New Twilight Barbie~Bella and Edward

For all you Twilight fans out there, Mattel is coming out with two new Twilight Barbies, Bella and Edward. The dolls won’t be out until November 1st, but here’s a sneak peek at what these latest Barbies will look like.

I bet these new Barbies will be on the hot toy list for Christmas this year. I’m sure it will be on the Christmas list of quite a few kids this year, but it will also be popular with adults and Twilight collectors.

I love the detailed clothing the Bella and Edward Barbies have. Look at those tiny jackets, and the detail in those little boots. How do they get that much detail in something so small?

I can’t wait to check out the new Bella and Edward Barbie when they premiere.

Even thoough the dolls won’t be available until November 1st,you can pre-order the Twilight Bella or Edward Barbie from Amazon.

What Will Be The Hot Toy This Christmas?

I know, it’s only July, why am I talking about Christmas already? Because I’m sure all the toy manufacturers out there are definitely thinking ahead and working hard to make sure they have the “next big thing” this Christmas. The toy that everyone is waiting in line for. That toy that everyone wants, and the manufacturer (errr, Santa)  just can’t make enough of.

What do you think it will be? Will it be one of the toys from last year, back for an encore performance? Will it be one of the toys introduced at this years Toy Fair? Maybe the new Rubik’s Touch Cube, or the Barbie B-Nails, or maybe it will be Mattel’s new Mind Flex Game?

What about Kota the Dinosaur, or the latest Baby Alive? Or maybe it will be the new Lego Rockband, I know that one’s on my son’s wish list.

Hmmmm, what do you think the must have hottest toys for Christmas 2009 will be?

Happy Birthday Barbie!

Barbie celebrates a half century today, and she’s looking good for turning 50. She kicked off the year long 50th Anniversary Celebration at Fashion Week in New York.

Check out her 50th Anniversary look. She’s definitely aged well.

I have some fun Barbie birthday links for you to check out.

Toys “R” Us has a 2009 Barbie for a 1959 price of $3, and other Barbie Birthday goodness. (Thanks Eliza for that Barbie tip).

Barbie talks about her birthday at her blog All Doll’d Up.

Happy birthday Barbie!

Image via Amazon.com

Barbie’s Celebrating the Big 50

Barbie’s® celebrating her 50th birthday this year, and of course she’s doing it in style.

She kicked off the celebration with a live model runway show last weekend, during Fashion Week in New York.

You can keep up with Barbie’s® 50th birthday celebration at her blog All Doll’d Up. Barbie’s® totally into the social networking scene, she also has her own Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube account. You go girl!

Check out how Barbie’s® changed over the last 50 years. She’s definitely a style icon, and keeps up with the latest fashions.

She’s keeping up on fashion and technology, and has a hot new gadget coming out later this year the Barbie B-Nails from Mattel promises to be a must have toy for Christmas 2009. So it looks like Barbie’s still holding strong, even after her recent battle with Bratz. Do you think Barbie will make it another 50 years?

Image via Picapp

Fun Gadgets and Toys From CES

I talked a little the other day about the popular toy trends for 2009 featured at this years CES. The Consumer Electronics Show for 2009 wrapped up last night, so I thought I’d share some more of the cool toys and gadgets that were featured there.

Green and cheaper was the main trend for the 2009 CES. The video below features a mind control game by Mattel called MindFlex. The game uses your brain waves (similar to an EEG) to help a ball manipulate its way through an obstacle course, and will hit retail stores in the fall of 2009.

The video also features an updated Digital Polaroid Camera that sounds like it will be popular with teens and tweens. The camera will print your photos instantly on a sticker. You can add fun borders to your instant photos.

For your spy kid, there’s a Spyball by WowWee, it’s a remote controlled WiFi enabled spy cam robot, that masquerades as an innocent ball. I think this will be popular for all ages.

Looking for eco friendly transportation? Check out the electric bike, it uses a battery to help push you along.

Check them all out here:

Via Youtube user Future HD

Check out this fun new gadget for girls. It’s called Barbie B-Nails from Mattel you can give yourself a manicure, and print an image on your nail. Customize your manicure with one of their fun designs, or upload a photo of your own. I’m sure I’ll be talking more about the Barbie B-Nails in upcoming weeks, it looks like it’ll be a hit for girls of all ages.

Via YouTube user Talkingshopping and The Shopping Blog

Christmas Trees For Kids

While your setting up your Christmas decorations this year, why not let your children decorate a Christmas tree of their own. All you need is a small 3 foot tree, help them string the lights, then let them decorate.

You can make ornaments, or let them come up with a theme and decorate it with their own toys or collections. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Race car or Webkinz(tm) themed Christmas trees:

Snowmen themed Christmas trees:

Popular characters like Hannah Montana(tm), Barbie(tm) or Star Wars(tm) make cute trees, and especially if your child already has a collection.

Use your child’s favorite hobbies for inspiration:

Or their favorite sport, or sports team:

Or make your own ornaments:

Whatever you and your children come up with. If you have a fireplace mantle, or buffet table they would be perfect for showcasing your child’s own individual trees. It doesn’t have to cost a ton of money, just use what you already have, or create your own decorations from scratch. The most important thing is to have fun with it and help your children create their masterpiece.

