Play Library » Preschool Toys

Lights and Sounds but No Batteries!

Susan Gunelius — Sat, 17 May 2008 01:40:29 +0000

Hat tip to Peggy at Tree Hugging Family for posting about the new Sprig toys that deliver electronic-like features such as lights and sounds without batteries. Of course, no batteries is very eco-friendly, but most parents will also agree that toys that don’t require batteries are simply great! First, batteries are too expensive and die too quickly! I love the idea of toys that simulate battery-operated without batteries!

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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Honeybee Hop – So Much Fun

Susan Gunelius — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:32:55 +0000

I love the Honeybee Hop by Playskool. Well, I suppose the music gets a bit annoying, but aside from that, I think this toy is great.

First, it’s easy to set up. Even my 3-year old triplets can pull it out at any time, press the button on top and get it started. I love toys that they can use all by themselves!

Second, they can practice their coordination with this toy without hurting themselves. I got this toy as a gift for my daughter for Christmas, and she immediately loved it. She tries so hard to jump over the motorized arm. She can’t do it yet, but she keeps trying!

Third, it’s an indoor toy that promotes activity which is nice on very hot (or cold) days.

I think it’s a bit pricey for what you get at $24.95, but I still love what the toy does, so I give it a thumbs up.

Has your child used the Honeybee Hop? What do you think about it?

Image source: Amazon.com

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Fisher Price Go Fish Game – A Fun Twist on a Classic Game

Susan Gunelius — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:42:29 +0000

Fisher Price offers a different twist on a classic game with their boxed version of Go Fish. The game is for 2-4 players. Each player takes turns catching fish with the fishing rod that’s included with the game. Using the suction cup on the end of the fishing rod, players try to catch cardboard fish. The fish have numbers and colors on them. Players try to catch matched pairs (by color or number) similar to the classic Go Fish card game.

What I like most about this game are the various ways you can make up rules to match the age and understanding of the players. For example, matching pairs is still a bit challenging for my kids, so when we play, I assign each child a color, and they each fish for their own color (their turns don’t end until they catch something). Play ends when everyone catches all of their fish.

I also made up rules that will help them learn their numbers (which they now know). We flip the fish number-side down. When a player catches a fish, he or she has to yell out the color and number on the under-side. Again, play ends when all the fish are caught. There are so many possibilities for color and number learning for younger kids and mastering matching skills for older kids.

Actually, I wasn’t sure about this game when I first opened the box. Typically, things with suction cups never work as well as they’re shown on the box (or in commercials). I was pleasantly surprised by this game though. The suction cup really works and the fishing rod is sturdy enough that the kids can push down on it hard enough to actually catch a fish with the suction cup.

Although my kids got their Go Fish game as a gift from Grandma and Grandpa, I should mention that another nice thing about this game is that it’s inexpensive. The Fisher Price website lists the retail price as $7.00. You can’t beat the price for the number of activities you can make up with this game. Overall, I give Fisher Price’s Go Fish Game a thumbs up.

Have your kids played Fisher Price’s Go Fish Game? What do you think?

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The Sit n Spin Disappointment

Susan Gunelius — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:20:29 +0000

When I was a kid I wanted a sit ‘n spin so badly. I never got one, but my best friend had one. I remember spinning on her porch on that Sit ‘n Spin with ease, going so fast for so long that I felt ill. Those were the days.

With that fond memory in mind, I bought a Sit ‘n Spin for my triplets this past summer. In fact, I bought the Playskool Simon Says Sit ‘n Spin from my local Target (it’s the one in the picture). I just wanted a plain old-fashioned Sit ‘n Spin with no bells or whistles, but alas, I couldn’t find one. The Playskool Simon Says Sit ‘n Spin was as plain as I could find.

I brought the Sit ‘n Spin home, and my husband assembled it during the triplets’ afternoon nap. We were so excited to give it to them when they woke up. Their eyes lit up when they saw it, and we had to referee the ensuing fight to see who would get to take the first turn on the new toy.

Finally, my daughter won the battle and hopped on the Sit ‘n Spin. She tugged on the wheel and nothing happened. I tugged on the wheel and nothing happened. It was nearly impossible to turn the wheel while a person was sitting on the Sit ‘n Spin. So much for my memories of spinning. The modern-day Sit ‘n Spin went back to the store the next day. It was a sad day.

Have you noticed this problem with the Sit ‘n Spin? Is it just me?

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