Toy Specialties

Eco-Friendly Plastics

Good for the Earth and Safer to Chew

It's a fact. Young children chew on things. Even when they are past the point of teething many children taste their toys. Chewing seems to help some kids concentrate and process new information. This takes the importance of the materials our children's toys are made out of to a new level. It's not just about durability, it's might also be about the toys healthfulness.

Enter Sprig toys. This great line of plastic toys is made out of reclaimed wood and recycled plastic. Worried that the recycled plastic carries harmful toxins? The manufacturers of Spring toys test for BPA, phthalates, lead and other toxins. Not satisfied with government minimum levels they strive to exceed US and European safety standards, and all of their toys are tested by independent laboratories to prevent in-house mistakes. Sprig makes baby toys, cars and trucks all powered by your child's imagination.

Green toys also make fantastic toys out of recycled plastic. In their case, they use only recycled milk jugs so that you can be sure their toys are safe to eat off of. I especially like this line because they make a tea set and dishes your little one can eat off of and that is dish-washer safe. Our kids both liked to have "real" tea parties with actual food and drink. I didn't want to hand over my tea set, but most toys made me cringe when used as actual dishes. The green toys set was a huge relief. Thankfully, it was also loved by both of my children!

LEGO Minecraft Feels Redundant

Collectible set to ship this summer

Oh, gosh. I think we've encountered an infinite loop of geekery. Danish toymaker invents play set with infinite building possibilities. Swedish programmer designs computer game based on same philosophy--creating whole worlds from blocks. Danish toymaker picks up on Swedish game's popularity, releases set based on its own virtual protégé. Will this go on forever? Am I staring into the abyss?

So, yeah, the LEGO set of PC games has inspired an actual, real life LEGO set of its own. The LEGO Minecraft set is currently available for pre-order and will ship this summer.

What does the result of a geek loop look like, then? Well, it's blocky. And small. And not really as exciting as one might have hoped. Aside from the two specially-made minifigs that come with the set (Steve and a creeper), it's all made up of parts that you probably already have in that giant bucket of LEGO bricks that's still sitting in your parents' basement. It's all colored one-by-one bricks. The ones meant to represent lava are red and translucent, but they're not the first LEGO bricks to let light through. You could probably come up with a more convincing and exciting kit just by sourcing the remainders of your childhood.

But if you're a firm subscriber to the word of Notch, then I guess you're going to have to pick up this box of bricks. It'll set you back $35, which isn't so bad for a small collectible set. I'd wager it's not as much fun to play around with as either computer Minecraft or regular LEGO, though.

American Girl Best Friend Dolls

Nellie, Elizabeth, Emily, Ivy, and Ruthie

In 2004, in addition to the traditional American Girl dolls, the first Best Friend doll was released. The best friend series featured the best friend of each American Girl doll. As of 2011, there have been five “Best Friend” dolls. These dolls are Nellie, Elizabeth, Emily, Ivy, and Ruthie.

Nellie

Nellie O’Malley is the best friend of the American Girl doll Samantha. In addition to being featured in Samantha’s stories, Nellie has her own book as well. Her book is titled “Nellie’s Promise”. The Nellie doll features strawberry blond hair and dark blue eyes. She comes in her “Meet” outfit: a white and blue dress, tight, black shoes, and a blue hair ribbon.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Cole is the best friend of Felicity Merriman. Elizabeth has been featured in her own book titled “Very Funny, Elizabeth”. The Elizabeth doll features blond hair and light blue eyes. She is dressed in her “Meet” outfit: a pink gown, white shift, white shoes, and hair ribbon.

Emily

Emily Bennett is the best friend of Molly McIntire. In addition to playing a part in Molly’s stories, she is featured in her own book “Brave Emily”. Emily has dark auburn hair and light blue eyes. She comes dressed in her “Meet” outfit: a blue dress, red headband, black shoes, and red socks.

Ivy

Ivy Ling is the best friend of American Girl Julie Albright. She has straight black hair with bangs and brown eyes. She wears her “Meet” outfit: a pink and yellow shirt, green pants, and tan boots. In addition to her role in Julie’s books, she has her own book titled “Good Luck, Ivy”.

Ruthie

Ruthie Smithens is the best friend of Kit Kitteredge. She has dark brown hair and gray eyes. Her “Meet” dress is a purple flower print and she wears a matching purple ribbon. In addition to being featured in Kit’s books, Ruthie has her own story titled “Really Truly Ruthie”.

Lord of the Rings LEGO Sets to Arrive Next Year

Danish toymaker acquires rights to make toys based on the Peter Jackson films

File this one under "oh ye gods, yes, please let this happen as planned." LEGO, the building toy manufacturer responsible for approximately 83% of my childhood, has just acquired the rights to make toys based off the Lord of the Rings series. They're expected to hit shelves this June.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products awarded the toymaker free reign over all of the characters, scenes, and settings from the Peter Jackson films. That includes the trilogy of films that's already out, as well as the two upcoming films based on The Hobbit. That means everyone from Bilbo to Saruman to Figwit (look him up if you don't know who I mean) is fair game for the LEGO treatment.

As a former proud owner of both Indiana Jones and Star Wars LEGO sets, I've got to say I'm tempted to start up my block habit again just to get my hands on some of these sets. I mean, some of the most epic scenes ever written are included in the Lord of the Rings books and movies. Can you imagine a Mines of Moria playset? The Ents' attack on Isengard? Helm's Deep? These are possibilities that approach the scale of the full Death Star kit. Collectors better get ready to empty their wallets as some of the coolest LEGO kits ever start to make it to the shelves.

Of course, there's also the very real possibility that we'll see video games based on the new line of sets. As someone who was disappointed by the initial round of LotR games, I hope the LEGO charm does the franchise good this time around.