges. Beautiful graphics too!

>> Find World of Goo Computer Games@ Amazon.com Games or on eBay auctions.Virtual Computer Opponents

3. Monopoly Here and Now Computer Version - Oooh and aaahh, I love this one. An old classic re-vamped to be a modern age great computer game for kids and families too. There are various modern (and traditional) game boards to choose from and tons of activities too.

>> Find Monopoly Here and Now Computer Version @ Amazon.com or eBay auctions.

4. Crazy Machines 2 Computer Kids Games - Are you familiar with the "holy cow!" Rube Goldberg drawings of contraptions? This is a game about such machines, and the players are the ones that build them! Lots of mentally challenging puzzles involved and practically endless gaming potential.

>> Find Crazy Machines 2 on Amazon.com Games or on eBay auctions.

5. SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition - This is the best SimCity game in the entire series, at least so far! This "Sim" is getting absolutely rave reviews from consumers as well as gaming organizations. Players can build strikingly realistic cities, combine them with other cities that they have built to create a sizable metropolis! You "just gotta" love Sim City games and this truly is the best one out of the gate.

>> Find SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition @ Amazon.com or on eBay auctions.

As a note, you might have seen that I recommend the same two shopping resources for these games consistently. That's actually due to the fact that I found the very best deals on these games from Amazon and eBay consistently. =)

OK - if your kids love computer games (or if you are a kid who loves them), any of these above are appropriate for kids and each game has it's different slants on puzzles and challenges. Truly great picks for 2009.

All for now! (But you'll be hearing more from me on other types of gaming systems for 2009.)

Tonya B.

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Additional Resources for Computer Kids Games:

>> Computer Kids Games on Squidoo Shopping

>> Computer Kids Games - Best for 2009

>> What Are the Best Computer Kids Games for 2009? - Associated Content