Bakugan Toys - What Are Bakugan Battle Brawlers?

Every year there's a short list of hot toys that prove to be the most popular Christmas gifts for kids. And 2008, of course, is no different. One of this year's must buy Christmas toys is definitely going to be Bakugan battle brawlers, so here's a quick guide for parents on what Bakugan is all about.

What is Bakugan

Bakugan is similar to Pokemon in that it isn't just about the toys or the game. Bakugan Battle Brawlers is also a Japanese anime series in which the main characters, a group of youngsters, play the Bakugan strategy game in order to save the earth. It now airs in a variety of countries, including on the Cartoon Network in the US. The toys and the tv series were developed together, so one supports the other.

The Bakugan Battle Brawlers Game

Much how a trading card game works, Bakugan is a strategy game. It involves both cards (made of metal) and marbles. The marbles morph into monsters and such, i.e. dragons and things of that nature. The transformation occurs as the marble lands on the metal cards, which is the large part of the appeal of these toys. They are fun!

After each player has rolled their Bakugan (the marble), then battle commences. Battle consists of adding up the values on the Bakugan and the cards and the winner takes both of the Bakugans and the cards. The game continues until there aren't any cards left.

The Bakugan Toys

The main items necessary to play Bakugan are the cards and the marbles that turn into creatures. Bakugan starter packs are a fairly inexpensive entry item into the series of toys, at about $15 each. Fair warning though, much like Pokemon and Webkinz, don't expect your kids to be happy with just one set. Like trading game cards, the toys are designed to be collectible. You can expect your house to be overrun soon enough!

In addition to the starter packs and Battle Brawler Battle packs, there are also accessory items such as a launcher and a battle arena (i.e. game board) that can be bought too. There are also other tie-in items such as books, lunch bags, calendars and eventually there should be a videogame available in the US for the Nintendo DS.

For tips on the game, my instructions on how to play Bakugan should help out, plus you can get an idea of the different Bakugan toys available as well.

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Silverlit PicooZ Helicopter Review

Silverlit PicooZ Helicopter

by Silverlit

Technical Details

• Transmitter Requires 6 x AA Batteries - not included

• Product Dimensions: Main Rotor Diameter 130mm (5.25)
• Length 170mm (6.5) excluding rotors. Rear Rotor diameter 30mm (1.25)
• Product Weight: Only 10g, including Flight Battery
• Rechargeable Flight Battery: High capacity integral Lithium Polymer battery
• Charger: Integral Transmitter/Charger supplied with LED indicator/Auto shut off
• Simply plug in and charge, with easy to use connections
• Charging Time: 20-30 minutes for full charge
• Flight Duration: 10 minutes between charges
• Batteries Required: 6 x 1.5v AA Alkaline Batteries for Transmitter/Charger
• Control Specification: Supplied completely assembled and already charged
• Ready-to-fly, with pre-installed 2 Channel Proportional Infra Red Control System
• Take off, hover and descend, turn left and right
• Range: Up to 10m (30ft). Frequency: Infra Red Control System - Bands
• A, B & C allow up to three Silverlit Models to be flown together
• Instruction Manual included: Providing helpful tips for the new Helicopter Pilot
• Gift Box Dimensions: 360 x 160 x 100mm
• Gift Box Weight: 0.4kgs

Customer Reviews

89 of 89 people found the following review helpful: Great Fun!, 8 Jun 2007 Durability: Fun: Educational: It's a great toy and alot of fun for the price. The controls allow you to alter the speed of the main rotor to alter the lift, also the speed of the tail rotor to turn the helicopter. With judicious application of the stick on weights you can balance the model so that it drifts forward when in stable flight. It takes a bit of practice to get this thing to go in roughly the direction you want it too but that is half the fun.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

Picoo Z Helicopter, 3 Jan 2008

Durability: Fun: Educational:

I got this from my wife as a Christmas present. I can't stop playing with it. It is so light and easy to control. The controls take some getting use to, but once mastered it is no problem. My two girls like watching flying low over there heads. I would highley recommend this as a gift.


