Editorial Review

This combination tricycle/stroller offers an excellent solution for ambivalent preschoolers who want to pedal one moment and be pushed along the next. As with all Radio Flyer rides, the Voyager is built to last, with a durable steel frame and heavy-duty treaded tires. The trike’s unique feature is its steering and pedal lock that allows kids to either pedal or just sit back and let parents do all the work. For parents’ ease of use, the Voyager has a comfortable stroller-style push bar that adjusts to four different positions, and a snap-on snack tray that holds two drinks and a set of keys. A removable nylon backpack with a waterproof interior is attached to the stroller with velcro, and provides just enough space to carry diaper bag necessities. Kids will love the ringing bell and bucket on the back of trike. Parents will love the adjustable seat and safe turning radius that helps to prevents the trike from tipping. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Great Idea - Bad Design
I saw this in the store and it was exactly what I was looking for in a trike for my son. Brought it home, assembled it, and within a week the steering mecanism broke - basically my son wanted to steer one way and my wife wanted to go in a another, battle ensued and the wheel went in one direction and the handlebar went in another. Keep in mind a 2 1/2 year old stuggled and won against his mother. Tore it apart and found that a cheap plastic ring around on the frame connected it with the cables and the plastic ring got stripped in the tug-o-war. Only way to fix is to replace frame!! Manufacturer offered no assistance - a total loss for the purpose it was purchased for.

Not what we expected!
We bought this for our son when he was 18 months old! The Stroller option lasted all but 3 months and snapped! We are not even able to get any replacement or a way to fix it! To use as a trike it is not all that convenient either! The wheel has some kind of system that will let the pedals go freely and when my son tries to pedal backwards, nothing will happen. It is not easy to explain to a 2 and a half year old that if we wants to back up he needs to get off the bike and turn the bike around! I would not recommend it, it is expensive and does not hold what it seems to promise!

We like our trike
We bought this trike for my daughter for x-mas. She has been on it several times in our neighborhood and the local park. We haven't had the cable snap nor had any problems in steering it. My daughter is slowly getting the idea of pedaling but still needs help when steering. I would definitely recommend this trike to a parent with a toddler learning to ride.

Fun while it lasted (which wasn't long at all)
Really wish I could say we loved this tricycle. It has great features with the attached backpack, cupholder, and advertised steering capability; unfortunately, the steering cable snapped after only a few rides and now it's useless. Could we get a fix for the cable? Maybe. But, since we don't feel like 'fixing' an expensive trike every 6th ride, we returned it instead. We tried to save money by buying this instead of a Kettler. Instead we've learned an expensive lesson (which is: there's a reason the Kettler steering mechanism controls the back wheels, rather than a cable system which attempts to steer the front wheel). Bummer, since it had such potential to be so cool (and was a piece of junk instead).

Outstanding toy at a fair price
The wife and I purchased this trike for our 21 month old son and he adores it. The only problem I had is that the steering cable that controls the adult steering handle broke, rendering it uncapable of turning by the supervising adult. But to Radio Flyer's credit I called their customer service and told them what happened, they told me they were aware of the problem and proceeded to tell me that the issue with the cable has been re-engineered to avoid this from happening any further. They then told me they were sending out a replacement part free of charge, they shipped it first class and in less then a week I had the new part along with easy to follow instructions on how to replace it. Now the steering feels structually sound. Although the trike did break I was extremely pleased to see a company stand behind their product and offer replacements free of charge. Way to go Radio Flyer, now if I can only get our son to play with the other toys in the house I will feel like it was all money well spent.. ... Read more

Editorial Review

This pink and purple girl's trike is equipped with everything a beginning rider would want or anticipate from Radio Flyer. Besides being for first-time riders--excitement enough--it comes with a list of confidence-inspiring features, besides having three large, sturdy wheels on a lightweight metal frame to prevent toppling. There's also a large bucket seat for maximum comfort; easy to reach pedals with foot brakes; easy-grip handle bars with wind-lovin' tassels; a rear-end basket for all kinds of toddler "stuff; and a kitschy finger bell kids will love to ring as they turn blind corners in the house. New riders will take pride in every pedal with a trike so well-equipped. --Diane Beall ... Read more

Editorial Review

When the sun beats down over the long haul, this jaunty, adjustable red polyester umbrellatransforms a little red wagon into a shady Conestoga. And it will serve you well should you be surprised byrain showers on your journey. You could also clamp it on a lawn chair, a cooler handle, a park railing, or abackpack strap. The neoprene-padded jaws of the sturdy plastic, 6.5-inch spring clamp move smoothly on180-degree hinges, so the umbrella gets a flat, slip-proof grip on objects that are from an eighth of an inchto 2 inches thick--even on wet wood or slick metal. Made especially to sit pretty on a classic Radio Flyerwagon, the versatile, heavy-duty clamp also accommodates non-planar surfaces, such as a wide-lippedwall. Unfasten the Velcro closure and slide open a taut 26.5-inch diameter circle of shade made of chunky,top-quality materials. A 4-inch-long, .375-inch-diameter metal-spiraled neck above the clamp allows you toadjust the shade to any angle in any direction. This beauty is made to last as long as a Radio Flyer wagon!The umbrella is 30.75 inches long, and comes with instructions. Ava Natov ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Didn't hold up....
I bought two of these umbrellas for the ATW wagon. They both broke at the plastic clip area after one time of using them. The clip is made of plastic and wasn't very durable for the wagon. It would make a better stroller umbrella.

