Artisto by Keter - for Toys R Us

When this box arrived at our house we were all very sceptical.  The outside displayed young children at a plastic table having lots of fun but we were not so sure.  As we opened the box in the garden our doubts soon began to heighten.  The box which was very small contained LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of pieces, "Oh my god, how did so much fit into such a small box?" Worse still was the FEAR OF TERROR running through my mind of Oh no HOW LONG IS THIS GOING TO TAKE ME TO PUT TOGETHER! 

Ok the Hickmotts were ready for the challenge - well at least Mum was - and was determined NOT to be defeated. Suprisingly the challenge was not very difficult at all - in fact it was incredibly easy with the help of the two toyologists within 15 yes I did say 15 minutes the whole thing had been put together.  The girls had not lost interest and were soon keen to add the stickers over the areas which contained screws - which I may add were only a few and that was it.

Well not quite - marker pens. We searched high and low - felt tip pens did not do the trick they had to be MARKER PENS so a quick journey to the shop and back we were playing non-stop games, drawing, attaching images with the study clip (see below) and letters to trace and also using the bench and table for lunch.

So what is not so good about this - well it was definitely a bit of a squash and squeeze for Bailey (7) and the actual space on top is limiting for paper etc.  The screen is also quite a reach if you are sitting down, but a quick stretch up onto their feet and the girls were fine.  Also a word of caution, it does take up alot of space - and it has been in our garden since it was built.

Price is £79.99 which some may argue is a hefty price for a piece of plastic - but then again it is for two so great if you have twins for instance.

Overall:-
As a former primary school teacher - making learning fun is key and the idea of using the clear screen is a great concept instead of pen to paper - Savana in particular loved practicing her letters and had no worries about making a mistake, as one quick wipe and she could have another go.

The mini toyologists and mum love this table.  It is very sturdy, and wipes down INCLUDING the screen after being left out overnight in the garden (or in our case since it was built) very easily.

Check out our video to see how we got on with it:-

This is probably one of our favourite toys received so far this year and we all give it 5 out of 5 - thanks Toysrus!

Connect 4 Launchers

A new take on the classic Connect 4

CONTENTS

• 21 Red Counters
• 21 Yellow Counters
• 4 Pillar Pieces
• 2 Trays
• 1 Red and 1 Yellow Counter Launcher

Setting this game up was very quick much to the delight of the mini toyologists. It is very sturdy and brightly designed.

It takes a little while to get used to learning how to launch the counters and ironically Savana (age 4) did this quicker than her sister Bailey (age 7).

check the video clip

Once you master the art of launching at two different levels - you can start to learn about the different game suggestions on offer:-

a) Basic Frantic Launch - the winner is the first to get 4-in-a-row
b) Championship Frantic Launch - first to score 5 wins
c) Advanced Power Launch - first to score at least 3 points

and a great added feature TEAM PLAY

Connect 4 Launchers is certainly a game for all ages - the box does say 5+ but Savana loved it. It certainly caters for both children and adults with great adaptions and we will be taking it along to our Center Parcs holiday in a couple of weeks time to test it out with the rest of the family.

So what do we score this game?

Bailey 4
Savana 4
Mum 4
Dad 4

WOW think that is unanimous and ironically Hasbro the Hickmott Family give Connect 4 Launchers a score of 4

Silver Cross Deluxe Pram

Savana was delighted to be sent this year's model from Silver Cross - as she has continuously played with last years model.  The toyologists decided to road test the two to see which pram performed the best.

Check out the video to see how they got on:-

CONCLUSIONS

• This year's model is bigger
• Has a suspense mechanism which made it easier to move
• More room to place the bag underneath
• Plastic Cover - to make it feel even more realistic and enables the child to go out and play EVEN WHEN IT RAINS
• The Umbrella - although it looks good, both of the toyologists felt that it got in the way and prefer to not have it on the pram
• The stereotypical Pink would probaby annoy some people as an adult I found last year's model in blue refreshing however, from a marketing perspective as Bailey pointed out it definitely captures LITTLE GIRLS who still love to have all things PINK
• £69.99 the price for this is expensive and not something we would normally pay however, if you are looking for  main xmas present then it would definitely be worth considering.  Also due to it being alot bigger than last year's model you could see it as a long term investment as it would last Savana alot longer as she could grow into it and also enables her 7 year old sister to play with it.

Savana (age 4) scored 4 out of 5
Bailey (age 7)

This game - may tip you over the edge!

TIPOVER

This new mind challenging game takes 3-dimensional brainteasers to a whole new level. 40 Beginner-to-Expert challenges show you how to set up the grid with crates of different heights and your Tipper (red figure) assists you in the tipping. All you need to do is figure out the correct tipping sequence to reach your goal! It is recommened from Ages 8 to adult however toyologist Bailey (age 6) LOVED THIS GAME!

What does the box contain?

·         40 Challenge cards ·         Game Grid ·         Tipper ·         Crates (10) yellow, (4) green, (2) blue and (1) red ·         Travel Bag (which is great!) ·         Instructions and Solutions

Toyologist Verdict

Bailey and her dad absolutely loved this game.  It was the perfect pool side game whilst we were on holiday in Egypt. 

The travel bag is a fanastic idea, one which other game producers should adopt.  There is nothing more frustrating when you open a box and then have nowhere to put all the pieces, and worse still when you go to play the game again, yep you guessed it pieces are missing!

