toy

It's no wonder that the Playsam Streamliner is one of the most classic toy car designs. It's about as simple as you can get, which just means that so much more is left up to the imagination during play. But, perhaps to prove that imagination is not just the realm of children, the owners of the Los Angeles Fitzsu Society asked over 30 designers - including Michael Graves, Karin Rashid and Yves Behar - to put their own take onto the Streamliner. Each unique car is now being auctioned off (via eBay), in what has been dubbed the Fitzsu Grand Prix, to benefit the World Childhood Foundation.

[via boing boing]

How old were you when you got your first car? This could be baby's first Bentley. From the Bentley Collection, the toy is just the thing to get a kid on the right road to appreciating a quality vehicle. Called Blower the Bentley, the soft and squeezable car has removable wheels for making "bedside repairs." We suspect that they could be used for other things, too, such as throwing at older siblings, though we recommend trying to keep Blower in one piece for a smoother ride. Price: £16.98 ($32).

For the kid who has it all, Japanese jewelry designer Ginza Tanaka has created a 24-karat gold rocking horse. The toy was designed in honor of the birthday of Japan's Prince Hisahito and weighs about 80-lbs, significantly heavier than the normal wooden rocking horse that it is styled after. The weight does have an advantage in that it allows the chair to rock much more smoothly than other types of horses. Although the jeweler is willing to take orders for more, only one has yet been made and is valued at $1.28 million.

Considerably safer than any real one you might find floating in a fog bank in the North Atlantic, BloggingBaby cited this Inflatable Iceberg as one of the best pool toys you can have. The iceberg measures 20' x 14' x 14' and is made of commercial grade PVC, with commercial grade valves that allow for relatively quick deflation and long-lasting inflation, though an electric pump is recommended. Once side has a 14' climbing wall, while the other offers a smooth slide down to the water. There are only two drawbacks. First, the iceberg takes up the majority of most non-olympic pools and prevents the pool cover from fitting properly. Second, the bikini girls are not included. Price: $6,000.

No matter how much we love our iPods, the little gadgets don't have the same visual appeal as a jukebox, which is one of the best retro toys you can have around. Pacific Rim Technologies is releasing an iPod-playing jukebox this fall, which blends our musical library with the neon lights we love. The Jukebox Station has a docking cradle for iPods, as well as an FM radio and CD player. In the back, the Station has an S-Video and RCA video connector, which you will be able to connect to a TV or other screen to make maximum use of a video iPod. There are also headphone jacks, but the system comes with a remote control and there is no reason why you shouldn't take full advantage of having a jukebox and not play your music loud.

The jukebox is $700 and will be available from Target.com on October 2nd.

[via iLounge]

If you want to give a European flair to a classic kids' toy, check out the Pilot BeTricycle by Italtrike. The tandem tricycle is apparently very popular at childcare centers throughout Europe and safely keeps two kids occupied at a time. Only the front-most child controls the motion of the tricycle, so with the added weight of a second child, the toy will consistently be held to a reasonable speed. In bright orange, it is designed for kids ages 2-4, and the manufacturers recommend it for siblings, twins or just when your children are having a play date. Price: $295.

[via Daddy*drama]

When you're in the market for a private island, there is more to consider than just location. The expense and availability of transportation, supplies and housing all can impact where you ultimate decide to go. But with what might just we the world's smallest private island, you can bring the island to you. In fact, you can put it in your yard or even your office. The island is equipped with two realistic, 2-meter high palm trees, and is just the right size for a double hammock (included). It can withstand all weather conditions, though you might want to secure it during hurricane season if the storms impact your area. The trees have an integrated misting mechanism concealed amongst the coconuts that will help to keep you cool on hot days, too. The only downside is, of course, that a private beach is not included. Price: $8,280.

 Daddy*drama can always be counted on to find great, child-oriented (or parent-oriented) designs, from toys to clothing and everything in between. Unlike other such sites, they have a real penchant for design and not just the usual roster of plastic, kid-friendly products. For example, they listed these fantastic wooden toys by Naef that are designed to stretch the imagination without the help of any batteries.

The whole range is beautifully designed, with wooden puzzle pieces that can be rearranged to form myriad shapes. Many pieces are custom-designed for the Swiss company. The Bauhaus Bauspiel boat pictured above is a reproduction of an original model designed by Alma Siedhoff-Buscher in 1923.

Celebrated designer Monique Lhuillier, who has recently become the dress designer of choice for celebrity weddings, is doing a special-edition wedding Barbie for Mattel. This puts Lhuillier among the ranks of other famous designers who have dressed the doll, including Bob Mackie, Cynthia Rowley, Byron Lars, Nolan Miller, Calvin Klein, Versace, Christian Dior and Vera Wang. The brunette Barbie's gown has an off-white bodice, sable-colored sash and a full skirt. She comes with faux diamond studs and diamond ring and even a doll-sized garter belt. Price: $120.

FAO Schwarz has a blond version of the doll, with a blue sash to match her blue eyes for $140, as well as a Caroline Herrera designed Barbie bride.

Too bad Barbie doesn't actually have any wedding plans in the near future.

I never had a tree that was suitable for a tree house where I grew up and I suspect that even if I had had one, I wouldn't have had a tree house anyway. All things considered, I'm sure that it turned out for the best, since I survived childhood without serious injury and without having fallen from a tree. But tree houses are undeniably fun and Daniel's Woodland makes some of the most outstanding tree houses imaginable. They also include a tree. There are tons of extra options that can be added to the houses, like slides, stairs and monkey bars, too. Prices start at $7,550 for the basic Ultimate Tree House and go up from there. Custom-built constructions are available and pricing varies by design.

Click past the jump for even more great tree houses! 

When it comes to outdoor gaming, most things have to be kept indoors and taken outside only when you want to use them. This is fine when the game you want to play is darts or involves some other small, easily moved piece of equipment, but more exciting games risk being ruined when exposed to sun or rain. This All-Weather Foosball Table solves the problems of backyard gaming because it can be kept outside all year round. The sleek table is made by the Spanish company RS-Barcelona of stainless steel with aluminum players. It will not corrode and is suitable for any climate conditions. Each corner has a drink holder, to maximize player comfort during long tournaments, and the legs have slip-resistant rubber bases to ensure the table's stability. Of course, the table can also be used indoors and its modern design would enhance any game room, as well as any patio. Price: $3,998.

Heidi Klum and her husband Seal stopped in at Barney's New York in Los Angeles to pick up a gift for their children, Henry and Leni. The gift turned out to be a giant stuffed giraffe. Barneys doesn't sell their giraffe online, but it looks very similar to the Melissa & Doug stuffed giraffe and is a brand that the store has carried in the past. At nearly 5-feet tall, the super-soft plush is something that her young children can grow with for some time. Price $120.

This module-style M-5.5 Playhouse is made of 1/2-inch thick birch plywood panels that are 28-inches square. With 85 pieces to work with, the fort of any child's dreams can be made easily. The playhouse, designed by Gregg Fleishman, assembles by hand without the need for tools; the pieces snap together securely and will support almost any geometric construction. It comes in a natural, weather-resistant finish and has smooth edges, which are safe for children. Think of it as being the largest, most stylish set of Lincoln logs you've ever seen. Price: $18,000.