Great Concept but Not Durable
The umbrella is a great idea and works well with the radio flyer wagon. The problem is ours broke after limited use. The umbrella did not bend easily in the coil area. We found that when people adjusted the umbrella they always bent it where the button is to put the umbrella up and down. In the end that is where the umbrella snapped in two. So just take your time when trying to bend the umbrella to block the sun!

A Taper's Delight
This little baby is perfect for concert tapers looking for an easy way to attach an umbrella to their stand. Forget about Duct and Gaffer's tape. Just clamp, and you're ready to record in the rain.

+T to all....

Don't buy for a plastic wagon
The clamp on this broke the FIRST time I attempted to put it on my Discovery
wagon. I assume the spring and clamp are not meant to open that wide.
It is a strong clamp & should be suited to a metal or wooden sided wagon.

Useful but very fragile!
I bought three of these umbrellas. 2 for my youngest daughters wagon because you need 2 to cover the whole wagon. Plus one for my oldest daughters wheelchair. They really are wonderful to have if you remember not to just grab and bend them from anywhere. My husband has snapped all three of them in half because he forgets that he has to be gentle. I have recently ordered another one just because it's impossible to find a clip on umbrella for a wheelchair for when it's raining. BUT... I will not be buying more for the wagon. Too much money to spend for something that breaks so quickly to only be used for shading sun! (...) ... Read more

Reviews (21)

The ULTIMATE wagon
I can't begin to tell you how easy this wagon manuvers in the sand and on land. It fits great in the back of my SUV (which is smaller than most)so we can take it to the zoo. I LOVE the seatbelts that keep my busy toddler from climbing out when we are in motion. I searched and could not find any other wagon with seatbelts. I have a big 1 year old and with both he and a 4 year old friend there is plenty of leg room (I was surprised). This is the BEST choice by far. We tried other wagons before buying this one and I LOVE it!!!

An awesome red wagon
This is one awesome wagon! We looked at the Radio Flyer Pathfinder and the Navigator. The Pathfinder did not have as much legroom in the footwell, or any under-seat storage. My kids are 6 and 2 so legroom and some extra storage are essential. The wagon is easy to pull on grass and pavement. The turning radius is very good if you flip the handle straight up and twirl the wagon around in place. The no-tip feature is great since my 6 year old likes to pull the younger one around, sometimes pretty fast. The door works well, though it is not a child-proof latch. My 2 year old can open the door easily. The cupholders are a nice touch. They hold standard size water bottles, Avent bottles, juice boxes, soda cans, and regular sippy cups. Glass Snapple bottles and wide-bottom Gerber Fun Grips sippy cups don't fit though. Another poster said their Avent bottles don't fit. I wonder if the cupholders have been widened? Our wagon was purchased in May 2003 and hold the Avent bottles easily. The storage bin is big enough for diaper changing items and a few toys. The drain holes are a plus for cleaning or water play. The rubber wheels are quiet and give a smooth ride. The only downside is not having safety straps for the toddler. But he's learned that the wagon doesn't move until he's seated. The wagon fits easily in the back of our small SUV (Volvo XC90)... We get tons of "wow, that's a nice wagon. Where'd you get it?" comments. I highly recommend this red wagon. It's been perfect for our kids.

So pleased with this wagon, we bought one for our niece
This is the wagon you want for your child! It is perfect! It seats 2 kids comfortably, with cupholders and storage under their seat! It goes all over our neighborhood! Its easy to pull, my toddler likes to put things in it and take them out (100 times at least!) When it gets dirty, the garden hose and some dawn dish soap make it look new! It the winter, its great to store balls and toys in the garage. We were so happy with it, we bought it for our niece for her 1st birthday and she loves it too! Granted, it doesn't have the old fashioned look of the metal radio flyer, but its WAY more functional and will get way more use! This is the wagon you want!

Great Buy
The seating makes a more comfortable ride than a flat bed wagon and the cup holders are great. Rubber tires keep the ride quiet, the drain holes make clean up easy, and there is a small amount of storage under one seat.
The front wheels are not attached to the handle, instead they swivel freely. As I searched Radio Flyer's website I realized that this feature is for safety so the wagon doesn't tip, and the wagon can also turn more sharply. Just never grease the wheels... it will make them shake back and forth and it will be impossible to pull the wagon. We learned this the hard way and had to take the wagon apart, clean everything, and put it back together.
We love this wagon and feel that we made the best purchase for our needs.