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Affiliate Tip - Backup Your Files

As an affiliate marketer, you code, your content, your copy, etc. is your business. So what are you going to do if your hard drive or machine dies on you?

The solution is to get yourself an external hard drive. Think of it as cheap business insurance.

You'll also need a backup software program to automate the process. Otherwise, you can copy all of the files manually to your external hard drive.

Not only does this provide you with protection in the event of some technical failure, but it also protects you against the sort of stupid mistakes that happen late at night.

What you do with an external hard drive is to backup your entire hard drive to the external hard drive on a regular basis - daily or so.

Personally, I make a complete duplication of my system each week, and every night I back up any new files. And I have a second external hard drive off site, which gets a complete backup of my laptop ever couple weeks.

If you don't want to buy two external hard drives, you can also do incremental backups to DVDs.

While you are protecting your data, you should also consider safeguarding your machines by getting a battery backup to block power surges, spikes, and outages that can damage your computer equipment and corrupt important data.

There are lots of options for capacity, price, etc. I have the following in place as my main backup: Maxtor One Touch II 200 GB External Hard Drive, PC Back Up software, Belkin 1100VA Battery Backup.

Don't wait until you lose everything - protect your affiliate marketing business proactively and sleep well tonight.

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Professional Photography Equipment Learning Shutting Speeds

Shutting the shots with speed:

Well I guess we talked about every darn thing in photography you can imagine without getting all the details, thus, I guess we need to understand the shutter buttons now, since failing to know what these buttons do, can cause you to miss out on a shot.

The shuttle button works to snap a picture as you capture the scene. Shutter buttons have speeds, which is important to understand. If you don't understand the shutter buttons, you might have a problem with images, since this is a crucial feature. The lens to some people is the most important feature of a camera, however if the lens and shutter button are working in union with a backer, then failure will occur. If you are firing a shot at a bus passing down a highway and fail to hit the shutter button, don't blame the camera if there is no picture in the housing stored.

Setting the Speed:

This is at what time you want to use a lower shutter speed if you are taking a picture of a moving target. The speeds are based on seconds; therefore if the target is moving try to set the shuttle at 1/3. The picture will come out blurred but it will let the viewer see that the target was on the run. To make sure you are reaching the best possible picture in events of snap shots you want to keep aperture and speed in mind while using the shuttle buttons.

If you are targeting a moving image, then try to use a speed at 1/125 or else you can reduce the speed to 1/20. Of course the target is moving, so you want to maneuver the camera in groove with the target. Now you are panning!

Some cameras have a shuttle mode. The modes may be labeled T and B. The B stands for bulb, while the T stands for Time. The options are dedicated to giving you a quality picture at a distance. You can control length and exposure with these functions.

While using the shuttle button you can hold it halfway down in order to prepare for the shot. Once the scene comes into view as you wish it to appear you can hold down the button and the camera will get the image on its storage. This is the bulb effect. The T mode will drain the battery, depending on the camera; therefore use this function with thought.

The slow speeds are often used at what time the photographer is snapping a shot where the lights are low. If you are in a darken area you may want to situate the camera so that it is steady, such as on a tripod. You may want to use your remote control release that comes with most cameras instead of hitting the shuttle button directly. This will cause slight movement, and if the lights are low, you need slowness and sturdiness as much as possible. You can also set the timer to snap the shot while it is situated on the tripod. You can also use the slow speeds at what time you are taking pictures of a moving snake, frog, water, and the like.

Faster shutter speeds are often employed at football fields. If you are at a sporting event and want to capture a player in action, your best bet is using the fast speed mode.

Some of the better cameras on the marketplace are the SLR series; however, I noticed the Mustek Digital Cams and Camcorders combined are nice photo shooters.

Professional Photography Equipment Discover the hidden photography secrets with Complete photography guide.

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What Are the Top Toys For Christmas 2008

Are you wondering what your little ones are hoping to find under the tree this year? The top toys for Christmas, of course! There are more of these than you can imagine, but some stand out among the rest.

