Road Test: Does the WingFlyer Really Fly?

By Heidi Drake

 

When the WingFlyer box arrived at Play Outdoors, we all wondered: Is it a scooter? A moving stair stepper? An outdoor fitness machine? It sure wasn't a bicycle.

It’s all of the above, actually. Our head Gear Guru, Ben Z., immediately took it for a test spin in the parking lot and deemed it “weird, but fun!” This melding of stair stepper-like pedals and scooter wheels and handlebars is the newest wheeled “toy” to hit the U.S. this past summer, and Play Outdoors was invited to give it a try. I couldn’t wait to take my own test monkeys, Elise (8 ½) and Maya (6 ½) out for a spin.

The Gyrowheel: Genius Bike Training Gadget or Waste of Money?

By Ben McKinley

In the not-so-distance past, the Segway “scooter” introduced the magic of the gyroscope to tourists, techies and police the world over (and became a hilarious and popular TV and movie prop).  Recently, the makers of the Gyrowheel utilized this same technology to fast track your little one’s quest to ride on two wheels. This device is a pretty incredible alternative to the training wheels that caused many a-scar and scare for young riders over the years, myself included.  I was amazed at how much it resists being knocked over while rolling on its own, and while connected to a bike.

What exactly is the Gyrowheel? It replaces the front wheel on your kid’s bike and helps them balance while they get the hang of it. I checked out Gyrowheel’s website to see how it works—pretty wild stuff! It looked so easy, like the bike would pretty much ride itself. Unfortunately, it wasn't so simple when it came to using it with my preschool daughter.

Gyrowheel Pros:

•    Safe alternative to training wheels and their tendency to pull feet underneath and hurt them
•    Provides a more realistic feeling of riding and leaning into turns for little ones
•    Because of the stability it provides, the Gyrowheel gives little ones more time to gain confidence on two wheels and avoid scary and painful falls. This does not mean a kid-sized bike helmet isn't needed!
•    Equipped with three stability settings to encourage weaning off device as kids work to ride on two wheels without the tech assist

2011 Spring/Summer Travel Gear Picks—Play Outdoors Style

By Heidi Drake

I’m wandering through the Play Outdoors warehouse, checking out all the new family travel gear that’s landed—this stuff is so stinkin’ cool it almost makes me want to have another kid just to try it out. Almost.

A lot’s changed in the 6 ½ years since my youngest arrived. Seriously, a Phil and Teds Lobster travel high chair would have made my life a lot less germy and frantic—this baby clips to pretty much any table or bench for instant seating, and packs flat in its own carry bag. No more wondering if your little one will have a place to chill or chow down, or fretting about unknown germs.

Another deterrent to my getting out more when my girls were younger? I was never able to find a framed child carrier that didn’t eventually break my back or just plain break. Oh, how I wish I’d been able to hike my favorite trails packing one of my girls in a Deuter Kid Comfort child carrier! Lightweight, tough, ergonomic, and easy to adjust for Mom or Dad to use. Too bad Maya's too big for one now...

Boredom is a fun killer on family vacations, so I’ve finally learned to pack interesting travel games and toys to keep my girls entertained on the road or in between bouts of exploring and getting dirty. And, it’s amazing how excited they get to pack their own backpacks or Dakine rolling bags—make ‘em a list and let ‘em go! (Make sure to double check that they didn’t pack nine pairs of socks and no jacket, though.)

Thumbs Up for Brilliant Marmot and Patagonia Down

By Heidi Drake

When I came home with my adult-sized Patagonia Down Jacket a few months ago, my daughter Elise kept cuddling on the couch with it wrapped around her, sighing, “I want a blanket like this!”

I figured it was time to get her a girl’s
Patagonia Down Sweater of her own, and Christmas was the perfect opportunity. And, knowing that little sister Maya wouldn’t want to be left out, I decided to pick up Marmot’s Brilliant Quilted and Insulated Jacket for her. Similar enough to be “equal” but not too matching (you know how girls can be).

What did they think? They loved them (and I got my Patty G jacket back). Both became the girls’ favorite school jackets, being softer and less bulky than their ski coats (and stylish enough to get verbal approval from their friends—big bonus!). While we wouldn’t recommend them for full-on blizzard conditions, both the Marmot and the Patagonia have kept my girls warm ice skating in Sunriver and impromptu sledding on the hill next to our house.

