International Playthings

Let me start by saying I had reservations about the iPlay Air Hockey Game before I received it.  My kids love to go to the arcades at Walt Disney World, which is less than a half hour from our house.  Recently, they have become obsessed with the air hockey tables at the Walt Disney World resorts, but they’re still too small to use them correctly and really enjoy them. 

When I saw the iPlay Air Hockey Game, I had high hopes but low expectations.  My husband and I had a small air hockey table before our kids were born that was probably about 3 or 4 feet long (not a tabletop game like the iPlay Air Hockey Game).  It worked adequately, but it was nothing to rave about.  Luckily, my expectations were far exceeded when we got the chance to test the iPlay Air Hockey Game.

In short, the iPlay Air Hockey Game works really well!  I didn’t think a little tabletop air hockey toy could work so well, but the puck actually floats over the table top with two D-batteries.  The iPlay Air Hockey Game comes with four paddles (2 smaller and 2 larger) and three pucks in various shapes (circle, triangle, square) to add some interest to the game.  A manual scoring dial is also included on the toy. 

The iPlay Air Hockey Game is rated for ages 3 and up, and I have to agree with that age range.  My kids don’t completely understand the rules of the game, but it doesn’t matter.  They love hitting the puck around the table and trying to make a goal.  I suspect they’ll continue to grow into it and enjoy it even more.  Suffice it to say, this toy is super fun!

Now for the best part of the iPlay Air Hockey Game.  It comes assembled!  All you have to do is put the stickers on the three pucks and affix the center divider then put in the batteries (not included) and you’re ready to go.  It takes less than 2 minutes ,and you’re ready to play.  Any parent who knows the pain and frustration of removing toys from their packaging (which often requires a whole host of tools and several adults) let alone assembling the actual toy, can appreciate a toy that comes ready to use (or very close to it).

To top it off, the iPlay Air Hockey Game only costs $19.99.  You’ve got to love a toy that actually works for under $20.

With that said, I give the iPlay Air Hockey Game two thumbs up.

Images: International Playthings

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Sprig toys are also made from recycled materials and include no decorative paint (that means no lead paint problems).  The toys use a push-and-pump play action for power.  Here are some details from a Sprig Toys press release earlier this year:

“Made from Sprigwood™, a child-safe, bio-composite material derived from recycled wood and reclaimed plastic, the Sprig Adventure Series harnesses the natural energy of push- and pump-action play to power lights and other electronics—all without batteries.  Fun Adventure Guide characters wearing LED-lit hats plug into durable, attractively designed vehicles and engage preschoolers with audio that guides them through exciting adventures as they play.”

These new Sprig toys won’t be out until the fall, but they’ll make great Christmas and holiday gifts!

Image: Sprigtoys.com

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The Swimways Spring Hoops Pirate Treasure Set comes with three hoops that submerge underwater as well as dive coins and is recommended for children ages 6 and up.  I can think of so many fun games kids could play with this set.  You could time your kids as they take turns swimming through the hoops.  You could hide the dive coins around the pool and have the kids swim through the hoops to find them.  You could buy two Swimways Spring Hoops Pirate Treasure Set and have two kids race eachother at the same time through the hoops.

This is a simple toy (hence the reasonable $19.99 price), but kids could have so much fun with it.  The pirate theme adds to the many ways kids could use this toy once they put their imaginations to work.

Have you tried the Swimways Spring Hoops Pirate Treasure Set?  I’m curious to know if the hoops stay underwater and upright as well as they do in the picture.  If you’ve tried this toy, leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Image: Toysrus.com

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First, I should mention that earlier this month, I reviewed some Calico Critters toys that International Playthings asked my daughter to test.  While I gave the Calico Critters toys two thumbs up, I’m going to give the Mighty World Alligator Hunt set that my sons tested only one thumb up.  The reason is because I think the age range provided for the toy we tested is too young.

My son tested the Might World Alligator Hunt set.  When I saw the Mighty World toys on the International Playthings website, I was very excited for my son to test one of them.  Both of my boys are starting to enjoy imaginary play, and I thought it would be great for them to have a more “boyish” toy set to play with rather than their sister’s My Little Pony toys.

The Mighty World Alligator Hunt set includes a boat, two figures (a man and a woman in safari clothing), oars, a fishing pole, an alligator, a map, a gun, and more small pieces.  It’s a cool looking toy that could boost imaginary play, particularly for boys.  There is a wide range of Mighty World toys that kids could use to create complete themed worlds from safari themes to construction themes and more.

While I think the concept of the Mighty World toys is great, I was disappointed in the size of the pieces.  The pieces are very small – too small for a 3-year old to manipulate.  I even had trouble trying to get the oars into the person’s hands without the hands falling off.  That leads me to my other complaint about the Mighty World toys.  The pieces are hard to put together yet they come apart too easily.  Inserting the oars into the figure’s hands is one example.  Another is the male figure’s hat that will not stay on his head.  I had to keep putting it on his head over and over because my son insisted it had to be on his head, but he couldn’t put it on himself because it was too small.  Let’s just say I eventually hid the hat to eliminate that problem, and luckily, it was forgotten without too much of a fight.

