Kobold Toys' Blog

Happy Birthday Kobold!

2010-03-11T12:01:00.001-05:00

In March we celebrate spring and the second birthday of Kobold Toys! Two years ago Ana and Carmina created an on-line store that is committed to carrying toys that are safe, fun and conducive to your child’s emotional, physical, and mental development. As parents, all of us take the recommendations we offer to you very seriously. We see these toys in action in our own homes and give them to our nieces, nephews and best little pals.

In this economy, we know that spending money on toys and books can be taxing. We try our best to offer high quality and safe toys that accommodate all budgets. Kobold Toys continues to identify toys from around the globe that we think are unique and will ensure that you and your child have fun learning.

In appreciation of your support over the past two years, we are kicking off our Kobold Kid Club discount promotion. Each month we will provide our blog subscribers and Facebook fans with a unique discount code towards one of Kobold’s favorite brands.

The first promotion for our Kobold Kids is 20% off any PlanToys product. Kobold Toys has long admired the award-winning PlanToys. PlanToys has been creating innovative educational toys for every developmental stage of childhood since 1981. From blocks to cars to pretend food, all products are made of non-chemically treated rubberwood. When you purchase a toy from PlanToys you can be rest-assured that the product is educational, eco-friendly and will offer hours of fun. We also admire the company’s commitment to giving back to the community. There is just so much to love about PlanToys!

Starting today thru April 14, friends of Kobold can receive 20% off any PlanToys product. Enter F5G8LL at check-out and remember that all orders over $40 receive free shipping.

A new code for another Kobold Kid favorite brand will be available on April 15^th. Become a fan on our Facebook page to receive frequent updates on new items and other surprise discounts and offers in the coming months. We also invite you to post reviews on the products you do purchase so that Ana and other shoppers can have your insight. And please continue to let us know if there is a brand or toy that you think Kobold should offer.

Thank you for your continued support of Kobold Toys. We appreciate being a trusted resource for you, and we remain committed to bringing you more of the high-quality, fun toys you expect form Kobold Toys.

As always, have fun learning! ~ Ana, Carmina and Ashley

Fashions for Every Month!

2010-03-04T12:30:00.002-05:00

A miracle has happened. Miss E has started using a purse. She received her first purse at age 3 months in Sarasota, Florida when a lovely store owner gifted her one due to her adorable quotient. That may be the last time she held a handbag. Fast forward 4.5 years.....last week she dusted off a red bag monogrammed with her initials and loaded it with change for the collection basket at church. I am holding my breath that we may have turned a corner in girlish tendencies (maybe we can dust the hairbows off next!). Thankfully North American Bear Co. offers handbags for every season and for every age...here is a peek at what is available at Kobold Toys!

January: Snowgirls!

February: Sweetheart Candy!

March: Princesses! (also available in Brunette)

April: Easter Bags! Kobold Toys also offers chicks and lambs. Don't miss the full collection of Easter suprises!

May: Celebrate Spring!

June: Fresh Veggies Tote!

July: Surf & Turf!

August: Chasing Butterflies!

September: Dog Days!

October: Halloween!

November: Cat's Meow!

December: Santa, of course!

These bags range in price from $9.99 to over $20 depending on the size and detail. I think a 1, 3 or 6 month supply of handbags is a wonderful gift for the fashionista on your list. Also fun favors for themed parties and birthdays.

Visit Kobold Toys for the full collection of bags and accessories for your beloved. Remember..."The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize"-Olympia Dukakis as Clairee Belcher in Steel Magnolias.

Celebrate Black History Month with Music

2010-02-22T10:02:00.000-05:00

There are several ways to honor this special month with your children. We chose to celebrate the influential African-American artists whose music we enjoy, and we focused on the jazz and big band era. Think: Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie. One reason I like to expose the children to jazz is because it allows musicians to improvise and to incorporate their own ideas into the music. I love it when Miss E takes the music she knows from another song and mixes it up with new words or even with other songs.

Fun facts about some of our favorite black musicians:

*Duke Ellington was born in Washington, DC and started taking piano lessons at age seven. He wrote nearly 2000 compositions before his death in 1974.

*New Orleans native Louis Armstrong is known for his trumpet skills. He also loved food and wrote the songs "Cheesecake" and "Cornet Chop Suey."

*Ella Fitzgerald loved playing baseball as a child. She would later win 13 Grammys and sell over 40 million albums. Her first #1 song was "A-Tisket, A-Tasket."

*B.B. King is considered the King of the Blues. In fact, it is said that B.B. stands for "Blues Brother." His guitar is always named Lucille.

Music can be such a wonderful influence on your child's development. Listening to music and playing with instruments help develop concentration, coordination and patience. Kobold Toys offers a variety of instruments by Tatiri: guitar, recorder, xylophone, clarinet and tambo urine. Sing-along books are also fun and easy ways to expose your child to music. Kobold's favorites from Barefoot Books include: "Magic Train Ride," the Sing-Along Bag of Books Collection (3 books and CDs), and the "Whole World."

And for the newest ears, consider the Musical balls from Lilliputiens!

Who cares whether you have the next Coltrane on your hands or not... the fun is in grooving and jamming with the kids! Have a great week singing along together!

Cooking with Wild Abandon

2010-02-18T08:01:00.001-05:00

Snowed in with the rest of the Mid-Atlantic states, we discovered a bubbling passion in Little C. He loves to cook. Cookies, bread, cake, pasta, casseroles, cupcakes, Mimsi puffs, PBJ...he doesn't care what you are making, he is compelled to help. I am thrilled to uncover this little passion, but I have found that Little C at 23 months of age is resistant to the safety issues that abound in the kitchen. Unfortunately his older sister does not share is love of the kitchen, and while we have a little pretend play kitchen, the "used" food and accessories are incomplete or non-existent. We need to improve our set-up.

Thank goodness his 2nd birthday is approaching, and we can point everyone towards the "yummy" play food and enticing wares available at Kobold Toys. If you have a chef in the making, you'll want to add these staples to your play kitchen as well.

