March 31, 2008

Toy Story

Local Toy Store Owners’ Spring Picks

Old. Maid. no. more.
 
If your brain’s fried with games you’ve played ad nauseam all winter, offer the small-fry something new. We asked a few local proprietors what their favorite playthings are for spring.

Capture the Gag (Magic Beans, 312 Harvard Street, Brookline; 617-264-2326) is a clever hide-and-seek game where one team must find the other’s kooky-looking Gag first.

Made from recycled milk cartons, the adorable Green Toys Cookware and Dining Set (Tadpole, 37 Clarendon Street, South End; 617-778-1788) is great for raucous dinner parties.

Slider the Unscooter (Henry Bear’s Park, 19 Harvard Street, Brookline; 617-264-2422) is a riff on the traditional scooter with three wheels and two platforms, one for each foot. By pumping your legs, you propel the scooter forward.

Fundomino (Boing JP’s Toy Shop, 729 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain; 617-522-7800) is a colorful, ramped-up version of dominoes vaguely similar to the card game Uno.

GROOVE
Baby Loves Hip Hop Presents the Dino 5
What: Latest in the popular Baby Loves Music series.
Why: Smoothes their moves.
When: Available Tues.
Where: Online at amazon.com.

HEAR
Dan Zanes and Friends
What: Funky, folky music for the whole family.
Why: You need a little fine-tuning.
When: Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.
Where: Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville (617-625-5700). Tickets online at ticketmaster.com.

SEE
Spring Fashion Show
What: Runway show featuring the latest maternity and nursing wear, plus food, raffles, and shopping.
Why: Shed that winter wardrobe.
When: Sat., 6-9 p.m.
Where: Isis Maternity, 110 Second Ave., Needham (781-429-1500).