Toy Whimsy

Tag Junior - EXCLUSIVE Tiny Toy Tester Review

Toy Whimsy Takes on Tag Junior- The First Parent Review of this Hot New Toy:

 

Another great opportunity has come up for our toy testers here at Toy Whimsy. The LeapFrog Tag Junior has been given to us to test out and we had a great time last night reading books together. Check out our 2 yr old toy tester with the Tag Junior and then keep reading for an extended review...

I'll have to admit, I was skeptical about the Tag Junior. We already have the Tag from last year and I didn't think there would be much of a difference. My daughter is four and can use the Tag just fine. My two year old would very much like to use the Tag, but had trouble handling the pen, and also had to be reprimanded many times for tearing the pages of the Tag books (as well as many other books we own). I was interested to see if he would understand the Tag Junior or just get bored with it quickly because it wasn't the original Tag. As you can see from the videos, he loved it and I am happy to report it held his attention for over an hour.

Parents' Review: 5 Stars for Wonderful, 1 Star for Terrible:

Assembly: ? Stars-

I can't report about the packaging because LeapFrog sent it to me with no packaging, and with five of the initial titles. I imagine if it the packaging is going to be anything like the original Tag, it will be easy to open and with as little ties and extra packaging as possible. I do know that for the Junior model, you do use a USB cable to load the books onto the hand held device.  If it is anything like Tag (and I am sure it is) it literally takes about 2 minutes to load a new book on to the player.  They made the downloading part of the device very easy, even more so than an iTunes sort of interaction. 

Fun Factor: 5 Stars-

The play pattern was much the same as the original Tag but the slight differences were vital to how my son was able to utilize the hardware. The Tag Junior, as you can tell by looking at it is chunkier, rounded, and easier for small hands to handle (my son was calling it his snowman). By simply cupping his hand over the top and pushing down on the book, he was able to use the Junior just like the original Tag, but instead of struggling with his dexterity, he was free to explore the books as he wanted.

Toddlers read books very differently than preschool children. When left to their own devices, they jump around, and turn pages before reading everything on the page. The Tag Junior works well with toddler's version of "reading" because it will play different sounds when you hit the same picture multiple times. In the book "ABC Animal Orchestra" you hit the animal the first time you hear the sound of the instrument, you hit it again and hear the name of the animal and instrument, you hit it again and hear the animal say something. It is a nice change since with the original Tag my two year old would find one sound he liked and hit it over and over again. The action of the "snowman" works really well too as you have to push it down, like a stamper, to make it read the book.  Instead of the original Tag where you drag it along the words to read the book, or hit one small dot to hear the paragraph, this one allows toddlers to stamp their way randomly through the book to hear words and sounds. 

Durability: 4 Stars -

Anything that is electronic and plastic is not going to be unbreakable, but I will say in the short time we have had the little Tag Junior, my kids have dropped him a few times and he is still kicking. The best part about the durability of this toy is that the books are board books- not paper books. We have to watch my two year old with books lately because one of his favorite things to do is rip pages out. It makes a good sound and as a destructive toddler, what could be better than breaking something? The board books assure that is he isn't going to break these books and they will last much longer.

Educational Factor: 5 stars -

I don't think Tag Junior is going to replace a parent actually reading to their children and nor do I think it should, but it is a really fun activity to do together and as anyone who has been around a toddler knows, they want to try everything on their own. Mine says "I DO IT!" all the time. This provides them the opportunity to read books themselves and learn while playing. Each book has a learning theme:
Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? (sounds)
Curious George: Color Fun (colors)
ABC Animal Orchestra (alphabet)
How Do Dinosaurs Play With Their Friends? (social play)
Disney Pooh Loves To ... (actions)
Dora the Explorer: 1-2-3 Dora! (counting)
The Backyardigans: Opposites (opposites)
 David Smells! (senses)
The title that my son gravitated to was the ABC Animal Orchestra, and granted, we only played with it for a few hours, but the fun sounds from classical instruments to turntable scratching, along with the ABCs, was really fun for him.

Novelty Factor:  3 Stars
Yes, there is an original Tag, and it is great for kids 4 and older, but this new Tag Junior is worth having if you have a child under 4.  I was a skeptic, as I said before, because my 2 yr old has tried the original Tag and had some success with it.  But when you watch a toddler with a book, and then watch a preschooler you are going to see them use the book in very different ways.  Tag Junior takes advantage of the way toddlers hold things in the hands and the way that toddlers utilize books.  My 2 yr old had much more success with the Tag Junior and was able to "read" the alphabet and interact with the books much more than with the original, where he was just pressing the same picture over and over again to hear the same funny noise.  That combined with the fact that I wasn't nervous about him ripping the pages out of the books made it very much worth having both Tag and Tag Junior in our house.

