Okay, I should have seen it coming when that Facebook guy had a movie made about him.  But honestly, I pretty much ignore social media except with regard to using it to find old friends who have dropped out of touch.  (Hi, Ed!)  In the main, though, I’m a luddite in this area, and I admit it.

But even me, grumpy old phart that I am, should have been able to predict kid’s games and social activities moving into the social media arena.  Didn’t I sign my kids up for Disney Interactive something like 3-4 years ago?  Aren’t I a computer nerd?  Don’t I contribute to Gear Diary?  What the heck is wrong with me, anyway?… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

There is no denying that our kids are growing up in a constantly changing digital world. My two boys have developed the same connection with gadgets and digital devices as I have, only at a much younger age. I have been careful when turning them loose with my devices but often let them play with the iPad or iPhone, and they love it. Since they could barely walk, they have been able to use our IOS devices easily and without much instruction. While most of us remember the first time we used a TRS 80 or Apple IIe in school, today’s children won’t even remember a time without a touch screen and tablets. I… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

I always feel a little odd when I see news items by Genius.  For one thing, it’s the name; I mean, kinda arrogant, don’t you think?  It would be like renaming myself “Brilliant Moran”, or something.  And for another, they’re centered in Taiwan, the same place from which we adopted Joseph.  (Different town, though.)

And speaking of Joseph, although he is too old for this particular product, I kinda wish it had been around when he was the right age.  Genius’ new product is a wee tablet for the kiddles; a 5×8″ screen/contact/working area where your little ones can play various games.  Targeted for kids three to eight years old, this will give an… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Despite being a gear geek, I still want my kids to have activities for inside that are not on a television or video game system.  In their life, most of what they know come either of those ways.  We do play with Lego toys, slot car tracks and board games, but those get old to the boys.  What we need is something unique that seems magic.  Enter GlowCrazy which happens to be both unique and does seem like magic.  The good folks at GlowCrazy sent me and my boys a sample for review.  My boys play hard and are self named experts in toys, so I knew we could get a great review.  Let’s… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

“Go play outside!”

At the height of the DC-area summer, when the temperature outside was in the 80s but the humidity was set to “drown ‘em!”, that’s what my Mom would yell.  And we’d go outside . . . and generally sit in the shade of some tree in my friend Dave’s yard, sucking down increasingly-warm Pepsi and waiting until someone’s Mom had cooled down enough to let us back in to the blessed AC-cooled sanctuary.

So now I’m an adult with kids of my own, telling them to “go outside!” at the height of an Austin summer.  And I admit, I’m kinda curious just how much running around Joseph does versus, say, sitting in the… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

It seemed only recently that I was posting about Erno Rubik’s birthday, and talking about his well-known inventions.

Oh, wait; it was recently!

In any event, Rubik’s ideas keep on keepin’ on.  The latest is the Rubik’s Slide, by Techno Source (note: there’s audio on the site’s home page).  Yet another variation on the famous Cube, the Rubik’s Slide will be available this weekend at an MSRP of $17.64 “as part of QVC’s Christmas in July Sale this Saturday, July 24th at 10 a.m. ET and Sunday, July 25th at 12: a.m. ET.”

Techno Source’s Rubik’s Slide™, the new addictive electronic puzzle game everyone can play and no one can

Normally I like to be light and jokey for the news items, but recalls because of danger–particularly with toys–can be scary business.  So rather than make jokes about Saturday Night Live or something, I’m just going to give it to y’all straight:

Toy (or “sundries,” as they say) maker Maxfield and Oberton has issued a recall notice for their popular Buckyballs magnetic toy.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has found that the toy is a swallowing hazard for children; two kids have swallowed the magnets, but not been injured.  Still, the notice has been issued.

Full information below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 27, 2010 Release #10-251 Firm’s Recall Hotline: (888) 847-8716

(image courtesy Kidsbabydesign)

Kids! Tired of having to carry a stack of books with you? Think Mom or Dad’s Kindle is boring, but still want to be just like them? Now’s your chance, with not one but two ebook readers available to you!

