Aquaplay Aqualand - Tiny Toy Testers Review
Summer play has always been my favorite, and I'm always looking for new ways for my kids to enjoy nature and the great outdoors. When I saw the Aquaplay, I knew it would be something my kids would love to play with in the summer months. Check out this really fun, different kind of water play in the video below and then keep reading for the Amazon.com parents' review:
Parents' Review: 5 Stars for Wonderful, 1 Star for Terrible:
Assembly: 4 stars, I couldn't find the directions as they were rolled up in the stickers, but it didn't pose much of a problem. Just by looking at the picture on the box, I was able to piece the toy together. It was very sturdy, and watertight once together, and it snapped together well, and easily. I love that this set is expandable, as are all of the Aquaplay sets. If I were to buy a couple more straight pieces and the red connectors, we could probably re-create Amsterdam on our back deck. They also have sets that have locks, some that have more bridges, and even one that has a waterfall. Folding the set back up, and keeping all the pieces inside was also very easy, and promotes easy storage.
Fun Factor: 5 stars, As you can see in the video, both my kids, age 5 and age 3, had a great time playing with the set. They used super hero toys, Playmobil people, and Polly Pockets to ride in the cars and the boats that came with the set. The included cranes, bridges and gates really added to the set and made it a robust activity. In the summer this can be used outside as a water toy, and in the winter it can easily be used as a set for cars- those that came with the set and also Hotwheels and the like.
Educational Factor: 3 stars, While not a true educational toy, experiential toys- like water tables, are great ways for kids to learn about the world around them. The smooth sailing of the boats around the set fascinated my kids, and with the bigger sets, I could see us having a great discussion about how locks work and how ships move in and out of bodies of water. (especially here in Seattle where we have the great Hiram M. Chittam locks to see in action!).
Novelty Factor: 5 stars, You aren't going to find anything else out there like Aquaplay. Made in Sweden, this very high quality toy is not like your ordinary water table. It is much more robust in its play pattern and also the expandability of the sets. You can add on locks, waterfalls, ferry stations, and more to your set, or build your own with the various pieces. I also really like that the Aqualand set that we tested can be folded and stored easily with all the parts kept inside the small suitcase sized set.
Overall Rating: 4 stars, This is a well-built toy that can grow and expand with your child. It has many ways to play, and it easily stores in it's own container. Highly recommended toy.
Editor's Note: Amazon provides our toy testing families with free samples of toys that have been provided by our vendors. Amazon does not influence the opinions of our toy testers or their parents.
--Laura M.
Toys For Kids on May 21, 2010 at 12:22 AM
This toy is definitely fun, and my daughter would love it, too. It might not be what we typically consider an educational toy, but I think you can make it quite educational if you play together with your kids. Just a few ideas:
Building and setting the set up in a different way each time can teach a lot about construction. You can also practice colors or shapes when you innocently ask for "the yellow bridge".
Great fun could certainly be making a race with the boats, following a preassigned course. You can design the course together with your kids, that should make it more fun and easier for them. That way, you can make a great memory game (remember the course) and at the same time practice space concepts (left, right, under etc.).
You can even use Aqualand for imagination and speech skills. Start inventing a story and let your kids finish it by playing it. Or play a story together with them. By interacting and asking questions, you can make them imagine even more.
designer girls shoes on October 19, 2010 at 12:42 AM
These are without a doubt some of the recreational ones that would indeed prove to be a very good one to have the best of the results, as these are often said to be quite essential to develop a better thinking capacity in the children. Though, they are playing they are thinking about the different ways to make it possible and this will be quite useful in the long run.
DSTT on January 23, 2011 at 08:39 PM
These are without a doubt some of the recreational ones that would indeed prove to be a very good one to have the best of the results.You can even use Aqualand for imagination and speech skills.Start inventing a story and let your kids finish it by playing it.Or play a story together with them.
R4i SDHC on April 13, 2011 at 05:30 AM
Considering the new R4i SDHC, it is noted that the its loading time is pretty quick and is compatible with both DS lite and DS. Similarly down the line is new DSTT. This is probably less efficient than the R4i SDHC version. Also the latest kernel that updated to V1.12b, the recent R4i SDHC supports the new DS console-Nintendo DS LL.
screen protector film for Nintendo 3DS on May 17, 2011 at 12:33 AM
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Coach Outlet Store on July 08, 2011 at 11:27 PM
This article explains how to create and save an xml file, and then how to bind it to a treeview, but I think it falls far short of what the title promises.
china wholesale on November 27, 2011 at 05:48 PM
This toy is definitely fun, and my daughter would love it, too. It might not be what we typically consider an educational toy, but I think you can make it quite educational if you play together with your kids. Just a few ideas:
Building and setting the set up in a different way each time can teach a lot about construction. You can also practice colors or shapes when you innocently ask for "the yellow bridge".
Great fun could certainly be making a race with the boats, following a preassigned course. You can design the course together with your kids, that should make it more fun and easier for them. That way, you can make a great memory game (remember the course) and at the same time practice space concepts (left, right, under etc.).
sexy clothes on December 22, 2011 at 12:08 AM
This article explains how to create and save an xml file, and then how to bind it to a treeview, but I think it falls far short of what the title promises.