Toy Review - Tamagotchi Friends Digital Friend

About the Toy
This electronic device allows girls to take care of their new best friend by feeding it, potty training it, playing with it, shopping with it and more. You can also share presents, texts and go on playdates by ?bumping? with other Tamagotchi Digital Friends.6 different styles: 3 gem colors with silver front plate and 3 trendy styles



My Take on the Toy
My eldest daughter loves technology and interactive toys too. This great new Tamagotchi Friend was a ton of fun. You get to really create a new world with a new friend that you get to know and take care of. My daughter loves that her friend could engage with other friends' friends too. My daughter loved this toy and continues to love this as every day goes by and she gets to engage with her new friend.


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Toy Review - Ionix Tenkai Knights - 2-in-1 Dimensional Dropship

About the Toy
IONIX: the revolutionary line of never before seen construction bricks that change their shape before your eyes! These construction bricks shapeshift and change to become mini figures, action figures, weapons, gear, gadgets and more. You can up build both the Dimensional Dropship and the Dimensional Portal in this amazing 2 in 1 set! Loaded with multiple shapeshifting brick types, unleash your Tenkai energy with the never before seen dual mode, light projecting power brick, 2 fully loaded shapeshifting missile weapon bricks, 2 projectile launching action bricks and the exclusive, Guardian Boreas shapeshifting mini-figure. Dimensional PortalWhen called upon to battle against Vilius’ Corrupted army, there’s really only one way to get there. Instantaneous teleportation through a Dimensional Portal! Hidden within Mr. White’s shop lies the incredible shapeshifting Dimensional Portal; the gateway to Quarton. Once activated by the shapeshifting cores, the Dimensional Portal instantly thrusts Guren, Ceylon, Chooki and Toxsa to the far reaches of the universe where they emerge as the Tenkai knights! Build the Portal and activate the Tenkai power inside. Use the shapeshifting power brick that contains a real working dimensional transport beam to bring the Tenkai Knights from earth to Quarton for their next epic battle. Dimensional DropshipOnce in Quarton the Portal can also shapeshift into the powerful flying aircraft manned by the Tenkai Knights. Cruising the skies, the Dimensional Dropship is a powerful weapon used to fight off the Corrupted Army when the battle rages. Take the fight into your own hands by rebuilding the Dimensional Portal into the Dimensional Dropship to launch an aerial attack. Weaponize the Dropship with 2 shapeshifting action bricks and take aim and at the Hos and Sho with real working crossbows. Load the undercarriage with two shapeshifting action bricks featuring powerful triple barrel missile launchers. When the battle heats up, crank up the speed and activate the real working blue thruster energy beam from the power brick. Swoop down on the Corrupted with the poseable wings, open the storage compartment from the bottom of the Dropship and have the Corekai warriors leap into battle for more firepower.

Product Features

• Revolutionize construction play with the shapeshifting bricks of Tenkai Knights powered by the IONIX construction system!

• Compatible with major construction brands, these bricks are like nothing you've seen before. Bricks that come alive,with unexpected surprises

• The 2-in-1 set lets you build both the Dimensional Dropship and the Portal! Shapeshifting weapon bricks reveal triple barrel missile launchers!

• Features light projecting brick to reveal either the Portal?s teleport beam or turn the dial to activate the Dropship's jet thrusters in blue or red
• 1 Shapeshifting Power Brick, 2 Weapon Bricks, 2 Action Bricks, 1 Exclusive Guardian Boreas Mini Figure, 188 Additional Pieces, Instruction Guide

My Take on the Toy
This is a great brick set. The nice thing though is not that it is easy to create, but it is all of the ways in which this connects to the Tenkai Knights series as well. Thus, not only do you have the ability to create a cool ship, but you also get the opportunity to get into the world of Tenkai Knights too. The bricks worked well, though I did find that you had to work a little harder to get the bricks to stick than in some other brick sets, but in the end the ship was solid and allowed me to have some additional fun too. Though the instructions will lead you to create the ship you see above, you definitely do have enough bricks to create other fun things too!



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Playmobil Mountain Life Transports You!