High on the list of hi-tech kids out there are robotics. This year you will see the introduction of a dinosaur named Pleo. Pleo is the most interactive robotic child friendly to date. Big enough for your child to actually ride, you will be amazed by all its features. The different way your child interacts with Pleo sets the pace of Pleo growing up. These features make this one of the top toys for Christmas.

There is a new Elmo Live being added to the line of Elmo's we all know and love. Every child can learn from Elmo. Whether it's a new song or dance, a story or a joke, your child will be entertained by this new friend. If it's creativity you want to encourage, the traditional art easel has a new design making it very user friendly for your child. Also something to consider is the new, what is being toted as "indestructible," digital cameras just for kids. This updated version is waterproof. As one of the top toys for Christmas, bringing photography to your child has never been easier.

An indoor or outdoor game, Hyper Dash will certainly burn off the extra energy the kids have stored up being patient for Santa to arrive. Entertaining and never boring, it's a game that never gets old. It is also reasonably priced and holds up well. For those who love disguise, a voice changer helmet will transform them into Darth Vader or Dr. Who. This one is guaranteed to provide hours of adventures for ages 5 and up. Accessories such as gloves are available with some characters. Top toys for Christmas this year include plenty of role playing and entertainment.

Lego's is sweetening up the market with 6 new play sets. What do you wish to add, or even introduce to your child? From the police station to the cherry picker the play time here is endless as your child reaches a new level of creation with the old favorite Lego's. Some favorite board games have a new look and a new spin. Candyland, for example, now has a castle that is a game all in itself! Twister Hopscotch is just that, more interactive and designed for even more fun than before as one of the top toys for Christmas.

Does your child crave speed? Is he old enough to handle one of the many riders out there? There are so many to choose from you may have just as much fun picking it out for your child, as your child has riding it. From a Ford150 to a John Deere tractor, your child's favorite should be easy to pick out. Of course there is the new Ford Mustangs and the Jeep Hurricane that would suit your daughter just fine. The scooters and skaters on the market will have your speed demon ready to roll, making them top toys for Christmas.

If you would like more information on what are the Top 12 Girls Toys For Christmas 2008 visit the authors site http://toptoysforxmas.com/Top-12-Girls-Toys-For-Christmas-2008.html

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Top 10 Most Wanted Toys For Christmas 2008 - Put These Under Your Tree

Figuring out what the top 10 most wanted toys for Christmas are is very important if you want to make sure that Santa gets things right this year. These toys are flying off the shelves with increasing fervor, so it's definitely best to act sooner rather than later so your shopping cart doesn't look sadly empty.

Toy #1 - Elmo Live

The first toy you need to make sure you have is Elmo Live. Elmo is a beloved character for the young and old alike. This Elmo is so lifelike you won't believe your eyes. For such a lifelike toy you'll be surprised at how low the cost is!

Toy #2 - Bakugan Starter Pack

The next toy you need to have on your list for the Christmas 2008 season is the Bakugan starter pack. Children love the anime series Bakugan, so you definitely can't go wrong when you decide to pick up these packs. They are also incredibly inexpensive, and make great stocking stuffers.

Toy #3 - Kidizoom Digital Camera

For that little photographer in your life, you'll want to buy the Kidizoom Digital Camera. This camera is incredibly tough and durable for even the most carefree of children. It also contains features you'd expect on an adult- and much more expensive- camera. This one is probably less than you think.

Toy #4 - Flip Video Camera

The Flip Video Camera. Okay, so this one is technically not a toy. Still, this is a great first video camera for kids because it's inexpensive, small, and very easy to use.

Toy #5 - Busy Ball Popper

For that baby or toddler in your life you'll definitely want to look for the Busy Ball Popper Toy. This one is great because it has colorful balls that go through a tube and pop into the air! Tons of fun for your little one.

Toy #6 - Furreal Friends Biscuit

Furreal Friends Biscuit Dog is a real winner for this holiday season. You can't help but fall in love with this little pup because he is so lifelike. This one is on the expensive side, but the expense is well worth it to see the look of happiness your little one has on his face.