Friday nights are pizza/movie night at our home. I love the Biofino Buon Appetite Pizza from Haba. It is so colorful and appealing. Made of velour and felt, the pizza can be divided into six slices, and your budding chef can choose from their favorite toppings. Hold the anchovies, please! Kobold also loves the Burger and Fries from Haba.

For healthier pretend fare, Haba offers the Grill Set complete with fish, veggie kabob and chicken sausages. PlanToys also offers the very popular fruits and veggies set that includes an apple, a pear, a lemon, an orange, a banana, a cucumber, a mushroom and a carrot. The pretend knife lets you chop up your items...safely!

If your child has a sweet tooth, you'll want to put the Haba Black Forest Cake and the Haba Sweet Pastries on the shopping list too! Deliciously adorable!

Now that you have your menu items, it is time to consider accessories. As I mentioned we are working on safety in the kitchen with Little C. I like the Cook Bear Karlos Oven Mittens from Haba, especially for boys. They are blue! Kobold Toys also offers aprons for the chef who is adverse to mess, unlike Little C! If your kitchen needs stylish cookware, Kobold recommends the very stylish Cooking Utensils Set from PlanToys. The set includes a frying pan, spatula, a pot with lid, serving spoon and saucepan. If stainless steel is more your fancy, consider the Cookware Set from Little Gourmet. This professional quality cookware is made of dishwasher-safe stainless steel. Sauté pan and stock pot are 4 3/4" diameter, and sauce pan is 3 3/3" diameter. The set includes a lid for the sauce pan and a lid that fits both the sauté pan and the stock pot.

Kobold Toys also offers pretend play items for the shopping experience. Consider the Garden Hop Vegetable To te. Your chef can join you at the Farmer's Market to pick the freshest ingredients. Kobold is also a long time fan of the shopping cart by PlanToys.

Finally, there is always clean-up. Whether boy or girl, the Dishwasher from PlanToys is a wonderful addition to your pretend kitchen. The sink tray is made of metal and is removable making it easy for real water to be used during play if desired. The door to the machine opens and closes easily, and it can hold a fair number of play dishes inside. If you can develop their cooking abilities, it is essential to develop their clean-up capabilities too!

Enable your child to cook with wild abandon with the entire collection of kitchen products at Kobold Toys! Eat your heart out Julia Child!

Toys, Glorious Toys!

2010-02-16T11:33:00.013-05:00

This week Kobol d Toys' owners, Ana and Carmina, are hitting the Big Apple for the American International Toy Fair 2010. Imagine 32,000 attendees representing 1oo countries, 1,100 exhibitors, and over 100,000 unique products on display... Fun!!!

Kobold's first stop was a visit with Safari Ltd.'s owner Ramona Pariente. Safari is a new brand for Kobold Toys. The company manufactures and distributes museum quality creative toys from horses to dinosaurs to dragons. In 1980, Safari began as an educational toy company out of the founders’ apartment. Today, nearly three generations later, Safari continues their commitment of educating children about the earth and it’s inhabitants. One aspect that Kobold likes is that Safari provides educational information on every product in 5 languages including Spanish and French.

Horses, dragons, marine and safari animals are available now at Kobold Toys. Soon we will be adding additional products, including their Animal and Themed (think pirates) Toobs. The Toobs contain 10+ figures and most are priced under $10. The Toobs are great gifts and travel toys. Ana also reports that the company offers Safari People, including a President of the USA set!

Ana is raving about the dolls from Italian toy company Trudi. Trudi is the number one plush toy company in Italy. The dolls are "gorgeous" and will be perfect for the "Little Mommy" age 2-4. Look for these dolls on the website in the coming weeks! They join our wonderful collection of dolls for girls and boys of all ages.

Ana and Carmina enjoy the search for quality toys that both their children and yours will enjoy. Kobold Toys is committed to providing safe and fun products that will ensure that your child has fun learning! Stay tuned for more news and product finds from Toy Fair 2010!

Let the Games Begin!

2010-02-11T08:52:00.012-05:00

Living in the Mid-Atlantic states, my family has experienced first hand the wonders of "Snowmaggedon" these last days. We have baked bread and cookies, made Valentine's Day cards, built forts, colored, glued, danced, painted, played board games and puzzles, and watched movies. Since that little groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter (only one down so far), I will be restocking my supply of Faber-Castell crayons and paper/doodling books, as well as baking supplies.

My favorite activity of the week was building our Olympic Hill in the backyard. The XXI Olympic Winter Games start tomorrow in Vancouver, and Miss E is excited (so am I!). We can not wait to cheer for the 216 Americans (123 men and 92 women) competing this year. Miss E is especially a fan of the Flying Tomato Shaun White, and we are all rooting for Lindsey Vonn. Miss E requested an Olympic Hill so she could practice her sledding skills. If we had been more experienced snow bunnies, we may have attempted a luge. The Winter Olympics have also recharged my craft skills, as I plan today to let the children color flags from other countries. Maybe we'll create a large Olympic flag for our hill!

Since Miss E will be celebrating American athletes, Kobold wants to honor our Canadian toy makers today.

Since 1983, Educo toys have earned international distinction for durability, quality craftsmanship, educational value and innovative design. Kobold Toys offers many of the role play toys, like the Master Carpenter Workbench and the "My Royal Castle." The castle is an imaginative 26-piece wood set that includes 3 knights, a horse, catapult, rope ladders, working draw bridge and a king and queen.

Bloco is an award winning toy development and manufacturing company committed to providing quality and entertaining toys. Kobold Toys has long been a fan of the Bloco construction toys, and offers Birds of Prey, Scorpions & Insects, and Dragon & Reptiles. Your child can build the illustrated designs or design their own creature or animal.

Visit the Kobold Toys site for toys from your favorite country.

Go Team USA!!!
.

Inventing Entertainment

2010-02-04T08:13:00.000-05:00

February is a busy month. We celebrate love. We celebrate the many contributions of African-Americans. We celebrate U.S. Presidents. We celebrate Mardi Gras. On February 11th we also celebrate the birth of Thomas Alva Edison. Named "the most influential figure of the millennium" and called the "Wizard of Menlo Park," Edison was an American inventor, scientist and businessman known primarily for the electric light bulb.

