The Toy Review

Oh, look! Another item for my Christmas list. This Fisher-Price Musical Tea Set has 17 pretty pastel pieces, and the teapot plays “I’m a Little Teapot” when you press the lid. I have at least one little girl who NEEDS this tea set, and three more plus me who would like to have pretend tea with her. Please pass the plastic cookies, it’s time for a party!

Oh, I told you I loved Melissa and Doug, didn’t I? Yes, I did. I plan to feature several of their products over the next few weeks, because they are just so darn good! I have never been disappointed in one of their products. Seriously. This Learn-To-Play Piano is designed for ages four and up, but I think a three year old could play it just fine. There are 25 keys, and the bright colors make it appealing. At least to me. I like bright and colorful

I have to tell you that Mr. Potato Head is one of my all time facvorite toys. We’ve had a couple of incarnations over the years, including the electronic one, and I just think it is so darn cute. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be as big a hit with the children. I’m not sure why, but they never manage to keep the pieces together, and of course, it’s just not as much fun without the pieces. I’m hoping to solve this by putting them all together in a plastic shoe box, and keeping the box under my control. Then I they can play Potato Head whenever they want.

Here’s a neat new toy as a follow up to the Shake & Go Racers Super Car I talked about a few days ago. The Fisher-Price® Shake ‘n Go Flyers Show Plane is a little more complicated to play with, but it’s still great fun. Put the plane on the handle, shake it up and then pull the release. It actually has lights and sounds, too! This one may be going on my Christmas list, too.

I have never seen this building toy before, and I am trying to decide if I like it or not. Certainly, the colors are appealing, but … I’m just not sure. The toy does have a five star rating, so I may be the only left still looking at it askance. I’d really liket to hold these in my hands and play with them before I make up my mind. Of course, being able to build without having to worry about lining up the pegs and notches might be the deciding factor. Since it’s magnetic, you can do things with it that lego type toys just won’t do. Like build a sloping roof. Hmm. I have apparently talked myself right in to liking this toy. I’d still like to play with the Magna-Tiles Translucent Colors to be sure, though, LOL!

My mom gave these Shake & Go Racers - Super Car to my boys for Christmas a couple of years ago, and they are such fun! Even young kids can play with them because they are powered just by shaking. You don;t have to pull back or wind a key, or anything that requires much coordination. Just hold it, shake it, let it go! The boys have spent hours racing those cars through our long kitchen. And so have their sisters

Haha, more Melissa and Doug! I told you I really liked their toys I’ve never purchased these Melissa and Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks for my children, either. You know why? Because they might throw them. Noticing a theme here? Melissa and Doug make toys I like, and that my kids like, but I don’t buy them because ….. of no good reason, that’s why! I’ve never heard of one child killing another with a wooden block, ROFL! So, guess what’s coming to my house soon? That’s right. Musical instruments and wooden blocks.

Luckily, my local A.C. Moore carries the Melissa and Doug line. And they have a 40% off coupon each week.

Doesn’t that look like so much fun? I hve to admit that we are not big on the musical instruments around here. I’ve always been concerned that it would be too much noise, ykwim? Now, I am kinda wishing that I had not only purchased such a set for one of my kids, but played with it with them. In fact, I may remedy that this Christmas, since I still have children young enough to enjoy it. Amazon says the Melissa and Doug Deluxe Band Set is good for ages 3-7, but I’m not sure that some of my olders won’t be playing, too. I like the Melissa and Doug brand, too. Everything we’ve ever gotten by them has been sturdy enough to stand up to all my kids and well liked by most, even after the “age range” indicated.

So, last time I told you a review of Moon Sand was coming. My kids got this stuff for Christmas last year, and the littler ones have had so much fun with it! And my teenager has even played with it, too. The molds we got with our kit (like the picture shows) were cute and made it simple for even the littlest children to “make something”. I like that it doesn’t adhere to the carpet like plah-doh does, so it’s easy to vacuum/sweep up and spills. However, unlike play-doh, it’s hard to gather this stuff back up once it escapes. It’s a catch-22.

Now, last Christmas, I thought the stuff was spendy at 8 bucks for less than a pound. It’s come down some in price. but it’s still not cheap. However, I located a special treat. WiseBread has a recipe for home-made Moon Sand. Make sure you scroll down and read the comments, because there are some good suggestions there, too. Have fun!

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.