The Big Toy Book » Blog

Introducing Our Newest Team Member

bigtoybookmom — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:30:13 +0000

It has been a little over 3 years since The Big Toy Book’s site launched and I am proud to say I have been here holding down the community fort from very early on. Over the past 3 years, our toy community has continued to thrive and grow and we thank you for that.

With all of the great changes that have come, my role here has grown tremendously. So while I am looking forward to focusing on some new responsibilities, I am beyond excited to announce to you that starting today that we have a new community manger joining our team!

Introducing, Tina Seitzinger!

Tina is the Mom of 2 beautiful boys (ages 5 and 3), the owner and editor of Life Without Pink, Co-founder of Girls Lunch Out, Project Marriage– and over all a true Social Media Maven.

When Tina’s not writing, tweeting or socializing online, she can be found trying a new recipe of the week, watching bad reality TV or playing Super Heroes with her boys.

We look forward to adding her Mom-perspective and playroom adventures to our team.

So please hop on over to Facebook and Twitter and be sure to give her a warm welcome.

Side note: While Tina will be the one primarily handling Facebook and Twitter here, I will definitely still be hopping on from time to time to say hello! Be sure to look out for the ~T and ~C at the end of our tweets.

Valentines Day Kids Gifts Ideas

bigtoybookmom — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:44:22 +0000

Over the years, Valentine’s Day for my husband and I has become less and less of a big deal. It’s not that we don’t want to celebrate how much we love each other, its just we both hate being rushed through a date night dinner. We don’t get date nights as much as we’d like and when we do- we’d like to enjoy them without being rushed. So, we usually make our own Valentine’s Day- not on the 14th.

However, kids love holidays. So with our kids– Valentine’s day is still on! I try and come up with fun Valentine’s ideas for their classmates, buy them their own small candy heart and get them a small little something to say “we love you!”

Here are some of the great toys I’ve found this year our smallest loved ones.

I Spy Little Hearts

The Day It Rained Hearts

Happy Valentines Day Curious George

Tunes for Two Heart Headphone Splitter

Decorate Your Own Heart Mirror

M&Ms Candy Dispenser

Alex Toys Heart Tea Set

Little Miss Muffin

Inkoos (available in pink, blue and purple)

The Sound of Imaginative Play

bigtoybookmom — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:06:40 +0000

When my kids break out their action figures or dress-up costumes, sometimes I just like to stop and listen. You truly never know what you will hear but it is almost always a good laugh and a moment you want to just bottle up.

Sometimes they are imitating their parents, teachers and friends and other times they are just babbling randomness. The latter was definitely the case as I eavesdropped on my 6 year old playing with his Imaginex Batcave.

“Look Batman here comes John Mayer!”

- What?

“Look at him, he’s so cool wearing a tie ( thought filled pause) … At least I think he wears a tie. I can’t remember what he wears”

- well, I guess sometimes he does… but, what?

” Oooo…Oooo… Waiting on the world to change” … “John Mayer sings the coolest songs”

- As long as he’s not singing Your Body Is a Wonderland, I guess its all good- right?

“Ok, we have to go beat the joker- John Mayer will drive us! Hop in the car!”

- Really, kid if you read up on John Mayer- he probably wouldn’t be the designated driver of choice. Just sayin’

And off to the Joker’s cave the drove to defeat the bad guys… Batman, Robin… and John Mayer.

It’s one of those moments I wish I could have captured on video, but happened way too quickly.

What are some of the funniest things you’ve overheard in your playroom?

-Corine

Win Your Hard To Find Toys In Time For The Holidays!

bigtoybookmom — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:59:23 +0000

Just a few more shopping days left and there are some toys that are near impossible to find on the shelves.

We want to help! We are teaming up with The Toy Insider to bring you ….

Entry is easy!

All you have to do is create your very own Big Toy Book wish list and send it to us at thebigtoybook@gmail.com to be entered to win one of the above prizes (and receive them by Christmas!)

Entries must be received by Wednesday Dec. 21 at 3pm (et) Winners will be chosen via random.org and announced here on Dec. 22. Open to US ONLY.

2 ways to create & send your list

Create your Big Toy Book Wishlist via our iPad app and send your list to thebigtoybook @ gmail.com
Create your Big Toy Book Wishlist via our website with the 3 simple steps below-

Good Luck!

So, I was “like”…

bigtoybookmom — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:18:43 +0000

My oldest daughter loves the word “like”. She loves it so much that she can use it up to 12 times in one sentence. I know. I count! She doesn’t like when I tell her how many times she uses it. But I’m her mom and I know that the day she has a real interview she needs to be aware of how she speaks.

