Crayola 3D Giant Chalk Set: $11.99

This is the must have chalk set for kids this year.  Every kid I know wants this!  The chalk set comes special chalk and 3-D glasses.  When worn, the glasses make the sidewalk designs pop out in 3-D.  Very cool.  Plus, it all washes off with water.

Banzai Wiggling Water Sprinkler: $14.99

Fun for all ages!  The sprinkler has an extra long hose and 15 wiggly sprayers.  Water your lawn and entertain your kids at the same time!

Little Tikes Auto Pitch Batting Trainer: $24.98

For beginners this is a standard easy T-ball set.  It can change into an automatic pitch-up machine or kids whose skills are a little more developed.  Push the foot switch to release five time-delayed balls.  It plays a sound to tell your child the ball is coming.  Great for developing muscle coordination and motor skills and so fun too!

Wham-O Slip‘N Slide Double Wave Rider: $19.00

The Double Wave Rider lets two kids slide at once.  Perfect for hot summer days.  Kids can race each other or take it slow and enjoy the cool water.  The slide is huge: 16 feet long!  It is sure to bring lots of laughs!

Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Set: $22.84

This one is for the little people!  Toddlers love this basketball set.  You can keep it indoors too!  It’s great for developing motor skills.

Intex Sun Shade Pool: $19.99

This pool keeps baby shaded.  Made for babies, but big enough for pre-school aged children too.  The extra wide walls make it more comfortable.  So fun for baby, and mighty nice for mama too:  put your feet in, and sit back with some cold lemonade while baby splashes away!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more affordable outdoor toys.
Discounts on sports toys.

Embroidered T-Shirt Dress: $26.50

OR, here is a another super cute dress…

Smocked Dress: $19.99 on sale!

And if you really want to take the opportunity to teach your child about the Mexican heritage (especially if you have elementary school-aged children), then you may want to pick up this little Mexican Bingo game that teaches common words and phrases in spanish.

Only $7.99 on Ebay or at your local Wal-Mart.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more Mexican Bingo games.
Discounts on Cinco de Mayo party supplies.

About 30 bucks for this mini ping pong table?  What a steal!  Instead of going out in the freezing winter weather, why not stay home and save money by having a big ping pong tournament with family and friends.  Yes, this table isn’t made for all sizes, but I think that will give the game a little twist and make it more challenging for adults.

Give the the kids this ping pong table so they can develop the skills to play like the best of  ‘em.  They will be kicking-butt like Forrest Gump in no time!

Image Source: .liveauctioneers.com

Table Tennis, Anyone?: $59 Now: $29

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more ping pong tables.
Discounts on all ping pong equipment.

I saw a commercial for the new Electronic Pictionary Man this morning and thought, “How cool is that!” You can use the little man to act out your clues for your team as well as draw.  If you have ever played Pictionary, you understand how some of the words can be weird, random, abstract and seemingly impossible to draw.

Speaking of random, I happen to have an old Pictionary game under my desk, so I’m going to give you same examples of how the Pictionary Man would make it a bit easier to play the game.  If you are trying to draw:

1)  “Unconscious” from the “Difficult” category: It might be a bit hard with a marker on a dry erase board.  If the word comes up in the new Pictionary Man game, you can draw X’s on the little guy’s face with a crooked smile and lay him on the floor.   You can draw a beer can on the block and your team has to get it. (A little extreme I know, but it was the easiest thing I could think of). 

2) In the spirit of Halloween, “Cauldron” from the “Difficult” category:  You can draw an ugly witch face and a witch hat on the little man and draw the cauldron on the cylinder (circular block).  This one might be easy for those who can actually draw, but it makes the game fun for all, including the artistically inept (moi’).

Another great thing about this new game is that you don’t have to bother with all the cards.  Pictionary Man will show you your word at the bottom of his foot. Pretty cool!

Pictionary Man: $34.99 Now: $27.99

Shop for more games at Smarter.com.

                                Trivial Pursuit Pop Culture 2 DVD Game: $57.69 Now: $40.49

This game lets those who know all those random trivia facts shine!

                   Scene It? Super Game Pack DVD - HBO Edition: $27.98 Now: $19.49

I am a huge fan of Sex & the City, The Sopranos & many other great HBO shows.  So, I guess I’m saying don’t play this game with me unless you are a fanatic like me…or YOU’RE GOING DOWN!

                 Eat, Drink and Be Married (Murder Mystery Party) : $24.98 Now: $17.49

This game has a Vegas theme & seems really interactive & fun.  It even comes with a costume & wedding invitations.

                      Scene It? DVD Game - Turner Classic Movies Edition: $39.98 Now: $34.99

Some of the classic movies you need to be familiar with to kick butt playing this game are Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz & Singin’ in the Rain.

Click here to shop for more board games. 

Click here to read the article.

Also, check out these pictures I found of some if the first toys & games:

                 First playing cards in Japan made by Fusajiro Yamauchi (Freewebs.com)

                                                  1790 Roller Skates (Pemberly.com)

                                              Ancient Yo-Yo (JenniferBayBrooke.com)

Mansion of Happiness:  The first board game commercially produced in the United States (About.com)

Shop for toys & games here. 

Here are some of the common myths told about video games:

Video games stimulate brain activity.

Children will eventually get bored.

Games make children shorter.

Games can motivate children to study.

Click here to read the real facts regarding these myths given by Eo Gi-jun, a researcher at the Korea Computer Life Institute. Very interesting.

You enjoyed the book as a kid and I’m sure your child enjoys it too.  Now you can play along with The Cat in the Hat & his friends in this high energy game.  The Cat in the Hat - I Can Do That! game helps to encourage reading & memory skills.  More importantly, it helps kids find out what they are capable of and promotes self-confidence.  You can have your kids play this game to get their giggles & hyper energy out as it calls for completing tasks that involve bouncing, sliding, jumping & more.

Last month this game won a “Parent’s Choice Gold award, an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Lead-Free Platinum award, a Toy Wishes FAB FIVE award, and Dr. Toy ‘10 Best Creative Products’ and ‘100 Best Children’s Products’ awards.”

For more children’s games click here.

                    Original Operation: $14.95 at BoardGames.com

Check out the new Operation Rescure Kit.  Apparently, some people didn’t like that in the original game the man is naked.  It’s not like a real, um, ”area” was drawn on the man.  They have now given him a pair of boxer shorts.  A few new present day ailments have been added such as texting thumb, joystick wrist, belly button fluff (ew). 

                                                   Operation Rescue Kit: $24.88

Some other new features include an a light up monitor that keeps track of the score and an oxygen pump for adding more time for game play.  Parents won’t mind playing this game because there are four new games and 3 levels of difficulty.  The best thing about the new game is that you can carry it anywhere because it folds into a neat portable case!

For more toys & games click here.

The Rubik’s Cube was one of the best selling toys in the 80’s.  If you never solved this puzzle game as a kid the game has been “revolutionized.” 

Try the new Rubik’s Revolution with your children.  There is not only one challenge, but it has six speed games & brian teasers.  This new cube actually talks to you, has sound effects & lights that make playing more exciting.  Also, you don’t have to play alone.  Up to six players can join in the fun!

Click here for more information on this toy.

Find more puzzle games here.