(image courtesy Engadget)

First up, we’ve got the Fisher Price iXL. Yes, we stuck the “i” designation in there to help further the illusion this is as cool as an Apple product. Look, we’re even using an icon-based menu screen! And we have ebooks! Plus, what 3 year old doesn’t need to learn how to use a stylus? Play games, read ebooks, listen to music, avoid your chores because you’re busy playing games, just like a grown-up! (via Engadget)… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!

Ah, those innocent days of yore!  Reagan was President, U2 and REM were just getting started, people had big hair (and mullets!), and they still played music on MTV.  Yes, yes, yes:  it was The 80s.

And if you were a kid in the 80s, think of the toys you played with.  Rubik’s cube and Rubik’s snake!  The first Game Boys.  Yamaha synthesizers (“Anybody can be a musician!”).  And . . . the Big Trak!  The programmable six-wheel tank, with a front-mounted “photon” cannon!  The kind of thing Andy would have Buzz Lightyear fight in Toy Story 1.5.  And now it can be yours again, just by surfing on over to Find Me a Gift and placing your order for $67.  Maybe you can’t relive the past, but you can try, eh?

The Rubik’s TouchCube by Techno Source, is a highly sought after gift for the holiday season.  Starting today, Best Buy is doing a little gift giving themselves, offering consumers the TouchCube at an incredibly discounted price of $49.99! (Originally $149.99)

This great price is available to shoppers online, as well as in the retail locations through the remainder of the holiday season.

Rubik’s Cube, the number one best-selling game ever, has reached new heights—it has gone “touch” with the introduction of Rubik’s TouchCube™, the first completely electronic solvable Cube. The TouchCube features touch sensor technology on all six sides, a motion-detecting accelerometer, and colored lights in every square.

Check the Best Buy web… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

At what age do kids need cell phones?  It’s a question my wife and I have been struggling with lately.

I’ve heard stories of six year old kids getting iPhones from their parents.  There’s no way we’re prepared to go that route.

My oldest daughter is nine and has been hammering us for a cell phone over the last year.  It’s on her Christmas list this year and she’s recently started an all out campaign to make sure it’s under the tree this year.  By campaign I mean she’s making sure she’s cleaning her room every day, being more responsible with her things etc. All things we as parents try to get her to do regularly.

But the real question is at nine years old does she really need a cell phone?… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Charlie’s Playhouse is celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Charles Darwin‘s Origin of Species by offering 10 – 20% off their items when you ask your kids to answer one simple question. “What is Evolution?”

If you send in a video of your child answering the question, you can get 20% off Charlie’s Playhouse products; if you send in a written answer, you’ll get 10% off. This seems like a question that could get some interesting replies, doesn’t it? And what a simple way to start an educational discussion …… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Looks like the Light Brite toy I played with as a kid has gotten a major hi-tech overhaul.

Sketch Art from Hi-Tech Art allows you to make your own art by sticking LEDs.  You use the included background to stick LEDs into and watch them light up.  The board has no circuitry, no soldering, no resistors.

It includes eight differently colored LEDs to choose from.  It runs on batteries, wall power or USB, so you can take it pretty much anywhere.

The Sketch Art is available here, at a price of $49.95… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

It’s never too soon to start thinking about the holidays and the gifts you’ll need for all the kiddos in your life, and here’s a helpful suggestion: The Charlie’s Playhouse Giant Timeline Floor Mat has been a huge hit with the kids in our house; it might be something to consider for yours. At 20% off, along with all other items in the store besides clothing, you’ll be congratulating yourself on your advance planning while others are scrambling.

Today’s the last day of the sale, so if you like what you see you had better jump on it!

Charlie’s Playhouse

Starting the coming Friday , August 28th, toy retailer Toys R Us will be trying its hand at its own version of the government’s arguably successful “Cash for Clunkers” program.

No, the retailer won’t be accepting old cars.

It will however be accepting old strollers, cribs, car seats, high chairs and more.

Starting Friday and over the next three weeks, the store will offer 20 percent discounts for 16 manufacturers’ products in exchange for the used merchandise.

Toys R US CEO Gerry Storch says the program is slated to end Sept. 20, but could be extended.

The company says it hopes to take in older merchandise that might… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...