The Toy Review

I just wanted to take a moment today to point out The Store here at the Toy Review. I put it up not too long ago, and I am working on ways to improve and expand it. I thought it would make a fair addition to a toy review site. And, I thought the reviews would make a good addition to the store. What I am trying to say is that I thought that in this case the sum would be greater than the total of the parts. I’d appreciate it if you’d take a gander there when you are ready to make a toy purchase, whether its a current toy or a vintage toy, I’m betting you can find it there.

Ok, enough about that. Next time, we’ll talk about moon sand!

Here is a toy that is for all ages, and this time I mean all. The ones in the picture are for babies as young as 12 months, and there are Hopping Balls that are rated up to 600 pounds. That’s a whole lotta bounce right there, folks!

Many of the hop balls come with air pumps, but if yours doesn’t, make sure you order one separately, and consider a stand as well, so you can use it for sitting or stationary exercises. I think I’d like to get two or three of these for the yard, because they just look like a good way to burn off energy. We could have bouncing contests, and bouncing races, and we could make up bouncing tricks. We’d be regular little Tiggers!

A few days ago, I highlighted a fun inflatable toy that cost a couple hundred dollars. While I don’t doubt that the Sesame Street Activity Bouncer is one of the ultimates in cool backyard toys, today I want to introduce you to an inflatable jump toy for those of us with smaller pocket books and yards. In fact, this one can even be used in a large room. That’s right: inside! The Madd Kidz Jumpster runs about $30, and it’s for ages 3-7 just like it’s bigger counterparts. It’s just 62 inches in diameter and still holds 165 pounds. And, yes, Virginia, it can be used with the ball pit balls.

Now this is one stylin ride! I’ve been watching the evolution of the Radio Flyer wagon for a few decades now, but they have really ramped it up in recent years, haven’t they? I can remember when Radio Flyer meant a tricycle or a a “little red wagon” and that was it. In fact, I remember my mom threatening to fix my little red wagon, and she was not talking about my toy. But I digress. Let’s move back to the subject at hand: the Radio Flyer Ultimate Family Wagon.

With seating for two in multiple configurations and a snazzy umbrella, what’s not to love? Just in case that’s not enough, there are cup holders for the kids, and also for mom and dad. There’s kid storage and adult storage. This is one wagon designed to go where you go. And it’s right at home in the back yard, just like it’s antique cousin.

Ok, this toy makes me think about wanting to be 5 again! I saw it in an ad, and just thought, “wow, how cool is that??” The Sesame Street Activity Bouncer is a jump toy and a ball pit, and it comes with it’s own inflater. With a recommended age range of 3-7, the $250 price tag beaks down to about 50 bucks a year. If you have more than one child, it’s not a bad deal at all: it holds up to 200 pounds so more than one child can use it at a time.

I’ve been on/in a couple of these inflatable toys, and they do seem fairly sturdy, but I am still not sure I’d trust one around our dogs: I’d be afraid of a puncture or twenty. OTOH, if you have a pet free area to set it up, this could be a summer’s worth of fun several times over.

Today’s plaything: marbles! Did you know marbles have been found in the ruins of ancient Egypt? Talk about a popular toy! My boys were excited to read about them in their history book. And since marbles are beautiful as well as fun, they can be enjoyed all your life, though you may have to stop playing when you can’t get up off the floor anymore. Then you can start collecting them in a jar, like my dad did.

Marbles are a choking hazard, so it should go without saying that young children should be closely supervised while playing with them. That won’t be too difficult, since you will want to be down there with them. Don’t know how to play? No problem! You can find rules for several games at Marble Rules. It will take you just a few minutes to figure out how to play, and much longer to perfect your mad skillz. Enjoy!

Bubbles have got to be the funnest thing in the world. From the time a person is 3 or 4 months old until they can no longer see, they will laugh and smile at bubbles. Nothing makes friends faster. Don’t believe me? Go buy a bottle, sit in the park, and blow. Watch how fast the people gather.

There is a cheaper option though. You can make your own bubbles at home for next to nothing. Just mix water with dish detergent. Some brands work better than others, but I’ve had good luck with Joy, Dawn and Palmolive. For extra staying power, add a little glycerin, which you can get from the pharmacy. You can use just about anything for a blow wand, as long as its closed. Squares and ovals make cool bubbles, too! I’ve watched my kids use their circled thumb and forefingers, napkin rings. even regular rings as blow wands.

Want bigger fun? Untwist and re-shape a metal clothes hanger into a circlish shape, and put your bubble solution in a dishpan.

Do you remember the pony on a stick? Is there a kid alive who hasn’t had one of these? Who hasn’t galloped off to amazing adventures with an imaginary posse? Well, except me. I only had a broomstick, but I always wanted one of these. What an awesome way to fire the imagination! You could go anywhere, do anything. Be a superhero with your very own transportation!

I only have one complaint about this toy: I wish it came smaller. One of my children has had a fixation with horses since she was 2, and in fact could perfectly mimic a horse’s whinny at that age. She asked for the movie Black Beauty daily by making that noise. Unfortunately for her, I am short and so are my kiddos: by the time she was tall enough to effectively control a 36 inch tall stick pony, she was past the age where it would be fun for her. I’d really like to see a version suitable for the 3 foot tall crowd.

Recommended for ages 6 and up. Also for those in second childhood.

Surely everyone remembers the Rubik’s Cube. I had so much fun and frustration with this thing back in the day. I doubt there is a child of the 80’s who can resist picking one up when they see it. The premise is quite simple: take the nice little colored cube, twist it up thoroughly to mix the colors, and then put it back. It’s more fun if someone else twists it for you, depending on your definition of fun, of course. I kept one of these on my dresser all through high school and it was a source of endless frustration and fascination. I did find one fool proof method of solving the puzzle, though. It worked every time, but you can’t use it too often. Not sure I want to tell you what it is, though….. I’ll have to think on that a bit more. The traditional Rubik’s Cube is recommended for ages 8 and up.

And then, there is this:

That’s just real close to scary, isn’t it? Because I thought I was all that when I could do the small one, I’m not sure I want to tackle the Large Rubik’s Cube. The manufacturer says it’s also for ages 8 and up, but I’m thinking that might be enough to give you an evening’s peace from a teen, if you tell them they have to be pleasant until they solve it.

Hi, and how are you? I’m glad you stumbled by! I thought I’d take this first post to let you know who, what, where, when and why this blog is all about. My name is Cass, and I am a blogger. I’m also a mother of 8, and I used to be a kid. I know, hard to believe, but it’s true. I’ve touched more toys than are currently extant in some smaller countries, so I feel qualified to talk about them. That’s exactly what I plan to do, too. You’ll find reviews of toys old and new here. You will probably find some toys for adults here now and again, though I don’t think you’ll ever find adult toys. Some things just shouldn’t be mixed, ya know what I mean?

Disclosure

I am going to be right upfront and tell you that if someone offers me some cash to talk about their product, I’m most likely gonna say “yes”. After all, I still have toys to buy, and my toys are way more expensive than the stuff I buy the kids! I’ll tell the truth, though, compensated or not.

Privacy

You know, I have never been quite sure how cookies and all that work, but apparently if I put content driven ads on this site, you might get a cookie when you visit. There will indeed be such ads and since I haven’t figured out how to pass chocolate chips across the internets, you will probably get the other kind.

Conversation

I have turned the comments off on this blog. I’m thinking it’s going to be more an information repository than a conversational exchange. If you have a question or want to contact me, you can reach me at cass (at) cassknits (dot) com.