Some interesting facts (from biographer Gerald Beals) on this famous "wizard" include:

*He did not learn to talk until he was almost four years old.
*He patented 1,093 inventions. 1,093!
*He was a fan of Shakespeare and considered being an actor.
*He was hearing impaired.

You may also be aware of these famous quotes that I think are wonderful to share with children:

"Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."

"Genius is often merely a talented person who has done all of his or her homework."

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

Maybe you have a budding Edison? Kobold Toys has several suggestions to keep your little inventor inspired.

Build the amazing Wind Generator from 4M and teach your child about renewable energy.

Celebrate electricity! The Enviro Battery from 4M is a science kit designed to demonstrate how natural materials like lemons or even mud can produce enough electricity to light a bulb, power a digital watch, or activate a music chip.

Inspiration comes at any time so be prepared with the smART ba g from HABA. Compartments for pencils and a note pad to jot down your child's life-changing ideas for new biofuels.

The ZOOBMover Power Building Set adds a new dimension to open-ended building. Kids snap, click, and pop ZOOB pieces onto the ZOOBMover to create anything they can imagine--from creatures to robots to sculptures. When they're done building, they make their creations move with a remote control unit. Cool!

Miss E loves the opportunity to do a project. Last weekend Miss E and her Dad did an impromptu experiment about weights with balloons from the grocery store. It was great to hear the giggles and ahas from the kitchen!

There is truly much to celebrate this month, so take time to invent entertainment with your child. Be inspiring!

Peaceful Fun with Mandalas

2010-01-28T09:25:00.000-05:00

Kobold Toys has been stocking the shelves for 2010 with new finds from around the globe. Kobold is especially excited about the new items we are offering from the award-winning German game and puzzle company Ravensburger.

Today we are highlighting the Mandala designers by Ravensburger. Mandalas are simple to complicated designs that are used primarily for relaxation and entertainment purposes. It is widely known as an ancient Buddhist graphic symbol of the universe. Its purpose is to demonstrate the interconnectedness of all things. The January 2010 of Smithsonian Magazine shares the story of how Buddhist monks came to the Sackler Gallery following 9/11 to help Americans heal by creating a sand mandala. As part of the Buddhist belief that life is transitory, after the mandala was finished (two weeks!) they swept the finished product into the Potomac River.

The Mandala designers by Ravensburger let your child use the set for fun or for educational purposes. The circle with a center pattern of a mandala is viewed as a pattern of nature, and is seen in biology, geology, chemistry, physicans and astronomy. The creation and coloring of the mandala can help teach your child patience and even basic geometric symmetry.

The Mandala designers available at Kobold Toys include the Mandala Classic, Mandala Deco Designer, and the Mandala Wonderful Horses Designer. These kits enable your child to create a fundamental structures from one simple design disk. We can't promise your child will achieve inner peace, but they will have fun learning.

Kobold has several other new products from Ravensburger to share with you:

The Dinosaur Mix n Match Game is an adorable variation of the usual matching game as it uses footprint shaped cards to represent the various dinosaurs.

Dress Up Duel Puzzle includes 35 pieces and is a fun project for the age 4+ set on family night.

Have fun learning numbers with the Ready, Set, Count! game. What do you learn during the fun? Number recognition of numbers 1 -10 and different ways numbers can be represented.

Don't miss the entire collection of games and puzzles from Ravensburger- perfect for ages 3+. Have a wonderful weekend!

Love Is in the Air

2010-01-21T09:10:00.001-05:00

Valentine's Day is coming soon. Miss E has already selected the cards she'll distribute to her preschool friends, and we are thinking of all kinds of red and pink crafts to keep us occupied at home. This is the one month where Ellis does not show her disdain for the color pink!

Kobold Toys has ideas for sweethearts of every age on your list! Our top 10 Valentine's Day gift suggestions are:

1. Toysmith's Sweetheart Tea for Two Set ($14.99). Cheers! This child sized 9-piece ceramic tea set will provide tea party fun throughout the year. Includes 3.5" pitcher with lid, two 4.25" plates, two 1.75" cups, creamer and lidded sugar bowl all molded in a whimsical sweetheart shape. Recommended for 3+

2. "Be Mine" Candy He art Bag by North American Bear Co. ($11.99) . The stylish tote is lined and has velcro handles. Machine washable in case her chocolate hearts melt inside! Kobold Toys also offers goody bags in the shapes of dogs, fish and princesses!

3. Barefoot Books. Books offer a wonderful way for you to snuggle up with your valentine and Kobold offers a collection of books for children ages birth to 8 years old. Kobold recommends "The Journey Home from Grandpa's House." Hop in the yellow car and look out for all the other forms of transportation on the way home from Grandpa's. A beautiful, double-page spread at the end features all of the colors and modes of transportation from the story. Includes cd for easy singalong fun. What a great gift from grandparents (hint, hint Papa Charlie!).

4. ZOOB Tubes- Cla ssic and Sparkle ($7.99). ZOOB building sets encourage creativity and are appealing to both boys and girls. These cute tubes offer the chance to make 17 creations from rocket man to a crab (instructions included).

5. Dolls and stuffed animals. Every child loves the chance to share the love with her own baby doll and bear. Kobold Toys offers a collection of adorable dolls and plush animals for all ages from Corolle, Lilliputiens, Shure, and North American Bear Co. Kobold loves the Babipouce Pink Striped Doll from Corolle - a perfect first doll. Other favorites include Baby Rose from Lilliputiens, Vanilla Redhead Doll from Corolle, and Rosy Cheeks Big Sister by North Amer ican Bear Co.

6. Heart Puzzle by Ravensburger ($11.99). Kobold is a fan of the incredibly cool and unique puzzleballs designed by Ravensburger. This 3D Heart Puzzle has curved, sturdy plastic pieces that fit snugly to form a perfect heart. The end result is a unique, decorative piece that can be displayed as a constant “I love you!” Your child will enjoy putting together this 60 piece puzzle that once completed creates a box. Ages 8+

7. Rose Baby Playmat from Lilliputiens ($99.99). Perfect baby shower or new baby gift! This flower-shaped play mat offers a bouquet of activities: sounds, different textures and various forms. Ideal to stimulate babies' curiosity. Plus, the mat is very practical: it folds, zips and can be taken along anywhere!