Take a trip into the mountains and stay at the Alpine Lodge. The cozy lodge has a den furnished with a fireplace, countertop, and eating area, as well as a patio for those wishing to enjoy a meal outdoors. In the loft, there’s a warm place to sleep and a bathroom with toilet and sink. The balcony features gorgeous flowers and a great view of the mountains. Kids will also love the lodge’s barn, filled with animals including goats and cows. Set also includes four adult figures, one child figure, backpacks, walking sticks, playing cards, mattresses, tables with benches and chair, fencing, flowers, and other accessories.

Alpine Festival Procession

Take part in the fun and experience the Alpine Festival Procession. Figures in traditional garb and cows with floral headdresses travel down the mountain path in this festive parade. Set includes three figures, cows, calf, goat, and other accessories.



My Take on these Sets
My kids have played with Playmobil sets like these for some time, but I have to say that sets like these just show the amazing, intricate detail that Playmobil puts into each of its' new sets. Both of these sets have amazing detail. You get people with period, cultural dress, small touches like beer taps and wells, toilets with working lids and much more. While my family and I have never been to the mountain country villages that are portrayed here, Playmobil has done a great job at capturing my daughters and my imagination and has encouraged us to want to learn more about these areas. My oldest has already decided that we will go and visit this area of the world (not that she will pay for the trip mind you). All-in-all, both of these sets were wonderful and show Playmobil at its' best. I highly recommend the sets, not only for their quality, but also for the imaginative play that they encourage!


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Let Your Creativity Fly With ZOOB 500

ZOOB® is a building set with a difference—the pieces move after kids put them together. So kids can play with their ZOOB creations, instead of just looking at them. ZOOB pieces snap, click, and pop together to form joints that rotate, limbs that extend, axles that spin, and lots more. Kids can create simple models in minutes, or get absorbed and spend hours at a time. There's no limit to what they can build: from animals to aliens, from dinosaurs to DNA.

The ZOOB 500 includes 500 ZOOB pieces, a plastic storage case, four play pads and nine instruction guides, and every ZOOB piece comes with a lifetime guarantee. The play pads grip ZOOB pieces and hold them in place, but also let kids move and rotate the pieces. And since ZOOB is based on real-life systems, its built-in educational value encourages kids to learn, explore, and create using the most important tool of all: their imaginations.

What makes ZOOB different from other building sets?

• The pieces move after kids put them together
• It's great for boys and girls
• Versatility—unlimited, open-ended building options
• Intuitive—fast to learn and easy to use
• Built-in educational value

Contents
500 ZOOB pieces in a sturdy storage case with 4 play pads and 9 guides with instructions for geometric shapes, weaves, and 37 creations.


My Take on this Set
I tried out a previous ZOOB Traveler set in the past and completely fell in love with ZOOB. Not only because it awakened the creativity of my own daughters, but Also because I was able to use it in numerous ways with the students that I work with on a daily basis. With this larger set I am able to do so much more and create so many more things. Recently, I had a professional development workshop that I was facilitating and I brought this set with me. I ended up placing pieces of the ZOOB 500 on each of the tables and let everyone know that they could create whatever they wanted to with the pieces there. You should have seen how excited these adults were, it was like they were children again. ZOOB allows the inner-child to be awakened, and really the sky is the limit when it comes to what you can create and what ZOOB can allow you to do. I highly recommend this set and ZOOB in general to one and all, it is by far one of the best new toys I have come across!

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The Aquabot brings @Hexbug to a Whole New Level

About the Product
The HEXBUG Aquabot is the first water-born HEXBUG micro robotic creature with smart fish technology! Powered by electro-magnetic propulsion, this swimming fish propels itself to explore its environment. The colorful HEXBUG Aquabot & Aquabot with Fish Bowl offers kids the fun experience of having a pet fish, without all the messy clean-up. Available in two body styles and ten translucent colors, the HEXBUG Aquabot Shark & Clown Fish are equipped with an automatic on and off sensor that activates when submerged in water, a design element meant to get kids thinking about the science behind the robot. When in water, the colorful HEXBUG Aquabot comes to life swimming around, diving and changing directions to explore its environment.