Overall Score: 4.5 Stars - "A great toy that we highly recommend "
I had my doubts, but the differences in the Tag Junior and watching my child interact with both toys has made me a believer.  This is a great toy- and better suited for children under 4 yrs.  The price point is perfect for the times at $34.99, with the individual books at $10.99 (one book will come with the Tag Junior).  The Tag Junior also will connect with the Learning Path on LeapFrog.com.  You will be able to (just like with the Tag) see what your child is learning.  While I think this is less important with the Tag Junior then with the Tag (or even Leapster2 or Didj), I do like that the opportunity is there for parents to use the resource if they wish.  I always judge a toy with one question in mind, "If my best friend asked me if she should buy this for her child, would I say yes?" and with Tag Junior, the answer is a resounding yes!

You can click here to learn more about Tag Junior, and LeapFrog.com has a dedicated page that tells more about the product and when it will be released.

Also, if you would like to see our video review of the original Tag that we did back in September 2008, you can see it here.

--Laura McMullan

Green Toys Sand Play Set - Tiny Toy Testers Review

So who else out there is having a case of the Mondays? Well, this little guy should brighten your day and make you dream of a Hawaiian beach!  Our Tiny Toy Tester today is on special assignment, and headed out to the beach with his environmentally friendly sand toys from Green Toys.  Check him out in the video below and then keep reading for the Amazon.com parents' review...

Green Toys Sand Play Set...

Rating System: On a five star scale, one being horrible, five being wonderful.

Assembly: 5 stars, "No assembly required:  just open the package and use."

Fun Factor: 4 stars, "We didn’t have to give him any guidance; we just plopped him in the sand with the tools and he commenced with digging.  We did end up fetching a lot of water in the bucket, but that’s because we’re suckers for a cute kid, so not quite the same thing… I did play with them a little myself; it’s hard to resist the timeless allure of building sandcastles on a sunny beach.  But my son, and a few little friends from the beach, enjoyed digging, dumping and constructing with the toys in the sand."

Educational Factor: 3 stars, "It’s educational in that he will learn some basic principles of physics from digging and building.  I think he will continue to enjoy it for years – what kid doesn’t like to build sand castles at the beach?  It will teach him to use his imagination.

Novelty Factor: 1 star, "We didn’t already own a beach set, but it’s not a unique toy.  What did make the toy more attractive from a parent’s perspective was that it was made from recycled materials.  It’s a shovel, a bucket and a rake.  Not novel; just timeless."

--Laura McMullan

Monsters vs. Aliens - In Theaters Now!

Monsters vs. Aliens starts today!  Check out this trailer, interview with the cast, and video about "InTru 3D" the new technology behind this DreamWorks wonder.  Also, check out our MvA store here, where you can find toys, books, posters and tons of other cool Monsters vs. Aliens stuff.

--Laura McMullan

Slinky, a "Cult" Favorite - Flash Back Friday

Why do so many toys seem to have some very crazy back stories?  Today we have the story of the Slinky, and its rise and fall (bah dum dump..ching! Thank you, I'll be here all week- Try the roast beef!) at the hands of the family behind it, Richard and Betty James.  You see, Richard invented the Slinky after seeing a spring fall off a table, after the toy became a hit, he joined a cult and gave them a lot of his profits...But The Straight Dope tells it better:

 By the 1950s Richard was pretty flush. He and Betty lived with their growing family on a 12-acre estate near the suburb of Bryn Mawr on Philadelphia's affluent Main Line. But he wasn't content and at some point got religion. Previous accounts have been vague on how this came about, and Betty herself doesn't have a lot of specifics. She doesn't know what religious organization Richard got hooked up with, only that it was an evangelical Christian sect that she termed a cult. Richard began consorting with what Betty considered dubious characters, made sizable financial contributions, and testified at revival meetings. She attended one and found it mortifying.

I asked Betty what had gotten into her husband. She said Slinky sales were slumping in the mid-50s and that Richard, a charismatic man who had gotten used to being a big shot, liked the attention he got while confessing his sins.

Wondering what kind of sins we were talking about, I asked: "Did Richard have, ah, personal issues that led to his religious conversion?" Yes, Betty said. He'd been a philanderer. She'd found out about it, they'd had discussions of the sort that usually ensue, but she'd stayed with him for the sake of their six children.

