mySimon Daily Shopping Picks

Alex Toys Fold-n-Fly Paper Airplane Activity Kit

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:00:16 -0800

Call us old-fashioned, but with all the electronic games and toys for kids today, we prefer to stick to simple holiday gifts that don’t require batteries, and let them use their imagination. This Alex Toys Fold-n-Fly Paper Airplane Activity Kit uses colorful paper and stickers to create up to 18 paper airplanes. It also includes a folding tool, and an easy instruction book packed in a printed storage folder.

Magic Orbeez Maker

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 08:00:51 -0800

Another hot toy for the 2010 holiday season, the Magic Orbeez Maker "grows" polymer beads that can be used with other Orbeez products. The beads start off hard and tiny, but after adding water, they grow to more than 100 times their volume. The maker can produce up to 300 Orbeez at once. While they grow, the beads can be shot through the hoops and sent down the spiral ramp into the collection tray.

Calico Critters Townhome

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 08:05:12 -0800

We have no idea who or what Calico Critters are, but apparently, they need a posh townhome to live in. This Calico Critters Townhome has five rooms to house the Calico Critters family, and includes lots of features, such as lights that turn on and off. Four larger rooms make up the house, and a room divider creates the fifth room. A moveable staircase and extra floor area create larger rooms for all of... more

LEGO City Construction Site

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 08:00:29 -0800

We grew up playing with LEGOs and are happy to see that they are still as popular as ever. In fact, this LEGO City Construction Site is one of hot holiday toys for 2010. The 298-piece colorful set is divided into well-labeled sub-models that can be constructed in stages. Kids can build a crane to handle all the heavy lifting for the site, and three mini construction workers are provided to help operate the... more

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Kit

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 08:00:56 -0800

They might be too young to watch the show on television, but that doesn't mean they can't train for their future career as a crime scene investigator. This CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Kit includes everything they need to lift fingerprints just like the experts. It features a fingerprint brush, dusting powder, flap lifters, two fingerprint stamps, stencil, fingerprint card, alternative light source, ink pad, marker, CSI notebook, and magnification glass.

LEGO Minotaurus Game

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 08:00:03 -0800

LEGO is breaking into the board game market, and is off to a great start with the LEGO Minotaurus Game. The game centers around a mighty Minotaur, a mythical creature that protects a secret temple hidden deep inside a labyrinth. The goal of the game it to be the first to lead your heroes to the temple, avoiding the Minotaur and cleverly placing walls to block your opponents. It's fun, but challenging game for... more

Fisher-Price Go Baby Go! Stride-to-Ride Dino

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 08:00:34 -0800

We're big fans of buying toys that will grow with kids, and this Fisher-Price Go Baby Go! Stride-to-Ride Dino will help them with their first steps and take them through their toddler years. It features a large wheelbase and sturdy handle that act as a walker for your baby. As they walk, three lights dance along to music, and fun sound effects motivate and keep them entertained while they take their first steps. The... more

LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Alphabet

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:12:35 -0700

Kids these days, they have it made. Do you remember the boring, plain magnetic letters we had as kids? Well, they're still around, except now, they talk. The LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Alphabet brings traditional refrigerator letter magnets to life to teach letter names and sounds. All they have to do is place any letter into the letter reader and press it to hear its name, sound, and a phonics song.

Plan Toys Green Dollhouse

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:42:00 -0700

We love this modern and "green" take on a dollhouse. The Plan Toys Green Dollhouse features a wind turbine, a solar cell panel with electrical inverter for generating electricity, a rain barrel for collecting rain, a green facade which helps control the appropriate temperature of the house, and a shade canopy that can be pulled down preventing or allowing the wind and sunlight coming through. Recycle bins are also included in the set.

Mega Brands Magnext iCoaster

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:00:33 -0700

We're all about toys that educate and well as entertain our kids. This Mega Brands Magnext iCoaster comes with 64 pieces that can be combined to form 10 different roller coaster layouts that include towers and stunt tracks. Each plastic piece is very durable and easily snaps apart and together for fast construction. Kids can also plug in and play their MP3 player and watch the LED lights synch with the beat.