This is the wagon to buy!
I am very pleased with this wagon. It has proved to be very durable and my kids have great fun playing with it. The rubber wheels are crucial to my satisfaction. They provide a smoother and remarkably quieter ride than plastic wheeled alternatives. I would like a more smooth, comfortable, and possibly rubberized handle. This is not so much of an issue for me however because I don't use the wagon for long walks. My kids love to be pulled around our yard and up and down small hills. The high seat backs provide good support for the later. The cup holders are a nice amenity as is the under seat storage bin. The wagon sprays clean easily with the garden hose, and the drainage holes work well. My kids enjoy sitting in the wagon and having buckets of water tossed on them during hot weather. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

we love it!
My son received this as a gift and he just adores it! I like that it has a two volume settings, as well.

Great Toy
We recently bought this toy for our 11 1/2 month old daughter..she loves it..We bought the Christmas version of it though..It is so cute..I actually like it better than the origanal version.The blocks are so cute and our daughter gets excited when she plays with them...She is walking now and has been since was 10 1/2 months old and loves to follow along after the train..she loves the music when she pushes down its smoke stack..its just a very entertaining toy for her..Great buy..I love all of the Peak a blocks..they are a great toy for any age.

A favorite!!!
Our daughter received this from her train-loving family for Christmas when she was only 2 months old. She has loved it from the start, even when she could only lay there and watch it go rolling by her. Now she crawls after it and squeals in delight. She loves to try to grab the blocks off the top as it goes by. It has an off switch as well as a high and low volume. The music it plays is pleasant enough and the little 'toot, toot' is cute too. I think this is one of those rare toys that will last through both the baby and toddler years. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

A big hit
I purchased all of the peek-a-block toy sets before my son was born. All of them have been a great hit. My son is now 8 months old and this is his favorite of all of the peek-a-block toys. At 6 months old I brought it out for him to play with and he instantly loved it, at 7 months old he had figured out that if he pushed the front of the train it would play music and move and he loves to crawl after it. He also discovered that if he pushed the spinning piece in the center it would play music and he instantly starts to move as if he is trying to dance. At 8 months he has discovered that at the bottom of the blocks there is a place to spin what ever object is inside and when he finally gets his little finger to turn the object inside he laughs, then places the block on the train. Also, my 3 year old nephew instantly runs to this toy when ever he comes over, so I know that this toy will be a big hit for some time.

GREAT!
My 8mth old loves this toy it encourages him to crawl after it and to play with the blocks. he also try's to put them back on the train. when you push the trains smoke stack it starts playing music and starts moving he starts to laugh and crawl.This toy is great! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

This scooter was NOT SAFE for my 5 year-old
My son recv'd this scooter as a gift from grandparents. He initally rode it w/training wheels ON & his free leg/foot would usually get "tripped" up on the training wheels (they extend-out too far). The platform is too short (for my 5 yr old). My son recv'd three gashes/cuts to his ankles (on 3 different occasions) from the rear wheel screw/nut when trying to propel himself along (this is without trng wheels). He also got a cut on the inside part of his leg (near his ankle)from contact w/the metal sloping part (just behind the front wheel) when trying to lift it off/away a curb. After the 3rd incident, we dismantled it & threw it away.

My Daughter is in Love with Her Scooter
My daughter(5) has so much fun riding her new scooter. Her mother who is maybe three times her weight got on it and demonstrated the art of scooting. No damage done -- this scooter is build solid!
I noticed that unlike a bicycle this scooter's turning radius is rather small. The beauty of this is that the child who rides this scooter will less likely have those catastrophic turn-the- handle-bar-one-way-fall-another-way (as on a bicycle) accidents.
None of the toy stores in my town carried this scooter; so I imagine my daughter is one of the few who owns one here. I would not hesitate to buy another scoooter from this company!

3 year old enjoys, 5 year old LOVES, great toy
Solid fun. 3 year old is too young, but learning. 5 year old won't get off the toy. Excellent for 4+ year old children. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Mighty is right! This Tonka crane, constructed of heavy-dutysteel and durable plastic, rides high on large, rugged tires.Realistically styled, it has a long, steel arm with a bucket attachedfor scooping up and relocating rocks or dirt. With its deep-cleatedtires and heavy-duty steel construction, this solid vehicle isguaranteed for life and built for endless hours of fun in the sandboxor yard. The bright-yellow cab section swivels, making it easy to steerthe crane to where the work is. --Chris Burns ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Great Christmas Gift
We gave this to our 5 year old grandson for Christmas and he was thrilled. When we left their house 3 days later, he was still thrilled with the crane. I love the metal that Tonka uses, the plastic trucks do not last with 5 year old twin boys. I recommend this crane for any little boys that enjoy Mighty Machines.

unsafe and frustrating
We got this for our 3-year-old son last Christmas, and he was thrilled with it. He played with it for about 5 minutes and was very frustrated because the arm would not stay in place, it kept crashing down no matter how securely kid (or parents) would try to set it in place. Unsafe for fingers or anyone in the way of the arm when it goes. We tried playing with it for a few days and ended up exchanging it for the excavator instead, which was a big disappointment -- this had been his very favorite thing under the tree. Extremely poor engineering on this one.