Finally, in February 1960, Richard announced to Betty and their two eldest children that he was moving to Bolivia to work for his religious group. They could either sell the business or run it themselves; he was cutting all ties. By July he was gone. What exactly he did in Bolivia, Betty doesn't know, although there's no reason to think it was anything along the lines of Jim Jones in Guyana--more like a mission, from the sound of it. At one point she heard he was printing religious tracts.

To provide for her family, Betty decided to keep the Slinky business going, but it was on the verge of bankruptcy. Richard had diverted the company's resources to his religious interests and left millions of dollars in unpaid bills. Betty begged her creditors to be patient, and miraculously they all agreed. She wangled a TV advertising deal, moved the Slinky plant to her hometown of Hollidaysburg in central Pennsylvania, and slowly put the company back on its feet.

You have to love the persistence of Betty James!  Here are some of the classic Slinky commercials for you to enjoy this Friday.  Don't forget to check out the changes in the stairs that the slinkys walk down- the 70's version is particularly nice.

From the 60's:

From the 70's:

And the 80's (ohhhh colors! and plastic!):

Have a great weekend- I hope its fun for a girl and a boy!
--Laura McMullan

Breyerfest 2009 - A 20th Anniversary Celebration

As I have mentioned before, when I was a kid, my favorite toys were Breyer horses. My mom and dad loved to go to flea markets and auctions, so to occupy me, they cultivated my love of Breyers and we would look for them wherever we went. I was able to identify them by the mark on the hoof, and whenever I would find one (especially at a great price!) there was a sense of excitement and joy that no other toy could touch. I am sad today to say that we sold many of them (but for a good reason- the money went to pay the deposit on my first apartment when I graduated from college!) but I still have a couple stored away at my parents' home in Indiana.
This year marks the 20th birthday of BreyerFest. BreyerFest is just what it sounds like, a festival of all things Breyer. This year it is being held in Lexington Kentucky at the Kentucky Horse Park July 17th-19th. From the official website:

Blow up the balloons and bake the cake because it's time for a 20th birthday party like you've never seen before! Put your party hat on and get ready to celebrate as BreyerFest Birthday Bash commemorates BreyerFest's 20th annual model horse collector's festival and horse fair! With fun-filled festivities including equine entertainment and Breyer-inspired crafts and activities, BreyerFest offers a world of fun for anyone who loves horses. Meet the inspiration behind the newest Breyer portrait models including Kuchi, Sheik af Hallundbaek and Tommie Turvey's Pokerjoe! Take a break from autograph seeking and shop 'til you drop at the Trade Fair! Search for that vintage model you've always wanted at the Swap Meet or pick up a great piece of art at the Artisans' Gallery, both at the offsite mecca of BreyerFest, the Holiday Inn North. Visit the Craft & Activity Center to try your hand at free Stablemates® painting and don't forget to meet the animals in our exotic petting zoo! Treat yourself to camel and pony rides all weekend long.

Sounds like a blast for anyone who loves horses, and loves Breyer horses too!  If you are interested in attending this year, check out the Breyer website and the Breyerfest Blog.

--Laura McMullan

Toy Tips with Marianne Szymanski - Teaching Toys

Editor's Note: Marianne Szymanski is a leading expert in toy reviews, and the founder of the Toy Tips Research Institute.  She is the author of Toy Tips: A Parent's Essential Guide to Smart Toy Choices and also the editor of Toy Tips and Parenting Hints Magazine.

 Teaching Toys
Did you realize that  there are plenty of toys  that  can be used in the classroom as well as for home schooling? Whether used in small groups, as a full class or individually, teachers can use toys as teaching tools to reinforce an academic lesson. Depending on the subject matter, there are plenty of choices that work well for classroom use. Check with your local library to see if they offer toy-lending and if not, an investment into a few toys that can be used again and again are  ideal  for student learning.

 Homeschoolers are at an advantage because parents can mix in a child's own favorite playthings into an introductory  lesson and  then reinforce that skill again at playtime.  

For parents, monitor your child's current curriculum at home and through play, you can help your child practice and master a skill.  There are plenty of toys to help assist in  reading, math and science lessons. I've listed a few here but it's best to match your child's current school lessons thatare age and skill appropriate. Spend time  learning with  your kids and you'll feel that you are more involved with their daily school life.