8. Fire Department Puzzle and Book by Shure ( $14.99). Let him know your hear is afire! Read to your child the colorful firefighters board book as you match each illustrated fireman and firetruck wooden piece with the image and shape in the tray, or stand them up for pretend-play on the table or floor.

9. Heart ball by Tati ri. ($9.99) With Tatiri's 5" inch playball, ball games become more fun. With their unique design and beautiful prints (hearts, cars, dinosaurs, airplanes and jungle theme), they become hard to miss and leave behind on the playground.

10. Lilliputiens LadyBird Rattle. Kobold thinks the rattles by Lilliputiens are adorable, and this ladybird rattle is perfect for Valentine's Day. Each time it squeaks, it says "I love you."

Have a wonderful weekend! And, as always,we hope your children have fun learning!

And the Award Goes To...

2010-01-18T08:57:00.000-05:00

Each year I look forward to the glamour and fun of the Golden Globes Awards. Although each year it seems that I have less and less familiarity with any of the films nominated. In fact out of all of the films nominated this year, I have only seen three. I have a little more knowledge on the television side. I love "Mad Men" and I am a true "Gleek." I would love to have the time to view the almost 300 films considered each year. What is wonderful about award shows is that it helps identify the outstanding films and performances that I may want to experience...if and when the opportunity arises.

The same is true of toys. The market is saturated with toys that have little or no information about their fun factor or educational value. Thankfully there are organizations like the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, Dr. Toy, and iParenting Media whose child development experts can guide you in decision making.

Kobold Toys is dedicated to offering toys from around the globe that help your child explore their imagination and creativy. You'll be glad to know that some of Kobold's favorites are award winners too!

And the winners are:

The Calico Ball Chime by North America Bear Co. is a 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner. The adorable ball has bright patterns to stimulate your child's visual awareness. The small size is perfect for little hands to grab and throw. The Corolle Large R ag Doll, PlanToys Kitchen Center, and Sprig Ec o Trucks are also Platinum Award Winners.

The very cool Automoblox cars have received the Parent's Choice Silver Honor, iParenting Media Winner, Practical Pre-School Silver, and the 2006 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award.

The Bloco construction toy uses high density foam designed in unique shapes with specialized plastic connectors to create imaginative animals. Kobold is a fan of Bloco- he loves the Scorpion & Inse ct collection- and he is not alone. Bloco has received the Creative Child Magazine 2008 Top Toy Award, Dr. Toy Smart Toy/Smart Play Award, iParenting Media Winner, and the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval.

ZOOB, a new brand at Kobold Toys, is an award-winning building set with a difference—the pieces move after you put them together. So your child can play with his creations, instead of just looking at them. ZOOB has been honored by Dr. Toy, Parent's Choice, Toy Family Fun and was named Family Life Best Learning Toy.

Neat-Oh has received 30 awards for their innovative and fun ZipBin storage toys. The racer back pack is a favorite of Creative Child Magazine and the Middle East Toy Fair (UAE).

Calafant products have been noted as a Mothering's Best Natural Toy of 2009 and received the Family Fun Toy of the Year Award. These recyclable and sturdy toys are a wonderful family craft project.

The beautiful puzzles by Mudpuppy are consistently recognized by child development and toy experts (think Meryl Streep!). Two favorites of the award community include the Around the World Puzzle and the Solar System Floor Puzzle.

You don't only have to purchase toys that are award recipients-- sometimes the most fun games and toys never receive the recognition they may deserve (just like some of your favorite films and television shows!). These award companies do the homework that many of us don't have time to do, so use their research to help guide you next time you are stumped for a gift.

Have fun learning this week! Note: Coming Thursday, our picks for Valentine's Day.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

2010-01-07T10:31:00.000-05:00

My children tell me they are freezing to death (or at least Miss E is sharing this proclamation with me). Little C prefers to stomp his feet and just say "Brrrrrrrrrrr." Ahh, the joys of January. The tree is down, the lights are packed away, and the boxes of decorations all stacked away in the attic. The cold reality that winter is here can no longer be disguised by reindeers, ribbons and mistletoe. Every errand requires an additional 20 minutes of layering and dressing (I am sure you true "Northerners" are giggling, but to girls raised in the deep south, 24 degrees is COLD).

January is the month in which many parents must dig deep into their resources for indoor activities. You might relax the rules a little and allow elaborate forts out of the den cusions or even sofa dancing "Flashdance" style...anything to get the ya-yas out! After baking goodies for everyone on your street (cupcakes and cookies are great distractions, but not for the new year's diet plan!) and extracting snowflakes and collages out of the remaining construction paper, rest assured your little friend Kobold has some ideas to keep the troops entertained! The best part is that you only have to open the door to pick up the delivery box - no need to bundle up and brave the winds when winter crafts can come right to the doorstep!

Kobold's top three picks for keeping busy and having fun learning are:

1. Any craft kit from 4M. Dinosaur bone digging.... rocket launching...mosaics...crochet...science projects. These incredible kits, $15.99 and under, are perfect for the winter doldrums. Kobold especially likes the Princess Window Mosaic and the Soda Can Robug (a "green" robot!).

2. Games! Kobold loves the games from German company Ravensburger. Known for their puzzles and games, Kobold is recommending Teddy Bear Mix & Match (cards are shaped like bears!) and Tell-A-Story Game. In the Tell-A-Story game each player uses their memory skills to try to be the first player to collect all five story cards about a single character. Once all of the players have collected all of their story cards, they arrange their cards to tell a story of their choice. This game encourages children to develop their imagination and creativity as well as logical thinking and language skills.

3. Puzzles are a tried and true favorite of our little Kobold. The 2 foot x 3 foot jumbo Fire Engine Shaped Floor Puzzle by Shure is oversized, durable, glossy pieces printed with colorful, hand-painted artwork are big fun for little puzzlers! Kobold also offers floor puzzles from Mudpuppy and the more advanced "Discover The World" Puzzleball by Ravensburger. Discover The World Puzzleball includes 540 pieces and is 8.5" in diameter when completed. The puzzle comes with its own stand so you can celebrate the accomplishment and keep it safe from the curious fingers of little brothers and sisters.

