Babesta blog

Qimo, a cool new operating system for kids!

Boing Boing is one of my favorite blogs and i like to pass on some of the cool things that I see there in the baby realm. First, there's a new OS for babies. Now as soon as that buy a laptop, donate a laptop program came out a couple years ago, i got on a list for one and my daughter enjoyed it. But she's past it and the green carapace and antennae don't offset the lack of complexity and monotone screen. So she's nearly always sitting in front of my computer trying to write stories in Word, draw in Photoshop and play Yahoo, Noggin and Nick Jr. games. Now her little sister wants to get in on the action. I was psyched to read about this new OS systems called Qimo that is reportedly easy to use and intuitive for kids. We're going to try it out tonight. check out Qimo here!

Google's Doodle4Google "Wish for the World" Logo Contest

Doodle 4 Google is a pretty cool contest going on that I read about on Boing Boing!. Kids all around the US doodle new logos for Google, one of which will be chosen and featured for a day on Google's home page.  Voting is on til May 18. The theme: "What I wish for the world!" 

Current entries range from themes of peace, unity and green.  Pictured below: entry A Brighter Earth by Emma Hawkins; Nanotechnology in Space by Henry Jordan Shield;  Save The Animals by Jackie Tian and Gavin's Google Respect and Renwal by Gavin Riatt Hughes.

 

Kidlandia Maps via Coolhunting

This is where childhood fantasy and geography meet. With Kidlandia you can create your child's own customized map online and populate it with fantastical lands named after your child, their family and friends. Who says the world doesn't revolve around little Kimmy?

Print outs of this magical ego-land start at $40. Via Coolhunting.

www.kidlandia.com

Nintendo DSi in Legos by artist extraordinaire Sean Kenney

 Nintendo launches the newest super tech solution the Nintendo DSi (replete with 2 cameras, music player and WiFi) with this amazing sculpture by artist Sean Kenney at the Nintendo World Store at Rockerfeller Plaza.  This puppy is made out of 51,324 Lego bricks and weighs in at 250 pounds. This Lego Nintendo is the coolest thing I've seen. Defnitely beats the primative houses and cars that I've been building lately with my girls. Check out the vid! Via Brothers Brick.  

Wii Graffiti Spray Can by Martin Lihs

Martin Lihs' Wii Graffiti spray can is a pretty cool tool--a WiiMote meets spray can that designer Lihs created as part of a thesis project--for virtual tagging. This definitely ups the ante in making the virtual art experience more "real". This vid samples it – definitely piquing my interest! I look forward to it - channeling my girls' creative energy toward a virtual collaborative wall, rather than our freshly painted walls (or more recently sofa cushions)! Check it out here.

Check out the controller. Via Boing Boing.

It's all about branding, Baby

This photo is oddly compelling yet wrong. It reminds me of the women in England who were selling advertising space on their exposed pregnant tummies. I saw a Bugaboo the other day with an aftermarket  canopy with a "like what you see?" sign and contact deets. Baby as brand messenger. . .  Via The Coolhunter.

The Super-Cool KaBoom! Playspace Finder and Playground Project

You may have noticed that we added the KaBOOM! Playspace finder to the right hand column of our blog. It's a nifty tool that helps you find the closest place to let loose and swing, slide and burn off all of that extra energy. If you are traveling, just come to the site, and type in the zip code. Playgrounds will pop up and you can click, read reviews and see pictures of the closest contenders. 

The service is currently in beta, and all content is user-generated, which means that you should get into the game and get your neighborhood faves up there and represented.  

Kid Friendly IPhone Apps

After a conversation with fellow Babesta Stylist Chandra about a 5 year old she spotted using an iPhone with ease (probably taking pictures for his Facebook), I decided to explore some kid friendly Apps for the ever popular Apple product. 

 Balloon Animals

Balloon Animals is an awesome App that allows tots to create their own balloon animals by blowing into the microphone and shaking it up a bit. After a shake or two the Animal takes shape and becomes animated, like the awesome dancing green dinosaur!

 Toddler Phone Numbers

Toddler Phone Numbers is a set of three educational games designed for preschool-age children. They contain lots of animation and interactivity to hold your tots ever wavering attention while teaching counting skills at the same time. A fun and interactive way to teach your babe the numbers one through twelve. It also speaks in both English and Spanish giving your tot the chance to explore other languages while you navigate your way through Central Park.

Make your own graffiti coloring book!

Babesta stylist Ashley, directed me to this neat site where you can make your own graffiti coloring book! The pages include various items such as mailboxes, train cars, vending machines and billboards etc. all blank and ready for your graffiti creations! Just print and start tagging!

Print me a Graffiti Coloring Book!