Lucky Bums vs. Nutcase: Kids Snow Helmet Showdown

By Heidi Drake

We were heading out for some sledding across the street when my six-year-old daughter announced that her helmet was squeezing her ears. To be honest, I was kinda stoked to buy her a new one, ‘cause the Nutcase kids snow helmets we’d received at Play Outdoors were so stinkin’ cool.

I consulted our Gear Guru, Ben Z., who agreed that the Nutcase helmets rocked, but encouraged me to check out the Lucky Bums Kids Snow Sport Helmets before deciding.

Boy, am I glad he did!

Let me start by saying that both the Nutcase and Lucky Bums helmets are safety-approved for snow sports, made of tough ABS injection shells, and feature padded EPS liners. They’re also both low profile and offer good visibility. And, depending on your kid’s style, are good-looking sport helmets.

The North Face! Yeah, We’re Dropping Big Names Now.

By Heidi Drake

“I want a coat like yours, Daddy!” If you’ve got an outdoor-lovin’ kid who’s coveting your favorite outerwear, Play Outdoors is the place to pick up junior-sized versions from The North Face.

That’s right, we brought in the big guys. Our gear buyers couldn’t resist The North Face’s fleece jackets, multitasking snow coats, baby buntings and more. And so they bought some.

Play Outdoors Invaded by Marmots!

By Heidi Drake

Ok, it's not like real, live, weasel-like creatures have taken over our warehouse--it's Marmot kids  outerwear that's landed, and we're pretty jazzed about it.  (Could be all the coffee we're drinking, but we'll give Marmot the credit for that warm, buzzy feeling.)

Kids aren't outfitted at birth with a marmot's insulating, waterproof coat, so the aptly named outdoor clothing and gear maker created junior-sized winter jackets, snow pants, and more; all built to keep your kids warm while they frolic outside this winter.

PlayOutdoors.com is super stoked to add Marmot to our brand family, and as usual, you get free ground shipping on your order over $45 when you stock up for the Holidays or just because. And don't forget about our Get & Give promo, where you earn Play Outdoors gift cards for spending $100 or more (good through 12/24/2010).

Phil and Teds: The Stroller You’ve Been Waiting For!

By Heidi Drake

Does the thought of maneuvering a heavy, bulky, hard-to-turn stroller make you think twice about going outside?  Yeah, us too. 

That’s why we’re so over-the-moon in love with Phil and Teds inline strollers—they’re proof that you can take the kiddos with you on your excellent adventures without all the hassle. 

How do they do it?  With a tough steel frame, durable and washable fabrics, and an adaptable design that lets you convert it to haul one kid or two, from newborn to toddler age.  Yep, no more “upgrading” strollers as your child grows or being forced to buy a second one!  We also love the way the front wheel of this 3-wheel stroller swivels to allow turns in tight spaces or locks straight for jogging. 

Gift Cards and Snowshoes and Helmets—Oh My!

Check out what’s new at Play Outdoors

By Heidi Drake

We just had our first major snow here in Bend, but it’s the Play Outdoors warehouse that’s experiencing avalanche conditions.  We’re buried in boxes and bags of brand new kids’ outdoor gear and we’re pretty dang excited about it!

First, you’ve got to indulge us while we toot our own horn.  We’re proud to introduce our supercool Play Outdoors brand 100% cotton kids’ t-shirts and Gift Cards! Now your youngsters can fly the Play Outdoors flag in a comfy, Ruckus Ready tee, and gift giving is a cinch with our email gift cards—choose the amount and let ‘em shop.

Our brand family is still growing too—have you seen Early Rider’s balance bikes?  Toddlers and preschoolers can skip the training wheels and go straight to two-wheelin’ with these innovative wooden bikes.  And they have flames painted on them… totally rockin’! 

Extreme Makeover: Play Outdoors Style

By Heidi Drake

Hey-Yo!  Do we have your attention now?  Introducing (insert drum roll here) the new and improved PlayOutdoors.com! Yep, the baby’s grown up a bit—and we’re pretty stinkin’ proud.

If you’ve visited the Campfire during the past few weeks, you’ve probably noticed the format change and thought, what’s up? Well, kids grow, and Play Outdoors is no exception.  We’ve expanded our family of stellar kids outdoor gear brands to include stars like Marmot, Bogs, Pistil, and even toy makers like 4M—and we’re not stopping there.