Do these Automoblox cars come in big people sizes with real engines? Let me know when they do because I’d love to cruise down the street in these beauties.
Inventor Patrick Calello in the Baltimore Sun:
We like to say this is the reinvention of the classic wooden car. What we really wanted to do is bring great styling, craftsmanship and heirloom quality to children. Essentially, what we’re combating is the disposability of the mass toy industry.
The mass-market toy market is all about flash, bells and whistles, noises and distraction. And we’re trying to bring substance and quality and real learning benefits.

My oldest son received a really fun gift for his birthday last year. It’s one of the Shake ‘n Go cars from Fisher Price.
The toy is really as easy to use as it sounds. You start shaking the car up and it starts to make a really cool revving sound. The longer you shake it, the farther it goes. It’s even easy for the one year old to use! No little knobs to wind or wheels to revv up backwards. Literally just shake and go (clever name they came up with there, aye?).
Anyway, …read more

The kids and I have been to fast food joints twice this week. I know, I know, I’m not going to win any mother of the year awards with that kind of nutrition record, but it gives me another kid topic to share with you, our wonderful readers.
Early in the week, after our visit to the free movie, we went out with our friends to McDonald’s. We drove out of the way especially for the McDonald’s that had the indoor playland, with seating for dining (can you really refer to it as dining when it’s fast food?) in …read more

Welcome to the second edition of Same Toys, Different Continents! Kerri and I both have this Fisher Price Little People garage for kids and wanted to share our experience with it today.
Generally speaking, hand me down toys aren’t a real favorite of mine because I’m one of those anal parents who can’t stand to have parts missing or pieces broken. I’m sure my son doesn’t care or even have a clue, but I do.
Some toys, however, really do hold up to the test of time in term of appeal and durability. The Fisher Price World of Little …read more

Frank Hartman has been collecting Hot Wheels cars “for his son.” Sure? He’s bought more than 5,000 of them worth more than $20,000. They’re flowing out of closets and rooms, covering the walls.
Frank might be collecting for his son but it’s not for him to play with, more for the investment value.
And when he finds some he likes, Hartman won’t let the clerk touch them — not even to scan the price. “I bag my own toys,” Hartman said. “My wife hates it. I’d have a cart of about 20 cars that I want, and then use …read more

In the UK? Win an A.T.O.M Slamma team vehicle from Hampstead and Highgate Express. (Don’t ask me why there isn’t a period after the M.)
To win all you have to do is answer the following question
What is the name of the family blockbuster hit about toys?
a) Toy People
b) Toy World
c) Toy Story
If you think you know the answer all you have to do is text the word – toy followed by a space and then your answer – either a, b or c – as well as your name and address to the number 63333
Alternatively, if you haven’t got …read more