Doesn't do the Tonka name proud....
While it's not the cool all-metal stuff that I remember, I know my son enjoyed playing with this. At least UNTIL the lever that keeps the crane up broke. It's a shoddy piece of plastic wrapped by a thin tin shell. I'm very unhappy with this. And as for my son.. it's no fun seeing a 3-year-old cry...

A Fix For The String
I recently purchased the crane, excavator, front loader, etc... The very first time he tried to use it the bucket came off the string. He also has the mini one with the same problem. After you tie it back on put a bead of hot glue on both sides of the knot and press it between your fingers just before it hardens. Neither knot has slipped since! We just found a Tonka track bulldozer that my husband played with 30 years ago and it still works! My son has added it to his fleet. I'm confident these will be around for his kids too!!

Simple and Tough, it will be long life toy.
I bought the crane for my son. He is almost 3y old. This crane is his favorite one and so tough against play at out door ground. (I am not satisfied at just 2 points. 1st one is the stripe on the body. It is not paint but paper seal, weak for wash. 2nd one is spring at baggage. It will be too strong for younger children. ) I also love it because of simple and tough concept. I would like to collect other items for construction role play with my son. ... Read more

Reviews (80)

Great Toy
My daughter loves this toy. There is only one problem, the top yellow curve comes off very easily, so the balls pop out faster. Other then that the toy is great. I love it!!!!

What a wonderful toy!!!
I bought this for my nephew for his first birthday. Not only did he play with this for at least an hour, his almost three year old sister also played with it. I read a comment that a mom complained about chasing down the balls. Well let me tell you, my niece & nephew loved chasing the balls, we didn't have to. I highly recommend this toy.

My son loves this toy!
My son got this toy for his 1st birthday. It took him a bit to learn how to push the plunger but once he did...oh boy! He is now 17 mos and still loves to play with this. He puts his shapes in there and has even put his pinwheel by the air to make it go. My only gripe is that the balls sometimes go everywhere and he loses interest in chasing them and bringing them back. I highly recommend this toy! My son loves it!

favorite toy
We bought this last christmas for our 6 mo old....he was fascinated with it then that the air would blow his hair. Over the last year he has changed the reasons he is interested but he still LOVES this toy. and our second son who is now 6 mo old loves watching it as the older one makes it go. he sings with it now and dances to the music, and tho we use ours all the time have not found it to be horrible on the batteries. Both boys like to stop the balls and catch them and move them to different places and will giggle nonstop for 45 minutes at a time playing with this toy. <br /><br /> WE love it I highly recommend this toy to ALL who have little ones

NO EDUCATIONAL VALUE
We recieved this toy for Christmas for my then 8 month old daughter, last year. The yellow and red pieces snap together and then they snap to the main piece where the balls can be stored. I have no idea why they did this because at 8 months my daughter pulled up on it and leaned on it and it always fell apart! The balls pop out the top and make there way down while music is played which really amused my dog more then my kid. The balls wind up going all over the floor and by the time you collect them all and wrestle the dog for them it has already stopped playing. Also, if all the balls are in it, they go all over the floor, but, if only a couple balls are in it, they dont pop out the top, they just kinda hover in the whole until another ball comes around or it stops playing. My daughter liked the balls by themselves best, especially in the tub. We wound up giving this toy away because all together I saw no educational value in it and it drove my dog insane! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

cute but dangerous!!!
My 4 year old son received this bike last year as a gift, I loved the classic look, but did not like that it does not have any brakes. This is a cool bike and kids want to go fast, but can't really stop in time. My kid had to drag his shoes on the floor like if he was fom the stone-age era to stop!!! I would not recommend this bike, unless you can figure out how to equip this bike with brakes!!!!

Advertisement misinformation
I would think that the information of a child's bike that did not come equipped with brakes would be listed in the advertisement. This bike has NO brakes. Had I known this information I would never have bought this bike. We have a steep driveway and there is no way for her to stop or even slow down without dropping her feet and risking injury. I am currently writing a complaint letter to the manufacturer regarding this situation.

NO BRAKES?!?!?!?!?!?
Okay... I have to admit that this is an adorable little bike. When my son received it for Christmas I don't know who was more excited! Then I proceeded to assemble it and noticed a 'warning' on the side of the box... "No Brakes".

Correct me if I'm wrong here but I thought the whole point of getting a bike with training wheels was to actually 'teach' a child how to ride a bike. Sure the 10" Radio Flyer may be good for the first 3 months but what happens when your little one 'gets up to speed'? They'll be crashing into everything. Meaning the bike, at best, will be limited to backyard use only. Our intent was to go for strolls around our block... and we live in a very quiet neighborhood with little traffic. Still, I wouldn't trust going around the block knowing my little one couldn't stop on his own if he had to or, God forbid, mommy was a step or two behind and not able to 'grab' him quick enough!

