October 14th, 2008 by Stinkhead

The all new ELMO LIVE hits stores this week. As I’m sure you’re familiar, Tickle Me Elmo caused many a mall riot back in 1996. After being featured on Rosie O’Donnel’s talk show, he became the it toy to have that holiday season. In 2006 the TMX Elmo hit stores, and though there was some madness online, supply seemed to match demand, and everyone who wanted one got him. (That’s the point right?) He was $40 when he came out 2 years ago. Yesterday he was for sale for $15.
So this week is the newest release, Elmo Live. If you haven’t seen him in person yet, he really is worth checking out (he’s in open packaging) I also have some video below. I went to Toys R Us earlier this week to get a bead on how bad the madness would be Tuesday. According to the employee I spoke with, they had 20 preorders, but they had 100 Elmos in stock. Please check out my red box updates at the top of this post.

So I want to hear from you, please leave comments below. Have you picked up an Elmo Live? Were there plenty available? Did you have to go to more than one store? Did you buy online? And had you even heard of this Elmo? I knew of him because of Toy Fair, but honestly, I’ve run into many other parents who had no idea he was coming out today, much less that there was a newer Elmo than TMX.
Click below for a little bit more info, and my video from Toy Fair to see Elmo in action.
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Posted in 2&up, Boys, cringe, event, gifts, Girls, good deals, Magic106.5, news, toys | 3 Comments »

August 20th, 2008 by Stinkhead

I picked up the “Target Exclusive” (can anyone confirm if its also at Wal*Mart?) Dragon Rock set. For $20, you’re getting a good deal. Check out my review with loads of pics.

Posted in 5&up, Boys, good deals, kids, playmobil, review, toys | 1 Comment »

May 3rd, 2008 by Stinkhead

I’m at the biannual Tot Swap in Gaithersburg, Timonium, with my “Dad Lounge”, to provide a place for weary dads to come chill out. If I met you at the show, or if you’re just checking us out for the first time, I have a quick tour of what we do here: (and a link to find the instructional manuals for all the stuff you picked up at the show)
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Posted in 3&up, article, baby, event, good deals, news | Comments Off on Tot Swap Timonium

April 30th, 2008 by Stinkhead

Several times a year, Wizard Entertainment publishes Toy Wishes a magazine for kids and their parents, outlining the toys that are coming out in the current season. This is the spring issue, so look forward to lots of toys based on the hot summer movie properties, such as Hulk, Indiana Jones, Speed Racer (biiig reviews from me very soon), Iron Man, and Kung Fu Panda..

If you have a hard time watching long stretches of Dora the Explorer, you are missing out on the advertisements your kids are seeing. This magazine tries to sum up the stuff that’s coming out, but since its from a third party publisher, you’re getting an unbiased view. There aren’t reviews necessarily, more of a buffet presentation of what’s coming soon, prices, and appropriate age ranges.

I particularly liked the articles that both myself and a young child would enjoy about professional toy designers, detailing how they got started, what they did in school, and what they enjoy most now. There was also a thorough article about throwing sensible birthday parties that aren’t way over the top, or putting you in debt.

The magazine is nicely divided up into genres, such as Television properties, outdoorsy toys, action figures, and active toys (such as bikes and sporting equipment).

Think back to when that inch thick Sears Wish Book arrived, and there was a two page spread of Star Wars figures layed out with the Emperial Shuttle, or the AT-AT. Instead of directly selling you anything, it’s giving you a compact run down of what to look for. I do like how it’s appropriate for young readers, and their parents. There are some sweet massive Sweepstakes inside as well.

The bottom line is that, yes, they’re promoting the “buy-me’s” you’re going to receive as a parent this summer, but it’s not a catalog from one company or another, so you’re getting a more balanced view of what is out there.

You can pick up this magazine just about anywhere, but here is their official web site ToyWishes.com

Just a side note, Wizard Entertainment also publishes ToyFare Magazine, a journal of happenings in the toy collector world, and Wizard Magazine, the definitive comic book collectors’ magazine. I have written some freelance articles for ToyFare.

Posted in books, Boys, crafts, Girls, good deals, how to, kids, linky, review, toys | Comments Off on “Toy Wishes” April edition

April 29th, 2008 by Stinkhead

Sweet! Here is their Location finder to find a B & J near you.
There will probably be a line…

And if you like ice cream, be sure to check out my custom playmobil Ice Cream Truck (with directions to make your own!)

Posted in event, good deals, linky, news, playmobil | Comments Off on Free cone day at Ben & Jerrys

April 15th, 2008 by Stinkhead

This past week we discussed the RC General Lee and the Easy Dunk Basketball hoop.  You can listen to the clip below. I also called in later to the show to promote the new I Need Advice feature here on NTR. Click that button on the side bar and view topics that we’re asking for advice on. Please leave a comment underneath offering your own advice. I’ve attached a clip you can listen to on the one about Soothing a crying baby, click to listen and then add your own advice.

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Posted in 10&up, 2&up, good deals, Magic106.5, Remote Control, sports, toys | 1 Comment »

April 10th, 2008 by Stinkhead

I just did a review on MillionairePlayboy.com for this 1:18 scale (12 inch long) remote control General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard. I found it for $11 at Wal*Mart. It’s really not a bad display piece of the General, that happens to provide some additional fun with the RC capability. (There’s even a Dixie horn) Check out the link for lots of pictures and a video demo (that includes footage I shot of the stuntmen rolling a police car at the Dukesfest a few years back. Sweet!
Here is my review of the Remote Control General Lee

Posted in 5&up, Boys, cringe, gadgets, good deals, kids, podcast, Remote Control, review, toys, video | Comments Off on 1:18 scale Remote Control General Lee review

November 10th, 2007 by Stinkhead

If you use the internet, you know there are two times a year that DeepDiscount runs their super 20% off sale. Well it just started. You have from now until November 25th. Stock up for the holidays and birthdays now. And remember, it’s free shipping.
You can buy anything you want, as much as you want, but I think you can only use the coupon code once. The code is

SUPERSALE

So, what are you waiting for? Go check out how much whatever box set is that you’re looking for… and then subtract 20% off (and remember, free shipping)… hurry! (Does not count towards pre-orders)
This is the best DVD sale of the year. (Well they do this once more in the spring… so it is twice a year)
DeepDiscount

Posted in good deals | Comments Off on DeepDiscount.com sale is on NOW

October 10th, 2007 by Stinkhead

We just joined the eBeanstalk.com affiliate program. And they’re offering us a 10% off everything sale for our readers. So click on this link, or one of our banners, and enter this code at check-out: AVE7

This discount is for only one week and we will turn it off next Monday, October 15th.

Again, the code is: AVE7 and is good for 10% off anything on the site.
Start shopping at eBeanstalk.com

Thanks for helping support NonToxicReviews.com. Let me know what you end up picking up!

Posted in good deals | Comments Off on nice! 10% off one week only