Move and Groove

What happens when you take snowboarding, surfing and skateboarding and throw them in a blender? You get the Shred Sled. It’s basically two footpads, each with two in-line wheels pieced together with a flexible connector. Instead of pushing off the Shred Sled like a skateboard, you propel yourself using your hips, legs and arms much like when you use a surfboard or snowboard. The hardest part about using the Shred Sled that I’ve found is getting on it. When I tried, one of the footpads would tilt one way or another and I found the only way I could fully get on was with the support of a wall or column. However, once on, it was fun to ride around on. I don’t recommend this for beginners but I’m sure those experienced in the ways of the three above sports will enjoy this much more than I did. Also make sure to wear a helmet and other protective gear if you want to try this out. To see more about it check out www.theshredsled.com where you can see videos and pictures or even purchase one.

There are some toys that are physically impossible for me to test out, Giraffalaff Limbo is one if these games. The poles for Giraffalaff Limbo stand a little higher than three feet and with every limbo game the height just becomes lower. Then again, I don’t believe the company had adults in mind when they were cooking this toy up. No this is geared towards preschoolers who will enjoy the moving to the beat while avoiding Giraffalaff hanging from the bar. The game comes with a dial with six different ways to go under the bar from a bird walk to the crawl. It took me a moment to figure out the difference between the limbo and what the dial calls “backwards bend”, which means you bend over and walk backwards, not bending backwards (or the limbo). One thing I learned the hard way is that once you assemble the game you can’t completely disassemble it, so don’t prepare to store it in the box it comes in (Note to self: read directions first).

Also from Hasbro is Scatterpillar Scramble. Scatterpillar is a caterpillar with four rows of seven hands. Four players have to place their own color marbles on each hand of their row. However Scatterpillar is grooving to his own beat and may drop one of your marbles while you’re playing. Whoever is the first to have all seven marbles in his hands wins. This, like Giraffalaff Limbo, is geared toward preschoolers but with this game there is a chocking hazard with the marbles. Both games require three AAA batteries and are about $25 over at Amazon.com but can also be found in the usual toy departments.

Find it online:
Shred Sled
Giraffalaff Limbo
Scatterpillar Scramble