Kobold Toys also offers building blocks, art supplies and the very best of toys to promote learning so visit the site for more ideas for entertaining your own children or the must-have gift.

Kobold and his team wish you and your family a very happy and healthy 2010. We are grateful for your support of Kobold Toys, and look forward to sharing our favorite finds from around the world with you again this year.

Stay warm and have fun learning!

The Countdown is On!

2009-12-18T13:39:00.010-05:00

My four year old daughter, Miss E, is loving the countdown to Christmas Day. Now that she knows her numbers, she is having fun searching for them on the Advent Calendar. She has little milestones to help her keep track of how many days until the big present opening occurs. 10 days after Christmas vacation starts...5 days after Mimsi and Papa arrive...2 days after Uncle William arrives. Very exciting!

It is been a busy month in our household and at Kobold Toys. If you are like me, you may still be trying to find gifts for everyone on your list. At Kobold Toys, you can order until noon on December 22 for Christmas delivery.

Miss E is all about space and horses. In addition to her personalized astronaut suit and some play horses, I love the Mudpuppy puzzles - there is one about the solar system and a horse show.

Little C at 21 months loves cooking in the kitchen and pretend play- doctor, fireman, crash toboggan. He wants to do everything Miss E does, and makes valiant attempts. I am hoping Santa brings any play food from PlanToys, the fireman puzzle from Shure, and the adorable Doctor's kit by HABA ( there is also a lovely plush one by Lilliputiens for the 9 month + set).

My family also expects Santa to bring lots of books for our home library. If you have no idea what to buy a child, a book is always a terrific pick. Barefoot Books offers titles for everyone on your list...pig lovers like Little C, adventure lovers like Miss E, and books with CDs like "The Magic Train Ride." At each stop, the train comes across new and wonderful things to look at and talk about, in forests and jungles, and all the way to outer space.

Kobold and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2010- of course filled with fun and learning!~ Ashley, Miss E, and Little C

Gift Ideas for Dinosaur Lovers & Scurvy Pirates

2009-12-07T13:24:00.012-05:00

Still looking for gift ideas for your beloved? Today Kobold has selected his favorites for dinosaur lovers and survy pirates.

Kobold's picks for dinosaur lovers include:

1. I Dream I Was a Dinosaur board book from Barefoot Books. Join a young boy on a dreamland adventure to prehistoric times, where he meets dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes. The rhyme filled text is followed by fascinating notes about the age of dinosaurs and includes illustrations by Kobold's favorite Clare Beaton.

2. The 63 piece Mighty Dinosaur puzzle is is a wonderful gift for advanced puzzler. Kobold Toys also offers an adorable puzzle for the starter set with Shure's "My Dinosaur's Puzzle & Book."

3. For the artsy dinosaur lover, Kobold recommends the Calafant Dinosaur craft (only $6.99!). Children can use their imagination and creativity to color their own dinosaur and then play with it. This beautiful craft is made of pre-punched white cardboard, so it can be put together without glue or scissors. In addition, it comes with 6 markers and building instructions, all sealed in a plastic bag.

You will not have to walk the plank if you take Kobold's suggestions and wrap up these gifts that the scurviest of pirates will love:

1. The Little Pirate Bag of Books set lets your child set sail with this merry crew and enjoy all sorts of pirate fun with Port Side Pirates! with music CD and Pirates: Fun Activities, filled with puzzles, mazes, treasure maps and reusable stickers which will keep young landlubbers happily occupied for hours.

2. If you have a Pirate Girl, consider the cute pirate tooth pillow doll by North American Bear Co.

3. Pirates encounter many dangers in the deep blue sea. The Bloco Marine Creatures Scholastic set lets your child build and learm about sharks and other creatures so your pirate is prepared!

Have fun learning! And for more gift ideas and discounted items, visit the website every day.

Happy Holidays!

Kobold's Picks for the Royals on Your Shopping List

2009-12-03T07:48:00.014-05:00

Whether you have a knight, a queen or a little princess on your list, Kobold has ideas to keep you out of the dragon house when it comes to gift giving.

1. Books!

Herb the Vegetarian Dragon is a tale about a dragon who knows how to stay true to his values even in the stickiest of situations. In The Prince's Bedtime you will meet a young prince who refuses to go to sleep! The entire kingdom comes out to lend a hand in this rhyming bedtime adventure. There is a hullabaloo of activity—jugglers juggling, magicians hypnotizing, dancers dancing—but it is the wonder of a good story that finally does the trick. The book with CD edition includes story read by actor Jim Broadbent.

2. Puzzles! Our little Kobold loves putting together the 100 Piece Fairy Tale Puzzle by Mudpuppy. Other favorites include the Royal Castle Floor Puzzle and the Royal Horses 100 Piece Puzzle.

3. Blocks. Kobold enjoys buidling and creating fairy tale worlds. With the Story Building Palace, your child can build her very own palace adventure! Easy to build panels and blocks allow preschoolers to build quickly. This earth friendly playset contains over 95 pieces of story building fun.

4. Jewels. Every princess needs a place to hide her baubles. We like the HABA blue Mia jewelry box. The bottom holds all kinds of valuables, and the top can be unzipped and used as a travel jewelry box. With mirror in the lid. Add some necklaces from HABA and Tatiri for the perfect gift.

5. Frogs and dragons. Frogs and dragons have a permanent place in fairy tale play. For the princess who adores frogs, Kobold suggest the adorable Lilliputiens Romeo Backpack. The Belly Bunch frog is snuggly and also contains six figurines for hoppy good times. Kobold guarantees that kissing these guys will not find you a prince, but will provide some fun play time!

Kobold Toys has gifts for eveyone on your list.

Happy Holidays and have learning!

Art & Architecture Month

2009-11-30T07:30:00.000-05:00

December, among many things, is Art and Architecture Month. Celebrate your little Monet or Gehry at Kobold Toys with gifts that celebrate creativity and that unique vision.

