Editorial Review

Many high-tech toys start with a fun and fascinating idea only to make it frustratingly complicated in the execution. Leave it to LEGO to make a technologically advanced toy fun to play with. The enormous 718-piece LEGO Mindstorms Robotic Invention System lets you construct a variety of moving robot vehicles and then program them from your Windows 98- or Windows Me-compatible computer. The robots are all based around a bright yellow basic unit, which serves as the functional heart of whatever is being built. The brick receives commands from the computer via an infrared tower unit. The computer interface is incredibly user-friendly and intuitive. What's most impressive about the system, however, is the variety of robots that can be built. There are detailed instructions for each one, and since these are LEGOs, builders are free to come up with an endless variety. --John Moe ... Read more

Reviews (55)

The Best Toy I have Played with in 40 Years
This system is phenominal. We own version 1.5, purchased a year ago and we have not put it down. And trust me, this is not for kids only. I only wish there was something around like this when I was 12 - I was stuck with Robbbie the Robot replicas.
When my son opened it for Christmas, we knew it would be a big hit. We have spend uncountless hours working on this together (quality, quality time) and the problem solving skills he has gained have put him in a position that he can now program a computer in Visual Basic at 12 years. (Not that this system teaches you VB, but it sure teaches you logic and structure, necessities for any program language)
We have since bought all the expansion kits, a few books and have built robots capable of some unbelievable feats.
Keep in mind that older Technic sets work well with these sets as well as many of the other Lego sets you have.
I would recommend this set to anyone, especially those who longed for a real robot as a child, not a "flashing lights only" Robbie.

Best think ever
I have this toy for more then a yeat and it still is fun,i keep making stuff i even made a robotic hand, this is the best thing ever well what are you wating for buy it!!!

Beware of software incompatibilty
Unless you have Windows 98 or Windows ME, it may not work (who knows -- you may get lucky). I refuse to use either of these operating systems, which I consider wretched. The Mindstorm official FAQ says it was tested only on those 2 operating systems. For those who can get it to work, apparently it's a great product.

Great Product, but IR Tower has problems w/certain computer
Great Product - but like another reviewer, I had the same issues with the IR Tower and XP. Non of the Lego Support Documents were of much use, but using an older PC with Windows 98 did the trick.

A MUST!!!!!
I am an engineering student and we use these in our robotics lab. Adults with an interest in programming can use java or C to program, children can use the included software. The software is an easy to use visual drag and drop type software. I would recommend every parent to purchase this toy. It allows the kids to learn the basics of programming and see the immediate results when the program is downloaded to the robot. My 9 year old daughter never lost interest in my assignments. This is one of the best learning toys I have ever seen. I am planning on purchasing on for myself to use with my daughter (lots of little parts, messy children will need some supervision or most of the robot will be in the vacuum). Children between 7-12 will enjoy the product, with alot of assistance from parent, over 12 should have no trouble at all with it. Excellent for education, and a lot of fun for a parent - child activity. ... Read more

Editorial Review

In the bright, cheerful colors that Sassy has become famous for, this set of miscellaneous playthings and teethers is sure to capture baby's interest and attention. While the eye-catching colors and shapes, are sure to draw baby's eye, the toys in this set also come in a variety of textures and shapes, so that baby can investigate how each one feels in her hand and, inevitably, in her mouth. Soft, flexible rubber parts on many of the toys make them just right for a little playful gnawing when baby is teething, while other toys in the set come with smoother plastic parts that have been rounded off to prevent injury. --Chris Burns ... Read more

Reviews (12)

You get a lot for the price
We bought this set for our then 1 month old son for Christmas. Now that he's almost 7 months old, he plays EXCLUSIVELY with these toys. They are adorable, fun, easy to grasp( the only exception are the theething toys, that are a little bit heavy with the water inside). I have to say though: the toys we got are a little different from the ones I see in the picture here, but I bet these are great too - Sassy makes great baby toys. For the price you pay there are so many of them, that I've decided to give them to my baby one at a time, according to his age. Some of them are still in the box. We use the links to attach toys to his stroller or crib. The set makes a great gift too, especially for multiple babies. I gave it to my cousin's twins: they can share and there's plenty for both of them. All around a good product, highly recommended.

warning for the babies who are theething
the toys are cute and great for the baby to play with. the only drawback are the colorful teether toys. when the baby gets few teeth and bites the teether toys, the paint comes off!!!!!!!!!!!! unfortunately, all the teether toys had to be thrown away. babie's safety is more important!!!!

Best Gift Ever!
We received this as a gift when my daughter was born. She's now one year old, and still plays with these toys. This was by far the best gift we received, and I am now buying it for friends' babies.

I'm a copy cat!
My sister gave this toy to my newborn daughter. Now I consider it a must for friends' babies. I just ordered it for my friends twins. There are plenty to share, and 2 rubber duckies!