Toy #7 - Eyeclops Night Vision Stealth Goggles

Eyeclops Night Vision Stealth Goggles are next on the list because they are fun for everyone. It's hard to believe, but this toy delivers in a big way by offering real night vision.

Toy #8 - Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii is perhaps an obvious choice, but it's a great one! The Wii has been out for a couple of years now, but it's still hard to find. The interactivity and excitement is something your whole family will love.

Toy #9 - Star Wars Clone Trooper Voice Changer

Star Wars Clone Trooper Voice Changer is another great option. This toy allows your child to change their voice just like in the movies! It's great fun, and sure to bring some laughs.

Toy #10 - Little Big Planet

Last but not least, one of the top 10 most wanted toys for 2008 is Little Big Planet for the Playstation 3 console. This is one of the most innovative, interesting and fun games that has come out in years. You can't go wrong with this title.

Figuring out which toys are hot is half the battle! Now you've got to narrow down your list and choose the best Christmas toys for your own child this year. It also helps to learn about the best pricing deals so you can save money this year. Visit http://bestchristmasgiftsonline.com for more details.

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Vintage Doll Collecting - Engel-Puppen Doll Company

Engel-Puppen has been in business for more than 100 years. It is the oldest doll factory at its location in Roedental, Bavaria, Germany.

The Engel-Puppen dolls produce almost any type of doll from small playable vinyl dolls to decorative dolls in original German costumes, from nostalgic collectible dolls to valuable artist dolls made of porcelain in limited editions. The company also produces a large variety in doll clothes and accessories. One very important fact about the Engel-Puppen doll lines and accessories is that they are all made in Germany and meet the standard of quality that German products are known for all over the world.

At the end of the 19th century, home-workers in the city of Rodental, collected materials from their contractors located in world city of toys, Sonneberg. The dolls were usually complete. Most of the workers worked from workshops in their living rooms.

The first doll factory was established in Monchroden in October/November of 1896 by Edmuch Knoch and his wife, Emilie. Together they started working in one room of her father's house, but soon outgrew the space and moved to another house in Rothinestr 7. They moved into their own factory building in 1908 in Lange Wiesen 6.

The first big success of the Edmund Knoch Company was the small princess dolls sold mostly by exporters from Hamburg. Their next biggest customers were the export companies from Sonneberg, which is the oldest toy city in the world.

Edmund Knoch died in 1934. Edmund's son, Otto and his mother began to run the company, which now had 30 employees and home workers.

After the Second World War, Otto Knoch and his wife, Helga restarted the doll production with a trade mark of the letters "E.K." with a crown over them. Most deliveries went to the wholesalers and exporters in Sonneberg until the year of 1948.

Three more important doll factories were established in Germany. These were:

• E. Maar & Sohn in 1910

• Drei-M in 1920

• Zapf in 1931

Elmo Live Toy
Cheap Toys

The materials changed over the years from pressing compo, paper-mache, casting compo, porcelain and rubber to hard plastic and vinyl. Hard plastic and vinyl are materials of choice for doll production today.

With the death of Helga Knoch, Otto retired. His son, Lothar, had become a lawyer and was not interested in the doll business. Otto Knoch died in 1985.

January 1, 1976, Helmuth Engel came into the company and rented it for three years. Helmuth Engel worked with dolls all his life. After his childhood days in school, he joined the Drei-M doll company, which was one of the largest doll companies in Germany at that time. After 25 years working for the Drei-M doll company, Helmuth Engel decided to start his own company.

Helmuth Engel lead the Knoch Company in 1976 and at that time a new trademark was designed. The trademark was an angel with a crown placed in an oval. In 1979, Helmuth Engel bought the Knoch Company and moved the company to a larger building at Monchrodener Str. 55 on the main road in Rodental, which is located near the old factory. The company's name was changed from Edmund Knoch to "Helmut Engel."

Helmuth's daughter Susanne joined the company in 1983. By 1992, Susanne Engel created a part of the Engel collection. Markus Engle, the youngest child of Helmuth was the designated successor of Helmuth Engel. He joined the company in 1989. The company changed into a corporation with the name of "Engel-Puppen GmbH." Markus Engel now leads the business as the sole manager.