Features:

• The first water-born HEXBUG micro robotic creature with smart fish technology!
• Comes with its own fish bowl
• Compliant with CPSIA standards; Recommended for children ages 3 and up
• Two button cell batteries are included

My Take on the Product
I have used HEXBUG products in the past and my kids and I have loved them in the past and this new product was no different. The new HEXBUG adds a new dimension to the HEXBUG universe, an underwater dimension. What was fun about this Aquabot was that I decided to bring it to work and for all of the time that I had it there, everyone has been in complete awe. Everyone wanted to play with this and it was a great conversation starter.

The fish for me was fun because I really cannot have any pets at work so this was perfect as I could have it swim anytime that I wanted without having to feed the fish or having to even change the water in the tank.

The only thing that would be cool in the future in my perspective would be to have a remote control!

All-in-all this was a great addition to the HEXBUG line and one that I would recommend to all!


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The ZOOB Traveler 40 Piece Kit Is SO Much Fun!

Winner of Parenting Magazine Toy of the Year Award – it’s hours of fun to take on the go. The ZOOB Traveler 40 piece kit by ALEX Toys includes instructions to make 22 creations (or make up your own design) and a foam building base to steady your creations as you build them. It’s all packed in a sturdy, zippered storage bag with an adjustable length handle. For ages 6+

ZOOB Traveler 40 piece kit includes: 40 pieces, soft storage bag, foam building base & easy to follow step b step instructions.

ZOOB pieces are based on a natural and living system and features 5 unique pieces that snap, click or pop together in different ways, making building easy and versatile. ZOOB building sets are unique in that the pieces move after they are put together, allowing for truly interactive creations.Collect ZOOB sets for more interactive pieces!



My Take on the ZOOB Traveler kit
I had never heard of ZOOB before, but I will tell you that I am always looking for new fun interactive toys not only for my kids, but also to use with the students that I work with on a daily basis. One of the things that I loved about this kit was that ZOOB is easy to use and to construct. The construction pieces were unique and the overall design/creations that you get are fun and worth the time. I find that for myself, I enjoy having this kit out on my desk for students to play with while they are talking with me. By having this out I find that they are more willing to open up with me and talk about the issues that they need to discuss. While this might not be the original intent of the toy, it really works. With my own kids, I find that I am more easily able to engage with them about their creations and they want to interact about them too as they are excited about what they made.

All-in-all this was a well constructed toy that I would highly recommend to all. Now I have to look into getting a larger ZOOB pack so we can make even more creations!


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Bringing Back My Childhood With A Giant Slinky

The new Giant Slinky by ALEX Toys is the big daddy of all Slinkys. It is 70% larger than the original Slinky for mega size fun! It stretches farther, flips higher, and walks down taller steps. Every Slinky lover will have to have an awesome, American made Giant Slinky!



I have so many fond memories about playing with a slinky when I was a kid. I would take my slinky and go to the top of the stairs of my house and over and over again I would send it down the stairs and then do it again. My challenge was always to get it to go further than the last time. I had never let my kids have the same experience, but now I can.

In opening this I brought it out and showed it to my daughters and let then see how it worked. For us, our inside stairs have carpet so the giant slinky did not really work that well there, but our deck off the back of the house has wooden stairs and it worked great there. After showing my kids how the slinky worked, they were off and trying for themselves. They loved playing with this and soon, I was left behind and told that they didn't need ol' dad and that they could do it themselves.

This new find for them was something that they simply loved. They kept playing with it for a long time and have since played with it again a number of times since we received it. One of the great things about this toy is that it is small enough that we can bring it anywhere with us and the kids can have a blast again in new and exciting places!

This brings me back and it makes me happy to be able to share some of my own past with my own daughters!


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The Dino Construction Company Let Kids Be Kids

With winter finally behind us you know what that means…construction season! The award-winning Dino Construction Company by Educational Insights is up to the task and we’re offering the opportunity for review & giveaway. Rugged and kid-powered by children ages 3 and up, Dino Construction vehicles are for dirt and sand play even leaving behind dino prints; they can be hosed off for indoor play as well, um, I mean construction work.