A Must-Have
This set of toys is a definite 'must-have' for all babies! I cannot beleive the amount of use we have gotten out of these toys. It seems that everytime my 8-month-old daughter is reaching for one of her favorite toys, I realize it is something from this set. One word of caution--even though the octopus is supposed to be a bath toy, I would not use it as such. I believe the water gets trapped inside and gets moldy. It is a fun toy outside of the bath anyway. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Did you know that painted ladies (the butterflies, that is) taste with their feet and have 10,000 eyes? You and your kids will be fascinated by all you learn about these beautiful creatures with the Butterfly Garden from Insect Lore. The kit comes with a relatively easy-to-assemble observation chamber; supplies for feeding the butterflies (you provide only sugar and water); an informative booklet of clear instructions and butterfly facts; and a certificate for three to five free painted lady caterpillars. The metamorphosis from larva to butterfly takes about three weeks from when you receive the caterpillar larvae (which arrive in a small container with all the nutrients they need). Your children can watch the larvae increase dramatically in size, form chrysalides, and finally emerge into full-fledged painted ladies (it's suggested that they release the butterflies after a few days of observation). This would make a wonderfulactivity for families with kids of any age, but younger children will need help assembling the observationchamber and reading the instruction booklet. (Note: The manufacturer recommends that butterflies should not be set free in temperatures lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.) --Rachel Radway ... Read more

Reviews (62)

So fun I Bought My Own!
I bought one of these last year for my nieces. I also got one for me, and I'm in my 30's. I waited until the spring time to send in my caterpillar certificate. They came in their own little container with just enough food. So you don't need to feed them anything. I tried to put some real food such as leaves from the plants they like to eat in the wild, but they preferred the food that came with them. I think I received 6 caterpillars and they all turned into butterflies. I let them go a day or two after they emerged. Kids are completely fascinated by the process from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. One word of caution, it may not be the best thing to get for Christmas since you may have to wait until spring to get your caterpillars. They will send them in the winter, but I didn't want the butterflies to die on me or freeze to death if I let them go.

Our kids loved this
Our daughters received the Butterfly Garden from their grandfather. The whole family really enjoyed the entire process from catepillar to butterlfy. Very educational for the kids. Unfortunately, though we had three cocoons, only one of the butterflies actually survived. Nevertheless, this is a great gift and one I just bought for my nephew.

Tons of Fun and Educational too!
My daughter received this toy from her cousin. She is 5. At first my son was a little grossed out by the worm looking caterpillars but once they grew and I pinned the paper disc with the attached chrysalides to the netted garden, it was worth it. My 2 kids just sit there and watch. It's better than TV. One caterpillar died but 3 have already emerged. My daughter has named the three butterflies and she loves watching "Crystal" balance herself on the orange wedge that she placed in the hut. I find myself checking on them at least 4 times a day because it is so interesting. We are waiting for the last one to emerge before we set the other three free. My daugher doesn't want the last one to be lonely.

A wonderful combination of fun and education
My daughter had a wonderful time learing about butterflies and watching them emerge. This is a fantastic teaching tool, with clear instructions and easy to use equipment. I can't rave enough about this toy!!!!

WOW! This thing is cool!
I recieved my Butterfly Garden yesterday and boy, was I excited! The pop-up mesh butterfly habita is so neat. I've always wanted one! I sent away for my caterpillars today. If you want to give something or get something GREAT, the Butterfly Garden is a good idea! :) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Gear with a few catches.
We had a chance to test these guns in the woods up near Seattle at Bremer BattleIV (see www.1SourceLaserTag.com for more info). These guns are very durable (compared to other brands), and loaded to the hilt with features....warning some adults may have problems with this gear as it is designed for the video gamming crowd...lotsa buttons, bells and whistles. The only drawbacks is that the sensor is on the gun which can be easily blocked - and the aiming is difficult as the sights are on the side of the gun. Only other problem is that it is hard to distinguish between being hit and hitting someone (sounds are too close to being the same) However, the built in games and features out weigh these problems and over all we had a BLAST with this gear....pun intended! ... Read more

Editorial Review

For kids who want to experience the magic of growing their own garden, this kit is a fun andinventive experience. It contains everything you need to grow a small terrarium complete with an entirecommunity of tiny fantastical inhabitants. Paint the special planter with the paints (three primary colorsincluded), fill with soil, and then plant the enclosed beans and grass seeds. Then it's time to arrange the tinyfairy cottage, use the green pebbles to make a tiny path, and decorate the garden with the rocks, shells, and plastic animals that come with the kit. As the beans sprout and grow, you can cut and shape them sothey look like miniature trees--and for variety, add pepper, lemon, cantaloupe, and tomato seeds and watchjust what comes up. --John Longenbaugh ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Best toy in the world!
I think that this toy allows fun and education into children. It gives them a craft to play with when they are bored, and is fun for anyone to play with. I defenitely recommend this one of a kind "Wee Enchanted Garden Kit." My child Jessica who is 10, just loves crafts! I also teach in a school and bring crafts for them to do all the time! They seem to really enjoy it a bunch! this is totally a five star kit!

"Awsome Fun!"
It was so cool!I loved it!I could design it anyway I wanted to.Thanks!

MOTHER OF 6 YEAR OLD
MY DAUGHTER LOVES FAIRIES SO I HAD TO ORDER THIS. IN 3 DAYS WE HAD 6 INCHES OF GRASS AND A FEW BEAN SPROUT TREES!!!! SHE LOVES TAKING CARE OF HER FAIRIES!!!!

Plants grew TALL
Had a wonderful couple hours putting this together with my 5-year old niece. And, because I live across country from her, she promised she would call me when the plants started growing. Just a few days later, I got an excited phone message from her that the garden was growing and the "plants were SO TALL." I called her back and told her to get the lawnmower out, which she quickly relayed to her father. The only thing I would change about this kit would be to have more realistic and fun animals and maybe an elf to go with the house. The kit includes a plastic frog and mouse that aren't even near scaled to the size of the house. An elf, a few deer, and a squirrel might be a better combination.