Source: Engel-Puppen Online

Important Disclaimer: The URL address in the resource box of this article is not associated with the Engel-Puppen Doll Company or any of its employees. This article is offered for information to the would-be and avid vintage doll collector.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box

© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

Written by: Connie Limon. For more information about starting and maintaining a Vintage Doll Collection visit http://smalldogs2.com/VintageDollCollecting For a variety of FREE reprint articles as well as special sections in U.S. History and the Kennedy Administration visit http://www.camelotarticles.com

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Toy Building Sets - Many Options For Learning

Understanding how a child's brain grows and develops is not only essential to modern medicine, it's also essential to toy manufacturers these days. As more parents begin to demand toy items that will truly help their children develop into intelligent adults, toy makers are responding with some of the most amazing toy building sets.

Before you rush out to make a purchase for that upcoming birthday or holiday, though, it's important to understand what's available in the world of toy building sets these days. With manufacturers getting increasingly creative and new studies coming out every day in terms of what can and cannot increase a child's ability to learn and fine-tune his or her motor skills, knowing what's available before you make your purchase is fairly important.

One option you have is toy building sets that are geared toward a certain age group. For example, if you're buying a set that's geared toward older children, you may find that the designs are more intricate, the pieces are a bit harder to snap together, and there are extensive instructions to help the child create something magnificent. If, on the other hand, you purchase is for a toddler, the pieces tend to be much larger, the overall goal of the set is incredibly simple, and the colors may even be brighter to further the cognitive development abilities of the toy.

Another option you have when you purchase toy building sets is to buy items that have hundreds of possible design options. Parents and kids love toys with higher play value, as it means they can use it on a repeated basis. Items that are more general and include many different building options are far better than choices that simply have the child follow one specific set of instructions. A simple box of connecting blocks like Legos have far more play value than a set geared toward one specific vehicle or structure. While the child might want a specific structure, it is possible to build so much more, and that may increase a child's cognitive abilities.

One final option you have when you purchase toy building sets is to buy sets that have special accessories. Some building toys include spots things like USB ports so kids can build and program robots. Others come with magnetic connectors to make it easier to build larger structures. Understanding what special accessories are available may make your gift buying that much easier.

Toy building sets certainly aren't what they used to be, but these days, you have many more options as you prepare to make your purchase. From sets that have been proven to teach kids a variety of concepts including those in the areas of math and engineering to those that help increase a little one's motor skills, building sets can do so much more than provide simple play time fun. They're the ideal gift for any gender or age, but be sure to evaluate each of your choices carefully to ensure you get the ideal gift this year.

Please visit us to see the best toy building sets. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Addison

Advice on Some Essential Baby Gears and Educational Baby Toys

When I have a baby, it seems like everything I do, I do it for my baby. I guess this is a natural tendency that all the parents have. We all want our baby's life as comfortable and safe as possible. Below are some very important baby gears that I am sure most of us can't live without. Many of these baby gears can actually promote health and safety for our babies.

First, a baby car seat is a must. Even if you don't intend to take your baby out by car. Many hospitals will actually make sure that you have one before they release the infant and mother. If you don't have one, some hospitals will provide a temporary baby's car seat for you, but you need to agree with their insurance regulations.

One way or another, you will want to carry your baby around when you are taking him or her outside, but your arms will get tired. So, you need a good baby carrier; a good back pack or front pack baby carrier will do wonders (I prefer front pack baby carrier as I can always keep an eye on my baby). It will free your arms and also great for promoting physical closeness and bonding between you and your newborn.

However, both backpack and front pack baby carrier can get heavy after a while. This is where a baby's stroller becomes useful. A sturdy stroller that comes with some safety features such as a braking mechanism for hills and near the curb is very useful and safe. Also, make sure you get one with an adjustable hood to protect your baby from direct sunlight.