For $...I'd recommend going with a bike that has brakes so that parents and/or caregivers can seize 'teachable moments' (like, stop or you'll crash into the house!).

Bummer... I expected more from Radio Flyer.

Great first bike!
My son and daughter both learned to ride with this bike. My Daughter is only 2 and learned really easily. I am getting her a bigger one for Christmas since she did so well this summer with this one. One thing about it is it is hard to get going with it at first.

Nice first bike
Our 2 year-old (now 2-1/2) loves it. Even though he was only 24-25 lbs. and 29" tall at the time, he would have felt like a baby if we bought him a tricycle or a plastic "toy" bike. Radio Flyer has already shipped us a couple of parts that fell off (from heavy use) free-of-charge... ... Read more

Editorial Review

Excellent as a first bike, the Ready-to-Ride comes in bright, friendly primary colors and the classic Radio Flyer stylings that remind parents of the little red tricycles of their youths. As with all Radio Flyer trikes, the Ready-to-Ride is built to last with a durable steel frame and heavy-duty treaded tires. Plastic bucket seats provide a comfortable ride and rubber handles offer a secure grip. Kids can tow a doll or load toys into the yellow storage bin on back and announce that they're coming through with the loud bell on the handlebar. Parents will appreciate the trike's low center of gravity and controlled turning radius that prevents it from tipping during speedy turns. The lightweight and portable Ready-to-Ride also easily folds up for storage and has a handy grip in the back of the seat for carrying or hanging. A reliable safety latch ensures that the trike won't begin to fold up midway through a ride. The Ready-to-Ride trike comes fully assembled and is covered by a one-year warranty. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Classic Radio Flyer That Is Portable and A Big Hit!!!
I bought this trike for my 1 1/2 year old and just loves it. It is fully assemble and easy to collapse making it portable to take with us in the car. My son just loves to push the tricycle around. He hasn't quite figured out pedaling yet, but it's easy for him to push it with his feet. I haven't seen anything to lead me to worry about it tipping. This bike is much more attractive then some of the plastic models out there.

Danger!
We bought this for our 3 year old and were very disapointed. We found this trike to be very dangerous. He rode this bike and fell over many times, we also have the fisher price 3 in one bike and that never happened before. We bought this trike as a rite of passage beliving in the radio flyer name brand and tradition. Took it back to the store! Just because it looks cute is not worth the risk of injury to our son. Sorry Radio Flyer but you need to redesign this one!

Great trike!
I have a 2-year-old who is small for his age, so I was looking for a smaller trike. He loves this trike and it is not tipsy as some of the other models of Radio Flyer are. The other comparably-sized (and same-priced) trike is the Preschool Fold-up Trike by Friendly Toys, but it is not nearly the trike that the Radio Flyer is. The RF is way more heavy duty and for the same price! Another bonus is not having to assemble it. It's already assembled! My little boy started pedaling on it right away and he's never ridden a trike before, so I know it must fit him well. ... Read more

Editorial Review

James the Red Engine is one of the Thomas the Tank Engine series of train cars and is made of real wood. James has a cheery, smiling face on the front of the engine, promising an adventure as soon as the train leaves the station. James the Red Engine pulls his own coal car, so he won't run out of fuel. The cars attach to each other with magnets. This is a toy that encourages imaginative play and requires no batteries. Engine with attached coal car measures 5.75 inches in length. --Margaret Quinn ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Better than Thomas
Although my 3 year old loves Thomas on TV, for some reason he loves the James toy more than the Thomas one. The coal car is a big deal to him. His 18 month old brother loves it too. These toys withstand two boys playing with them better than any other I can find. I bought the tracks & engine at Christmas & they still play with it EVERY day!

Hooray for James
James does a great job pulling the coaches along the track. He can pull pretty much anything at a fast pace. I've had my Jame sfor 9 years and it looks almost new. He's a great engine and you can live the episodes with these trains.

Grandma's Magic Accident
I purchased Thomas the engine without realizing that it was not battery operated. I gave it to my 2 year old grandson for his birthday because I had nothing else to give, and the twinkle in his eyes let me know I had hit upon a winner. The adventures for Thomas and his friends have not ended. I have since purchsed, Skarloey, Ben & Bill, Douglas, Percy, Toby and Bertie. The adventures just don't seem to end for my grandson. He plays with this toy for hours. His vocabulary has increased at the same pace as his adventures. The fact that this is not battery operated is the joy of the toy. I need not turn on the television to keep him occupied, he has Thomas and his many friends and that is good enough for me.

JAMES IS GREAT!!!!!!!!
James is one of my favorite engines he is a big engine and the same length as duke edward and mike and he is in a lot of stories like james goes buzz buzz.