Takes awhile, but is still fun!
I got this for myself, actually. I like playing with stuff like this, even though I am no longer a kid! I had fun painting the pot and planting the seeds. A few days later, the grass started to grow. Unfortunately I haven't seen much of the beans - but hopefully soon. This is a fun kit to play with, but doesn't actually give you many hours of enjoyment. Once you paint the kit and plant the seeds (which doesn't take THAT long) you basically just check on it every so often to water it and see the plants. One other good thing about this kit, they give you extra seeds and tell you how to make them sprout using paper towels so you can see the entire process - very interesting! Would recommend, as the price is not too bad - but there are plenty of more eduacational toys out there that will occupy more of your time. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Honk! Honk! It's gridlock and the little red car can't move.The player is a traffic cop in the Rush Hour Traffic Jam Puzzle wherethe objective is to get the red car off the road. To play, pick one of40 challenge cards; solutions are printed on the back of each card.Then set up the cars and buses in a specified pattern on the6-inch-square road grid. Move the vehicles one by one (obey those trafficlaws!) until the red car can escape the traffic jam. There are fourlevels of difficulty. Kids can alternate turns with another player orjust "play in traffic" alone. The game from Binary Arts received anational award from Mensa and is used in elementary school mathclasses. The design includes clear instructions printed on the sturdybox, which can be used both as a playing tray and for storage. The gamecards stow away in a drawer in the road grid. This is a 1999 Parents'Choice recommended toy. --Marcie Bovetz ... Read more

Reviews (89)

Hours of Fun Fun Fun
This is a great puzzle. Since it is a game only one can play at a time, my nieces, ages 6 and 8 and my nephew age 11 took turns getting the red car out of the traffic jams. They even enjoyed watching each other find the solution to each "jam". Incidently the 6 year old is almost through solving the "Advanced" puzzles and I am about to buy both additional card packs. Kids and adults will love this game.

Great "toy"
Add us to the host of folks who love this puzzle toy. I generally consult Amazon ratings before purchasing new items and any item that has this many positive ratings always catches my attention. And it lives up to the promise. My almost 7 year-old son is ADHD and I was AMAZED at the way this toy captured his attention. I expected him to become quickly frustrated and give up. But after a few successes, he was hooked. I coached him a little bit at first (and then I was hooked too!) and before I knew it, he was solving puzzles by himself and doing a better job than me! He did the first 20 in one sitting. I was amazed as I watched him begin understanding which cars had to be where in order for him to get the red car out, then he started working out his plan to get there. You have to think ahead to be successful and he was doing it!

His persistence and concentration surprised me, so if your child is having any problems sitting and concentrating on a task, don't be afraid of this toy! But, alas, as with many ADHD kids, he's also been tested as gifted, so he's already run through the first 3 levels and is now nearly done with the expert level - solving puzzles that I can't do! I have to wait until he goes to bed to even get a chance to play! There's 40 cards in the first pack. The beginning levels are pretty easy to remember the solutions, but as you go higher in difficulty, you could probably do the puzzles more than once and still be challenged. But do be prepared to buy the 2, 3, and 4 Gift Pack (a great deal for $12 on Amazon)

I LOVE the fact that you store the cards right in the bottom of the tray. However,I wish that they would put a more permanent kind of cover on the tray. Also, you cannot replace the cover when you are in the middle of a puzzle, the cars have to be in the tray in a certain way in order for the cover to fit properly. But those are extremely minor drawbacks considering the hours of entertainment my son and I have gotten.

grate!!!
I love this game and so do my familly from ages 6 - 35. you will enjoy playing this game alone at home. the greate part is that even once youv memorized this toy and all the levels (wich you will.) you can buy more cards! it is a grate present for anyone not too lazy to think a bit. everyone has their own level. Also other games such as the one croosing the river from this manufacturer are fantastic! really worth the money!

GREAT GIFT IDEA
We just got this game today and we were all instantly addicted! My 7 year old loved the challenge of the game, didn't get frustrated at all, and wouldn't even think of giving up on trying to solve the puzzles! This is a great gift idea for birthday parties, as it's inexpensive and parents will appreciate the educational value of this puzzle game.

Greatest Game Ever!
I am in the Gifted program in school and it is a lot of fun! I play this everyday. It is very challenging but an awesome game! I would reccomend it to anyone! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The ProMedia 2.1 THX-Certified, three-piece computer audio system from Klipsch transforms your desktop into a high-performance audio entertainment center. Two 35-watt satellite speakers deliver full-bodied stereo sound, while a floor-thumping 130-watt subwoofer provides low-end slam from your favorite music, games, and movies, reaching down to an impressive 31 Hz.

The satellites' exclusive Klipsch MicroTractrix horn maximizes clarity and high-frequency dispersion from CDs, MP3s, streaming radio programs, and other audio. The high-output, digital-hybrid-amplifier-driven ProMedia 2.1 offers a convenient headphone jack and dual stereo analog inputs, one for a more or less hard-wired connection from your computer's line or headphone output jack, the second to accommodate a portable audio device such as an MP3 or minidisc player/recorder.

Klipsch operates with a philosophy that demands accuracy in every aspect of sound reproduction, which--in the case of the ProMedia 2.1--has resulted in THX Certification. THX is an exclusive set of standards established by the world-renowned film production company, Lucasfilm Ltd., and products undergo rigorous quality and performance tests in order to receive this certification.

