Archive

Posts Tagged ‘Niece’

Melissa and Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards

February 28th, 2010

Melissa and Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards




These Pattern Blocks and Boards will keep children engaged for hours of rewarding play. They feature 10 simply designed, colorful patterns and over 100 pattern blocks in six different shapes and colors to replicate the pattern shown. Contents store neatly in durable wooden case. Develops shape recognition and spatial relations.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Pattern Blocks/Boards Melissa and Doug
I was searching for a product for a kindergartener who is easily bored, intelligent, and needs a challenge when I found this set of pattern blocks and boards. As a teacher’s aide, I know these blocks are educational as well as entertaining. I bought this set on sale, so I got a great bargain as well as a great item! The blocks and boards are durable and well made. I highly recommend this set. It will stand up to the test of time. . .and little kids!

3 Stars Needs some improvements
I loved pattern blocks as a kid. I remember playing with them in school and there were a ton of them. I never had a board or anything, just pushed them together, made designs.

We got this for my son when he was 4. It’s all right… but I see there is a bucket with twice as many blocks (plastic) available on Amazon for the same price. No boards. I think that would be the better way to go. More blocks would be more fun – the boards are OK but more blocks would be better.

What really bugs me about this set, though, is there’s no way to really keep it all together. It came with just a floppy flimsy plastic cover that didn’t stay on – it just laid over the box. So you have this solid wooden box with loose pattern tiles flopping around in one side. We got my niece the M&D cutting board & food set when she was 2 or so, and later bought the same for my son when he was 2 or 3. My nieces came with a heavy plexiglass sliding cover – my son’s came with no cover. I think that M&D have kind of cheaped out on packaging over the years. This should really have a heavy plastic sliding cover – it would make it so much nicer. We got rid of the flimsy plastic cover and I keep the tiles in a cloth drawstring bag – it’s really akward though. I guess if you have shelves for toys it’s not so bad but we tend to shove everything in drawers.

Anyway – all in all I guess this is just OK. I think you’re better off going for just the tiles, in a bigger assortment.

4 Stars good for pattern learning
I like this product for pattern learning. In addition to replicating the patterns on the boards, I can also start a linear repeating pattern and have the kids finish it, which is good for kindergarten readiness and one reason I chose this toy. My 3yo and 5yo both like it. I prefer it over a magnetic pattern board because I try to keep the magnetic toys to a minimum since my home frequently has small babies visit.

My major problem with this toy is that the lid for the box is a flimsy plastic lid that tore after just a day. This seems to be a repeated problem with the Melissa and Doug brand: we have the same problem with the playfood collection and the letterboard toy. Some of them come with no lid at all, while the lids on the others are so flimsy as to be useless. The consequence is that the toys are difficult to store, and the pieces get lost or separated, which decreases the usable lifetime of the toy and negates the advantage of buying wooden toys that are meant to be kept for years. I keep the small pieces in a ziploc bag but this really doesn’t work that well as the bag tends to get torn by the corners of the wooden pieces.

2 Stars Great fun, Problem with Product though

This is a fun game for 4 or 5 and older. The concept is easy for younger ones to learn, but the boards are slippery and too hard for a smaller child to deal with on their own. It comes with a box to hold everything, but no top, so it is really not a storage box since the small pieces can easily spill out. Also a few of the puzzle boards have buckled slightly since opening the box a month ago.

4 Stars good educational toy
This is a good educational toy.There were some number of pattern blocks missing,but the rest of the toy is good.The colour patterns could have been more distinct from each other,eg. when making patterns,the dark green has to be put alongside dark blue.But overall a good product.

Buy/More Info

Kid Toys Puzzles , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Operation

February 24th, 2010

Operation




Beep, beep! Tweet-tweet! Ribbet! This all-new game of Operation offers a full multi-sensory experience like never before. In this game of silly skills, it’s all about the senses. Hilarious sound effects are sure to tickle your funny bone, and new funatomy parts include textured, gooey parts. There is also a success button on the patient’s nose. Rather than cards or money, the game now prompts players on which part to remove next. Features 2 skill levels and a storage drawer for all the funatomy parts. For one or more player. Requires 4 “AAA” batteries, not included.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars classic board game
great classic game from my own childhood. Bought this for my 7 year old for Christmas and all 3 of my kids (4,6,7) love playing it. Great new features make it more interesting.

2 Stars buzzer does not work
I bought two of these, for my grandchildren. I am very disappointed to hear that neither work, the buzzer is broken.

3 Stars Makes kids happy
My 8 year old niece wanted this toy. I got her as a birthday present. A silly toy, but she really enjoys it. Well it fulfills the use for what it was made, i.e. make children enjoy. Looking at the built, I think it’s a little expensive.

5 Stars Always fun – matter your age
I got this game as a gift after having not played it for years. It is just as fun now as ever. If you have kids that you want to introduce to a game that you used to love, this is the one to get for them. They will love it, and it will probably bring back a lot of fond memories for you too!

It doesn’t come with batteries, so make sure you have some on hand so you can play right away!

