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From John Baichtal @ geekdad:

"ZOOBMover, with its elegantly simple ball & joint connections and stripped down controller, fits the bill. My two youngest kids, ages 4.5 and 3, were able to create their own robot without any help from me. The motive force behind ZOOBMover is a vaguely torsolike plastic chassis covered in connectors so you can add functional and ornamental ZOOB elements. Most importantly it has six sockets for legs, allowing the creation of arthropodal creatures like bugs and dragons."

Parents must enforce moderation if they're going to keep their kids from getting addicted to video games, the developer of one of the hottest games to hit the market said Friday. Vance Wallace, the lead designer of "Tomb Raider: Underworld" which is set for release later this month just in time for Christmas, admitted gaming could become an obsession for some kids.

"I'm not a politician, a judge or even a parent, but I would say that just like with anything else, moderation is really important whether you're talking about video games or anything in your life - movies, TV," he said.

Sure, it's gonna be a scary-tight holiday season... But US News and World Report sez that this year's winners include night-vision goggles, a pen that can "read", and an educational alarm clock.

Beloved children's author Maurice Sendak has had a busy year. He celebrated his 80th birthday, revealed some major personal tragedies and came out of the closet. Adored and loved by young readers and their parents raised on his kooky stories and moving illustrations his books are treasured classics.

Remember wayyyyy back when E3 meant your "industry" hook-ups would hit up their co-workers with unisex names for badges to get your sorry "non-industry" butt in on some of the sweet gaming action? Back when you smuggly fanned yourself with your borrowed "Tony" name badge as you passed all the wanna-be hopefuls crowding the LA Convention Center doors? Back when Tony Hawk and friends showed off on indoor half pipes while sexy vikings and Everquest fairies mingled and posed for pictures with Pikachus and Katamari princes.

Your kids like puppets. The presidential elections are near. You want to make sure your kids thoroughly represent who you..I mean your family feels is the the best candidate for the job during all those school yard debates. Print out and fold up a few of these presidential candidate finger puppets and show those youngsters just how fun politics can be, puppet style.

Maven of all things wonderfully crafty Maya Made is so generously sharing her really great "Portable Art Studio" tutorial. Her precise, well-written tutorial with clear pictures explains how a cardboard box can be transformed into a nifty table top easel and a milk carton made into a swell art caddy. I love that she even thinks to use recycled baby food jars as paint containers.

Yo Gabba Gabba! returns today with their super season two, yeah! And what a way to blast off with a special birthday celebration honoring our favorite stripy-green monster Brobee!

Well blow me down, September 19th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. In order to properly honor the pirate way we've complied a few pirate ditties to help you shake yer booty.

Pirate-y Delicious songs for families:

What would we be thinking if we didn't begin this list with a song from the founders of "International Talk Like a Pirate Day?" For your listening pleasure enjoy Cap'n Slappy and Ol' Chumbucket and friend singing "I'm a Pirate Song".

Are you looking forward to celebrating Talk Like a Pirate Day with your family but don't quite know how to party like a pirate with your littlest revelers? Kidspace in Pasadena might just have the perfect event to get into the pirate spirit without worrying about drunk scallywags stumbling over your kids.