Every little handy-kid needs a workbench for his or her special projects, and with Handy Manny himself on-hand in this Handy Manny’s Repair Shop playset, it’s even easier to get the job done right. Slide your blueprints into the diagnostic centre, and Manny talks you through the steps needed to build one of over 20 projects — from birdhouses to robots — with the 40+ included pieces. You can use the electronic drill press and circular saw to power through the pieces, and the hammer and screwdriver to fasten them — and when your power tools “break down,” you can even fix them yourself.

$99.99 from Amazon.

This vintage nursery rhyme child’s apron features goldilocks, red riding hood, the three little pigs and many more on this gorgeous fabric. The nursery rhyme fabric is paired with the pale aqua polka dot fabric.   The apron fits most girls sizes 2-5.

I find the red button closure particularly charming.

$25 from Swanky Thread

If you’re looking for a photo album for a baby or toddler girl and you’re tired of all the pastel pink, this album with hot pink and orange is contemporary and cute. With a fabric cover and window for the baby’s face, this is an album you’ll want to keep forever. Album holds 200 4 x 6 photos with space to write about each photo. Buy the Disco Dot Pink/Orange Photo Journal Album at Babysakes.com for $US29.95.

Do you (or would you) let your kids play video games at dinner time? Matthew Broderick apparently does. The actor and husband of Sarah Jessica Parker was recently spotted with son James at a Brazilian Steakhouse in Miami.

As you can see, James doesn’t look too interested in eating — his attention is fixed on the Nintendo DS Lite in his hands. If you’re looking for something to distract your kid with (not at the table, of course), you can pick up one of these handheld portable gaming units at any consumer electronics retailer in Australia. The DS Lite retails for $200, but if you take the time to shop around, you’ll find some great deals.

BristleBots have existed in concept, if not reality, for some time, but this 40-page book/toy-making kit from Klutz makes it official (even if it took a backlash from the maker community to make it so). Basically, a BristleBot is a toothbrush head with a vibrating gizmo attached — the result being a wild, barely controlled robot that vibrates its way into your imagination and across your tabletop. Really, though, you can attach a motor to just about any small object to make it a “Bot” –where Invasion of the BristleBots stands out is in the sheer number of activities, games and add-ons (including legs, feelers and eyes) it offers.

$13.57 from Amazon.

Introducing the Fisher-Price Little People Fairy Treehouse for little girls with big imaginations. Sara Lynn is the fairy who lives in her own magical tree house with her pet unicorn. Sarah Lynn can play in her buttercup swing, sit at her flower blossom table and have a snack of fresh berries, play with her magic wand, take a bath in her flower shower, ride on her unicorn and take him to his stable in her tree house. This is a toy with unlimited open play potential. I can even see a lot of mummies enjoying play time with this whimsical play set! By the way, no batteries are required. Find the Fisher-Price Little People Fairy Treehouse for $US23.

So the kids still haven’t grasped the concept of covering their mouths when they sneeze, and you can’t afford another sick day. Take “hands off” TLC to a whole new level with this remote-control tissue box, which lets you drive the Kleenex from one room to the next at some pretty impressive speeds (video below). Sure, you don’t need it, but you know you want to play with it!

Thirty-five years has made Hello Kitty one groovy girl. And Jakks Pacific new line of vinyl collectibles to celebrate the big anniversary lets her fly her flowered flag.

Two little misses come in every pack in the “designer collectibles” line, and this set won our hippie-loving hearts. Get her covered in groovy flowers or sporting giant peace signs.

Recommended for kids three and up, these are great for kids who love having one little friend to carry around but like to change things up often. The groovy picks are $US9.99 for a two-pack at Amazon, but you can find other picks for as little as $US7.99 for a two-pack.

Check out more of 7 Days of Hello Kitty.

Kingston ain’t no wallflower, that’s for sure. The son of Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale was spotted at Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in California with his folks and baby brother Zuma. Over his Cars costume he wore something not usually spotted on pre-schoolers — a black leather motorcycle jacket. Leatherbull (great name, huh?) sells kids’ classic black leather jackets for $US46.99. Totally kid-tough and available right here.

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Tori Spelling hit the shops to stock up on some Halloween goodies with son Liam, who is wearing a pair of vintage-style Adidas sneakers. He must like his kicks old school.

You can totally steal his look for your own retro cutie with a pair of the Adidas Kids Country shoes. You can pick them up from Aussie retailer Kido Store for $59.95.