Kobold's favorite toys that celebrate Art & Architecture include:

Kobold loves the art supplies from Faber Castell. From eco-friendly pencils to glitter modeling dou gh to erasable crayons , we have gifts that will facilitate your artist's inspiration.

Kobold loves the many offerings from Calafant, especially the castle. The castle is a gorgeous craft-turned-toy whose pieces are made from pre-cut and pre-punched sturdy white cardboard, so they can be put together without glue and scissors. It is best decorated with watercolor or acrylic paint (not included). Calafant offers art projects for dino lovers and fire truck lovers too. Totally affordable as well- items range from $6.99 to $24.99.

Grab a pencil, crayon, or paintbrush and create colorful drawings and doodles with Zig Zag Zebra and Dotty Spotty Doodles activity books! This Barefoot Books gift set is perfect for fueling your child’s creativity and is presented in an eco-friendly, reusable green shopper tote with a gift tag to personalize. Only $14.oo!

The Cordoba blocks by HABA are a must-have for the toddler set. The set includes 16 absolutely beautiful wooden building blocks! Some of the Cordoba toddler building blocks even feature additional elements for sensory stimulation, including a little bell, rattle mirror and prism. These blocks are perfect for babies and toddlers that are starting to explore imaginative play and enjoy stacking and building. Aunt KK gave these to Miss E four years ago, and they remain a favorite for both her and Little C.

ArchiQuest is a unique architectural building system that promises hours of fun and discovery with a 50-page hardbound educational book, which includes an architectural timeline, building ideas, and much more! It is a great product for family interaction. KOBOLD LOVES THIS TOY! If you have a child enamoured with blocks and building, suprise her/him with this wonderful product from Shure.

Have fun learning!

Pumpkin Pie is Delicious!

2009-11-24T08:30:00.000-05:00

Miss E loves the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas because she is able to don her apron (even though it has pink and red hearts on it) and flex her culinary muscles more often than usual. Cooking is a wonderful family activity. It develops life skills and creates wonderful memories. I still giggle when I think of Miss E and her first gingerbread house. She informed her Papa that he could not eat it as it was a decoration... but maybe they could each sneak a lick...every day! This week Miss E is tackling a pumpkin pie, and it is going to be delicious and a wonderful new accomplishment for her.

Play kitchens and kitchen tools/accessories are terrific additions to your child's creative play. Whether she is making stews, cupcakes, breakfast in bed or hosting her version of "Alice," these toys can provide hours of fun...and more memories.

Kobold's picks for the Top Chef in your home include:

Before you shop you need to hit your market. Designed in a beautiful, modern, and colorful style, the PlanToys Shopping Cart is also safe with a stopper at the back to prevent it from turning over. The handle bar can be adjusted to fit the child’s height.

The breakfast tray by PlanToys.

Assorted fruits and vegetables:

Chef Set. This deluxe set includes: 10"x16" dish towel that makes clean up a snap. 5.5" hot pad oven mitt, apron with adjustable neck strap and waist ties, one-size fits most chef's hat, 7" wooden spoon and 8" rolling pin. This little chef set is great for dramatic play

I know it can be messy having little helpers in the kitchen, but the benefits to their confidence and your heart are boundless! Happy cooking!

Catch the COBI Craze!

2009-11-23T19:35:00.003-05:00

Kobold's Favorite: PlanToys

2009-11-19T09:37:00.000-05:00

Kobold's favorite brand this week, also a favorite of our household, is PlanToys. A "Green" company, Plan Toys is known for their simple, well-made, brightly colored wooden toys for children from birth through preschool. Their toys have received numerous awards, and the company remains committed to creating toys that promote physical and intellectual development in children, while being socially and environmentally responsible. PlanToys offers toys for kitchen play, transportation, dollhouses, and early learning. Kobold has selected some of his top picks for holiday gift giving, and please browse thefull collection available at Kobold Toys.

The new Mini Fire Engine is designed to be user-friendly, simple to operate and fun. It is the perfect first truck! It has an up-down lifting function and the vehicle is capable of rotating a full 360 degrees with sound. Children will love playing with the Fire Hose and ringing the bell inside! Kobold Toys also offers the Mini Bulldozer and the Mini Garbage Truck.

The Stacking Tree takes the concept of a stacking toy to a whole new level of design. This stacking set is designed based on the concept of nature. Each wooden piece can be stacked to form different kinds of trees. Your child can also learn different color variations and sizes.

The Tower Pounding gives eye-hand coordination a new tool with this toy. This pretty tower offers a beautiful blend of natural wood and color to enable development while playing a fun carnival game. Your toddler will learn how to defy gravity by sending the wooden ball up the tower with one firm strike. Watch the ball fall out of the tower, go down the ramp and circle around back into the base of the tower.

Little C is a BIG fan of Kobold's next pick.. the baby walker. Little C received this last year from Santa, and it was a wonderful tool as he mastered walking. He continues to use it to transport animals, babies, and any other item he fancies. It is not noisy and is compatible with our hard wood floors. The handle can be adjusted to different heights and stiffness for stability and your child's safety. In addition, this set includes 24 colored and natural blocks to stimulate your child's learning. Dimensions 14.3 x 11.2 x 19.2 (inches).

Miss E and Little C support Kobold's pick of the Chalet Dollhouse. This modern home features skylight roofing and open sides for access from every angle, making it easy for children to play together. It has two movable staircases and two multi-level units that can be configured in several ways (especially when certain siblings do not want to play together!). The dollhouse comes fully furnished, including a set for the living room, bathroom, kitchen, children's bedroom, and master bedroom. (Doll family not included).

Happy Thursday!

Let It Snow!

2009-11-18T09:15:00.000-05:00

I must confess I let Miss E. break out the holiday classics DVD set yesterday, and the first pick was Frosty the Snowman. We are experiencing weather in the 60s, so snowmen seem pretty far away. Lucky for us, Kobold has found the most adorable snowmen for play and decor!

Any child would be charmed by Frosty's friends by HABA. Pick the Snowman with skis, star, Christmas tree or chariot. They are made of beechwood and would be so cute on the mantel or small table.

