Marshmallow Shooter, $25, ages 6+

It’s here! You asked for it, and we got it: the Marshmallow Shooter. It holds an amazing 25 mini marshmallows and is capable of firing them 30 feet. Its lightweight body and sleek look could easily pass for a typical foam pellet gun, but it has the added surprise of edible ammo. Being shot by this gun isn’t half bad – mini marshmallows (sold separately) will rain down upon your friends and foes. Also try the Camo Bow & Mallow archery set, $30.

"Yee Haw!" she hollers across the playground, before dashing away on her noble steed, Mr. Stickhorsey. Her Pa tries to run after her, but she’s just too fast. He sighs and smiles, thinking of how happy she will be when she receives a brand new copy of "Little House on the Prairie" at her birthday party tomorrow.

Cowgirl Dress by Walkup Wear, $38.50, sizes 12m-6; I-Walk Fringe Boots by Bobux, $48, available in tan and pink, sizes 2-8; Horse Shoe Western Sak with horse by Douglas, $15; Red Hair Bow by Party Bags Etc., $5

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.

Today is a rare day in Austin. Snow falls in beautiful, fluffy flakes. Hopefully, you and the kids can get bundled up and have a dance in the snow. On normal rainy days, however, you may wish you had a way to keep the energetic tikes entertained indoors.  Here’s a sure way to let them run around while staying in one place. Behold, the Super Skipper.

Super Skipper, ages 3+, $33

Super Skipper is essentially a jumping toy.  Push a button to choose a speed, or use the big button, which starts slow and builds up speed, so you can practice your way up to the fastest setting. The pole goes around while the machine plays music.  Step or hop over the pole, and be careful not to knock into it, or you’ll hear the sad sound of "wah-wah-wah-waaah".  But it’s okay!  Push the button again to keep hopping. Or you could just chase it…  

Super Skipper is a kid magnet! When we demo this toy, every child in the store crowds around waiting for a turn.  Also, storage is especially convenient because the pole is collapsible (like a toy light saber) to fit back in the box. So, next time you’re trapped indoors with wild monkeys, clear a space in the living room and start this baby up.

Okay, okay.  I know this isn’t your typical book-review book, but I think it’s definitely worth mentioning.  Most dot-to-dot books are very simple and geared for younger kids.  Usually the progression is from matching to dot-to-dot to mazes to more difficult things like sudoku.  But dot-to-dot puzzles don’t have to be just for small children.

The Greatest Dot to Dot books are a series of 7 (and hopefully more forthcoming) books of innovative variations on dot-to-dots.  Books 1-4 take the regular old puzzle to the next level – harder than usual, but not epically frustrating.  Books 5-7 are Super Challenge! books for even more advanced users – fun even for adults!

Some cool examples: odd/even puzzles puzzles in which you only connect odd numbers only and even numbers only on two separate lines, "compass" puzzles in which you connect a solid grid of dots by traveling in the directions specified by the code key, and puzzles with over 1300 dots spanning across two pages!

To visualize those confusing descriptions and try some sample puzzles, visit the website.

(For younger kids, we still have lots of dot-to-dot and picture puzzle books in our Dover books rack).

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.

Image from AustinParks.org

Come to Terra Toys to get a kite, and get ready for March 7th.  It’s Austin Parks and Recreation’s annual Zilker Park Kite Festival!  So many people come from all over to share the excitement.  It’s an Austin tradition you don’t want to miss.

Click here to learn more.

Rumis (also marketed as Blokus 3D) is a challenging strategy game in three dimensions.  Like some other strategy games, the end goal is to cover most of the board with your own color of blocks.  The hard part is that only the top layer of any part of the structure counts – the player with the most stones visible from above is the winner. 

Included are 6 "building plans", different gameboard footprints inside which your stones must be placed.  Each game board also has guidelines for how high a structure may stand at any given point – this adds difficulty and makes for very interesting-looking structures. 

Great for game nights, whether for just grownups or for family.

Rumis, $30, 2-4 players, ages 8 to adult

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.

The first of this year’s new Uglydolls have arrived! Picksey is pale and angelic, and funny green Pointy Max looks like something with which you might dig in your garden. These and several other varieties are available in our Uglydoll section. Yes, that’s right, we have a whole section devoted to these weird things. Clearly, "ugly" is the new "charming". Also, keep your eyes peeled for 6 more dolls to be released from February through October. 

Picksey and Pointy Max Uglydolls, $20 each

Also available as Little Uglies, $10 each

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.

Fold Me a Poem is a lovely book of poetry that highlights the author’s realization that a few folds can bring paper to life just as a few words can bring an idea to life.  Each page contains a poem: some haiku, some free verse.  The words and illustrations bring the paper animals to life and provide interesting ideas to get creative with paper creations.

This is not an instruction guide, but the inspiring illustrations will make kids want to learn to make every animal in the book.  (Check out our origami section for paper and instructions).

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.

Origami Demonstration: Sunday, February 7, 2010, 1-3pm, Free at Terra Toys

Our collection of tin toys and robots has long been a favorite of robot connoisseurs.  Winding, whirring, sparkling, shooting, ambling, speeding – each robot has a unique personality.  Some are bumbling; some are charismatic; some strike fear into the hearts of men.  And each one is totally awesome. (I mean, all robots are awesome, right?)

Our tin robot stock is constantly changing.  New robots as well as "new" reproductions are released throughout each year.  So please don’t cry when you find out that some of the pictured robots are sold out – we almost always have 20 to 40 styles to choose from, so drop in and see if there’s a fabulous mechanized friend for you.

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.