What's in the Box
Two satellite speakers, one subwoofer, two 9.5-foot lengths of speaker cable (22 gauge), a user's manual, and warranty information. ... Read more

Features

• THX-certified, three-piece computer audio system
• Exclusive Klipsch MicroTractrix Horn maximizes digital technologies such as CDs, MP3 downloads, and streaming radio programs
• 200-watt digital hybrid amplifier driven ProMedia 2.1 incorporates a convenient headphone jack as well as a miniplug input
• Compatible with gaming consoles and most portable audio devices
• 31 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response range

Reviews (92)

Great for music listeners!
I just picked up a set of the Promedia 2.1 a few days ago, and they sound great! Prior to buying these, I was using another decent 2.1 system, but I felt that it lacked midrange (especially on male vocals) and an overall full sound. The Klipsch deliver on both. In comparing the two systems side by side in my room, the Klipsch are far superior in sound quality. Of course the Klipsch are a bit more money, but it is well worth it if you plan on listening to a lot of music. They create a nice sound stage, and vocals sound smooth. I'm using a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz soundcard (great card!). The sound quality on the speakers is also great at low volumes, which is where many lesser systems suffer. And of course, they will get as loud as you need but still remain "listenable." Gamers and heavy DVD watchers should consider saving up for the Promedia Ultra 5.1 (assuming you can afford it and have the space).

I do have a few complaints. Like many other reviewers here, I am disappointed with the feeble wires from the satellites to the sub. A slight touch of the wires can cause the sound to crack or stop altogether. As someone else posted, Klipsch sells replacement Monster Cables on their website ($30 plus shipping). I may have to consider them. It would also have been nice to put the power switch on one of the satellites.

All in all, these are terrific speakers. They are the most "musical" speakers I've heard. I would have given them five stars if it weren't for the few shortcomings I mentioned above.

Best of the Best
I have had my Promedia 5.1 speakers since the first day they came out and beleive me they had a waiting list for hundreds of customers. Why such a big fuzz over a computer speaker set you ask? Well the answer is simple, these are not your ordinary computer speakers. Forget about Polk, Creative, Boston, and Altec Lansing, the keyword here is Klipsch. Those other speakers don't even come close to the shear power and fidelity these speakers produce. And if it is bass that you want, Klipsch hands down manufactures the World best Bass. I hooked up my speakers to an Audigy Ex card, that allowed me to hook up my PS2/Xbox and DVD to my system. There are few games with 5.1 capabilities but it does come in handy when you watch DVD's. The sound is simply amazing, and if you dont beleive me just read the other reviews on this page. Still not impressed well just hearing these speakers out once will do the trick.

EXTREMELY CHEAP AND SHORT LIVED BUT BLISS WHILE IT LASTS
The first set I bought on 02-02-07 started going funny after 8 months and then I would'nt dare turn it off in case it would not come back to life and then it died 2 weeks before the end of the warranty. The dealer acknowledged that there was a unreparable problem with the unit and replaced the whole thing brand new and no charge...no wonder. As of today, 04-06-21, the replacement unit just died again and without warning this time. Alas, since the sound of this unit is so incredibly beautiful, I will buy another one but I will gladly pay the extra for a long term warranty since I will have to change the unit every year or so. By the way, the day you don't hear the zipper sound out of the satellites when you turn off the unit, it's shot! Enjoy.

Poor design, mine crapped out
The sound is great at first, but there's a design flaw in this product that made mine useless. The right satellite speaker has the subwoofer and volume dials on it. But it's really cheap construction, and after a while the rubber dials start to vibrate and make a "chirping" sound during play. This occurs even when played at a reasonable volume. I babied these speakers and still had this problem. If you're thinking about buying these, ask yourself one question. Do you feel lucky?

awsome
the speakers are awsome. i have had them for over a year and not 1 problem yet. they are almost as loud as my home theater system. there are two bad things about it. the wires from sub to sat are a bit to short. the power switch is on the sub. i dont even bother too turn my speakers off and no problems so the switch isnt realy a problem unless u are worried about your electrick bill ... Read more

Reviews (8)

no frills robust
I bought this recently and am happy with it. Several points:

1. It arrived promptly, but padding was on three sides of the
box, with one side unpadded, so that shipping wasn't perfect.

2. The box only has a US address, and does not mention
"Made in China" which can be found only on the bottom of
the microscope.

3. There were only five slides, and 2 page handout (manual),
I would have expected a better manual and explanations
if it was meant to be use as a toy by new comers.

4. (...).

5. I consider the electric light a non-essential, since
the table lamp also allows lighting from top for
object not a slide.

6. I realized later, I paid 10% tax + 10% shipping, so a local
store might have been a better deal.

In summary, it is a robust no frills medium power microscope.
But it cut corners on the manual and essential accessories.

I am sure every kid who got this as a present will have
to figure out how to get accessories (and how is he/she
supposed to know which ones are essential?). Unless they
use it as a supplement to school work. I wish there was
more choices in this range (...) on Amazon, since it
is a convienient place to buy, and I reviews for this
product convinced me my money was well spent.

SWEET!
I got a plastic microscope for (...), (...), and it was a piece of junk. It was all plastic and didn't work properly. We returned that one, and saw this one on Amazon with all of the great reviews, and decided to get it.
It has very nice picture quality and is all metal. It isn't all that expensive either considering the quality it is. The only downer is that it doesn't have blank slides. It does have some very nice prepared slides though.

Very Fun!!!
When I recieved this telescope for my Birthday, I was very excited!!!! When I began to use it, I wasn't disapointed at all!!
This so called "toy" I very good for education and fun, it is also very durable.
Before I recieved this I got a cheap one from the "Toys R' Us". It claimed to be very high magnified, and to work well.
I tried it and was very disapointed, there was no metal and when you changed the slide, it didn't change the picture!!
I immediately returned it.
This microscope has worked perfectly. It has perfect focus, and some cool prepared slides. If you are looking for a fun, educational, affordable Microscope, This is for you. On this microscope, there is a ton of magnification and there is almost no plastic!!!
It is perfect for anyone 10+.

