Toys for children and teens

Toys for children and teens

the Review Source

k'nex
www.knex.com

Micro-Bots
Ages 7+

Favorite Features -

we reviewed:

Scooter - 123 pieces

Hopper - 118 pieces

Speedy - 120 pieces

Crawler - 122 pieces

includes motors to make these creatures really move

combine sets to build even larger microbots

illustrated step by step directions

encourages imagination, creativity, thinking skills/problem solving, following directions and learning about motors and bots

    Boys will love building and playing with these micro-bots . . . most dads will also enjoy these sets providing for some excellent dad and son time together as they build their "bots"! Creative, interesting and fun these are great gifts for boys! Tremendously well done!

Light-Up Ferris Wheel
Ages 9+

Favorite Features -

543 pieces

illustrated step by step directions

bonus instructions on line to build the Comet Chaser amusement park ride

LED light bar with unique light patterns add to the fun

includes a motor to make the Ferris wheel go around

finished project is 2 feet tall

encourages creativity, imagination, following directions, early engineering skills, thinking/problem solving skills, sense of accomplishment and fun

    This is a great project for elementary and older aged brothers to work on together and with their dad! Not only will boys build a Ferris Wheel, but they will build memories that will last a lifetime as well! Extremely well done!

Sonic Blizzard Coaster
Ages 9+

Favorite Features -

includes 1138 pieces

illustrated step by step directions

bonus instructions on line to build the Avalanche Dueling Coaster

includes speakers, motor and two cars with lights

finished size is 3.5 feet tall!

encourages creativity, imagination, following directions, early engineering skills, thinking/problem solving skills, sense of accomplishment and fun

    This k'nex set is one that will take time and attention to complete, but will certainly leave any child with a sense of accomplishment on having done so! Excellent project for brothers and their dad to work on together . . . as they build the coaster they will most certainly build memories to last a lifetime! Amazing set is most definitely tremendously well done!

LEGO
www.lego.com

Toy Story
Buzz Lightyear
Construct-a-Buzz
Ages 7-14

Favorite Features -

205 pieces

wings are multi-positional

helmet opens

illustrated step by step directions

encourages following directions, hand/eye coordination, fine motor skills, imagination creativity, fun and a sense of accomplishment

    With the release of Toy Story 3 this Buzz will be a hit with any child who receives him! Fun to build and fun to play with - Extremely well done!

Mattel
www.mattel.com

HotWheels R/C Stealth Rides
Ages 8+

Favorite Features -

folding hotwheels R/C - small enough to fit in a pocket

case is a full-function R/C controller

car moves in all directions

includes batteries plus three extras!

2 channel remote allows children to race with a friend!

encourages hand-eye coordination, interactive play and fun!

    R/C's are getting smaller this year and while this set from HotWheels may be small it definitely is big on fun and function! Boys will love these portable R/C's and have great fun racing them with friends! Extremely well done!

WowWee
www.wowwee.com

Paper Jamz
Ages - 8+

Favorite Features -

available with Guitars, Drums and AMPs - we reviewed one of each

guitars are available in six different designs - each guitar features three pre-programmed licensed hits, four play modes - perfect play (play one of the three hits), rhythm (play the rhythm for a song), freestyle (play cords and make your own songs) and karaoke (play along with the three songs) - unique "Active Graphics Technology" allows you to play by simply touching the surface, built-in speaker, line-out jack, volume control

drums are available in six different designs - match each of the guitars - each drum features three pre-programmed licensed hits (match corresponding guitar), have four play modes like the guitars and all the other features as the guitars have

AMPs work with both the guitars and drums as well as anything that has a headphones jack

fun graphics and styling on guitars and drums

unique "circuit-embedded paper" makes these unique guitars and drums possible

encourages creativity, imagination, interacting with others, working cooperatively, music skills and performing . . . not to mention fun!

    Definitely unique, Paper Jamz are easy to play and will certainly get kids up and moving! Since they are made from paper and plastic, they are affordable, lightweight and easy to bring along most anywhere for fun with a group of friends. Kids are sure to like the different styles and the pre-programmed songs are familiar and fun! I've never seen anything before like Paper Jamz, but expect them to catch on with kids everywhere! Extremely well done!

Spin Master/Air Hogs RC
www.airhogs.com

Hawk Eye
Ages 12+

Favorite Features -

first ever indoor video camera helicopter to record in full color

records up to five minutes of film or takes hundreds of photos while flying in your house

includes USB cable to download film/photos directly into your computer

includes free access to a unique video editing program

charges through the computer instead of using batteries!

encourages hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, imagination, creativity and fun

    It takes a little bit to get the "hang" of how to take off and maneuver with this helicopter, but once you do you will find it is easy to fly and sure to provide some interesting video/photos! The Hawk Eye is a unique R/C with unique features - older elementary kids, teens and adults will all find it fun! Tremendously well done!