About Wrecker the T-Rex Skid Loader
This fierce, prehistoric powerhouse is totally kid-powered and ready to demolish anything a child can imagine! Wrecker is the leader of the pack and rolls up onto the scene with dino track treads that leave footprints in sand or dirt. From the playroom floor to the beach, our green machine from the past can turn even a pile of blocks into a kid-powered construction project. Made to last, Wrecker has no electronic parts. Water, wind, sand, and snow can’t get in the way of this dinosaur’s chomping, movable jaw or swinging tail.

Wrecker’s hardware-inspired arms loom down over imaginary cities or outdoor puddles as kids push this dino across anything in its path. Get ready for hours of imaginary play when Wrecker hits the construction site!

My Take on the Dino Construction Company
Though I have girls, they still love to get outside and get dirty. These great toys from the Dino Construction Company, not only promote outdoor play, but also creativity and imagination. I loved the high quality grade plastic that these were made of which also allows you to simply take a hose to this for easy clean up. For any child that loves to play and create, they will love the dino prints that the toy creates and how easy each of the parts moves to allow for a full play experience. As a parent, one of the selfish pleasures that I have with this was that there were no batteries required and that the entire toy is kid-powered. This is something that I remember as a kid myself. Having toy trucks and other things that you had to use your own power to control allowed me to not have to worry about any of the bells and whistles that you have on a lot of toys today. Instead, with this you get a high quality toy that will let you play and play for hours on end!


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Crashlings Are Out Of This World @CrashlingsUSA

Wicked Cool Toys is galaxtatic to launch Crashlings, a proprietary, TV promoted boys’ collectible product line of Mutant Meteors from Outer Space! Crashlings are one-inch collectible figures that are packed and travel inside a rubber-flex meteor. Each meteor has the power to blast over 5 feet into the air! Series 1 includes over 155 Crashlings to collect with special rares, ultra rares and retired editions. Crashlings come in five different breeds (Aliens, Insects, Underwater, Dinosaurs, and Monsters), and kids will be skyrocketed into another dimension as they collect them all! The Crashlings comprehensive product line is expected to launch in Spring 2014 with a variety of figure packs, play sets, and a space ship. In addition, Crashlings includes National TV Campaigns which will run throughout 2014 where Crashlings will be riding high and creating mischief in every new galaxy. Ages 5+, SRP: $1.99 - $19.99

Use the high flying meteor launcher to blast your meteors into space! The meteor missile launcher pad is essential to cause just the right amount of unwanted destruction. Don't forget about the dropship cockpit - it's the perfect ride for the two crashlings that are included.

My Take on Crashlings

These new toys were so much fun. One of the things that I loved were the intricate designs on each of the crashlings. One of the things that was so cool about these was the fact that there were over 150 crashlings that you can connect. Also, from my research you can get them in single packs or multi-packs. I tried out one of the playsets as you see above and these playsets make the crashlings really come alive. One of the other really cool things is that each of the crashlings come with a unique meteor that the crashlings come in and these meteors transform to allow the crashling to pop up to four feet in the air. So you not only are getting a very cool collectible toy, but you also get some fun action with each crashling too.

This is definitely a HUGE collector community favorite to come as Wicked Cool Toys will continue to expand this universe and you will be able to continue having fun with the toys for years to come!


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Juggle U Makes Family Time Fun @GoliathgamesUS

About the Toy
Have you ever been to the circus and watched the jugglers in amazement, wishing you could do the same? Now you can practice that skill at home with Juggle U by Goliath, the world’s first electronic juggling game!

Complete with four foam balls and settings for beginning and advanced jugglers, Juggle U is highly addictive fun! Simply drop a foam ball into the catcher and watch Juggle U launch it into the air. Move quickly to catch it and see how many times you can, or use it to play catch with a friend. Perfect for indoor play or outdoor fun, Juggle U is a great cure for boredom!