Best Investment I Have Ever Made
My 2 year old son loves his James. He likes him best because of the bright red color. His Thomas the Tank train set is the only toy he plays with period and he plays with it everyday. Other than Thomas Trains, he plays outside. When we have guests, he takes them all to play with his train set. To any first time buyer of Thomas trains you will notice the prices seem high for a toy of this size but you have to remember that these toys are not plastic but are made of solid maple and have a lifetime warranty. People have asked me why I buy these trains when they most of the set is not battery powered. The reason is because it has been my experience that children get pretty bored just watching a train go around a track. With Thomas the Tank Trains your little loved one gets to actually participate by moving the trains. All the trains have different colors, numbers and names which help promote memory skills and recognition while having fun. The Thomas Tank Engine books and DVD's teach lessons and morals on hard work, kindness, accepting responsibility, etc, etc, etc...... As your child ages they can begin to build their own track layouts so the toy grows with them. The makers of this series have also included items in the series that are good for people with a tighter budget. If your child likes the trains but you can't buy a full track set, you can always buy a play mat that has track printed on them or you can get Thomas the Tank engine felt boards and stick-ups. I hope this review helps!!!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A wonderful toy that grows with your child!
My daughter got this toy when she was about 9 months old. She turned it around backwards and held onto the handles to learn how to walk. She would squeal with delight and do laps around our house. She was able to swing the horse around and go in another direction if she got stuck in a corner. She is now 2 1/2 and races the horse all over the house and outside. This is a great toy that was worth every penny!

a great, classic toy
Before my daughter could walk, she could bang enthusiastically around the house on this horse. "Horse" naturally became one of her first words. At 15 months, it remains her favorite toy.

Kids really love this one!
Really cute and classic looking. Both of my children loved this toy. Our children have had plenty of use out of it. Only downfall is the handles won't stay on the horse. We had to replace them for the second child. But other than that it is a nice toy.

Handle grip broke after 2 yrs but....
A great toy. Lots of fun time spent riding on our hardwood floors. But when 2nd child started to use the 2 yr old toy the handles broke. Radio Flyer is replacing them for a 3$charge.

A walking tool
My son received this before he began walking. It literally helped him learn balance and how to walk. He's now almost 19 mos. and zooms through the house pushing it from the head. He does also ride on it occasionally. I've found it to be very sturdy; we've never had a problem with it flipping over. We just have to watch that he doesn't "ram" into furniture and walls. He's learned to "steer" it and avoid the walls and has done very well. He loves it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

With its fully retro design, faithfully reproduced down to thesmallest detail, this cherry-red, rubber-wheeled tricycle is anundisputed classic. Apparently they do still make them like theyused to. The rugged trike features a chrome front fender; a double-deck,step-in back (so kids can climb onto the smooth metal seat in a snap);red-and-white tassels on the rubber-coated handlebars; a 12-inch-high,steel-spoked wheel; and even an old-fashioned bell. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Old-fashioned look, good old-fashioned training
This is not only a nostalgic cute "toy" for my generation but it is also a well-disguised tool to learn balance and control before moving onto a real bicycle for my three year-old son. It may not be the preschool plastic low-riding bike that never tips over or doesn't hurt as much when he takes a spill but it certainly reminds him that everything needs to be approached with a certain amount of knowledge, understanding and respect. Personally, I feel no toy should be played with without any parental supervision at first...it's my job as a parent and a guide to show my child the "correct" way to tackle things and then to have him challenge that and then settle on his own way. I have shown him what to do and what not to do in order to manipulate the tricycle. It's a learning experience for him to remember that he shouldn't turn the wheel fast or too extreme in order to avoid falling off. It's a firm tricycle and it feels more like a grown-up "thing" than a kid's "thing"--he likes that.

And the bell--he really likes that...you should see the proud smile on his face.

The only trike I've found to fit my XL son
I had problems finding a trike/bike to fit my son who is 42 inches tall and 38 lbs at exactly 3 years old. Too heavy and too tall for the recommended age level trike/bikes out there. He lacked the developmental coordination (comfort level?)to pedal the appropriately sized bike with training wheels that we purchased. This trike is a perfect fit and he gets excited to ride it. We found ours as a display model at a local garden shop. He sat on it independently the first time and rode all around the show room (something he had never done with his bike). I also like that I don't have to worry about him outgrowing the upper weight limit before he loses interest in riding it. He is all boy so we have had to retighten a few screws every few months, but so what. We have to replace batteries and inspect his other toys on a regular basis too. Hope this review helps other parents with larger than average children.

Cute for the Photo
My son received this as a gift a few years ago. It was breath-taking when we first saw it and took pictures of him on it, but he never really learned to ride it. Probably because it's sooooooooo heavy. I would not recommend this tricycle to anyone.

a classic
i bought this trike for my son and he loves it. he is 20months old and can't really reach the pedals, but he has to work at playing with it. everything these days is too easy for kids. it is nice to see him use his physical and thinking skills to try to work this trike. i agree with other people on this page that falls will come with any riding toy especially trikes, but i remember that being part of the fun. if you want to bring back memories of your childhood (riding on the back while some else pedals), buy this trike.

Tips over and bolts loosen
I bought two of these for my twin daughters who are 4-1/2 now and they still have trouble riding them.

