Toy & Hobby Deals

For its members only, Rue La La discounts a selection of Toys for Dad. (Scroll down to "Work Hard, Play Hard" to find it; the discount is reflected on the product's page.) With deals starting at $17.90, that's the first sale we've seen on these items at Rue La La, and it yields a number of price lows. Shipping adds $9.95 and is then free if you purchase again within the next 30 days. Sizes and stock may be limited. Sale ends May 23 at 10:59 am ET.

A best bet is the Eitech Basic Quad Racing Car Construction Set (pictured) for $19.90 plus $9.95 for shipping. (Scroll through the sale to see it.) That's the lowest total price we could find by $6. It features 180 parts, illustrated instructions, and can build three different models.

Walmart offers the Backyard Discovery Colorado Cedar Swing Set, model no. 65492, for $349. Choose free Site-to-Store pickup to avoid the $99.97 shipping charge. That's tied with our mention from three weeks ago as the lowest price we've seen. It features an 8-foot slide, 4-foot rock wall/ladder, two belt swings, monkey bars, trapeze bar, tarp-covered play deck, picnic table, and more.

Amazon offers the LEGO The Hobbit An Unexpected Gathering, model no. 6022053, for $55.73 with free shipping. That's $14 under our January mention and the lowest total price we could find by $15, outside of the price below. This set includes minifigures of Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo Baggins, Balin the Dwarf, Dwalin the Dwarf, Bombur the Dwarf, and Bofur the Dwarf, all with assorted weapons.

A close price: Walmart offers it for a buck more.

Toy "R" Us offers the the Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse for $99.99 with free shipping. That's the lowest price we could find by $44. Features include three floors of play, six fully-furnished rooms, sun deck, ride elevator, and more.

One Step Ahead offers this Kids' Inflatable Trampoline / Pool for $59.95 plus $9.75 for shipping. That's $40 off and the lowest total price we could find. This small inflatable trampoline converts into a kiddie pool.

Walmart offers the LEGO 232-Piece Bricks & More Brick Box, model no. 4626, for $14.97. Opt for free Site-to-Store pickup to dodge the 97-cent shipping fee. (Amazon charges the same via Prime.) That's tied with our mention from a week ago and the lowest price we could find by $9. It includes a mini-figure, wheels, windows and door, and idea booklet.

eXpansys still offers the iLearn 'N Play Robbi Toy Robot (pictured), model no. 402, for $39.99 plus $3.99 for shipping. That's tied with last week's mention and the lowest total price we could find by $2. This robot comes alive when you slip your Apple iPhone or iPod into the faceplate via Bluetooth technology. It includes an app bundle with three learning levels for counting to simple math functions.

eXpansys also offers the iLearn 'N Play Adventure Explorer Console, model no. 403, for $39.99 plus $9.99 for shipping. That ties last week's mention and is another price low. This console features a steering wheel, shifter, and accelerator that works via your Apple iPad, iPad mini, iPhone, or iPod. It includes an app bundle with three learning levels for learning letters and phonics.

ThinkGeek offers the Scalextric Star Wars Race Track in Death Star Attack (pictured) or Battle of Endor for $39.99 with around $10 for shipping. That's tied with our March mention and the lowest total price we could find for either style by at least $31. The Battle of Endor features speeder bikes, while the Death Star Attack comes with an X-Wing and TIE Fighter.

SilverTowneLP offers this Buffalo Replica 1 troy oz. .999 Fine Silver Bar for $26.70 with free shipping. That's 60 cents under our mention from three weeks ago and the lowest total price we've seen for a 1 troy oz. silver bar. (It's also the best deal we could find for such a bar now by $5.) Each bar will ship in a plastic sleeve. Update: The price has dropped to $25.60 with free shipping.

Note that silver is currently trading at $23.40 per troy oz., a 60 cent drop from our last mention. All sales are final and this item can't be returned.