4 Stars Old Game – Still Fun
I played this game as a child and now my Grandson and I enjoy playing it together. It’s fun and good for hand/eye coordination

Buy/More Info

Kid Toys Puzzles , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chutes and Ladders

February 16th, 2010

Chutes and Ladders




Be the first to move your child-shaped playing piece from square one to square 100 on the Chutes and Ladders game board–but watch out! If you land on the square that shows you ate too much candy–Ouch!–you get a tummy ache and slide down a chute to a square a few numbers below. But if you end your turn on a good-deed square, such as helping sweep up a mess, you’ll be rewarded by a ladder-climb up the board.

A fantastic follow-up to Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders is ideal for younger children who are still learning to take turns and just beginning to recognize numbers (the spinner stays in the single digits). It’s also a gentle introduction to the higher numbers as players climb to 100 at the top of the board. And, thanks to all those chutes and ladders, it’s got enough excitement to keep your 7-year-old on the edge of her seat. English and Spanish instructions are included; no reading is necessary to play. Chutes and Ladders is for two to four players. –Julie Ubben

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Surprisingly simple, amazingly fun
My 3 year old niece loves this game. I gave it as a gift and she couldn’t be happier. It took a little time to get her to understand how to play, but once she did she really got into it.

2 Stars NOT a good toy
I got this game for my 3 year old and she and i didnt like the game at all. its also itant made well.

5 Stars Another fun game for the family
My 6 year old granddaughter loves to play this game with grandma. She loves to win, but she has also learned to lose once in a while. I recommend it to parents and grandparents. It is a great way to have fun with your children or grandchildren.

5 Stars game for my granddaughter
I bought this for my grandaughter she loved it and plays it al least once a day

5 Stars Chutes and Ladders Rocks!
I am so happy I bought this game. I never had one as a kid but I played last night for the first time with my daughter, 5 and my son, 3 and we had so much fun together. Although we get very busy we are going to start having several game nights a week. The game was interesting enough to hold my 3 year olds attention to the end which doesn’t happen often, they got to practice their counting and I got to explain ethics and morals. The “rules” were very easy to catch on to and their were lots of giggles and laughter! Don’t wait any longer to add this to your game room:)

Buy/More Info

Kid Toys Puzzles , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

LeapFrog Tag Activity Storybook Miss Spiders Tea Party

February 9th, 2010

LeapFrog Tag Activity Storybook Miss Spiders Tea Party




Cheer for lonely Miss Spider on each book page as she asks her fellow bugs in for tea. And come along with her as she searches for new friends. After the story, discover leveled learning activities that help build phonics skills, vocabulary and reading comprehension. Plus, connect the Tag Reader online to the LeapFrog Learning Path to see what your child is learning.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Tag book
I bought this product for my autistic niece. She caught on quick on how to use the tag pen. I look forward to more books. I think this is an awesome toy

5 Stars Counting, vocabulary, reading, rhymes, much fun
My little girl is having lots of fun with the Tag books and Miss Spider’s is one of her favorites. Of course, she can count to twelve and she knows most of the words but reading practice is precious and she’s always happy when she manages to read the text so that it actually rhymes – she’s into painting and poetry these days.

As a Tag book, there are lots of interactive surprises on every page and there are a couple of big intensive play areas at the end. And, did I mention that the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous?

Can’t go wrong with this little book. For the 4-6 years olds. MUST have the Leapfrog Tag system or 80% of the fun is lost.

Buy/More Info

Kid Toys Music , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Baby Einstein Count and Compose Piano

February 7th, 2010

Baby Einstein Count and Compose Piano




* Comes with three play modes; instrument key mode, baby composer mode, counting mode
* High quality speaker with volume control
* Baby will get an introduction to numbers 1-5 in English, Spanish, and French as each numbered piano key is pressed
* Multiple music modes and instruments

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Help baby sit up!!
This toy is an excellent purchase for a 4-5 month old. My son was sort of sitting up, but this toy drove him to sit up on his own! He loves playing with the different settings and the rolling cylinder as well.

5 Stars Great
I got this for my niece for christmas, she LOVES it and plays with it all the time. Great for young children.

5 Stars Baby loves it!
I purchased this for a 1 year old’s birthday party and I also purchased one for my 6 month old. They both love this toy tremendously! Even though they are a little young to learn the numbers in english, spanish or french they still love the lights and sounds. Entertains for a while.

4 Stars Cute & fun!
My 8 month old likes this toy. It keeps him entertained enough while I’m busy. It’s the perfect size as it’s not too big to put on table in front of him or to tote around. The keys are the perfect size for his little hands. And I like this toy for me because the classical music is nice to listen to and not annoying at all when my baby boy is playing with it.

5 Stars The best piano ever!
My 9 months old just loves this piano, and his parents too! It has everything he wants; melodies, numbers (in 3 languages), instrument keys. Also he loves the roller drum and color balls.

I definitely recomend it!

Buy/More Info

Kid Toys Music , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,