Best "Toy" we ever bought!
After pouring over dozens of microscopes to possibly buy our 8-year-old daughter for Christmas, we found this one with the few, but good, reviews on Amazon. We were not disappointed. I know nothing about chemistry and have never used a microscope. We had this out of the box and running smoothly within 10 minutes. The instructions are very simple and the quality is exceptional. I have heard that poor quality plastic microscopes often dissuade children from pursuing science because they are so frustrating and disappointing. This one is great. It comes with five slides that show up really well. They are fascinating to look at and we spent all day gathering other items to look at. Our daughter likes science even more, and now she's anxious to take the microscope to class to show her friends. She's used it many times since Christmas and hasn't grown tired of it. I think she'll enjoy it even more when summer arrives. Some of the slides, such as frog's blood or mosquito head parts, sound gross, but they actually are unexpectedly pretty and colorful. Although it is supposed to be for children age 11 and up, our 8-year-old had no problems with it. The microscope is sturdy, nonfussy, and should hold up fine with any older child that wouldn't knock it off a table. I have never rated a toy higher than this one. Highly recommended!

My 1st Lab Microscope
When I received this microscope, the light bulb was shattered and I had to replace it $3. I think the reason being not enough packing bubble was used. It only surrounded the box on three sides, which left the one side and top and bottom unprotected. I think this is the best microscope for the money, but the packing could have been much better. ... Read more

Editorial Review

This neon green and grape roller coaster is impressive in both size andscope. When fully built the coaster stretches 6 feet long and stands 3 feethigh. The directions are detailed and clear, and we had no trouble putting ittogether. It did take us a bit over five hours, though, and it's likely that anychild under 12 will need parental assistance. But assembling it is half the fun.When finished, the track careens so hazardously, it's hard to believe the carswill stay on, but they do! The plastic chain hauls the three cars up slowly,just like a real roller coaster, and the sound effects box re-creates the noiseso perfectly you'll squirm with anticipation. After reaching the top and passingthrough the serpent's mouth, the cars begin their dizzying descent past thesound effects box, which has now switched to emitting enthusiastic and terrifiedscreaming. Gravity and centrifugal force whip the little cars along the rest ofthe track until at last it reaches the beginning of the ride, only to be towedup for another round. If you don't have 6 feet of space, there are instructionsfor a smaller version, and you can turn the sound effects off if you prefer toplay quietly. Entirely worth the time and effort, this is ideal as a familyendeavor. --M. Sullivan ... Read more

Reviews (112)

This is Awesome!!!
I'm 13 years old and thought this is the best toy ever. I got kind of bored with the set that it tells you to make so I built my own. I built the new boomerang ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain called "Deja Vu". I ran out of pieces, so I love it so much that I'm going to buy another one. I think that it should come with more pieces so you can build your own coaster, but that is the only flaw in it. I think it's the best toy ever especially to roller coaster enthusiasts like me.

Fun, but lots of work
I'd first like to say that I find the claims of other reviewers here that this toy can be assembled in 2-3 hours to be pretty unbelievable. My adult brother and I spent about 7 hours building this model, mostly working in parallel. This was our first KNEX model, but we are hardly novices at building complex toys.

I generally avoid Chinese-made toys due to their notoriously poor quality, and I was concerned about the not-completely-specified Chinese content of this model. Apparently, all of the standard KNEX parts are made in the US, and were of a very high quality plastic that snapped together nicely. It looked like only the electrical components (motor and sound box) and the train were made in China (and were of noticeably poorer quality plastic).

The actual construction process was a lot of fun. My only complaint here was that some parts of the manual dealing with the track support system were difficult to reproduce exactly, and failing to exactly reproduce this left us with a track fit problem. We finally had to fudge and use an unspecified part to make the track support work.

After construction, very little tweaking was required to get the model working as advertised. As other reviewers have noted, the model moves a lot when in use. This was resolved easily by building the model on a piece of pegboard and using a few strategic tie-wraps to hold it in place.

My major complaint: the motor assembly. It has a small, difficult to operate power switch. To make matters worse, it's apparently a generic KNEX motor module, and the power switch also has a "reverse" setting which, when accidentally activated while trying to turn the model on or off, can cause the model to jam (and possibly even cause damage).

Once the construction process is completed, this is not much of a "hands on" toy. There's really nothing you can "do" with it other than watch the train go round and round. The actual "ride" from the top of the lift to the bottom is only 2-3 seconds long.

This toy is awesome!!!
Its definately worth the 90.00 bucks that you spend on it cause it is VERY fun to build and even more fun to play with...The only thing is that you have to know and use your imagination to be able to build this thing cause it can be pretty hard in some spots...but never the less awesome!I'm 13 and built this in a Day in a half(took alot longer than most people)but I had fun doing it.If you do order this item TAKE YOUR TIME on it and don't rush it cause I did that and I had to start all over cause I couldn't figure out where I was at on building it.so I hope this review helped you and if you liked this try building the other knex theme park rides such as other rollercoasters and the ferris wheel.

The Screamin Serpent Rollor coaster rocks !!!
This toy is amazing and very entertaining. It is just a little complicated by with a little help it looks awsome. One of the best parts about it is that if you dont' like the the way the instructions tell you to build it you can build your own. You can have your own mini millenium force if you choose to in your own house. If I was to rate this out of five I would give it a four and a half. The only little flaw is that the instructions are a little hard to understand.