You have her holiday outfits ordered or already hanging in the closet (thank you Mimsi!), now it is time to accessorize! North American Bear Co. has little handbags for the girls on your list (under $10!). These stylish totes are available as a snowgirl, Santa, gingerbead cookie and reindeer.

Kobold recommends the Snowman and Santa fleece for your beloved's holiday companion. A great friend to snuggle up with while you watch Rudolph and Frosty together!

Another favorite is the Snowman puzzleball. The curved, sturdy plastic pieces fit in snugly to form a perfectly round ball. The end result of this 77-piece puzzle is a unique, decorative Snowman that can be displayed in your child's room or on the tree.

Angels, nativity scenes, snowmen, advent calendars, puzzles... all your holiday gifts can be found at Kobold Toys!

Think of Frosty today and channel your "jolly happy soul." And don't forget to have fun learning!

Button Up Amelia Earhart!

2009-11-16T10:00:00.001-05:00

I learned that November 16 is Button Day. Unfortunately I can not find any information as to what Button Day is supposed to celebrate. The button in general? Political buttons? Belly Buttons? Button up the sassy talk Miss E day? Practice buttoning your clothes day? We are still mastering the button on some of our clothes. Zippers have been mastered and snaps, well they are a snap. The button is still a challenge. Pretend dress-up helps master larger buttons and dressing your babydoll helps too. Of course, the few dolls in our house prefer to be "au naturel." The beautiful dolls by Corolle, however, love to dress up. Kobold especially likes The Les Cheries doll for older children. She comes in a fashionable outfit that your child is sure to love. Each doll's hair is individually rooted, so it can be brushed and styled, and their vinyl bodies have a soft vanilla fragrance.

November is also considered National Aviation History Month. In honor of Amelia Earhart and the Wright Brothers, Kobold celebrates our favorite flying toys available at Kobold Toys:

Turboprops were part of the Jet Age of our Avaiation History. They promised greater fuel efficiency and reliability than piston-engine aircraft. Beginning in 1955, when Capital Airlines bought the British Vickers Viscount and when the Dutch Fokker F-27 first flew, turboprops found brief success on medium-range routes before being replaced by pure jets. Kobold loves the Turboprop Airline with Pilot by PlanToys - perfect for medium-range routes from the living room to the kitchen!

Jet passenger service began in the United States in the late 1950s with the introduction of Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 airliners. According to a Pan Am Jet Clipper brochure, the jet was "the new way to a magic world of travel." The Playmobil Jet Plane let your child take command of the skies. It has a removable roof to have easy access to the main cabin. You can also remove and re accommodate seats or remove them if you need extra space for cargo. The Jet Plane features a lavatory, seats, a pilot, a flight attendant and passengers with luggage.

The helicopter's origin can be traced back to ancient China and of course, Leonardo Da Vinci, but it was not until after 1936 that the helicopter made vertical flight a reality and not a dream. Kobold Toys offers the Playmobil Police Copter which features a working rotor, an opening cockpit and a cable winch, and the COBI military helicopters like the Army Foxtrot.

College Park Airport in Maryland was established by Wilbur Wright in 1909 and is considered to be the world's oldest airport. Kobold Toys offers a few variations on the airport. We have the ZipBin Airport which Kobold thinks is the perfect way to store and carry your planes, helicopters and airport vehicles. We also offer the PlanToys Airport. This eco-friendly airport comes complete with a 2 story play area, flight control tower and movable elevator, connecting the ground and second floor. Car park is on the first floor while the second floor features the check-in counter, luggage conveyor-belt and sky-path is connected to the plan. This Plan City Airport playset includes an airplane, cargo trailer and 2 figures of the co-pilot and captain.

This month celebrate the history of aviation with a trip to the airport- a favorite adventure of both my children. And if you do it today, and the children get noisy... you can always tell them to "Button It, Please!"

Kobold's Favorite: Shure

2009-11-13T11:03:00.014-05:00

This week, Kobold has picked the wonderful creations of Shure to share with you and inspire your gift list. Since 1992 Shure has been designing products that encourage creative, hands-on learning for kids of all ages. Whether building blocks celebrating the architecture of the world or chunky puzzles, Shure is a "sure" thing when it comes to finding gifts that allow your child to have fun learning.

Discover the fire department with this innovative, multi-dimensional play set! The 1/2" thick, brightly colored chunky pieces can be used in the puzzle tray or for pretend play. Matching images in the puzzle tray make it easy to put back together. The accompanying board book tells about the puzzle characters on 8 colorfully illustrated pages. Kobold Toys also offers puzzles in themes from dinosaurs, construction, tow trucks and the alphabet.

Dress Lilly in her favorite dress-up clothes! This engaging wooden book, Bag of Dressups, contains watercolor illustrations of pretend scenes and whimsical outfits. The removable wooden doll and 21 wooden outfit pieces attach with hook and loop tape to mix and match for hours of pretend play fun! Miss E has gifted this to her "girly" friends who love dolls and fashion- a big hit! (Currently on sale for $12.79!)

If you do not have the Archiquest blocks on your shopping list, add them immediately! Archiquest is an open-ended, creative, and intelligent building system, and Kobold's favorites include Rome, Medieval Europe, Pagodas of China and the Egyption pyramids. The Medieval Europe set includes 68 handcrafted wooden blocks in simple and elegant shapes and an educational hardbound book. The wooden blocks are fully illustrated with beautifully painted, original artwork inspired by some of the world's most famous masterpieces. By arranging the blocks in different ways, you can create hundreds of architectural designs. The set's hardbound, 46-page educational books introduce the ready to the history of architecture and different architectural elements as well as provide building plans and ideas for creating new structures. Each set is packaged in a dovetailed wooden storage box with a sliding acrylic lid for easy clean-up! Kobold also likes that he can visit the Archiquest website to play building games and "attend" Archiquest University.

Only 41 days to Christmas! 28 days until Hanukkah! 39 days until Kwanzaa!

Kobold Salutes Veterans!

2009-11-11T11:52:00.012-05:00

On Veterans Day we thank and honor those who served in the military. There are many ways to talk to your children about this special day...attend a parade in your neighborhood, discuss bravery and freedom, and just say "thank you" to these men and women for their service and sacrifice. One idea Kobold likes is to make a card to thank veterans and send the card to a local VA Medical Center. What a morale booster!