Some Recommended Learning Toys:

• Guess Who? Board Game
• Crayola Beginnings: Washable Triangular Crayons
• LeapFrog Didj Custom Learning System
• Digitz
• Star Wars Clone Wars Voice Changing Helmet
• 4 Way Countdown Wooden Game
• How Tall Am I Game
• The Original Memory Game
• Think Fun Zingo
• Learning Resources Money Bags: A Coin Value Game
• Table Topics
• Hi Ho Cherry-O Game
• Fisher-Price Matchin' Middles Game
• Buzzword The Lively, Addictive, and Challenging Game
• Apples to Apples Kids
• LeapFrog Leapster2 Custom Learning System

--Marianne Szymanski

What’s Great About Tech Toys? -- Guest Blogger Wendy Smolen

Guest Blogger Wendy Smolen is co-founder of Sandbox Summit®.  She has been professionally evaluating toys for over 15 years. Her three children have literally gone from crib to college proving (or dis-proving!) her theories on play.

Lately, all the talk about retro toys has me pining for the days when new toys were…new. And I don’t just mean an online extension, or an anniversary edition or a new licensed character. I mean new like Wii-new. Or iPhone-new. Yes, even Furby-new. In essence, toys that give kids new ways to play.

As a co-founder of Sandbox Summit®, a series of conferences that explore how technology affects how kids play, I’m constantly looking at the convergence of toys and tech. Too often lights, sounds, and action are used in toys because…they can be. They don’t add play value -- they add sizzle. But as any parent who’s watched a toy languish in the toy box knows, if the play promise doesn’t deliver, the sizzle will fizzle. What works best in toys (with tech) is when the technology enhances rather than drives the play.  Think of it this way: there’s a version of Trivial Pursuit (okay, retro!) that lets players download categories from the Internet. The play pattern remains the same, but the game is really enhanced. Another game I just tested is for the Nintendo DS, called Treasure World by Aspyr Media, coming out in July. The twist in this game is that as kids move around with their DS, every WiFi connection they encounter opens up a new “treasure.” Although the game has several layers, lots of customization, and an on-line community, what really struck me was the idea of combining the real world (WiFi connections) with the virtual world. And finally, (drum roll, please) what’s really boggling my mind are two toys I recently played that use technology in innovative (but similar) ways. Uncle Milton’s Force Trainer and Mattel’s Mind Flex both use brain waves to move balls through mazes. Brain waves. You read that right. I don’t know how they work, but they do. Now that’s something new to think about.  -- Wendy Smolen

Monsters Vs. Aliens - We've Got Your Monsters! (and Aliens too)

This weekend is the launch of DreamWorks Animation's new movie Monsters Vs. Aliens.  Just like most kids' movies, there are a bunch of toy tie-ins.  Some of the highlights, at least for this toy editor, are the following:

The Missing Link Action Figure:

The Clone Robot Action Figure:

And everyone's favorite, (really, I've seen the movie and he just STEALS the show!) B.O.B.:

The B.O.B. toy comes with "slime food" that you can feed to B.O.B.  What kid wouldn't love that?

Also in our Monsters vs Alien's store, you will find books, posters, party supplies, and tons of other cool MvA stuff.

We were able to see a pre-screening of the movie a couple of weeks ago and it was really fantastic. If you are a fan of Stephen Colbert, Seth Rogen, or Will Arnett, you will love this movie- they are hilarious and fantastic for adults and kids.  I highly recommend it and my two little toy testers at home (ages 2 and 4) loved it as well.  Check it out this weekend and let us know what you think!
--Laura McMullan

Mega Bloks NEO Hydrax Energy Base - Tiny Toy Testers Review

Do you have a kid who loves Sci-fi and also loves to build things? Well, then NEO Shifters from Mega Bloks might be just the toy your kids are looking for.  Check out our Tiny Toy Testers video of the Mega Bloks NEO Hydrax Energy Base and then keep reading for the Amazon.com parents' review.

Mega Bloks NEO Hydrax Energy Base...

Rating System: On a five star scale, one being horrible, five being wonderful.

Assembly: 3.5 stars, "It took about 35 minutes to set up. There were lots of small parts that seemed could have been installed ahead of time or modeled right into the toy to speed up assembly. The directions where not great but not the worst either."

Fun Factor: 3 stars, "The boys were excited once it was assembled and it started doing all kinds of spinning and flashing. They tended to flight the little guys in the space ships around the base and make the lights flash. Getting the balls to go down the ramp you had to push them and they were not too much into doing that. I only had to help with figuring out how to get the balls to go down the ramp."

Educational Factor: 0 Stars, "No educational value. It's just a bunch of spinning lights and noise."

--Laura McMullan

 

Last Weekend to Enter to Win the ToyWhimsy Email Digest Sweepstakes

You have until the 23rd to sign up to win a LeapFrog Tag Reading System, Leapster2 (pictured over there at the left), and Elmo Live.  You could win three of the hottest toys on the market right now!   No purchase necessary, just sign up here to receive the email digest from Toy Whimsy and you'll be entered to win. 
--Laura McMullan