Moto Frenzy
Ages - 8+

Favorite Features -

poseable rider does extreme stunts

full function motorcycle - it can even "pop" "wheelies"

rechargeable battery

multiple channels for head to head racing

encourages hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, interactive play and fun

    The Moto Frenzy is the smallest Micro R/C ever made with a built in rear-gyro stabilizing fly wheel. Kid will love this R/C that allows them to carve the sharpest turns while navigating the tightest course and yet always keep upright. Spin Master/Air Hogs has been designing R/C's for years - they do not disappoint with this one! Tremendously well done!

Innovation First Labs
HEXBUG
www.hexbug.com

nano Starter Set
Ages 3+ - according to the package,
but I think it is better suited for 7+

Favorite Features -

set includes three easy connect pieces for the habitat and one HEXBUG nano specimen

pieces do connect and disconnect easily

encourages imagination, hand-eye coordination, thinking, planning and interactive play . . . plus a lot of fun!

    I loved the nano last year and am thrilled to see the return of the nano with it's own "habitat" this year! Kids and teens and even adults of all ages will find the nano irresistible . . . collect parts to build a big habitat or use boxes, blocks, whatever you can find to build your own mazes and then race your nanos! Affordable and fun the nanos make a tremendous gift for almost anyone on your list! I love the look of the new "mutated" nano! Tremendously well done!

curious chef
www.curiouschef.com

Holiday Cookie Kit
Ages 5+

Favorite Features -

kit includes 26 pieces - cookie turner, non-stick rolling pin, six piece measuring spoon set, six piece measuring cup set, four cookie cutters - angel, star, tree and gingerbread man - four hats and four aprons

soft touch grips on ergonomic handles

made with durable food-friendly material

dishwasher safe

hats can be colored

includes a cookie recipe on the back of the box

encourages creativity, math/measuring, interacting, learning a new skill

    Children love to help cook in the kitchen and this kit provides all the necessary components to get your kids busy baking cookies! I love how this kit encourages children to learn to cook and involves parents/grandparents in spending time with the child as they bake together! Consider giving this to the children on your list early and then help them make cookies to give to others as gifts this Christmas! Tremendously well done!

Hasbro
www.hasbro.com

Littlest Pet Shop
Rescue Tails Center
Ages 4+

Favorite Features -

includes one pet - a Dalmatian - playset that folds up to store everything, an x-ray ambulance and accessories

encourages imaginative play, role-playing, interactive play and fun

    Little girls love playsets and animals so this one is sure to delight! With a swinging basket and a variety of "cubbyholes" providing lots of places to play with their Littlest Pet Shop pets, any little girl will be happy to receive this set. Extremely well done!

Infinitoy/ZOOB
www.infinitoy.com

ZOOBDude
DUDEMAKER
Ages 6+

Favorite Features -

set includes 68 ZOOB pieces, 3 backpacks with attached ZOOB pieces and working accessories (fire hose, grappling hook, and parachute), 4 wheels, 4 ZOOBDude heads, 4 pose-able ZOOBDude helmets, and 5 instruction guides along with directions to build seven Dudes

encourages thinking, find motor skills, hand-eye coordination, imagination, creativity and fun

ZOOBCube 90
Ages 6+

Favorite Features -

set includes 90 colorful ZOOB pieces, five 5/8" thick tiles, and 5 instruction guides to help you build 34 creations

encourages thinking, find motor skills, hand-eye coordination, imagination, creativity and fun

foam tiles combine to provide built-in storage for ZOOB pieces - parents will appreciate this!

five unique pieces combine to provide opportunity for children to create an unlimited number of things they can then play with

ZOOBMobile
Car Designer Kit
Ages 6+

Favorite Features -

set includes 76 ZOOB pieces, 12 wheels with notched rubber tires, and three guides with instructions for 12 models

enough ZOOB pieces included to build three cars at once

encourages thinking, find motor skills, hand-eye coordination, imagination, creativity and fun

    Smaller ZOOB pieces encourage creativity and imagination as children are able to play with the things they create. All ZOOB pieces work together so you can combine kits - the more pieces a child has the more things they can create and play with! Once a child figures out how the pieces work together they can use their imagination to build an unlimited number of things - great fun for the family to build and play with together! Unique and fun ZOOB makes a great gift! Tremendously well done!

Mega Bloks
www.megabloks.com

Dragons Universe
Ultimate Action
Dragon Destroyer
Ages 6+

Favorite Features -

includes 215 pieces and makes two dragons, one ship and three men, full color step by step directions

removable dragon blaster

electronic battle sounds add to the fun

encourages hand/eye coordination, fine motor skills, imagination, interactive play and fun

Children will have great fun building and playing with this set! Creatively designed with special features like sounds and the removable dragon blaster ensure children will be able to have hours and hours of fun playing with the things they build! Extremely well done!

Christmas 2010

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Copyright © Lynda Freeman

Last Updated Oct. 31, 2010

Web Page by Lynda Freeman

Send an e-mail to Lynda at LyndaFreeman@thereviewsource.net

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