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.

Sorry mice, but this Mouse and Cheese Wooden Toy is strictly for the children. Made up of a holey wooden ‘Holland Cheese’ block and a wooden ‘mouse’ attached by a string, the toy encourages basic attention and motor skills through repeated lacing of the ‘rodent’ through the holes. Each toy is made to order, so allow a few extra weeks if you’re ordering it as a gift.

€6.30 (around AU$10.25) from Linen Kids. Shipping to Australia starts from €5 (around AU$8)

Ahoy thar matey. Here is a pirate ship that ain’t just some store bought boat. This is a handmade toy sailing vessel. Etsy seller Mooshoopork created this 18cm by 18cm cutie which has been all handpainted and varnished with non-toxic materials. And it comes with a pirate crew too! Available here for $US55 (plus $US12 shipping to Australia).

Uh-oh.

After several minutes of tears and reassurance, she finally seemed to grasp that my mistake was unintentional.  Yet now that I’ve been branded as a thrower-awayer, she doesn’t trust me with any of her possessions.  “Where’s my ______ ?” she’ll ask, a touch of panic in her voice. “Did you THROW IT AWAY?”

Sigh. It’s developmental, I know, this hoarding of every. last. scrap. of paper. But my house is only so big.

Monday’s episode of Hoarders told the story of a seven-year-old boy who couldn’t bear to give up even one of his collection of stuffed animals, toy packaging and even used cotton balls. At the same time my heart was breaking for him, I was itching to get into his room and clean it up. The stuff!

My own kids own far too many things, thanks to garage sales and generous grandparents, but we weed toys out on a regular basis.  And even if parting with things can be a struggle, they’ll actually play more often in their rooms when things are organised.

Here’s how we do it: Each child gets 50 cents for every toy they give to charity, 25 cents for any toy that’s too worn to give away.  Sisters get veto power on any toy, because they’re so close in age. And when no one is looking, I pack up the things that have been gathering dust in the closet and put them in a box to see if anyone will miss them.  If not, out they go.

It’s not a perfect system, and we still have too much stuff. How do you help your kids part with toys, clothes, and yes, even cardboard packaging that they don’t need anymore?

Photo: meddygarnet, Flickr

The four Liv dolls, which are being marketed to girls aged six to 10 for $US19 a piece, all come with their own life story and character traits.

And, in a quaint nod to self-esteem, each of the dolls comes with her own personal physical imperfection. (If you can find one in any of these dolls, please let me know!)

Judging from this photo, I found it ironic that the designer has specifically worked hard to make the lips look real, “not collagen-injected.” He says he spent months examining photos of his girlfriend to make sure he gave the Liv dolls true-to-life mouths. Perhaps his girlfriend is Angelina Jolie?

Photo: Jezebel

The Huff Po just put together a list of some really questionable toys and products aimed at kids.

Full list after the jump.

Stuffed STDs
I don’t get the problem. These are terribly helpful education aids that make venereal disease fun for the children. Your kid is never too young to learn about The Clap. Besides, look at how adorable Herpes is! I want Herpes!

Toy Tattoo Gun
Sure there are plenty of kid tattoos for sale at there, but they don’t truly convey the experience of stepping into a tattoo parlour to make bad decision. Let your child discover their inner artist as they brand and cross out the names of 8th grade girlfriends on their friends’ arms. Just make sure those pretend needles are pretend clean, kid, or we’ll have to introduce you to the Stuffed STD dolls.

Shave that Baby
Not quite sure what’s going on here. I do know that the product is Japanese. Are Japanese babies born with an abundance of pubic hair? And what’s going on the hair suspenders? I smell 2010’s Hottest Hipster fashion trend.

Full list here.

I’m not going to get into how many Tonka toys you could get for the price of this 40 centimetre long CITO Wood bulldozer. Though it is a bit steep, the birch-ply dozer looks solid enough to justify the expense. Don’t expect it to stay this clean for long, though.

$80 from Posh Tots.

…And hypotrochoids, and epitrochoids — but enough with the geometry talk. Akin to having your own vintage Spirograph toy contained inside a single writing implement, the motorised Spyro Gyro Pen oscillates wildly to help you create complex squares, circles and triangles with a simple switch of a pattern. Even though batteries aren’t included (it takes two AAs), five interchangeable ink caps are. It sounds like a decent tradeoff to us.

$9.50 from Amazon.

DJ Dance Rock? He’s got the moves. Now your kid can harness the power of the Yo Gabba Gabba star with the Yo Gabba Gabba DJ Lance Dance Hat. This interactive dance hat plays music when you move and dance and includes three different songs. Plus there’s a special mode where DJ Lance will guide through some of his extra special dance moves. And for added style, the set comes with a pair of cool old school DJ Lance glasses.

You can pick up a set here for $39.95.

The Precious Places Swan Palace has a lot going on. Little prince and princess figures (included) are used to activate lights and music all over this two story joint.  There’s a hidden banquet table, dressing room (with storage for the princess’s three headpieces, also included), a treasure chest with magical sounds, a hidden bed!  Oh and, at least in my house, Polly Pockets really like hanging out in the palace too.

Durable and accessible enough with for my three-year-old, but still totally captivating for my five-year-old daughter.

$US49.99 at Amazon.