                                      

There were levels to challenge both Bailey and her dad, and gave them hours of entertainment.  It was a great to see and encourage Bailey to stretch her mind.

Both Bailey and her dad give this game a well deserved 8 out of 10.

Ooo and one last fact…..DID YOU KNOW?

TIPOVER™ was initially developed as an online game by Atlanta-area eccentric James W. Stephens. Mechanical versions were designed by prolific puzzle inventor M. Oskar van Deventer and prototyped by George Miller

CAN WE FIX IT? Guest Toyologist Review for Toys R US says YES THEY CAN!!!!!

http://www.precious-memories.co.uk/

Black and Decker Work Bench £59.99

Bob The Builder Can we fix it?  Bob the Builder - well actually TOYS R US - YES THEY CAN!

Mum Laura - What a hit!!  This work bench was instantly loved by my nearly 4 year old, and 17 month old.

PROs

* The live action circular saw and drill are probably my boys favourite bits - if not a little noisy for my delicate ears at 6.30am!!

* It was relatively easy to put together and my 4 year old enjoyed helping daddy to build it.  Took about 15-20 mins

* The range of tools it came with was good, along with the nuts and bolts

* The little bird house was great as my son is trying to master putting it together - my 17 month old loves cutting the bits of wood with the circular saw!

* Nice bright design, lightweight to lift, not TOO cumbersome so we bring it downstairs in a morning and then put it back in my 4 year old's bedroom at night

CONs

* Price - I don't think I would have purchased it at £59.99, possibly £49.99 to stay under that £50 mark

* Bench is a little flimsy considering the price - wobbles a bit if knocked, would have liked it to be a little more sturdy

* Batteries were not included in the product- for the price tag I think they should be and was a little disappointing not to see it full working until I got round to getting the batteries

Toys R Us Toyologist Review - now you see it - now you don't - cos mummy keeps playing with it!

http://www.precious-memories.co.uk

The mini toyologists had already had the pleasure of reviewing the Aquadoodle Mat so gave Megan and Isabelle a chance to experience something magical from Tomy - The Aquadoodle Desk - £29.99 

Well what can I say??...we were kindly given the fab opportunity to review the Tomy Aquadoodle desk (mon bureau) by mini toyologists Savana and Bailey..... I have 2 girls....Megan who turns 4yrs this month and Isabelle who is 8 months. Megan already has a aquadoodle which is the small mat however this 'mon bureau' has been a real hit!!...everytime the adverts have been coming on the tv recently she kept saying she wanted one for her birthday yet I kept thinking 'youve already had one'....

The minute Megan saw the box she knew exactly what it was and within 5 minutes of having the box the toy was up and ready to go. The assembly was really simple and there was no screwing or fixing etc, the pieces (of which there about 5) all just slotted together!

The desk is made of a firm foam which is sturdy enough for leaning on to draw but also really safe for Isabelle who has pulled the desk onto herself whilst trying to stand up several times! The mat that you draw on is green on one side and a yellowy colour on the other so really nice for girls or boys and also allows double drawing opportunity as there is no waiting around for the mat to dry...simply flip it over!

Whilst the toy has been a big hit with all friends (aged between 2yrs and 10yrs) who have visited and played with for a good hour each -  the main things for me as parent have been, real easy assembly, no small awkward parts, packs away into a reasonable size box but best of all Megan has been really enthusiastic to write on it and trying to spell her name and practice letter shapes....no endless pieces of screwed up paper and extra mess, just lots of flipping the matt over and trying again.....we have nearly mastered it too!!...so and educational side aswell!....a real bonus!

This gets a HUGE thumbs up from us - Thanks for such a FAB opportunity this has been a real hit!

Mini Toyologist Savana review toys r us toy Baby Alive

http://www.precious-memories.co.uk/

Simply The Best!!!!!!


Click here to view the review

Ocean in My Pocket Coral Reef Playset - toy review by the mini toyologists for Toys R U UK

Precious Memories website at http://www.precious-memories.co.uk/

This toy came in two parts - The Ocean in My Pocket Coral Reef Playset £19.99 and Oceans in My Pocket Newborn Pack £3.99


The mini toyologists are animal mad!  We own a german shepherd called Legend and a westie (who thinks she is bigger than she really is) called Crumble.  They had also recently seen Nemo so were nitially extremely delighted to open up their box of Ocean Delights!

If you child or children have a good imagination then this toy encourages them to explore this with an underworld fantasy as a whale.  If they don't then PARENTS you need to encourage them!  The animals have all been named as the mini toyologists didn't like the names they were originally given Whale mum Elsa, and the buabies Ellie, Ethan and Edward. 

The greatest downfall I feel with this toy is that the shell lid on the top is very flimsy and could snap at any time.  The mini toyologists are quite gentle in their play but naturally not all children are and I think it would not stand the test of time in terms of durability IF PUSHED.

The novelty of the toy lasted for quite a while with the girls but a few weeks on and the baby animals spent more time in the girls bath than in the coral reef - and are now permenantly there.  So the coral reef has started to collect dust in the corner of the room. 

There is also an eco message with this toy but the problem is all the mini toyologists see is ANOTHER PILE OF PLASTIC to add to their collection.  This toy was actually awarded a GOLD STAR From TOYFAIR as the Girls Toy of 2010 unfortunately, my two girls disagree and only give it 4 out of 10.