Coast 2 Coast Mom

HEXBUG Toys in McDonald's Happy Meals

Starting today, HEXBUG micro robots will be featured in McDonald's Happy Meals across North America. Created by Innovation First International, the HEXBUG toys are sure to lure kids - and many boys - to the Golden Arches for the next four weeks.

While we don't have a McDonald's along our day-to-day routes about town, we usually reserve eating there as a treat for road trips or long days running errands. I have no doubt, however, that we'll be making a beeline to pick up a Happy Meal with these micro robots for the Kiddo. :-)

The HEXBUG Happy Meal program will run from today through March 21, 2013 while supplies last. I got to see the lineup of toys while at Toy Fair earlier this month. Participating McDonald’s restaurants across the United States and Canada will offer customers one of six collectible HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures with the purchase of a Happy Meal:

• Fast crawling HEXBUG Speed Beetle™ in Green and Red
• Slow crawling HEXBUG Beetle™ in Black and Orange
• Bump and go HEXBUG Nano® Pullback Blue and Black

 

Which one's your favorite?

 

Garbage Pail Kids Trading Cards Return!

Garbage Pail Kids, the irreverant collectible cards from the 1980's are back! Peaking around 1986 with characters like Atom Bomb, Mauled Paul and Potty Scotty, the Garbage Pail Kids trading cards are returning to stores everywhere - with a vengeance.

Recently the creators and artists gathered to announce the return of the collection:

Looking to make a comeback with the Brand New Series which launches in stores today. Topps released a new base set of 55 hand painted Garbage Pail Kids characters, 110 cards in all, along with 10 motion cards (the image moves when you move the card). Each contains the same humor, and edgy characters parents will remember, but captures modern day puns, paraodies and pop culture (think Angry Birds and the Occupy Wall Street movement).

 

To promote their return, there's a Willy Wonka style sweepstakes - find one of 50 rare Golden Code Cards contained within the Brand New Series packs, and you'll be eligible to "Be A Garbage Pail Kid" - five winners will be painted by a Garbage Pail Artist and have a character named after them! How cool is that? I can picture a "Hollow Heidi."

So if you're nostalgic for your childhood memories of Garbage Pail Kids or now have kids the right age to appreciate the dark humor, you'll be able to find them at Walmart, Target, Dollar Tree and other stores nationwide.

The cards are geared toward kids 6+, but the creators encourage parents to determine what's appropriate as kids react differently. Single packs will retail for $1.99, jumbo packs for $5.29 and a value box with an exclusive Bonus Card for $10.49. Check out more information on the Garbage Pail Kids Facebook page.

 

 

Doc McStuffins Toys Available Pre-Order

Doc McStuffins toys are available for pre-order at Toys "R" Us today! The Doc McStuffins doctor kit and bag of tools costs $19.99 and will ship on June 26, 2012.

UPDATE: As of June 11th, pre-orders of Doc McStuffins toys have sold out at Toys "R" Us. My next meeting with Disney is in two weeks, so I'll pass along what I learn about the toys as soon as I can! I'm excited for everyone who was able to place a pre-order, and totally feel for everyone else having to wait for the next update.

UPDATE 2: I met with Disney for a preview of their holiday toys and gifts, and learned that the Doc McStuffins toys will appear in national retailers in August.

The Doc McStuffins clinic playset is slated to ship July 17, 2012, and costs $24.99.

There's also a plush talking Lambie set to ship June 26, 2012 for $19.99, or a mini version for $9.99.

I wanted to share the latest Doc McStuffins news with everyone as soon as I heard!

Thanks, Kimberly and Alyssa!

 

2012 Miniature Hess Toy Truck Available May 25th!

The new 2012 miniature Hess toy truck and airplane will be available this Friday, May 25th at Hess and Hess Express stores! We're SO surprising the Kiddo this weekend.

A replica of the 2002 holiday toy, the 18-wheel tractor trailer has working lights and a flatbed "landing pad" for the included  bi-plane - which has working rotors. The mini Hess toy truck and airplane will retail for $6.99 and include batteries.

The Hess Toy Truck, launched in 1964, is one of the longest running toy brands on the market. For a complete list of Hess Toy Trucks through the years or to find a Hess location, please visit: www.hesstoytruck.com.  Find the Hess Toy Truck on Facebook: www.facebook.com/hesstoytruck

Mr. Potato Head Celebrates 60th Birthday in 2012 GIVEAWAY

During Toy Fair 2012, I attended the 60th birthday celebration for the Mr. Potato Head character at the Hasbro showroom. (Mrs. Potato Head joined the celebration, too. :-)) Thinking back on 1952, means that Mr. Potato Head was born before my parents!! It's crazy to think that the plastic spud toy has entertained three generations of my family!

The celebration included opportunities to nab photos with Mr and Mrs Potato Head, and of course a rousing verse of "Happy Birthday" and cake! What made me really smile, though was watching the Potato Heads dance. :-D

That's a cute cake topper idea for a birthday cake, huh?

Now for the giveaway fun. . .

GIVEAWAY: I'm giving away one Mashly in Love Potato Head 60th Anniversary giftset

ENTER TO WIN: Just leave a comment below between now and 12 a.m. PST Monday, April 9th. One comment per person. I'll use Random.org to choose a winning entry and contact the winner on Monday, April 9th to get his or her mailing address and send the package on its way! Good luck!!

 

 

Doc McStuffins Toys and a GIVEAWAY

During the Disney Junior press conference at Toy Fair, I got a peek at the "Doc McStuffins" toys rolling out this June! There's some adorable plush character toys, and some cute toys sets for kids to play doctor. I have really been impressed with this smart little girl character from Disney, helping to "heal" stuffed animals.

