Category Archives: Toys

My Meebas – a handheld game for 8+ girls

Toys

Mymeebas
This is a toy I would have loved to have had as a kid. My Meebas is a handheld game with cute little 'meeba's' that swim around on the screen, make cute sounds, and lead players on adventures (games).  The 20+ games take the player through 7 levels of evolution and when all levels are accomplished the tube opens and the player is presented with a pleasant plush surprise.

I wish the price was a bit lower and that the screen was full color, but for a toy that will occupy players for days it's worth it!  My Meebas are currently available in four tube colors. The handheld game tube has a sliding LCD screen with
three game play buttons that allow the player to see “inside” the game tube
and follow the progression of My Meebas™. The player helps it “grow” by
playing various games and activities. What's inside is a surprise making the game addictive until the tube pops open.

Available at Amazon.com: My Meebas

Cost: Approx. $22

Matchbox Pop Up 360° Haunted House Adventure Set

Holiday, Toys

Matchboxhalloweenhouse_2
I have a hard time getting inspired to decorate for Halloween.  Getting costumes is enough.  In fact, Sebastian has worn the same costume for two or three years.. we just switch it up a little every year.

Lucky for the kids, inspiration came in the form of a Matchbox Pop Up 360° Haunted House Adventure Set this year. Watching them play with this toy helped me get motivated to do something different for Halloween this year.  Different = actually get involved in Halloween activities and show some Halloween spirit.  For example, Sebastian helped unload the local pumpkin patch’s delivery truck and I have put together what I think is going to be a super cute costume for Madelyn… before the day before Halloween!

The spooky sounds, moving parts, and characters including a ghost, knight, and a skeleton make the Matchbox Haunted House set fun to play with a lot and it folds up so the kids can toss it in the car and take it to Grandmother’s house to play with there.   I love the trap doors, and the ghost.  I put the ghost on my finger and Madelyn cracks up.  She’s easily amused.. sometimes.  The accessories fit nicely inside the house so they won’t get lost and the house has a carry handle for easy transportation.

Available at Amazon.com here: MATCHBOX Pop Up 360° Haunted House Adventure Set

Cost: Around $34

K’NEX Sesame Street building sets for ages 2-5

Age 3-5, Educational Toys, Toys

KnexsesameoscarSesame Street, on television since November 10, 1969 is the longest running children’s program on American television and is a childhood staple.  K’NEX Sesame Street building sets give our children a fun way to interact with their favorite Sesame Street characters.  These new character building sets come complete with K’NEX rods, connectors and blocks that can be snapped together.  Beyond the standard K’NEX building pieces, each Sesame Street K’NEX character has its own unique pieces like Oscar’s pet worm and funny eyes.  Each Sesame Streen K’NEX building set includes additional building ideas.

When I saw that the Sesame Street K’NEX building sets are for ages 2-5, I was thrilled because there aren’t many building toys that Madelyn, my two year old daughter, can actually build.  With most building sets the pieces are too small or too difficult for a two year old to snap together but these K’NEX pieces are large enough for Madelyn to hold onto while she snaps the pieces together.

As a mom, one of the things I appreciate most about the K’NEX Sesame Street building sets is that they are self contained.  The Oscar the Grouch pieces, for example, are stored in a garbage can container.

Other characters include Ernie, Cookie Monster, Grover, and Abby Cadabby.  Pieces from different sets can be combined to make some very silly characters!

Price: $10.00 & up

Available at: Amazon.com

Morgan’s Mine Adventure Playset

Age 3-5, Toys

Thomasmine
Most of the child population likes Thomas the Tank Engine.  Now kids can relive the adventures of the brand-new Thomas
and "The Great Discovery" DVD story with Morgan’s Mine Adventure Playset which is great for toddlers 3+.

The 35-piece Take Along playset is packed with fun sounds, lights, and obstacles and keeps Madelyn’s attention.  She loves setting Thomas at the top of the track, pushing the button and watching Thomas go down the track really fast and I love the cardboard walls that keep the vehicles from  falling off the track.  I  get really frustrated with trains that go right off the track as soon as they go a little fast but these don’t.  She does this over and over again.  There is a little button at the top of the track that she pushes to release the train onto the track and after that it is all action!

The tracks are easy to put together and take apart and the set is portable making it great for taking to Grandmother’s house and for cleaning up quickly.  There is even a storage area where the vehicles can be stored.  The vehicles feature durable die-cast construction and magnet connectors.

Watch this video as Madelyn, two years old, plays with Morgan’s Mine Adventure Playset. It may sound like I am yelling at the beginning so you might want to be sure your computer’s volume is not too loud.  I was trying to talk over the playset’s sounds and Madelyn’s excitement.


Price: $39.99

Available at: Learning Curve

Elmo Live is available for pre-order (I highly recommend) and hits shelves October 14th!

Age 1-3, Age 3-5, Toys

Elmolivepreorder
Before you read any further, take note that Elmo Live is available for pre-order at Wal-Mart.com, Amazon.com, and eToys.com. Prices for Elmo Live start at $59 at Wal-Mart and go well over $100 on Amazon.  Prices vary because some people have pre-ordered Elmo Live knowing that stores are probably going to run out and they will get a lot of money re-selling the toy themselves.

Elmo Live will be on store shelves October 14th. I highly recommend pre-ordering.  You can use the links above to buy Elmo Live online.

Chris Byrne, aka The Toy Guy®, calls Elmo Live an industry changing toy. “Elmo Live delivers a rich play experience that is engaging and interactive. It’s as close to being with Elmo in the fur as any toy has ever been,” he says. “We anticipate that this will be sold out very early in the season, so taking advantage of this pre-sale opportunity will be a key strategy for anyone who wants to score one of these toys.”

Continue reading Elmo Live is available for pre-order (I highly recommend) and hits shelves October 14th! →