Category Archives: Toys

Bratz – Spring Activities from Dancing to Swimming

March 16, 2009Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Ages 10-13, Toysbratz, bratz dolls, bratz mermaid, bratz products, bratz review, bratz toys, bratz website, dollsAlicia

Madelyn is a little young to play with Bratz but believe me, she would if she could. Bratz dolls are vibrant, stylish, and come with lots of accessories to occupy and entertain little girls for hours.
Bratz's new spring line is made up of Bratz expressing their individual style and interests from sports themes to team activities giving girls the opportunity to express their own interests through their favorite Bratz dolls.

The new Bratz Dance Crewz line has Yasmin™, Cloe™,
Jade™ and Sasha™ showing off their individual style as they bring their
talents to the dance stage. The Bratz World® line expands
this season with additions to each doll’s house, and the introduction
of Cloe’s mom, Polita. If I remember right, my sister and I used to fight over who was the mom when we played dolls. If you're reading, correct me if I'm wrong! There is even a
Swimmin’ Mermaid whose tail changes color when she swims in water.

Go to the Bratz website to see all of the products, watch Bratz TV, and listen to Bratz tunes. Check out these and other Bratz on the Bratz page on the Toys R' Us website.

Pilloroo – a pillow for kids with a surprise inside!

February 3, 2009Age 3-5, Bedtime, Toysbaby pillow, kids pillow, pilloroo, pillowAlicia

The Pilloroo is a gift givers (and recipients) dream!
Pilloroo is a 14" pillow with a zippered pocket that opens to reveal a coordinating surprise.

Madelyn got a Pilloroo for Christmas and now has 3 comfort blankets and a Pilloroo. I have to stop the growth of her comfort clan soon or it's going to get out of control!

Perfect for long car rides, the Pilloroo is an all-in-one comfort item, and toy.. and in our case, a snack carrier too! When we are going to scouts or going to be in the car for a while, I pack a snack bag and stick it in the Pilloroo pouch for Madelyn to find. I love the surprised look on her face when there's something new or different in the Pilloroo pocket. Now, if I would find a million dollars in there, I would be thrilled.

Each pillow comes with a stuffed animal that lives in the pillow’s
secret pouch. Pilloroo pillows make great gifts and with about 20 designs to choose from, you'll find one for every child you love.

U.B. Funkeys

January 16, 2009Age 7-10, New posts, ToysfunkeysAlicia

U.B. Funkeys are colorful, unique collectible figures that I predict are going to be around and growing in numbers for a long time. Funkeys provide access to Terrapinia – a virtual world and home to the Funkeys via USB connected to your PC. Each Funkey has its own characteristics and can access different features on the website. There are 14 species of Funkeys and 42 Funkeys available as of this review.

My 9 year old son likes Funkeys’ games and the interactivity of the website. As a mother though, I appreciate the fact that he is challenged by some of the games and that he is motivated to get more coins.

5 steps to getting started with U.B. Funkeys:

1. Purchase a Funkeys starter kit
2. Install the included software
3. Plug the base into your computer via the USB
4. Register on the U.B. Funkeys website
5. Enjoy exploring the virtual world of Funkeys

Go to the U.B. Funkeys How it Works page to learn more. I recommend checking Funkey prices in Amazon.com’s U.B. Funkeys section before running out to your local toy store. Continue reading U.B. Funkeys →

UB Funkeys

January 15, 2009Age 5-7, Games, Toyscomputer connected toy, funkeys, Radica, U.B. Funkeys, USB toyAlicia

U.B. Funkeys are colorful, unique collectible figures that I predict are going to be around and growing in numbers for a long time. Funkeys provide access to Terrapinia – a virtual world and home to the Funkeys via USB connected to your PC. Each
Funkey has its own characteristics and can access different features on
the website. There are 14 species of Funkeys and 42 Funkeys available as of this review.

My 9 year old son likes Funkeys' games and the interactivity of the website. As a mother though, I appreciate the fact that he is challenged by some of the games and that he is motivated to get more coins.

5 steps to getting started with U.B. Funkeys:

Purchase a Funkeys starter kit
Install the included software
Plug the base into your computer via the USB
Register on the U.B. Funkeys website
Enjoy exploring the virtual world of Funkeys

Go to the U.B. Funkeys How it Works page to learn more. I recommend checking Funkey prices in Amazon.com's U.B. Funkeys section before running out to your local toy store.

Continue reading UB Funkeys →

Toy review: Balancing Coral toy from Plan Toys

December 19, 2008Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Educational Toys, Games, Toys, Wooden Toyscognitive, development games, fine motor skills, plan toys, toddlerAlicia

Plan Toys makes some of the nicest looking and well made wooden toys I've seen.

Made of earth-friendly and replenishable rubber wood, Balancing Coral, is a game for up to 4 players ages 3 and up. The idea is to take turns putting pieces of coral on the coral base and see who makes the coral topple by not keeping the coral balanced. Madelyn works very hard at putting a few pieces on but manages to topple the coral within a few tries. That is to be expected though as she is only 2.

Balancing Coral is great game for young kids as it will help develop good cognitive and fine motor skills. I always supervise Madelyn when playing Balancing Coral because the pieces could potentially be a chocking hazard for children 3 and under. Madelyn stays too busy putting the coral on to try to put the pieces on her mouth.

GIVEAWAY!
We have a Plan City Fire Station
to giveaway to a lucky reader! Go to Plan Toys website and tell me in the comment box below what you think makes Plan Toys stand out and tell me what other product (1 only) you would love to have of theirs and why. You just might get it too!