screamin serpant roller coaster
my son has one and it isnt extremly hard but slightly difficult to build. it has been almost a year and he still hasnt fixed all the bugs! some problems were bad design, track shortage and when the car goes through the loop sometimes it doesent go over the small hill or get a head start on the chain lift. I think that after awhile it gets boring and takes up too much room and money. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Accompanied by a "PowerCard" to record account information, this make-believe ATM machine features an electronic screen, an alpha-numeric keypad, and slots for cards, coins, and bills. Insert the card into the appropriate slot and enter a personal ID to get a personal greeting and an exact balance. You can also insert real dollar bills and coins, and the machine will add those amounts to the account. A cash drawer at the bottom pops open for withdrawals. The beeps, lights, and robotic voice resemble those one might find on a spaceship; it's almost as if you're withdrawing funds from the HAL 9000 rather than the ATM machine down the block. Also, the language seems a bit beyond the toy's target audience. ("Enter your name and secret PIN number for real personalized banking.") By the time children are old enough to use and understand this toy, it's possible they'll have outgrown it. The machine mounts easily to a wall, or you can set it on top of a dresser. --Andy Boynton ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Pixter is like a personal digital assistant (PDA) for kids. But instead of storing boring appointments and phone numbers, they get to draw, do puzzles, and learn a little, too. The Pixter is about the size of a small book, and has a pretty solid weight to it. It's made out of brightly colored and durable plastic. The main action of this toy is drawing with an attached stylus. The Color Pixter offers much better graphics then the black and white version, which comes in handy with activities like Paint-by-Numbers and Connect-the-Dots. You can draw a picture free form, or you can use one of the starter backgrounds. There are tool buttons, like on a PDA, that give you access to fun stamps, special effects, and the eraser button. You can also save your creation in the Pixter's memory. There are some boppy tunes playing along with all this creative activity, but luckily for parents, there's also a jack for headphones and a volume adjuster. An expansion slot on top of the Pixter accepts ROM-based expansion cards that contain additional software and games. Requires 4 "AA" batteries. (Not included.) --Megan Sullivan ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Kids really love this toy
My daughter was 3 1/2 when she first played with her 10 year old sister's B&W Pixter, and she loved it. So I got her the color Pixter, and she plays with it every day, especially in the car. There are educational games available for it, as well as entertainment games. It also plays all the older black and white games for the older versions of Pixter.

Disappointed
We bought this for our 4 year old because he's not quite old enough for Game Boy. We have already had to return it twice due to it malfunctioning within a short period of time. The first one, the stylus didn't work and the second one the stylus worked on only half the screen after a couple of weeks. For as much money as we spent, I had great expectations. The kids, 4-9 years, enjoyed it while it worked, it just didn't hold up very long. I'd spend my money else where.

Take Care
My kids love this toy!! But do be careful because it is needs to be well taken care of. I would not reccommend this to any child who just throws things down where they may.

worth every penny
My 4 year old is one of those kids who can't play with anything for more than 5 minutes, except the Pixter. It is the best toy I've ever bought for her, and we've tried everything (thanks to used toys and bargains...). I bought her the Pixter recently because I was pregnant and too tired to keep her busy. It is well designed, challenging but not frustrating, is adaptable to her growth and needs, etc.

Pixter Easily Broken
I got my daughter the Pixter Color. Her little sister dropped it on my oak floor a few hours after we opened up the box. Now only half the screen works. I know it was dropped, but kids drop stuff. There must be a way to make these things more breakage-resistant. Spending 80 dollars on a toy that worked just one afternoon is bad enough. Listening to my daughter sob all evening was worse. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Great Toy For Active Kids
This was a great craft kit for my children. My 7-year-old daugther received one for her birthday. She loved it so much since she could paint the soccer ball with colors that she had mixed and chosen. I just bought one for my son also. Both my kids love sports and I prefer them doing something active and fun rather than watching television. I love this kit since both my son and daugther can use it and you get a real soccer ball that the kids can play with after the paint dries.

Cool Look, But won't Last
This seems like a lot of fun, but at the same time most people nowadays are looking for the new cool-looking Adidas or Nike. Plus it probably won't last very long because of the material.

Coming from a kid
Coming from a kid, I must say that this is a wonderful item to have. I got it for my birthday last year and I loved it. I played with all the time. I painted it my own way, and it tought me to be more creative. It looks still liked new, after a year of playing Traveling Soccer. I had my friends sign my soccer ball and now everyone wants to play with it! I love it and if your kid is sporty and has fun painting and stuff...getting this for your kid is a great idea. I loved getting this and so will you!

not so good
tHISTOY DID NOT SUIT FOR A FUN TOY. I BOUGHT IT FOR MY KID AND 1 DAY AFTER MY KID PAINTED IT , IT CAME OFF. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT

Soccer Madness
I think that the soccer ball is great but not that educational only because all you do is paint. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Snot & Toe Jam! OH MY!
Real life bodily functions (almost all of them) and other gross stuff are brought to light in an educational game. Compete with friends, "gross" them out, complete a science experiment and win the game! Though you may not agree that the subject matters are acceptable in polite society, this game is a blast to play. 5 stars for a fun time, educational about snot, vomit, toe jam, ear crud and stuff like that and 5 stars for durability !!

Engaging!
My oldest son, age 10, along with his best friend, 10, started playing this game. Within minutes, they were in hysterics, doing the things the game told them to do and learning all the way. My 8 year old son joined in and he too had a blast. The questions challenged them to think about things differently, to try out new things, and of course, to use science as part of their everyday life. The directions were easy to understand, the board itself a visual delight, the goop an added bonus (as far as they were concerned) and the resulting laughter was worth every penny spent on this game. I recommend it highly--so does my son who wants to purchase it as a birthday present for his other friends! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Likes to tinker
I bought this for my grandson's birthday. He is 10 years old and ADHD. When he would visit me, he always wanted to start tinkering with something, either a clock or an old radio. This gift is perfect for him, it is not in the least frustrating and the outcome is very rewarding for him. He will sit and work with the set for an hour at a time.I have recommended this set to many of my friends.