Walmart takes up to 35% off select swing sets. With prices starting at $129, that ties our mention from a week ago as the best sale we've seen on these items at Walmart this year. Choose free Site-to-Store pickup on most items to avoid shipping charges starting at $29.97. Notables:

• Big Backyard Madison Wooden Swing Set (pictured) for $299
• Backyard Discovery Colorado Cedar Swing Set for $349
• Backyard Discovery Pathfinder II Cedar Swing Set for $399
• IRONKIDS Cooling Mist Inspiration 850 Total Fitness Playground Metal Swing Set for $399
• shop for more discounted swing sets at Walmart

Ending today, Toys "R" Us offers the MEGA BLOKS Skylanders Giants Dark Castle Conquest, model no. 95443, for $74.98. Add it to your cart and it drops to $64.98. Shipping adds $6.79, or get free shipping on orders of $79 or more. (Free in-store pickup is also available.) That's the lowest total price we could find by $28. It includes a buildable castle with working launcher, collapsing wall, swiveling throne, interior courtyard with Kaos fountain, and more.

Amazon cuts up to 34% off a selection of LEGO Architecture Sets, as listed below. Plus, Prime members receive free shipping on all orders. (Non-members can spend $25 to bag free shipping; otherwise it starts at $4.33.) That puts each at the lowest total price we could find by at least a buck, and by as much as $9. The sets:

• LEGO Architecture Seattle Space Needle for $17.79
• LEGO Architecture Burj Khalifa, Dubai for $20.67
• LEGO Architecture Brandenburg Gate (pictured) for $22.99
• LEGO Architecture Sydney Opera House for $28.06
• LEGO Architecture Rockefeller Plaza for $31.29
• LEGO Architecture Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum for $31.78

Walmart offers the Star Wars Clone Trooper Electronic Helmet for $9.96 plus $1.97 for shipping. That's the lowest total price we could find by $2, although we saw it for $5 less for Amazon Prime members in December. It features realistic electronic sounds and requires an AA battery, included.

Walmart discounts a selection of Flexible Flyer Metal Swing Sets, as listed below. Choose free in-store pickup via Site-to-Store in each case to dodge shipping charges that start at $29.97. That's tied with our mention from two weeks ago and at least $51 below the lowest total price we could find for a shipped unit elsewhere. The sets:

• Flexible Flyer Triple Fun II Metal Swing Set (pictured) for $129
• Flexible Flyer Swing Free Metal Swing Set for $129.97
• Flexible Flyer Backyard Swingin' Fun Metal Swing Set for $149
• Flexible Flyer Play Park Metal Swing Set for $199

Tower Hobbies offers the Traxxas XO-1 RC Supercar, model no. LW3243, for $699.99 with free shipping. That's the lowest total price we could find by $343. This remote-control car measures 27", features speeds up to 118mph, and can be controlled via the Traxxas Link app for iPhone or iPod.

Walmart offers the Backyard Discovery Pathfinder II Cedar Swing Set, model no. 65313, for $399. Choose free Site-to-Store pickup to dodge the $59.97 shipping charge. That's tied with our mention from last week and $121 under the lowest total price we could find for any Backyard Discovery swing set elsewhere. It features an 8-foot slide, two belt swings, trapeze bar, snack table with canopy cover, 4-foot rock wall, and an upper play deck with tarp roof.

Walmart offers the Leap Frog Leapster2 Learning Game System in Green, model no. 21155, for $24. Opt for free site-to-store pickup to avoid the $4.97 shipping charge. That's tied with our mention from two weeks ago and the lowest price we've seen since Black Friday. (It's a current price low by $14.) This handheld game system, designed for children ages four to eight, purports to teach language arts, reading, mathematics, and science. It requires four AA batteries, not included.

Modern Coin Mart via eBay offers a 1 troy oz. .999 Silver Sunshine MCM Star Round for $28.95 with free shipping. That's the lowest total price we have seen this year for any single silver round by $5, although we saw a roll of 20 if these rounds offered for a few cents less per coin a week ago. It contains 1 troy ounce (31.1 grams) of .999 fine silver. Deal ends May 25 at 11:15 am ET.

Note that silver is currently trading at around $23.58 per troy oz.

1SaleADay via eBay offers the HammerHead Avatar Remote Control Helicopter Gunship with Gyro, model no. PL30435431, for $24.99 with free shipping. That's $65 off list and tied with our mention from last week as the lowest total price we could find. This copter features detachable side wings, up to eight minutes of flight time, control range of up to 33 feet, gyroscopic stabilization, and more. Controller requires six AA batteries (not included). Deal ends June 2.