Both at home and away, a good diaper changing station will prove to be very convenient for moms or dads who are caring for their babies. A portable one is very handy and will do wonders during the spur-of-the-moment that always seem to come at the most inconvenient time.

Lastly, when it comes to baby toys, soft baby toys are always better as they are free from sharp edges and contours. Babies are exploratory by nature, stacking toys in the form of alphabet, number and picture blocks can help the baby's developing mind learn about shape, volume and other basic skills. Your baby will learn to stack blocks one on top of the other. These toys are safe and nicely rounded and free from sharp edges.

There are a whole range of toys that can give your baby great learning experience and help them learn how to interact with their world. For example, Baby Einstein toys offers great interactive learning experience. There are variety of toys, books, CDs and DVDs available to help your baby get in touch with the world.

Here are more information on Baby Einstein Toys. More information about baby can also be found at our site: Baby Precinct - http://www.babyprecinct.com/

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How to Buy Safe Toys For Toddlers - A Checklist For Parents

Safety is everything when it comes to our kids. Unfortunately, the sad fact is that Mattel voluntarily recalled nearly a million toys in 2007 for being covered in lead paint, and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have long lists of consumer products recalled for containing excessive amounts of lead (half of the products are toys). It's enough to want to forego buying any toys at all, especially for our very youngest children.

Lead is not the only problem, though, we've also heard about hormone-disrupting chemicals called phthalates in plastic products, such as baby bottles, that can affect reproductive and developmental health. Other news headlines include various hazards from chocking, magnets, and more. These headlines about lead and toxics in toys, as well as other hazards are scary, to say the least. For a time, I did not want to buy any new toys for my soon to be two-year old, mostly because everything goes in his mouth at some point!

Yet this is the real world, where toys and bottles are a part of life. The question becomes, how can we be sure the products we buy are safe? The good news is that national political leaders have finally taken some action. On August 14, 2008, President Bush signed into law a consumer safety bill that will ban lead in nearly all products designed for children 12 years old and younger. A second major step forward will occur next year, when a nationwide ban on six phthalates in soft plastic toys and cosmetics takes effect. The law marks a major shift in the way toxics are regulated in the U.S.

The burden of proof will now be on manufacturers to prove chemicals are safe in products for babies and children before they can be used (this has not been the case up until now). Until these laws really take effect (and even afterwards as no law can take all the risk out of purchasing toys), as parents we must be proactive, vigilant and stay informed. Here is a checklist of 7 things you can do to help make sure that you purchase quality, safe products for the children in your life.

1. Keep abreast of toy and product recalls. You can sign up for free email alerts and announcements from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. The CPSC is s charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products. Their list of Toy Recalls is online at cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html. Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a list of all lead consumer product recalls by category. Both sites have pictures and descriptions of recalled products.
2. Check for published safety statements from toy manufacturers or vendors where you purchase toys. The best online toy retailers, for example, will post manufacturer statements about quality testing, lead content and more.
3. Buy age-appropriate toys. Check the packaging to make sure you are not buying toys intended for older children, which may have small parks that can break off.
4. Follow safety guidelines for buying toys (e.g. making sure toys for toddlers contain no parts too small that can break off, using helmets, putting toys away, etc.) The CPSC maintains several guides on toy safety, including a list of "toy safety shopping tips" (online at http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/toy_sfy.html). Tips include how to determine whether a product has been reviewed by a toxicologist. (It will be marked with the designation ASTM D-4236).
5. Find independent reviews of toys and products. Probably the most well-known organization for independent product testing is Consumer Reports. Their website contains a section for Babies & Kids.
6. Read reviews, talk to people, and search online. Find out others' experience with the products you want to buy. You can learn a lot (and save yourself some headache and heartache) by reading other opinions first.
7. Finally, monitor your child's play and the condition of the toys you do buy. Check toys periodically for breakage and potential hazards. Damaged toys should be repaired or thrown away.

Ava Anderton is a mother, author, and college instructor. She writes for DestinyBaby.com, where you can find more information on toy safety and resources for parents, including product reviews and deals for the best educational learning toys, games, puzzles and more for infants, toddlers and kids.

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