A Happy Granny in Michigan

Very versatile kits for kids 6+
I got 2 kits - one for my 6 yo and one for my 8 yo. Both boys love the kits and can build the projects. The parts are durable yet easy to configure. The directions for the projects are clear. I highly recommend this toy for kids who like to build and are even marginally interested in science/electronics.

Excellent Excellent Excellent
My 5 year old son has an interest in how things work and likes to "experiment." We go this as a first step toward learning about electricity, and it has not disappointed.

The projects range from fast simple ones (can get a light bulb and a switch going in a minute or so) to more elaborate more interesting ones (we actually built a working AM radio).

There are endless projects in the book with easy to follow directions on how to put them together.

The "snap" mechanism for connecting components is extremely clever -- it eliminates the challenges of bad connections on wiring boards I grew up with. The snaps are a little hard for a 5 year old to push close, so I find myself helping on them -- although the kit is aimed for somewhat older kids anyway.

Only "complaint" I have is that they could have put a couple educational points about how the circuit is working in the book near each circuit -- to spell out the "learnings" of each project.

Overall though, this is definitely one of the best science kits of any type that I've seen, and absolutely worth the investment.

No More Gameboy
My 8 year old son got this toy for Christmas and for the first time in a year, he's put down the Gameboy. It's perfect for his age. And the payoff with flashing lights and sounds is a jackpot for him every time he finishes a project. I really can't tell you much fun and how educational this toy is. I love it too and I'm his 40 year old dad. He has to fight me to see who snaps together the next project.

Great Educational Toy
I bought this for my son(8 yrs old) for X-mas. He hasn't stopped playing with it. He was able to follow the directions/designs on his own. Really a fun educational toy! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

War, anyone?
The Advanced Mission takes this familiar game to a whole new level. Here is the list of the new weapons and tactics now at your disposal: 2 exocet missles fired from your aircraft carrier; 1 tomahawk missle with a massive footprint fired from your battleship; 2 apache missles fired from your destroyer; 2 torpedoes fired from your sub; two recon airplanes for surveillance; and sonar imaging from your sub! While the older version of this game had some strategy, it was still a mostly guessing game, but with the Advanced Mission you really have to plan your attack and keep track of your available assets. One hint: have your recon planes take off from the aircraft carrier ASAP to avoid them being destroyed if the ship gets sunk. If you play this game with some strategy in mind you will find yourself doing very little guessing, which makes this game much more interesting and NEVER boring!

Very cool...But mesy
I got this toy for Christmas from my grandmother. It is pretty complicated, so I do not really agree with the age ranges. My eight year old neighbor who lives across the street from me tried to play it, and in the process she got very confused after many times of explanation. It is extremely fun, but it is also extremely mesy. What can I say. I love this game and it is definalty worth all that money. Accualy, It is worth a lot more.

Could be fun if pegs fit better
I think this game could be lots of fun. I played with my 6 year-old boy, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE PEGS USED TO RECORD HITS AND MISSES EITHER FELL OUT OR WERE SO HARD TO PUT IN, WE HAD TO USE PLIERS TO PULL THEM OUT.

This pretty much ruined the fun. Maybe I got a lemon (bad quality control?). If someone reads this, please tell me if their version did not have this problem. Otherwise I can't see putting my boy (and me) through the agony again.

Fun for the whole family
There is something about hearing the noise that tells you you've score a hit- call it a Pavlovian reponse, but it's lots of fun!! We're getting this for the second generation of recipients this Christmas.

Advanced Mission could be even better..........
I bought this game for my daughter. She has the old version but cheated too much. Of course I cheated too. Believe me, you would never find my patrol boat. I'd just keep moving it around.
Advance Mission puts an end to that. You have to program in your coordinates so it's impossible to cheat. This is a good thing.
Advanced Mission has four different games to be played:
The Classic Mission - each player gets one shot apiece regardless of hit or miss.
The Salvo Mission - each player gets one shot for every ship left unsunk. I really like this one.
The Bonus Mission - each player gets one shot unless they score a hit in which case they can continue on the same turn until they miss.
The Advanced Mission - each ship has special weapons and you have two recon planes, however if you use the recon planes I will defeat you. IMO the recon planes are a bit too much. Deploying them counts as a turn and you don't get to fire a weapon. I never deploy my recon planes. I have never lost, yet.

Another thing that sets this game apart is the ability to play the computer. You don't even need any friends to have a good old fashioned war at sea.
There are also 3 different skill levels to choose from. ...
Of course the game now has sound. You hear the weapons being fired and the explosions from hits.
All that being said I still see room for improvement. On the old battleship you could adjust the top grid for better visibility, much like you would a laptop. On Advanced Mission the top grid is fixed and depending on the lighting can be hard to see.
Unless you are sitting at eye level with direct lighting you will inevitably place a peg in the wrong grid resulting in frustration and possibly a failed mission.
The makers of Advanced Mission should have gone a step further by lighting the grids, at least the top grid. It wouldn't take much to accomplish. It would look really cool and certainly be easier on the eyeballs.
The other thing is the volume, which is relatively low...
Bottomline is it's a fine game but with a few improvements it would really be something. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

ADHD son loves this
My son has a thousand motors working without this kit, I rarely can slow him down. I bought this and he loves it! He will sit and play with it. This kit stimulates his brain enough that he doesn't have to run around, tearing down the house, chipping the walls, screaching, teasing and peeling paint. Anyone with ADHD kids out there know what I mean? Gotta have something like this, for kids like these!!!

It doesn't contain a huge amount of pieces like a box of blocks and after a few tries with adult help, I would say an eight year old can do this alone. It isn't dangerous. There are a couple of parts that can be torn easily by rough kids but a lot of stuff can still be made any way.

