Archive for the ‘Creative Toys’ Category

Magna-Tiles Review

Monday, December 19th, 2011

Recommended for children 3 and older, Magna-Tiles has turned out to be the surprise best selling toy of the 2011 holiday season. An interactive building toy, Magna-Tiles consists of magnetized tiles that can be put together in many combinations. This toy set is fantastic for small children in that it helps them to develop their logic and problem-solving skills. Math and creativity are also developed. Spatial development is the most exciting skill offered by this toy, as children will learn to create, then break down and re-create objects that are 2d and 3d.

The tiles included come in a plethora of sizes of triangles and squares, to allow for true logical learning and creativity. Each piece is unbreakable, so the set is safe for smaller children.

The set is available in clear or solid colors, to allow for the mixing of the two types to create buildings with clear windows. For smaller children, just one set should be fine. For older children, the addition of different sets would allow for expanded creativity and development.

Our testers noted that the tiles can be used to create building and playhouses for many other types of toys, such as dolls, action figures, even car sets. Some parents were ecstatic that their children were able to learn about geometric patterns and shapes so early in their childhood. From squares and triangles to trapezoids, the toy can be used to introduce children to math and geometry. Cubes, pyramids, buildings, homes, towers, these are just some of the possible items that children can build.

While the toys can be expensive, they are worth the expense, as most parents say Magna-Tiles are the toy that children will play with every day, as the possibilities for building and re-building are endless, as are the educational advantages.

Verdict — This is the toy of the year, a  highly educational toy that kids don’t know or care is educational. A worthwhile investment for any child’s development and future.

Click here for more reviews and compare prices of Magna-Tiles

Mattel Mindflex Review

Friday, November 12th, 2010


I am absolutely dreading the upcoming holiday season because I already know what I am in store for. I have a couple of kids who already have a wish list made that is about a mile long. If they believe for a second I’m going to purchase them the same mindless electronics I have in the past they are absolutely mistaken. I have come across a game that I feel will help to expand their mind, while at the same time having fun. I came across the Mattel Mindflex Game, which I had my doubts about, but I was able to look into it in order to see would it be suitable for my children. Here is what I was able to discover.

The Mattel Mindflex Game requires my children to think.

The last thing I needed was another game that would enable my kids to be mindless. I wanted something they could enjoy, but at the same time would be able to use to expand their mind. This particular game enables them to think. This game combines advanced technology with the power of thought. It is able to use a very powerful assortment of physical and mental coordination in order to help the user guide a ball through a customizable obstacle course.

The Mattel Mindflex Game would enhance my children’s minds as well.

Not only would my children be able to use a combination of physical and mental coordination in order to move a ball through a customizable obstacle course, but they would also be able to measure their brainwave activity. This is a good thing, because this way they will be able to see and I will be able to see just how strongly they are able to concentrate. Seeing as how the object of this game is to navigate a ball through a mind challenging obstacle course as fast as possible, this skill will grow over time. And I am almost certain this ability to think and concentrate will spill over into other components of their life.

I honestly feel like any parent who feels their child could use a little bit of mind exercise or any parent who is tired of the same mindless technology that is dumbing down our children should definitely look into the Mattel Mindflex Game. Here is a game that has come along which will enable them to actually use their mind, and grow their ability to concentrate and focus. It is definitely something I won’t mind them spending a lot of time on. My only fear is that the game has the ability to become addictive, but I prefer my children be addicted to a game like this rather than some online game or playing on the cell phone all day.

Click here to find out more about it!

Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel Review

Monday, August 23rd, 2010
The Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel is a creative toy for children ages 3 and higher. The set includes everything a child could need in order to get started creating their own artwork. Set includes an easel, which we noted was of good quality and surprisingly durable. Also includes a dry erase board, chalk board, paper holder, paper cutter (child-safe), a set of clips plus a tray to hold art supplies. Note that art supplies do not come with this set, but there is a companion set of art supplies made specifically for this set available.
Bottom line, if you are interested in fostering your child’s creativity, and simple crayons and coloring books aren’t enough, this is a fantastic buy.
This easel will bring out the artist in any child and, at the very least, will be wonderful for keeping any child occupied. The set can stand in a corner of your child’s room permanently or can fold easily for storage under a bed or in a closet. It’s also easy to clean, just wipe with a damp sponge.
The Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel is very adjustable for different heights, so this set can grow with your child. Since it is sturdy, made of solid wood, unlike other cheap or plastic easels, it will last and be a good investment in the creativity and imagination of your child. Don’t forget to get plenty of the companion paper rolls that are available as well. Don’t be too surprised when your refrigerator fills up with the artwork they give you!

Lego Ultimate Building Set Review

Sunday, August 8th, 2010

We all had Lego’s as children, these are the classic sets of building blocks, with the rather sharp edges. Who hasn’t stepped on a Lego in the middle of the night and experienced searing pain in their foot?

Well, regardless of how annoying they are to step on, Lego’s remain one of those surefire toys that will give children, or anyone of any age for that matter, a way to be creative and build to their heart’s content. Lego’s are especially great for bringing out creativity in a child. They are easy to put together and take apart, and surprisingly easy to clean up, as every set comes with a box or container to place them in.

This particular set, called the Lego Ultimate Building Set contains 405 pieces, enough to build a small house, car and other little accessories. This set comes with extras, specifically for building a house, buildings or vehicles, including wheels, windows, doors, a figurine and a building plate for everything to stand on.

Overall, the Lego Ultimate Building Set is a good value for what you get. If the set is for one child, this is perfect. However, if there are two or more children who would be playing with it, you may want to get a couple sets or different set that can add-on to this one. Kids from 5-8 will especially enjoy this set. It may be just the thing to get their creativity off to a good start.

Alex Toys My Giant Busy Box

Friday, June 11th, 2010

If you are looking for something that will keep your little ones busy on a rainy day then the Alex toys my giant busy box will be the perfect gift for your child. The recommended age for this product is 24 months to five years of age, although I can see children playing with this all the way up to 7-8 years old. This giant box contains up to 16 different craft activities that will keep little hands and minds occupied for hours. Here are some of the activities you will find in the box:

There are ten different colors of play dough that your child or group of children can use to make dough animals, or in fact they could make anything their heart desires. They can use their (more…)