The trike will topple over if the wheels are turned too sharply. The center of gravity is too high for small children. One of my daughters said she's rather just walk in the parade and wave a flag than learn how to ride it for the 4th of July parade. That's when I decided I need to get her a different trike if her experience has been that bad.

Also, the bolts come loose and the wheel can turn without turning the steering wheel no matter how tightly the bolts are tightened. Same with the seat - it wiggles.

The other daughter fell off the trike and the lever for the bell dug into her skin causing a bad scrape.

It's pretty and the bell has a lot of nostalgia but it hasn't been practical at all. Trike riding should feel like a joy but with these, the kids think I'm giving them a chore when I say "Let's go ride tricycles." ... Read more

Editorial Review

Gordon is a long, blue express locomotive who supplies water for Thomas and tows a coal tender.

Based on the award-winning PBS television series Shining Time Station by the Rev. W. Awdry, the Thomas the Tank train system is the perfect child's train set. Each wooden vehicle has a different name, character, and face. The magnetic bumpers make linking up easy. Friendly characters will engage your child in hours of imaginary play. Designed to support your child's development, the system encourages the use of new motor and cognitive skills. --Sandy Hirsch ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Gordon sure can pull a lot of coaches at once
When my sister plays express with Gordon and all the coaches she sometimes has a hard time pulling them. Then when I help her I realize how many coaches Gordon can pull. It amazes me how strong gordon really is. Like all Thomas trains the magnet is very durable and it can be used for hours of use.

Express Engines
Gordon is a big express engine who is fast. He is the same size as He is in some story stops like Gordon takes a dip and Henry and the elephant. He has a tender with the number 4 on it.

Perfect
This huge toy is loved by many; you can roll it around, make a train, play games, and lots of other stuff with it.

Also, it is very durable.

This toy is great!

Here Comes the Express!!
Gordon is the large express engine. He's bigger than the other Thomas the Tank Engine toys. His bright blue paint and smiling face make him a joy to play with. My son just recently got Gordon, and he has quickly become one of his favorites. He likes to attach all of his other cars to Gordon and have him pull them. As with other trains in this family, Gordon is strong and durable and will provide hours of fun, interactive play. Pick Gordon up today for your child; they will thank you for it.

Great toys from a wonderful set of stories.
My 2 1/2 year old son loves the Thomas and Friends trains (and all trains in general). He received a starter set for his second birthday, and since then I've added a number of track expansions, cars, buildings, and a couple of storage boxes to his set. He now has so much that we've filled a large Rubbermaid plastic storage box. His train set is easily his favorite toy; his large collection of "Little People" toys from Fisher-Price are now a distant second.

They have been very durable, surviving many accidental falls off the coffee table in our living room, (now officially the "Train Table"), suffering only a few minor dings and some chips in the paint. (I reduced my rating for durability by a star because of the tendency of the paint to chip from a fall, but we have a hardwood floor, however a vinyl floor, and certainly a carpet, may not cause this.) Even with my son's vigorous, energetic play, not one car, or piece of track has broken in almost two years now of frequent play. The only exception to this is our "Wellsworth Station", where the internal mechanism that moves the passenger and sets the stop sign finally failed, although this was due to my son's zealous pounding on the tower of the station which engages the mechanism. The tracks and buildings are solid wood, very durable, and seem like they will last for years. With the exception of this one failure, all of the parts have been exceptionally durable.

These toys have been wonderful for my son, helping his imagination and creativity, his learning to sequence and order things, the properties of objects as he puts pieces of track together, and using numbers in learning the characters and building trains for playing out his ideas. Many of the buildings have a mechanical action feature that indirectly teaches him about mechanics and physics, such as when he plays with the turntable, Cranky the Crane, or the Coal loader.

We have the new 'improved' track with rails on one side and road on the other, allowing us many options in building tracks and roads for play. We cover our table with a large piece of brown felt, and use other small pieces of different shapes and colors to add roads, fields and crops, mountains, lakes, and rivers to our scenarios. This adds a great deal of extra depth and possibilities to our play, and more opportunities for imagination, creativity, and learning. Playing out scenarios from the stories and inventing our own has provided us many, many hours of quality time together as Dad and son. I feel good knowing that I'm buying good quality toys for him that will last and provide a constructive and positive learning environment, rather than the typical lousy and cheap plastic action figures that glorify conflict and violence. I especially like it when we play out scenarios from the stories that have morals about cooperation, friendship, responsibility, and hard work, etc.

I would not recommend these toys for a child less than 2 years of age as they require more developmental ability than even an older infant possesses, but they are perfect for toddlers. The individual toys and buildings themselves have age ratings on them, varying between 2 to 3+ years, making it easy to pick ones appropriate for your child, and allowing the toy to grow and expand as your child does. As my son has developed new skills and abilities, I've been able to increase the complexity of the layouts we build, and in the choices I make in what new items to add to his set. From my experience with my son, even a small Thomas set and a little bit of imagination will go a long way with a child, and provide hours of good wholesome fun. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Makes a great gift
I think this is a great product. It supports my son when he is sitting up and he loves to play with it. I have noticed older children like to curl up with it while watching television. I think this would make a nice gift because it is unique. Unlike most baby toys and products, we will get years of use out of the Activity Dino.