Why am I bringing this up (and hoping she doesn’t read anywhere on the world wide web:),ha, because of an experience I just had, which is the same, but not the same….I will explain

This week I did a very different kind of interview. I was on camera but by myself. I was asked fairly opened questions and had to rephrase each one as it was just me on camera doing a lot of talking. At one point the camera man on the shoot asked me to try not to begin each new starting point with “so”. Example……”So, when I was a kid”…….or “So, the coolest toys this year”.

Wow, was I embarrassed as I asked, ” do I say that a lot”….and he smiled and shook his head yes. Being older and wiser than my daughter and having much thicker skin I simply made the conscious effort to not do that again. But it wasn’t until after I left that I began to laugh as I realized that this was MY “Swannee River”. And if you are my age or older you are laughing too. Either that or you catch enough Nick At Night!

Do you have a word that you use too often?

Laurie, The Toy Insider Mom

A Holiday Giveaway With Moxie!

bigtoybookmom — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:08:34 +0000

If you’re the parent of a girl, Moxie Girlz are certainly no stranger to you. With their motto “Be True To You”, Moxie Girlz were introduced in 2009 to embrace individuality and empower girls to do and be what ever they want.

With their growing popularity, the Moxie Girlz toy line has grown in leaps and bounds over the years.

New this holiday- The Moxie Girlz are starring in their very own video game based on the popular brand of Moxie Girlz fashion dolls.

The Moxie Girlz Nintendo DS game gives players thousands of art options and creations. Gamers can share their deepest secrets, get lost in Journal or Diary mode, or have fun filling out quizzes.

And today we have a Moxie Girlz prize pack for you that will make the little girl on your holiday list flip with excitement!

The Prize:

Moxie Girlz Game for NintendoDS
Moxie Girlz Alena Doll {Not pictured}
Moxie Girlz Arti-itude Purse

ENTER to win below

Contest runs through December 11th.

Winner to be announced Monday December 12th

Rules:

One Entry per person. Contest open to US only. Winner to be selected via a random number generator on December 12th. Winner will be contacted December 12th via email. Winner has 48 hours to claim prize. If prize is not claimed we reserve the right to randomly select another winner. Winner to be announced publicly via The Big Toy Book’s Facebook, Blog and Twitter Account by December 13th.

A Fun & Wacky Twitter Party With The ICKEE Stikeez!

bigtoybookmom — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:39:15 +0000

Part of what makes the holiday season extra special is getting together with family. If your family is anything like mine, the dynamic of putting all of these unique personalities in one house– let alone one dinner table almost guarantees that hilarity will ensue.

Join us Wednesday, November 16th for a Twitter Party with The wacky and whimsical ICKEE Stikeez!

Like all families, the ICKEE Stikeez have members of their Ickee family have unique, wacky and whimsical personalities. These little guys are tons of fun, perfect for small holiday gifts … and we can’t stop “popping” them on our desks. …. {pop} … {pop}…

JOIN US! NOVEMBER 16th, 9pm ET

Who: The ICKEE Stikeez

What: Sharing fun and wacky holiday memories

Hashtag: #ICKEEStikeez

Tweet Grid: http://bit.ly/uJ5Jz4

Prizing:

(4) IICKEE Stikeez prize packs valued at $20

(1 )Zing Toys Grand prize pack valued at $100

RSVP by leaving your Twitter handle in the comments below to win!

Educational toys and accessories under $25

bigtoybookmom — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:44:12 +0000

Kids are officially back to school!
Earlier this week The Toy Insider Mom, Laurie Schacht talked about some of the school gear kids will love as well as some educational toys that will keep them thinking. And the best part? They of the toys on the list are less than $25!

To see full segment click here.

Penguin Young Readers (Penguin Books)
Penguin early reader books are offered in a variety of fun and loveable preschool character including- “Butterfly Girl, “Skippy Jon Jones”, “Corduroy” & more.

MSRP: $16.99 each for the books; $9.99 each for plush
Ages: 2+

I Spy Ready to Read Game (Briarpatch)
Get ready to read! Develops verbal, pre-reading skills and letter, shape and pattern recognition.