GloDoodle

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:00:00 -0700

These kids today, they have the coolest toys. The GloDoodle makes the old-school crayons and construction paper that we used as kids seem boring and outdated. With it, kids can create sketches using colorful light, the touch of their finger, and their imagination. It's perfect for keeping them occupied on those long road trips because you don't have to worry about packing any extra pieces. And parents will love it because its completely mess-free.... more

Hasbro Easy Bake Oven

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:00:00 -0700

We loved our Easy Bake Oven as a kid, and were surprised to see that it's still around and sporting a much sleeker (and probably safer) design. The oven cooks cakes and cookies using a simple light bulb. It comes with cake and cookie mixes, pans, and other accessories for making sweet treats. And unlike the oven of our childhood, this Easy Bake Oven comes with a special warming chamber for keeping your treats... more

Innovation First Hexbug Nano - Green

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 08:00:44 -0800

It seems like every other day, there is a hot, new toy that every kid needs to have and every parent wonders what the fascination is. This week, it's Innovation First's Hexbug Nanos. These litter critters speed around on any surface as they try to get away. They feature fast, vibrating movements, and self-righting to help them flip over onto their feet. Kids can register them online to find more games, fun facts, and... more

6 in 1 Solar Robot Kit

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:31:36 -0800

Your kids can harness the power of solar energy with this 6 in 1 Solar Robot Kit. The kit comes with all the tools to build six different solar powered robot models (windmill, revolving plane, airboat, plane, car, solar puppy), or even a robot model of their own design. Once each model has been constructed, all they have to do is place it under the bright sun to set each robot model into motion.... more

Fisher-Price Dora Links Doll

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:00:00 -0800

Fans of Dora the Explorer will love to find this interactive Dora under the tree. Using a USB device, the Fisher-Price Dora Links Doll gives girls access to an online world where they can help Dora and her friends solve mysteries and play games. They can disguise the online Dora by changing her hair, eye color, and jewelry, and watch the changes appear on their own Dora doll. The doll even lets them know... more

JAKKS Pacific Eyeclops Mini Projector

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 08:18:46 -0800

The JAKKS Pacific Eyeclops Mini Projector lets your kids project their favorite movies, pictures, and even video games up to 60 inches in size. The super LED illumination works with DVD players, iPods, and digital cameras. While it doesn't come with all the bells and whistles of a more professional projector, it's easy enough for children to operate. It's perfect for setting up movies on the back of a garage for backyard camping excursions... more

Playmobil Egyptian Playset - Pyramid

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 08:00:00 -0800

Kids get inundated with toys during the holiday season, which is why we like to give them toys that are both educational and fun. This Playmobil Egyptian Playset - Pyramid gets kids to really use their imagination as they help the Pharaoh guard his jewels against invaders. The playset lets kids construct a 14-inch tall pyramid, as well as create their own tricks and ambushes using removable walls, a collapsible staircase, and secret treasure... more

Nuop Design Strawz Connectable Drinking Straws

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:14:08 -0800

Sure, we've placed these under the "kids" category, but you know you want a set of your own. These Nuop Design Strawz Connectable Drinking Straws make a great stocking stuffer. Each straw connects to create your own straw masterpiece that can be used to drink your favorite milkshakes and sodas. You can even design a straw that allows for two people to share. The 44 pieces are dishwasher safe and non-toxic.

Backyard Safari Underground Time Capsule

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

The best holiday gifts for any child or grandchild are the ones that get everyone involved. Time capsules are a great for preserving your little one's treasures so you all can come back years later and reminisce on their childhood and current events at that time. This Backyard Safari Underground Time Capsule keeps their items protected in a waterproof capsule that can be dug up and re-buried again and again.

Buckyballs

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Nowadays, it seems like we could all use a way to relieve stress, even if it's just for a few minutes. Buckyballs are a great gift for anyone that needs to de-stress a bit. The 216 rare-earth magnetic balls snap together and break apart to create all kinds of geometric configurations, puzzles and shapes. The hardest part for any gift recipient will be tearing his or herself away from them to get back to... more