Kobold introduced the new COBI building blocks line on Monday. In addition to the Formula 1 models, Kobold Toys also offers a variety of military blocks for your little colonel or for the military toy hobbyist. Some of Kobold's favorites:

Happy Veterans Day!

Start Your Creative Engines with COBI Blocks

2009-11-09T19:35:00.013-05:00

The FIA Formula 1 World Championship is the pinnacle of global motorsport. It’s an annual competition that runs from March to November and pits the best drivers and the fastest cars in the world against one another. The first World Championship race took place at Silverstone in the UK on 13th May 1950. Since then, the sport has grown from a largely European-based series into a truly global championship, with 18 races taking place on five continents in 2008. Of course our world traveler, Kobold, is a dedicated fan of racing, and so he is THRILLED to bring speed lovers and block lovers the COBI F1 Car building blocks.

COBI Construction blocks are safe and secure and of the highest quality. COBI building blocks are created in Poland from EU origin materials in accordance with the strictest quality control regulations during the entire manufacturing process. The toys are phthalates free and they conform to EN71. The blocks are also 100% compatible with the leading construction brick toy brands. If your child has aspirations of being the next Mario Andretti or Michael Schumacher, let COBI start their "creative" engines!

Your beloved can build your very own F1 car with this exciting Vodafone McLaren Mercedes car. Includes a "Pull Back" motor to bringyour creation to life.

Re-create trackside excitement with the Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes F1 inspired pit stop scene. It's up to your pit crew to help Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen return to the track in record time to win the race! Construct the pit area and the replica of the Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes F1 car.

Want to go beyond the racetrack? COBI also offers sets of creative power blocks (available at Kobold Toys in sets of 350 or 500). Use the construction guidelines included, or create your own space ranch station (Miss E style), city scape or whatever inspires the imagination.

Explore the complete line of COBI, from Formula 1 to Army jeeps and helicopters. The line is appropriate for ages 6+ and ranges in price from $9.99 to $162 (the Military Base with 1000 blocks and 8 figures).

Buckle up and have fun building and learning!

Kobold Favorite: Sprig Toys

2009-11-05T09:17:00.001-05:00

Miss E has a hilarious new technique of communicating her holiday gift wish list to Santa. She closes her eyes and whispers "please may I have insert gift" three times. It is a cross between praying and Dorothy clicking her ruby slippers. It is becoming increasingly difficult to tell if she IS praying ("God, this brother is driving me crazy, please help me not tackle him"), saying something unkind under her breath ("carrots in pomegranate juice, what is she thinking?"), or sending a wish to Santa.

As you explore your naughty and nice list, Kobold is here to help! Each week our little Kobold will showcase a favorite brand or make suggestions sure to please any one on your list. This week Kobold is showcasing eco-friendly toy maker, Sprig Toys. Sprig Toys is the brain child of three toy designers who wanted to create a line of "battery-free, eco-friendly, paint-free, kid-powered toys sure to dazzle the most discriminating preschooler." Lucky for all of us and our preschooler, they have succeeded (and their toys are available at Kobold Toys)!

Their adventure series has been a hit with the 3-7 crowd, especially the Baja Discover Rig. The Discover Rig comes with world-famous adventure guide Cap Faraday, who has invited you to be the driver on his trek through the African Serengeti. Batteries are not required as the internal generator that powers the lights and sounds is triggered when the Discover Rig is rolled during play. You can pick from three exciting play modes: Search with lights only, no sound; Rally - engine rumble sound and lights; or adventure - lights and themed adventure sounds. New this year are the Dino Adventure Rig, complete with two dinosaurs, Rex Jungle, and truck. Don't miss the Scuba Search, Dolphin Explorer Boat, and Glider Patrol. (Miss E is ga-ga over these, and yes Santa already knows).

Kobold is very excited about the line of Sprig Story Building Playsets. Simple to use, these block and panel building sets are great for cultivating your preschooler's imagination. Join Princess Penny to build a storybook castle or spend a day working with Ol' Mac on the farm. The earth friendly playsets contain over 95 pieces of story-building fun.

Sprig is also offering "on the go" story building books with Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs. What is cool is that each book/play set allows your child to pop out story book pieces and experience the adventures of Little Red or the pigs in 3D.

These fantastic toys are designed for preschoolers and emphasize the importance of imagination, active play, character play, and story telling. They range in price from $8.99 to $44.50.

The Sprig Toys series are wonderful... and Miss E and Kobold are not the only ones to think so. The toys have received numerous awards and recognition including: The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2009, Dr. Toy 100 BEST Children's Products, and The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval.

Have fun learning! ~ Ashley

Angels We Have Heard on High

2009-11-03T08:23:00.000-05:00

Okay Halloween is officially over, so now the decorating plans turn towards Thanksgiving and Christmas! I love decorating for the Christmas holidays. We started a tradition of letting Miss E decorate her own little tree each year, and it is fun to let her select the ornaments. Some will become keepsakes and others are fun little whims from the Target. I think it is nice to have some holiday decor that the children can touch and even play with through the season. Our little Kobold has selected some adorable pieces that will add to you and your beloved's holiday joy.

Music lovers will love the adorable wooden angel with a violin. She also has friend in the c hoir who loves to sing, and a friend holding the candle of hope for the season. These wooden angels by HABA are sure to delight. And what a perfect gift idea for your music teacher!

Collect the family of HABA angels for your child's mini- tree, hang from greenery on the mantel, or tie to a holiday gift. With wonderfully unique colors, striped socks and curly hair, these will bring a smile to faces of all ages! Gloria, Felicia, Marina, Lemona, Rosa and Stella are keepsakes that will delight for years to come.

Kobold Toys is a fan of the Angel Dolls by North American Bear Company. Lovably sweet in soft velboa with embroidered facial features, in blonde and brunette, ribbon accent and attached tricot wings. This soft doll is a keepsake friend for baby and is machine washable!

The holidays are upon us, and Kobold will be sharing his and Santa's elves favorite toys for the children on your list. Keep checking our site daily for updates on holiday items and gifts.

Happy Holidays! ~ Ashley