The "Doc McStuffins" series idea came from the executive producer's own experience taking her young son in and out of doctor's offices, hospitals and even ambulances with severe asthma. She came up with the series concept to help her son with his anxiety around doctors.

Here's a look at some of the Doc McStuffins toys that will be out this year:

A play doctor kit...

A "time for your check-up" Doc McStuffins doll from Just Play will be available for the 2012 holiday season. She says 10 phrases, sings the "check up" song, and can activate lihts and sounds from Lambie with the touch of her stethoscope.This will retail for $34.99.

A doctor's office playset . . .

"Doc McStuffins" figures...

 . . .and even plush "Doc McStuffin" characters Stuffy, Lambie, Hallie, Squeakers and Chilly...

Now to giveaway a prize pack for you to enjoy in your home!!

GIVEAWAY: In advance of the premiere episode of "Doc Stuffins" when the Disney Junior channel launches, I'm giving away a prize pack (see photo below) to one lucky reader to help you welcome Doc McStuffins into your home. Included are: a Doc McStuffins lunch box, DVD screener of one of the first episodes, and a DVD of the short-form series "Quiet Is...," a few "Doc McStuffins"-inspired goodies (stickers, poster, notebook, band-aids), and an advanced copy of the April issue of Disney Junior Magazine from Disney Publishing.

How To Enter Here's your chance to win a Doc McStuffins prize pack of your own to celebrate the launch of the new series on Disney Junior! Just leave a comment below between now and 12 a.m. PST Wednesday March March 21st. One comment per person. I'll use Random.org to choose a winning entry and contact the winner on Wednesday, March 21st to get his or her mailing address and send the package on its way!

Good luck!

GUM Star Wars Toothbrushes Launch in Stores

A new Star Wars toothbrush - or a lightsaber toothbrush - launching in stores now may be just what millions of parents across the country need to get their kids' oral care up to par. These cool new GUM toothbrushes come in the shape of Star Wars characters, or light-up lightsabers and could be exactly what it takes to get kids to mindfully brush their teeth twice a day.

Yesterday I attended a launch event for the new GUM Star Wars toothbrush line at Ripley's Believe It Or Not. There were several photo ops and activities for the kiddies, and we heard from pediatric dentist Dr. Ignelzi about ideal oral hygiene for kids. Most of us know all of these things already, but it's sometimes good for a refresher:

• The most important habit for kids to adopt is to get into a morning and evening routine that includes brushing their teeth.
• Brushing your teeth should take 2 whole minutes: 1 minute for the top, and 1 minute for the bottom.
• First tooth, first birthday = first dental visit! This is mostly for education and to answer any questions, but it's the first time to consult with a dentist to set the groundwork for a lifetime of good oral care.

As expected, the Kiddo tore open the sample Star Wars toothbrushes when we got home and it made me smile to see him excited to run upstairs and brush his teeth!! (He used the Captain Rex power toothbrush.)

You can find these manual, power and light-up toothbrushes at CVS, Drugstore.com, Walmart and other grocery and drugstore companies. Until March 15th, you can enter the GUM Star Wars Sweepstakes to win a trip for a family of four to the Star Wars Celebration VI in Orlando, FL on August 23-26, 2012! For details, visit the Star Wars Gum Facebook Page. 

Thanks to MomTrends for hosting the fun event!

 

 

 

 

 

Jake and the Never Land Pirates Toys Coming June 2012

Disney Junior hosted a press event during Toy Fair to unveil their 2012 line up of toys - including the upcoming Jake and the Never Land Pirates toys coming to stores this June. Sharon Osbourne (voice of Mama Hook) and David Arquette (voice of Scully) were at the fun press conference. We were even treated to a song from Sharkey and Bones from the Never Land Pirates Band!

Kids will soon be able to role play and embark on adventures with Jake, Izzy, Cubby and Skully character toys from the series. I was excited to get to preview the toys that are sure to be on birthday and holiday wish lists for many toddlers and preschoolers this year:

Double Fine Happy Action Theater Launches in Xbox LIVE Arcade

Double Fine Happy Action Theater just launched in Xbox LIVE Arcade and is great for playdates or families with multiple kids because everyone can interact with the video game download on their own simultaneously. So you can totally avoid getting annoyed by the sibling or friend who runs in front of the Kinect sensor while others are playing mid-game ;-) Double Fine Happy Action Theater is a fun interactive experience with no instructions or required gestures, and no way to "win" or "lose" the game, making it great for preschoolers and up.

The game includes 18 different environments where up to six people can immerse themselves in some ridiculous scenes. The Kinect sensor captures you and your surroundings to actually put you "in" the scenes of the game for augmented reality interaction. For instance, there's a scene where pigeons are flying about, and they land on your arms, your head, and any furniture behind you. In another, you're standing knee deep, splashing in a living room full of lava or throwing snowballs.

J&R Jr. Grand Opening in NYC

Yesterday we were invited to a private launch event for J&R Jr. - an entire floor at J&R Electronics just for babies and kids clothing, equipment, technology and toys! The public J&R Jr. grand opening is scheduled for February 11-12th 2012 and includes some phenomenal children's entertainment. You don't have to visit the store to check out all of their great gift ideas, you can shop JR.com/jr from home across the country.

As you arrive off the escalator, you quickly see that J&R Jr. is more than just electronics for kids. There's an entire floor filled with a variety of baby and kid essentials: strollers, clothing, toys - everything from wooden train sets, musical instruments and puppetry to video games and tablet accessories - just for kids. I'd say it's a great place to shop or stop in for kids 0-10, as we spent time checking out tablet accessories, video games, craft supplies, LeapFrog storybooks and guitars for the Kiddo.

Here's some pics we took of the space. . .