That leads me back to the age issue.  This Mighty World toy is rated for children ages 3 and up.  I think if the age range was lifted to 5 or 6 and up, this toy would have gotten a better review from me.  There are many toys in the Mighty World line that are rated for older children, and I think if this one were added to that group, it would be more appropriate. 

Again, I love the idea of the Mighty World toys, and I love the idea of promoting imaginary play for boys as early as 3-years old.  This set is just a bit too difficult for them to use due to the small pieces.  That’s why I’m giving the Mighty World Alligator Hunt one thumb up.  It’s a great idea and a great toy just a bit too “old” for a 3-year old.  However, if you have older children, I would definitely give one of the Mighty World toys a try.

If you have older children who have tried the Mighty World toys, leave a comment and let PlayLibrary readers know what you thought.

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Aside from them chewing on the pens when they were younger, I have only had positive experiences with the Aquadoodle.  I have to fill the pens with water for my kids and shake them up a bit to get the water flowing and the pens working, but that’s the only set-up required.  I love toys that require little set-up and even less clean up.

There are many accessories you can buy for the Aquadoodle, but we just have the basic Aquadoodle and my kids really enjoy it.  At just $19.99, it’s one of those toys you can’t go wrong with!

Do your kids have an Aquadoodle?  Have you bought any additional accessories?  Which do your kids really like? 

Image: Toysrus.com

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• Tea set
• Indoor gardening kit
• Sand play set
• Cookware and dining set

The toys come from Green Toys, and you can get all the details (and enter) on Tree Hugging Family.

Good luck!

Image source: Greentoys.com

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He went to Target during his lunch hour to buy a new Star Wars Stormtrooper action figure for my son.  Follow the link if you want to catch up on the story about the first Star Wars Stormtrooper we bought and it’s unfortunate foot loss.

He picked up a new set of Stormtroopers and realized he would have to come home with something for our other son and daughter or there would be a problem (that’s life with triplets).  He chose a movie for our daughter that the kids love and opted for the Mini Bowling Game for our other son because our kids love bowling (at the arcade and at the bowling alley, you name it).  What he didn’t realize was how popular the $2.99 Mini Bowling Game would be.

To make a long story short, my son who got his beloved Stormtroopers told me I could return them to the store so he could get a Mini Bowling Game of his own instead.  Within less than 15 minutes, the Mini Bowling Game was in time out after a series of 3-year old triplet fights.  As I write this post, my husband is allowing them to play with it under strict supervision else another fight could break out at any moment.

Bottom-line, sometimes the smallest toy, a literal afterthought, can be the most popular of all.  Who knew.

Join the About.com Parenting Blog Carnival – this month’s theme is Kids and Play.

Image source: CelebrateExpress.com

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Here’s the list I compiled about a year ago. What other items would you add to these lists?

photo credit: zappowbang

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I’m a pack rat, but I’m really trying to get away from that side of my personality. It’s not healthy! And I need to start with some of the kids’ stuff so that I’m not passing on this frustrating trait to them. I’ll probably end up taking most of it to Goodwill, as I’m too disgorganized to ever get a yard sale going, nor to remember to take time to get stuff to a consignment shop. Here, though, are the options that come to mind when I think of places to take the toys:

• Goodwill
• Salvation Army
• Consignment Shop
• eBay
• Shelter for the needy
• Children’s Hospital
• Library (ooh! I told them I’d bring some there)
• Yard Sale
• Kids’ Stuff Sale (second hand)
• Church Nursery
• Daycare
• Stick it all out on the front lawn with a “free” sign (would that freak people out?)
• Friends with younger kids (Thank you to all who have thought of us!)

I have to say, I’m always hesitant to pass toys onto a shelter just because I’m afraid of the toys looking worn or second hand. I’d love to be able to supply them with brand new toys so that kids that don’t have much can still have the experience of being the first person to play with a new toy! Ah well.

Anyway, these are the things that I can think of to reduce waste and reuse resources. What additional ideas do you have?

photo credit: Hey Paul

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For about the past month, my middle child has been asking daily for the countdown until his birthday (we’re still well in the 30s, I believe). Recently, when his dad asked him what he might want for his birthday, one of his answers was, “A telescope…..a bug telescope.” I’m guessing he meant microscope, and I’m wondering if something like the toy pictured here would do the trick.

I’d say that I wasn’t prepared for boys and the whole bug thing, but the truth is that the most bug-crazy child we know is a little girl. She’s a good friend of my daughter’s and will happily run around gathering bugs in a princess dress. For awhile, she seemed inseparable from her bug house. My kids thought it was one of the coolest things ever. Maybe it’s time for a bug house in our family. As long as their are no spiders or roaches involved. EVER. ewwww….

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