MSRP: $16.99
Ages: 4+

Time and Space Projection Alarm Clock (Blue Hat)
This rocket-shaped alarm clock projects a digital clock display against vivid galactic images on any wall or ceiling.
MSRP $19.99
Ages: 3+

Angry Birds Multi Pocket Backpack (Accessory Innovations)
Head to class in style with Angry Birds backpacks featuring smart details and spacious designs, including extra durable zippers, multiple pockets and organizers to keep everything close at hand.
MSRP: $24.99
Ages: 3+

Shains Notebook (Shainsware)
Personalize the cover with your name, class subject, or decorate and change it whenever you want.
Comes with 60 elements for personalization.
MSRP: $16.00
Ages: 7+

Uglydoll School Planner (Ugly Doll)
Makes it easy to get and stay organized!
MSRP: $14.99
Ages: 10+

Squinkies™ Bubble Packs (Blip Toys)
Squinkies are great as pencil toppers, too
Collections include your favorite Disney® Princesses, Barbie® and Hello Kitty®, as well as themed sets boys will love too; from monsters to aliens, to Cars 2, to Marvel super heroes
MSRP $9.99
Ages: 4+

Counting Money Jar (Summit Toy)
This handy jar will count your coins and digitally display your savings.
With Balance Guard ™, it remembers your balance…even if you have to replace the batteries.

MSRP: $9.99
Ages: 5+

Scruble Cube (RSV Entertainment)
Players rotate and twist rows and columns of the cube, with the goal to rearrange letters to create new words.
One word is formed per turn and can range from 3 to 16 letters spelled horizontally, vertically and, uniquely, around multiple faces of the cube. Each of the 96 letter pegs is assigned a point value.

MSRP: $24.99
Ages: 8+

20Q™ (Techno Source)
The new 20Q is an updated version of the best-selling electronic game of twenty questions.
Players think of any animal, vegetable, mineral or other object, and 20Q magically reads their minds by deducing the answer in twenty questions or less.

MSRP: $12.99
Ages 6+

Inkoos (The Bridge Direct)
Inkoos are funky, quirky characters that are drawn to life with a little “Inkspiration”!
By using the Inkoos’ amazing washable markers, creative tweens can express themselves by drawing, designing and decorating their Inkoos into anything they imagine.
Then with a spin in the washing machine, Inkoos are ready to be designed all over again!
MSRP: $7.99
Ages: 4+

Who’s Your BFF? – Friendship Day Twitter Party

bigtoybookmom — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:48:03 +0000

Did you know that this Saturday, July 30th is International Friendship Day?

Friends are an important part in all of our lives, they are our family whether it be by blood or in our hearts.

The international holiday dates back to 1958- just 3 years after The Lennon Sisters made their debut on the The Lawrence Welk Show on Christmas Eve 1955. Even before America embraced them, Kathy and Janet Lennon were inseparable. They were “Best Pals” in every way. They grew up holding hands and taking care of one another, and today they have a line of adorable plush dolls and play sets, fittingly called Best Pals.

This Friday we are celebrating Friendship day with a Best Pals Twitter Party!

We will chat about our first friendships, the importance of friendships new and old and also will be giving away amazing prizes during the party- you will not want to miss!

So join us!

When: Friday, July 29th 8pm ET

What: Friendship Day Twitter Party

Where: Twitter – hashtag- #BestPals

RSVP by leaving your Twitter handle in the comment area & qualify to win one of the below prize packs:

Mini Best Pals set (Value $20)

These are two adorable miniature Best Pals dolls in a fantastic mini valise! Super cute, very retro.

Best Pals Doll of YOUR Choice and a Best Pals Sing Together CD (Value $45)

Choose from one of the 6 Best Pals dolls (Kathy, Janet, Lily, Sofia, Isabelle or Danny), and enjoy the Best Pals Sing Together CD – a sing-along CD of classic children’s music featuring Kathy and Janet Lennon.

The Aqua Lennon Sisters Paper Doll Set (Value $65)

A reproduction of a set originally produced in 1958; along with the Kathy and Janet Best Pals dolls. The dolls are reproductions of two handmade ragdolls given to Kathy and Janet Lennon in 1949.

**Grand Prize** (Value $100)

Two Best Pals dolls (winner can choose from 6 dolls), a Best Pals Tin Tea Set and the Best Pals Sing Together CD.

Shape Up Sneakers for 7 year olds? Has Sketcher’s Gone Too Far?

bigtoybookmom — Mon, 16 May 2011 13:14:28 +0000

Sketchers Shape Ups is stirring up quite a bit of controversy with their new Shape Ups for kids as young as 7 years old. Since Sketchers Shape Ups arrived ion the scene, their message was that their shoes would help tone legs and buttocks for woman- which begs the question- do 7 year olds really need to tone their legs?

A few months ago, I was also baffled when retailer Abercombie and Fitch started selling padded bikini tops for 7 year olds.

What is going on? What message are sending to our children? Why are 7 year olds being marketed to the same as 20 year old women?

We want to hear your thoughts-
[polldaddy poll="5052557"]