We have been big fans of Manhattan’s Boomerang Toys for years, so we were thrilled to hear that the mini-chain opened a third location in Staten Island. Owner and mom Karen Barwick grew up in the borough and noticed that the North Shore was lacking in specialty toy stores. The shop, which just opened last week on Forest Avenue, is run by Barwick’s mom and is chock-full of educational playthings, classic board games, building sets, dress-up clothes, puppets, trucks and more for kids ages newborn to 13. It’s a busy few weeks for Barwick: This Saturday, her Tribeca store is hosting a launch party from 2 to 4pm for DK Publishing’s LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary. Young Star Wars followers (and their parents!) can mingle with Star Wars characters and enter to win Lego products, posters, stickers and more. Don’t forget to bring the camera!

And you thought Tickle Me Elmo was bad! The Huffington Post just dubbed these items the most cringe-worthy toys for kiddos; the list includes a pole-dancing doll (and no, it’s not Miley), a hirsute baby who can be shaved (private parts and all), a wacky breastfeeding doll we’d already wondered about, and the not-so-subtle plush STDs. I don’t really understand the problem with the stiletto-wearing doll or the fake tattoo gun. Little girls walk around in play heels all the time, so why not a doll (yes, it’s a baby doll, but still, what’s the big deal?) And temptoos are part of kiddie culture these days. What’s the harm in a fake tattoo gun? Better that than a fake handgun! Weigh in: Would you buy any of these things for your kid?

With so many different gaming platforms, it’s a challenge to keep up with (and pay for!) all the latest games to satisfy your tech-savvy kids. But beginning Sunday, September 13, you can save yourself a little cash by exchanging used (or new and unwanted) video games for gift cards at Toys “R” Us. The retail chain is taking a page from video game giant GameStop (who’s been doing this for a while now) by accepting trade-ins at the Guest Services desk from myriad systems, including Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 1, 2 and 3, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, even games from ancient platforms such as Atari 2600, Intellivision, Sega Genesis. (Better start dusting off those old cartridges!) Games must be in their original cases with artwork intact. No word on how much each title will be worth, but right now, the abandoned games stashed under your kids’ bed are worth nothing, so you can’t lose…unless the brood convinces you to spend even more than what you get on the gift card. That’s clearly what the folks at Toys “R” Us are banking on.

We’re always searching for new dolls for our kids, so you’d think we’d be happy about the latest addition to the toy shelves. Guess again.

May we introduce Bebe Gloton. Hailing from Spain, the name translated literally means “Baby Glutton,” but don’t worry, this isn’t a rant about obesity, eating disorders or body image. This is a rant about nipple daisies.

You’re probably puzzled now…so are we. We’re puzzled why anyone would conceive of this doll, which comes with a smock adorned with bright pink daisies that your daughter can put on and then “breastfeed” the “baby.”

Yes, daughters like to emulate their mommies in many ways, but do prepubescent girls really have the urge to play breastfeeding? If a little girl wants to pretend to be mom, she can use her imagination. What’s next? A toy that simulates pregnancy so she can get in on that fun too?

Watch the demo below and then weigh in: Would you let your little princess play “breastfeeding baby,” or dump those detachable daisies, stat?

For a century and a half, FAO Schwarz has been a playful symbol of American capitalism. Frederick August Otto Schwarz and his three brothers hailed from Germany and opened the NYC store in 1862. Over the years, the stores mushroomed into a worldwide franchise and a brand. However, by 2004, FAO was in financial trouble and was purchased by D. E. Shaw & Company. As of today, only two stores remain: One in NYC, the other in Las Vegas.

As the New York Times reported yesterday, FAO’s remaining legacy was bought by Toys ‘R’ Us for an undisclosed price. FAO’s new owners will keep the Big Apple store’s name and layout, replete with giant plush dogs and wooden creations aplenty. While it feels a little strange—the Toys ‘R’ U in Times Square has always felt like it wanted to be FAO—the deal is a far better outcome than closure. Cheesy as it is, childhood just isn’t complete without a dance on the giant piano and a hug from one of FAO’s resident toy soldiers.

If you don’t know what Toy Fair is,  let me explain:  Thousands of companies and vendors showcase their coolest new products so we media types can get a sneak peek. The event is not open to the public, unfortunately (or fortunately, as it would be even more of a madhouse than it already is), but I’m happy to share some scoop. Today was my first Toy Fair experience, and it was overwhelming to say the least. I noticed that a lot of “green” companies were showing this year, which I suspect is a new trend. I Heart My Planet toys created dolls made from organic cotton fabrics, while a new line from ImagiPLAY incorporates lead-free paint and eco-friendly wood into its products. Other highlights included Grease dolls from Madame Alexander (which, being a die-hard John Travolta fan, I could not resist), and Crayola’s Window Crayons (I can imagine myself leaving notes for my roommates on our bathroom mirror with these).

The surprises were endless, and I suspect your kids won’t be disappointed when they browse the Toys ‘R’ Us aisles this year. Check out the upcoming shopping section of Time Out Kids for the best gear and goodies for your little one in 2009.