If you’re a Facebook user, you’ve probably noticed the new layout by now. While it has plenty of flaws, overall, it really helps blend the site together properly. A lot of my friends tend to not agree with me and switch back to the old version but soon they’ll be shit out of luck. Come September, Facebook will permanently switch over to the new layout. Says a Facebook exec:

“Around 20% of our users have now migrated to the new platform and it has been received well after people get used to it”

That’s not a good sign, so we’ll see what kind of chaos takes place next month when everyone is struggling to update their status. Personally, I think if you play with the design and UI enough, you’ll enjoy it. At least Facebook has instant messaging down pretty well.

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Bruno Taylor wants to make London a little more fun. As an artist and a provocateur, Bruno is aiming to add a little more cheer to the adult living in London. Currently, he’s hung a few playful swings on bus stops around London. This way, you can have a little fun before getting on that bus that drives you 45 minutes to work. Of course, what would it all this be without the project involving a social experiment of some sort:

“71% of adults used to play on the streets when they were young. 21% of children do so now. Are we designing children and play out of the public realm?

This project is a study into different ways of bringing play back into public space. It focuses on ways of incorporating incidental play in the public realm by not so much as having separate play equipment that dictates the users but by using existing furniture and architectural elements that indicate playful behaviour for all.

It asks us to question the current framework for public space and whether it is sufficient while also giving permission for young people to play in public.

Play as you go…” Bruno Taylor.

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The classic story of “The Tortoise and the Hare” comes to life on this clock by Ignacio Pilotto. The “race” hand is for the hours and spins around slowest of them all. The minute hand is of course the tortoise, making a slow but moderate pace around the face of the clock. Lastly, we have the hare. Fast and always ahead of the pack, he’s the second hand who’s ready to make a nail-biting finish. A great clock for your kids, kitchen or any room really.

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Nothing is sweeter than a good, solid bike ride. Sometimes, it can be fun to bring your child on a bike ride around town or to the local market. However, most people choose to ride with their kid attached to the back of the bike. The Zigo puts your child in the front, directly in harm’s way. Did that teenage douchebag with the ‘97 Honda Civic just pull in front of you? Why risk damaging a $600 bike? Plow full-on into that bitch and let junior take one for the team.

I’ll see you in hell.

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Surely if you’re any kind of real man, you grew up with NERF foam toys in the ’80s and ’90s. From Ballzooka to the infamous foam crossbow, the arsenal a kid could have at his disposable was unmatched by any other company save Super Soaker. Now it’s 2008 and NERF is still kicking ass with its latest creation, the N-Strike Recon CS-6.

Sure, it shoots darts but the CS-6 has the ability to deconstruct entirely so you can morph it into a whole new weapon. Add scopes, throw on a shoulder stock, add a laser. You’re the most badass kid on the block now. From the website:

Other features include a flip-up sight for aiming precision and a dual-mode light beam with red-dot accuracy that’s perfect for night missions! Use the shoulder stock to steady your shot and store an extra clip of ammo (sold separately). Get armed with the most exciting name in high-tech blasters: N-STRIKE power!

Stop the fucking press. Fucking stop it. You need to go and purchase one of these bitches from Amazon, stat. There’s simply no time to waste considering that it’s only $20 and your girlfriend left your months ago.

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Erik Olofson is probably the coolest dad a kid could ask for. He’s a craftsman by trade and owns Big Cozy Books, a company that’s going to make a fortune off your kids. BCB designs and manufactures huge book-themed furniture that is intricately detailed and very swanky. Don’t show your children or they’ll be begging you for one until they’re 13.

What I want to know is how the hell did Storybook Land never have one of these things? If you’ve never heard of Storybook Land, try googling it. Proof I’m not wacked out on coffee! Huzzah!

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I don’t know what Turkish designer Erdem Selek was thinking when creating this, but Big Brother must have been floating around in someone’s mind. What seems like an ordinary pillow is really a space-alien with a digital eye. It’s designed to let newborn mothers watch their children through a webcam when they’re sleeping.

Some would argue it’s lovely, others would claim invasion of privacy. I suppose it depends if your baby is a supporter of the Patriot Act. Either way, it’s just a prototype, so you’ll have to stick to the walkie talkies for now.

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Nowadays, people want everything portable. Everything means everything, even a playground full of children. Chris Duff has drawn out this transport design for a children’s playground called, “Chameieon Mobile Park.” Pardon?

Regardless, it’s designed with safety in mind. Equipped with two varieties of wheels, for varying terrain conditions, the “Chameieon” is said to be able to “adapt to different environments.” With cameras surrounding the vehicle, the driver is able to monitor the area. You can rock climb up the side of a van to be rewarded with a slide that goes right into traffic. No thanks. I’ll take my chances with the swing. (more…)

Kids love colorful shit that looks like it’s right out of the early 1990s. Case in point: Swinx. Swinx is supposedly a game system designed by the Dutch that interacts with children. Your kids run around with these RFID-enabled colored wristbands and a clover-shaped base station alerts children to the game they’ll be playing.

Sound confusing? That’s because we’re not children. Kids eat this shit up, trust me. It involves bright colors, running around like a wreck loose and pissing your pants. You call it Swinx. I call it Saturday night.

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Your kid isn’t getting any smaller. Which means there is no going back to their old shoes, it’s always about a new pair, and then a new one, and yet another new one. You  get your kid a pair of new sneakers and the next week they go through a growing spurt which leaves their heels unable to fit into the snug shoe.

InchWorms show accommodate the constantly growing kid by growing along with your child’s foot. The only thing you have to worry about it keeping them interested in the same old design, and making sure they don’t tear a hole in the sole. — Andrew Dobrow

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