All Children’s Christmas tree images (c) L Gerlach all rights reserved

Gift Guide For School Age Children 5-10 Years

I put together Play Library’s list of top toys for 2009, and I’ll be upgrading it as the year goes along with the latest toys coming out.
Bakugan Battle Packs
Bakugan Battle Brawlers are popular with school age children this year. The game is played by shooting Bakugan, and landing on cards to score. When the Bakugan land the magnetic ball pops open to reveal the Bakugan inside.
More Bakugan Battle Brawler Sets and Accessories

Lego Star Wars V-19 Torrent™
Battle the Separatist armies in space with the powerful V-19 Torrent starfighter, blasting straight out of the Clone Wars! Wings and landing gear move together automatically to switch between landing and flying modes. Authentically detailed with features including an opening cockpit, flick-firing missiles, and a new clone trooper pilot figure! Includes Clone Pilot™ minifigure! Launch the flick-fire missiles and open the sliding cockpit!
Shop the LEGO Star Wars Collection

Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker
Just for girls, make super yummy cupcakes, and other delicious confections then decorate them with icing and confections. Comes with 4 cupcake flavors, and everything you need to make your first batch of cupcakes. Just mix them with water and load the frosting into the frosting chamber of the Cupcake Froster. Just push the button and watch them swirl.
Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker Accessories and Refills

Ultimate Ears Loud Enough Volume Limiting Earphones for Children
Loudenough earphones designed just for kids. While providing outstanding sound, the volume-limiting components (that are hidden to children) make it possible for kids to be more careful when listening to music.

EyeClops Night Vision Infrared Stealth Goggles
Your kids can take hide and seek to a whole new level. Do you have a spy kid in your family? The Eye Clops Night Vision Glasses are powered by actual infra-red driven night vision technology, these high tech goggles allow visibility up to 50 feet even where it’s completely dark.

Barbie B-Inspired Handheld Learning Device
This interactive hand-held learning game allows girls to explore multiple careers by encouraging and challenging players to work her way up through the ranks by earning points within each career.

Fur Real Friends Biscuit My Lovin Pup
Fur Real Friends are so lovable they’ll find a special place in your child’s heart. The friends forever pup pet comes with collar, tag, brush, dog “bone” and adoption certificate, so you can register your child’s pet online.

Tell Biscuit to give you his paw and he’ll raise his right or left paw. Ask your new friend if he wants a treat, and he’ll nod and whimper to let you know he’s ready for his bone. More Fur Real Friends

Planet Earth DVD Game

Discover a whole new way to interact with Planet Earth as you challenge family and friends to this fun, fact-filled game. Features spectacular footage from Discovery Channel’s epic documentary Planet Earth. The game includes incredible facts about the Earth. Test your knowledge with engaging questions and puzzles unique cooperative game play. Includes bonus card game that’s ideal for travel educational fun for the whole family packed in a sturdy collector’s tin travel to never-before-seen places, witness amazing sights, and meet the world’s most elusive creatures – all while trying to save Planet Earth!
Creepy Crawlers Workshop

It’s as easy as ever to make the creepiest crawlers imaginable. Squeeze goop into the molds and heat in the child-safe oven soon an army of bugs is at your command. Takes approximately 10 minutes. Kit includes oven, 2 molds which make 5 bugs, 4 bottles of goop, cooling tray, mold handler, and other accessories. You can also order extra Creepy Crawler Goop and Molds
Money Savvy Piggy Bank

Money Smart Generation thinks that personal finance education needs to start young. That’s why the Money Savvy Piggy bank has four chambers, one for each of the four money management choices a child should be taught from the time they are small. They are SAVE, SPEND, DONATE, and INVEST.

Star Wars Clone Trooper Laptop
Let your child learn with the Clone Troopers. They can choose from 30 educational activities in 6 different categories.

Includes sound effects, music, and animation from the Star Wars movies. Your learner will feel like they’re part of the Star Fleet action.

How Cleaning My Room Changed My Life
The story of a teenage boy who is about to lose everything because he’s messy and disorganized. This book is written for kids ages 2 to 92, so if you have someone in your family who has a difficult time controlling the clutter this book may be just what they need.

Creativity Express – Let’s Start with Art!

This fun software has 16 animated interactive lessons to help children learn and become inspired with art. There are hands on applications to help your children produce their own works of art. It also includes a starter edition of Art Rage® digital paint software.

♥ Infant and Toddler Gift Guide ♥

♥ Tween and Teen Gift Guide ♥

Toy images via Amazon or respective manufacturers

Weekend Fun Links For Kids

I like to wrap up the week with some fun interesting links on my other blogs, so I thought I’d give it a try here. Let me know what you think.

Let your kids help with the Thanksgiving and holiday prep this year. It’s a great way to share family time, and it might just cut down on your work load.

The List Maven has some really cool one of a kind Barbie jewelry.

Check out the Little Monsters contest winners at Simply Thrifty. Actually you should check out all the little monsters, they’re adorable!

Make a leaf press- to press some fall leaves for holiday craft projects.

Maybe you can talk your children into making one of these Lego kitchen crafts for you, for Christmas this year.

Go outside and play in the leaves! Have a great weekend!

Image via Stock.xchng

Barbie and the Diamond Castle – Hot Toys for 2008 Holiday Season

My daughter saw a commercial for the new Barbie and the Diamond Castle movie on DVD and instantly wanted it.  I can’t blame her.  I’m sure I would have wanted it when I was a kid, too.  This weekend, her grandmother bought it for her, and it was an immediate favorite!  It looks like a full line of Barbie and the Diamond Castle toys are available (check out the list from an Amazon search) just in time for the 2008 holiday season. 

A few of my favorite Barbie and the Diamond Castle items and toys that I’m sure will end up under our Christmas tree for my daughter include:

Barbie and the Diamond Castle DVD

    

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Barbie vs. Bratz – The Battle is Over (or is it?)

In the eyes of the legal system, Barbie wins the Barbie vs. Bratz battle. 

Remember the case of who actually owns Bratz?  Mattel sued MGA Entertainment who markets Bratz claiming that Bratz dolls were created by Carter Bryant while he still worked at Mattel and was on Mattel’s payroll.  Well, the jury decided that early Bratz designs and the brand name of Bratz was created while Carter Bryant was employed by Mattel.

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