Expensive rubbish - waste of money !
We recently ordered Dino for our 6 month old son, thinking we could use it initially to help him sit up and then later as a fun rough-and-tumble toy. What arrived was a small overstuffed sock with a few "crinkly" spines. The quality of the material was cheap and nasty and the construction is appauling. As for the "roar" of the nose - we could barely hear a squeak. Needless to say, we returned this "toy" immediately. Don't waste your money - a pillow with a decorative face would be just as good and at least the cover would be washable ! AWFUL !!!!!

My son loves this!!!
My mother-in-law bought this for my son when he was a few months old. I never imagined he would love it as much as he does. When he was 3 or 4 months old it helped prop him up and he would look at it and pat it. Now, at 7 months he wrestles with it and plays with the spines on the back to hear the different noises. He loves the crinkly and shiny fabric. He tries to squeeze the nose which makes a great roaring sound. His eyes light up every time he sees dino!!!

my little one has had a grate time with it
My daughter Nicole got this from her godmother, she was about six months, so anyway... she liked it because of the color and stuff and we mostly used it for support -since she kept falling backwards- then when she was a couple of months older she would used it as a pillow (a rather tall one) to rest her head on while watching t.v, and when it was time to take a nap she loved to curl into a fetal position and place her back against it (she still does this, while sucking her thumb)she liked it so much we tried to put it in her crib, but found it too big. Now we've had it for some time and kept it in a corner of the living room, so she could get it when she wanted to watched t.v. One of these days I heard her giggle through the baby monitor and went to check on her, I found her rolling around the floor with it hugged tightly against her, then she placed herself on top of it and sit back and rode it as a horsie... a few days after I found her asleep on top of it, with her thumb in her mouth and her legs streched back and crossed together. She likes this thing so much she won't use anything else to watch t.v or take a nap with, almost everytime we get home the first thing she does is run to it, pull it to the middle of the room and just have fun.It's really amazing -to me anyway- how she hasn't ger tired of it.
The only thing is that sometimes when it's time to go to bed at night she wants to sleep either on top or with it, and she's always saying "no, mama, no!" when I trie to take her upstairs for bedtime OR she says "no, daddy, no" in the most sweetest of voices, with her big blue eyes puppy-stile and a pout and my husband gives right up and lets her have it her way.
But I don't think that's such a bad thing cause she's a heavy sleeper and she doesn't wake up when we take her to her room. Nothing more to say except... I ADORE THIS FREAKING TOY, and more important, SHE ADORES IT EVEN MORE. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Kindhearted but noisy, Harold the Helicopter likes to drop in on the Island of Sodor to visit his railway friends. This 4-inch sturdy wood helicopter is white with a sleek red racing stripe above his name. With a rotating propeller and plastic landing pontoons, Harold is ready for action. Based on the popular Thomas the Tank Engine series by Reverend W. Awdry and the PBS television show Shining Time Station, this flying fellow is part of the much-loved wooden railway system, which is compatible with other magnetic train sets. You can reenact all the exciting stories in the series or make up new ones. Thomas fans won't want to miss out on any of these fun, well-built railway characters. --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Lots of fun, but easily broken
My 3 year old son did chores around the house to buy this toy himself. We were very disappointed when one of the rotors broke off within a month. I was with him when it broke. He was not doing anything rough with it. He didn't even drop it. We did not realize there was a guarantee. We've glued it back together at least 10 times. I don't know if that voids the guarantee or not.

Otherwise, it is a great toy. My son carries it all over the place. He says it is his favorite.

I guess the older propellers work better
I've noticed a bunch of complaints regarding the proplellers on Harold the Helicopter. My Harold is over eight years old and it still has his propellers in fine working order. My problem with Harold is the fact that there's not much to do with him. The new hospital track gives him a place to land but he gets boring quickly. Still a good buy though.

love it!
My son has this toy. He loves it. The plastic rotors keep breaking off,(we are on our 3rd Harold and have to get a 4th now.) I have had a hard time trying to find out who to contact for replacement now that the company has switched hands.

Harold's propellers break easily
I have a normal active three year old boy, who loves his Harold. However, the propellers are made of a hard plastic that snap if they are stepped on or smacked around - hard to avoid with a 3 yr old boy! Thank goodness for the lifetime replacement guarantee - that's why I continue to buy this brand. Harold has been replaced twice - my son thinks he goes to the repair shop! Overall the Thomas wooden train system is incredible, but like any brand, it does have it's glitches.

Great toy but breaks easily
My kids have several Thomas toys from Imaginarium and they LOVE them. This one is the least durable of the bunch. 2 blades have broken off of Harold, so his flying is a little lopsided these days. I think they need to try another approach for the blades. ... Read more