As summertime draws to a close, I’m reminded of all the fun times I’ve had these past few months. Naturally, none of these memories involve spending time outdoors because I hate going outside. I mean, if I don’t get out of this house soon, people might start thinking I’m agoraphobic. Seriously though, while enjoying everything nature has to offer isn’t really my thing, I like to think I have a good time just the same. Not spending a zillion hours outdoors really frees up my time to work on my various creative projects (also no sunburn, so that’s a plus). You’re gonna think I’m pretty lame (even more so than you already do), but I like to put together puzzles. That’s right, puzzles.
The problem with puzzles today is that even if the puzzle itself is challenging, the pictures are so lame. I mean, how many times can I put together a picture of snow covered trees or a cat hanging on a branch? Zip Code Puzzles (Firebox, $34.95) are a completely different story. Instead of regurgitating the same old photo options, these puzzles are made to order according to your personal choice of geographic location. Using an extract from the U.S. Geological Survey, a 400 piece puzzle is produced according to the zip code you provide. In the center of the puzzle is a house-shaped piece that represents the address location and the puzzle itself spans six miles east/west and four miles north/south of the center point. The map displays buildings, main roads, water features, and even some local establishments so that each puzzle is unique.
I don’t know who wouldn’t want to put together this puzzle. I would totally commit to putting every last piece of this puzzle together, glue it in place, and then frame it for display. That’s not weird, right?
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12.25″ x 18.5″ (assembled)
-400 piece jigsaw puzzle
-Features an extract from the U.S. Geological Survey
-Map covers 6 miles East/West and 4 miles North/South
-Center piece is shaped like a house
-Puzzle box includes personal message area
-Each puzzle made to order
-Non returnable except due to faulty manufacturing
Do you ever wonder what your pets do all day when you’re not there? I don’t. I mean, I don’t have to wonder because I’m pretty sure there’s a fair amount of sleeping going on, only to be interrupted by doing things they’re not supposed to do. I know this because I come home to paw prints on my countertops and napkins hit off the top of my refrigerator. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the reason why my cats are so tired when I get home is because they’ve been running around my house and exhibiting general tomfoolery in my absence. Still, it might be nice to have some hard evidence so that the next time I’m chastising my animals, I know exactly which one is to blame for the current state of disarray in my home.
The best way to find out what your pet’s been up to all day is to stick the Pets Eye View Camera (NerdSeven, $39.95) on their collar. Because this webcam-like device attaches to your pet’s collar, it records their daily activities from their own viewpoint. You can set the camera to shoot every one, five, or fifteen minutes and it can store up to 40 photos internally. So next time you want to know who’s responsible for chewing up your homework, Scruffy or Whiskers will have the photographic evidence to solve the case.
Personally, I’m not sure how well this will really work out. I mean, I bet my cats are sleeping all day. I would probably come home expecting to uncover some great mystery, only to find that Whiskers hasn’t moved from the couch all day. If I sound jealous, it’s because I am.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Resolution: 640 x 480
-Camera can shoot every 1, 5, or 15 minutes
-Stores 40 photos internally
-PC and Mac compatible
-Rechargeable Li ion battery included
-USB cable included
-Only use flat collars at least 3/8″ wide to prevent choking hazard
Last night I heard the melodic sounds of the ice cream truck passing through the neighborhood. I was torn, because ice cream seemed like a really good idea right about then, but it was 10pm and just a little bit creepy for the ice cream man to be out that late. So I didn’t rush out to get a fudge pop or a King cone, choosing to instead pine away for an ice cold treat within the confines of my own home. It seemed like the safer choice, given the circumstances, but I was still left unsatisfied.
If I’d had the Ice Cream Maker (Perpetual Kid, $24.99) in my kitchen, I wouldn’t have spent the rest of the evening salivating over the thought of popsicles and ice cream cones. Instead, ingredients permitting, I could have sauntered into my kitchen and whipped up a batch of my own ice cream. Unlike the ice cream makers of old, this one doesn’t require you to inflict carpal tunnel syndrome on yourself whilst constantly churning its contents. With just the push of a button, you can create two different ice cream flavors in this maker. All you have to do is mix your ingredients (recipe book included), pour them into the maker, push a little button, and put the whole thing in the freezer. That’s it. Seriously.
I’m really trying to cut back on my kitchen gadgets (they’re starting to take over the place), so I have to wonder if this one is really worth it. I mean, will I really eat enough ice cream to justify the purchase? Seeing as my beverage intake skyrocketed once I got Keurig, I’m thinking it’s a fair bet to say I’ll be living off an ice cream diet.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9″ x 4″
-Includes ice cream maker and recipe book
-Recipe book includes sherbet, sorbet, and ice cream recipes
-Makes ice cream with the push of a button
-Make two different flavors at once
-Needs 4 AA batteries
-Made of plastic
Is your child always getting into your toolbox, trying to create an unstoppable machine that puts all her other toys to shame? Or maybe he just wants to give the Terminators and Transformers a run for their money in the technology department? Either way, it sounds like you’ve got a feisty little inventor on your hands and you better get started feeding their creative impulses, or they might turn against you. True story.
Your little genius would really benefit from the empowering feeling of creation associated with the DIY Three Working Robots (ThinkGeek, $39.99). Before all you parents out there start to worry, the construction skills needed for building these robots are super easy: none. No tools are required because all the parts snap into place. With three types of robot bodies to choose from and a separate circuit for each, you and your smarty-pants child can build three different robots. Each robot has a unique attribute, whether it’s object detection via infrared rays, an alarm bot with light sensitivity, or easy operation via TV remote. The real bummer here is that the kit only comes with one robot base, so you’re limited to building one robot at a time.
Sure, it kinda blows that you can’t build a unified robot army, but it’s probably a safety issue. I mean, if Skynet can become self-aware, it’s only a matter of time before your personal robot army rises up against you. And if you thought Terminators were scary, just imagine a mutiny consisting of miniature robotic insects. Absolutely frightening.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Build 3 types of robots
-Includes 3 different robot bodies and circuits with 1 root base
-Detects objects using infrared rays, light sensitive alarm bot, or operates with TV remote
-No soldering required as all parts snap together
-Only one robot can be built at a time
-For ages 8 and up
Laziness is an art form. Not many people realize that, but it is. There are many times when you might think that it’s ridiculous to ask someone else to get something for you when it’s only a few inches from where you’re sitting, but you would be wrong. I mean, why get up and get something yourself when you can get someone else to do it, right? If you think I’m crazy, ask yourself how many times you use the remote to turn on the TV, even when you’re standing right next to it, instead of doing it on manually. I believe the response you’re looking for is always.
Because laziness might as well be my middle name, I have much appreciation for the little things that make my life easier, like the Salt & Pepper Bots (Nerd Seven, $29.95). Now, we all know that reaching for the salt and pepper isn’t the most difficult thing in the world, even if your table is super long, but wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to reach over someone else while they were eating? With a set of these wind-up robots, all you’d have to do is wind them and get on with your meal. These little guys will clip-clop their way across the table, where they’ll deliver the condiment of choice housed in their screw-on head to the recipient. What more could you ask for?
I know that waiting for a small wind-up toy to deliver a pinch of salt probably takes more time than just reaching across the table and getting it yourself, but that’s not the point. The point is that this is so ridiculously lazy, it crosses over into awesome. You know you agree.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 2.5″ x 3.75″ x 1.3″ (each)
-Weight: 5 oz (each)
-Wind up robots
-Salt and pepper set
-Screw on head compartment stores salt or pepper
-Made of food grade ABS plastic
