Bandai's Luminodot from Long Tran on Vimeo.

Perhaps Christmas was not as successful as endeavor as anticipated. In which case, I highly recommend cashing in the sum of your returns for something wayyyy better - Bandai's Luminodot Lite-Brite HD Board. What is it? It's like, the best thing ever. You and your fam can generate your own artwork as pdf templates, and even use one of the pre-programmed Led animated sequences to light up your creation. Found at audiocubes.com, a site that carries many high tech Japanese gadgets, this high-tech 3500 peg display (whhaat?) is reason enough to look on the bright side.

Japanese retailer Muji + LEGO = a whole new way to play! Each box contains paper cut outs and LEGOS that, when assembled, make the cutest darned figurines. The concept is part of Muji's popular stationary line, thought provoking in that these make a great kinetic way for kids to learn particular words, names, addresses, numbers, etc. There are 4 different sets that will be available in Muji's stores and online  Nov 27th. Brush up on your Japanese, locations in New York and Europe have yet to confirm availability.

Pre Rock Band nothing ever really rivaled the thrill of Duck Hunt and still it proved no reason to do away with my original Nintendo. Whatever toys you've saved, perhaps some Masters of the Universe Figures, might stand worthy of reign against their modern counterparts and therefore justify the garage space. Vice Magazine took it to the field with a Then vs. Now Toy Showdown documented in the Kids Issue. Three panelists under the age of 10 offer their brutal insight as to what would be the death of which toy and why.

I think this kid is actually in Italy. His name is Diego. He's the lucky owner of a custom Vespa-rini rocking horse. Disclaimer before you get molto hyped, the word Verespa-rini I made up and it's not readily available (meh). But, if you've got the time and tools handy and a spare scooter you too can fashion a fiberglass wonder for your own tike. Check out the reference for visuals to aid commitment to DIY (ignore the website's creepy clown logo).