Toy Reviews

Toddler

 
 
DISCLAIMER:  These are my personal accounts of toys that my children have used.  Your child may not have the same experience.  So don't view this as anything other than my opinion!

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Toddler

Leap Frog Tad

 

Riley enjoyed playing with his Tad when he was starting to learn shapes and colors.  You can click on the shapes to hear the name of the shape and color.  The new version even plays music.  This toy would probably be appropriate for infants as well.
   
  We gave Garrett the Learn Through Music system for his first birthday.  He really enjoyed it and we had a hard time keeping it away from Riley!  We started out with the Blues Clues and Sesame Street cartridges.  He is getting the Dora cartridge for Christmas. Your child can interact with the different scenes by pressing different areas on the screen.  The only drawback is that it is pretty battery-intensive, but worth it.
   
  My boys LOVE the Little People products.  They especially love the garage.  I think they put out a new garage every year, so the one offered now is not the same as the one they have.  But as long as it has ramps and buttons with fun noises, that's all they care about!  I actually think the new version is better because it looks like they can get their hands into the different areas more easily than the version they currently have.
   
  This is probably my kids' second favorite Little People toy ( second to the garage ).  They love playing with all of the animals.  They are the perfect material and size for small hands.  They helped Garrett learn his animal sounds.
   
   
  Ok, you get the idea - the Fisher Price Little People series is a big hit!  They are perfect for pretend play.  They have just enough bells and whistles to keep the kids' interest, but not too many sounds where they don't add their own pretend play.  I won't add any additional Little People products to this page.  They're all great and my kids have just about all of them!
   
  This is not the same bowling set that we have, but any bowling set should do.  My kids got the biggest kick out of rolling the ball and knocking the pins over.  We have hardwoods in our foyer and that's where we set up our "alley".  But be prepared to reset the pins a million times!
   
  Ok, ok! I know I said I wasn't going to add any more Little People toys, but I saw this and it's probably their absolute most favorite LP toy of all!  We had to buy another one because Riley and Garrett kept fighting over it!
   
  We got this for Garrett for Christmas last year when he was only 9 months old.  He was never really that interested in it.  Riley played with it for a while.  But mostly I just found myself picking up blocks all over my house.  There is another product in the Peek-A-Block line called the Incrediblock.  There is one in Garrett's class at school and he loves it.  It is more interactive than the wagon.  The wagon is loud and if you don't turn it off, you can be walking by it and set it off.
   
  Both boys loved this toy.  The wagon holds all the blocks and has knobs on the side to stack the blocks.  And once all the blocks are dumped in the floor ( yes, they will be dumped in the floor! ) they love to pull their other toys ( or each other! ) around in the wagon.  Just be prepared to constantly pick up Mega Blocks off the floor!
   
  We bought this for Riley's 2nd birthday thinking he would love it and never get off of it.  He was totally impressed the day of his bday party and rode it around inside the house ( because it was raining ).  After that, he had no interest.  He never could get the concept of holding down the button.  He would hold it for a second and then let go.  So he just jerked around the driveway and lost interest.  Garrett came along and totally got it and sparked Riley's interest, but at age 3, he was almost too big for it.  And even Garrett's interest weaned.  The problem is the kids' letting off the button and not knowing how to steer.  And it will zap all the juice out of the battery.  You have to charge it up after every use.  Well, we would forget and the next time they would show interest, the battery would be dead.  And they really wanted to ride it in the grass, but it didn't have enough power for that.  This was one of the more disappointing buys we've made.
   
  Run, run fast from this toy!  This is probably the worst toy we have ever purchased.  At first you can't figure out how to turn it on.  And then you can't figure out how to turn it off!  It just keeps grilling and grilling.  The lid won't stay on.  If you raise it up, it first tips the grill over and then just falls off completely.  This thing would "fire up" at all times of the day and night all by itself.  It finally got banished to the garage.  The accessories are cute, but that's about it!  The talking lawnmower in this line is as equally unimpressive, but ok if your child just wants something to push.
   
  Riley got this for Christmas last year.  He has really enjoyed it.  It will keep him busy for short periods of time.  It was a little difficult for him to put the pieces in at first, but as he got a little older he figured it out.  The only drawback is that it is kind of hard for them to hold the head with their small hands AND try and put the pieces in.  But they eventually figure it out.  And beware of all the pieces getting spread out all over your house!
   
  Both of my boys LOVED knob puzzles and still do!  Great for motor skills, picture recognition, etc.
   
  My kids are 3 1/2 and 21 months and they are still playing with this phone!  Kids love to act like they are talking on the phone!
   
  This was the hit of last Christmas!  The boys thought this was hysterical.  It comes with an easy to operate remote ( forward, spin and giggle ).  They had the best time with this toy.
   

Infant

Preschool

 

 
NOTE:  The information on this page is not exhaustive and complete accuracy is not guaranteed.  Please consult your doctor with any questions you may have regarding the treatment of your child.
 

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This site was last updated May 30, 2007
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