Not only will Juggle U provide hours of fun for kids as they gain skills and perform their own Big Top stunts for family and friends, but juggling also has many other benefits. “Studies have shown that juggling improves coordination, increases physical and mental reflexes, and builds self-confidence, not to mention the fact that juggling is a great way to get your heart pumping,” said David Norman, president of Goliath Games LLC.

With its circus style fun and amazing benefits, Juggle U makes the perfect gift and is great for the whole family, ages 5 and up. Now available in stores, give it a try and see how many balls you can Juggle U!

Features

• Two speeds for different skill levels
• Low speed for beginners
• High speed for hot shots!
• Helps develop hand eye coordination
• Ages 5 and up

My Take on the Toy
My family like to compete against each other in board games and other ways (all for fun of course), and especially as the weather outside starts to get warmer, we like to find ways to be outside together and have fun and Juggle U provides us with a way to do both. Juggle U was a fun toy that allows you to work on your juggling coordination as a small ball is launched and you have to catch it in the small bowl at the front. It is not as easy as you might think and takes a bit to get used to. As you can imagine we had some laughs as we were trying to make our first catches and we all started on the low setting and worked out way up. Juggle U definitely works on your hand-eye coordination in many ways and makes you really move quick (especially at the higher speeds) to make the catches. All-in-all we had a blast with this and your family will too. You can even get two of these and shave consecutive competitions going on at once!


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Moulin Roty Shadow Puppets Let Imagination Soar

As a father i am always looking for things that will promote imagination and creativity. This especially occurs at bedtime when we make up stories, and simply have fun winding down the day. Bring in these Nightime Shadow Puppets from Moulin Roty.

I was able to try out the two sets that you see in the pictures here and I have to first say that I was so impressed with the overall quality of these. As a past puppeteer I can completely appreciate fine quality when it comes to puppets and this definitely provided that.

On top of this though the Shadow Puppets were so much fun and the company put so much detail into them,

The two sets I was able to test drive were the Castles and Dinosaurs sets. What was fun about the sets was that with the right lighting you could create big shadows and with your imagination you could create a story that would bring a smile to your childs' face.

My daughters particularly liked the Castles set, and seemed to love having the Dragon being the protagonist in all of their stories.

On top of this all of the sets are reasonably priced in my opinion. The Paris Shadows ($21) set shows the Eiffel Tower, airplane, moon and sleepwalker. The 9-piece Castle Shadows ($18.50) include a dragon, a fairy, royalty and a witch! If dinos are more your style, the Dinosaur Shadows ($18.50) pack of 10 puppets feature a stegosaurus, brachiosaurus and more prehistoric shapes.

In the end these puppets are wonderfully made and truly sparked the creative juices in myself and in my girls. I highly recommend this to all!




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Holiday Gift Guide - Zing Air Huntress

About the Toy
Air Huntress Z-Curve Bow/ Zing/ Ages 8+/ $19.99  - http://zingtoys.com/air-huntress/air-huntress-z-curve-bow

Zing’s best-seller gets a makeover! Decked out in pink, purple and sparkles, the Air Huntress offers fans the same high-performance play value in a flashy new appearance.

With the second Hunger Games movie, Catching Fire, due out in November, girls can aspire to be the next Katniss Everdeen as the Air Huntress offers a safe, realistic introduction to the sport of archery that can be used indoors or outside. The Air Huntress Z-Curve Bow can launch soft-foam ammo over 125 feet, a thrill factor for kids and parents alike! Aspiring archers can choose between far-flying foam Z-Arrows and stick-anywhere suction cup Zartz.



My Take on the Toy
This bow was a ton of fun! My youngest had a blast trying her aim at targets and I found that the more that she used it the better she got. I loved the fact that the projectiles were soft and if she missed her target the house would not be damaged. The resistance bands on the product itself were quite durable too and based on how much strength the user has the arrows can go quite a ways. Another benefit to this is that you can use it solo and you do not have to have a lot of people with you to use this.My daughter can simply go out and set up some targets, take aim and have fun! This was a cool item that I know we will use even more once the winter breaks and the weather is warmer!


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