Make lazer sounds, sirens, make songs come out, or fans, a ufo spin off toy (launches in the air),several types of games to play, a doorbell, a couple of computer part thingies, other light blinkie things, even stuff your kid can only dream up. Has lots of noisy sounds that will drive you nuts so send the kid somewhere else. LOL.

Wonderful toy
My son received this for Christmas and has not stopped playing with it. He has asked me to get this for his cousins for their birthdays. One warning, the music chip can be REAL annoying (prefect for kids!).

This is an AWESOME toy
My 7 year old just LOVES this kit. It is so easy to use and so much fun. I would recommend this for any scientist in your house!

Easy, Educational and Entertaining
I bought the regular version - ages 8 - 108 for my 8 year old son. He loves putting together one of the over 200 experiments. He can do it by himself because the pictures show EXACTLY what pieces are needed and where to put them. He is learning how electrical things work without even knowing it. Short explanations of the experiments are included.

An excellent introduction to Electronics.
The best point in favour of this product is that it is lego style toy that does not intimidate a child with intricate electronic components. My 6-1/2 year old daughter started playing with it and was very excited to have completed her first project to light a bulb with a switch. Theories of electricity followed naturally when initially the bulb did not lightup. I showed her the shiny metal strip beneath the connectors and explained conductivity a little.

Another major advantage is that there are mostly no wires, and the components are hidden from view, giving it a very un-complicated look that a child can easily comprehend. This difference makes possible for my daughter to actually play with it.

The only problem seems to be the quality of plastic used. It looks as if it might break if a component was bent while snapping in. Still, I highly recommend this product. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Beep Beep Vaarrrrommmm rat-tat-tat-tat
Those are the noises my nephew, with some help from his father, was making with this kit after just a few minutes. We gave it to him for his 7th birthday and, though a bit young to go it alone at first, he is learning a lot and it is a great activity for him to enjoy with his parents, grandparents, etc.
It's a great toy AND educational tool.
He is at a stage where he wants to really figure out how things work and LOVES the kit and the oportunities for experimenting it offers.
While I was driving home from his birthday party he called my cell phone to let me listen as he talked into it and his voice came out on the radio.
It's a hit.

Excellent Introduction to Electronics
We purchased this for our daughter (8 yrs) and she loves it. It does a good job of explaining electronic concepts and allows for varying levels of experience to enjoy the projects. Everything you'll need is included and the experiments are flexible, progressive and "really cool".

The right toys can make all the difference
Experimenter's kits are something of a dying breed. Electronics & hobbyists shops used to be almost everywhere it seemed, and carried educational kits like these. God, all the fun we had as kids playing with stuff like this. Every child should be exposed to these toys at as early of an age as possible imho. Helping a child get a head start on life, and sparking his or her imagination/desire to learn, is always a good thing. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Today’s video games with all their bells and whistles had to begin somewhere, and that somewhere was your living room, in, say, 1982.Remember Asteroids, Missile Command, and Breakout? How about Centipede, Adventure and Gravitar? This TV Games Video System--just a "smart" joystick and nothing else--delivers 10 classic games in all. The joystick has the typical up-down-left-right movements, and single functions to select, start, and reset games. Front-and-center is a big, red fire button ("fire" being the only way to propel or kill things back then). The unit hooks up to your TV via those yellow and white AV output jacks (which should already be on your TV or VCR), and requires 4 "AA" batteries. --Diane Beall ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Great nostalgia kick
I was a huge Atari fan back in the day, so I was very excited about this product when I saw it in stores. My wife took the hint and picked one up for me. What a great little product! I have had a great time getting into the old classics, and even my kids are enjoying it. ADVENTURE is especially good and is easily the game I play most. There is only one dark spot on this product - some of the games they chose for this joystick product were originally designed for the old paddle controller. Pong and Breakout just aren't the same.

Not worth the money
I thought this would be a fun purchase, but it's not! <br /> <br /> Like the reader before, the games don't even look like they did in the arcade, for example Centepede, when the game is about to boot up, the screen shows the original screen with mushrooms but when the game play starts the mushrooms turn into red blocks! <br /> <br /> None of the games match the originals. Very dissapointing!

COOL gaming system!!!!
im Erik Brillhart and when i was growing up, my parents' freinds had an Atari 2600. when i was playing it, i didnt wanna stop! then i saw this when i used it, it was just like the Atari 2600! i really love this thing and it can take a heck of a beatin'. but u wont learn anything from it exept how to have a fun time!

Review
My grandma got me this game and I love it I also have the controller with 10 games.

NO GOOD!
I am very disappointed with this product. It's not even worth 20 bucks. The graphics/sounds aren't even close to the original games. Plus, it doesn't even work properly. TOO many glitches have started appearing and it's only been used a few times. (and not by abusive children, but by adults) Please don't waste your money on this poorly made product. MS pacman one is bad news too. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Doesn't have to be just for easels...
Being a preschool teacher I use these all of the time. I have found that taking the sheets out individually clipping them to the easels clip to be the best way to work with them. Even if you don't have an easel these are wonderful for children of all ages. Large, unlined sheets of paper encourage children to be creative and to express themselves in a completely original way. For infants, toddlers, and preschoolers I will often tape the sheets to the table and let them color/paint/glue to their hearts delight.

Too Heavy
I bought this pad for my twins. They use it on their little tikes double easel. This pad is a little to heavy to stay underneath the clip. When they start drawing on it, it starts to slip down. However, easel pads are not easy to find in our area, so I will probably continue to buy these. They have lots of pages in each book and good quality paper for "little artists". ... Read more