Reviews (3)

An Excellent First Bike Choice
I had purchased the Radio Flyer All-Terrain Tricycle, but it was poorly constructed, and had to be returned. This bike was suggested as a replacement, and it is wonderful! My 4 year-old has no trouble stopping or steering (as he did trying another "big boy bike.") He loves to ride "super-time fast" and feels so proud of himself.

I strongly recommend this as a first time bike. The training wheels ride smoothly on the ground, providing as much security as a trike. The bell is fun, and the classic red looks can't be beat. The seat and handlebars are easily adjustable, and can accomodate a larger child (mine is 44 inches and growing...)

nice, but not so durable
My son got this for Christmas and loved it, but after just 5 months of normal play from a 3 year-old, the spokes on the tires all began to fall out. We tried to get them back in, but had no luck. Soon, the spokes became entangled with the bike's chain and would cause the chain to fall off. I took this bike to my local bike repair shop and they could not fix the spokes. I have written the company and am awaiting a reply. I recently visited a toys-r-us store and I looked at this bike on display in the store, and it too had some loose spokes. I would not recommend this bike.

old time fun and memories
Ipurchased this bike for my nephew's 3rd christmas. At first I thought he wouldn't be able to master it, but within minutes he ways flying down the sidewalk like a pro. When he returned home I had to ship it to him...his only conversation with me was"auntie where's my bike?"This was one toy he truely loved. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very cute, but very hard to steer
This is an adorable lil' fire engine, and my twin sons love the look of the toy, and enjoy playing with the bell and the horn. But it is also VERY heavy, awkward and has very little in the way of turning radius. The steering wheel just barely turns left and right. This frusterates them more often than not, which is why I rate the toy only a 2 for fun. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Watch out for falling rock! Railroad construction ahead!Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Big Loader will bring out the train conductor in any child. When the big loader is running, use the control buttons on the track to make the train change direction. Itsy-bitsy engineers control whatever it does next. The track includes hoppers, loading docks, and transfer ramps. The motorized chassis fits under Thomas, Percy, and Terrance, the toys' included companions. After parents take a few minutes to read the simple instructions, make sure a 2-by-2-foot space is available for construction. Requires one AA battery for operation. --Andrea Linsky ... Read more

Features

• Thomas, Percy, and Terrence cars included
• Requires at least a 2-by-2-foot space

Reviews (85)

Not very happy
We got this train for our daughters 4th Birthday and when we took it out of the box the main train that pulls the rest was broken. We tried to figure out how it goes together and never did so she has not got a chance to play with it! The box was in great condition so I really do not know how it was in so many pieces when we got it! I am not happy about that, but as far as fun...can't say due to it never working!! I hope others that purchase this toy have better luck that we have had.

GREAT GIFT!!!!
My son received this toy for his 3rd birthday- and it is, by far, his favorite gift. He loves watching the trains do their jobs loading and unloading the "rocks." And, after it goes around the correct way a few times, he likes to switch things up and see what happens if he puts the trains in the wrong places. The parents who are complaining that this is not an interactive toy need to realize that it is interactive if you let your kids try different things with it. It doesn't always have to work in the right order for the toy to be fun. As a matter of fact, by putting things in the wrong order to see what happens, my son gets a great lesson in cause and effect.

Took a while to assemble but IT WORKS!
My son is 2 and a half. I'm a 34-year-old Network Engineer. I had not heard of the original "Big Loader" toy or how it worked, but my son saw the box in the store with Thomas, Percy, and Terence the Bulldozer - and that was it. He was sold. He didn't care what the toy actually did, as long as it had these three characters. So I figured "What the heck" and purchased it.

First off, I will also agree with many of the opinions - the included instruction page (note: singular) needs some more detail. I also had to resort to the box illustrations for help.

However, I *DID* manage with the instructions. I didn't have any problems with the battery compartment, the tracks fit nicely, and the whole track stayed assembled.

The next challenge was to figure out the motorized routine. After about 10 tries, I finally was able to coordinate the motor's direction, orientation, and the train-cover layout to get it all working.

And me and my son just stared at that toy for ten minutes straight. Whenever the train changed from Thomas to Percy, he would giggle. Same for when the bulldozer activates. He does appreciate the "fragility" of the system by telling everyone to "stand-back" while it runs. I also think a lot of it had to do with me having fun with the toy as well. Since I didn't get (too) frustrated with putting it together, he wasn't afraid or put-off by it either.

Tomy also has an even larger kit that adds-on to this one. I might have to save that for another day....

BOTTOM LINE: Not a typical train-set. Takes some effort to construct *AND* operate. Features 3 popular Thomas characters.

He played with it once & all the pieces are everywhere
My mom bought this for my son. It never really ran right, wouldn't stay on the track, & the pellets go everywhere. He would get frustrated & so did I. We put it away the first day & no one ever asked for it again, thank goodness.

Happy with thomas
Our 3 year old son got this track a year ago and hardly played with it because we only let him watch and touch the levers. However, once we stopped worrying about what happened to the toy and let him be hands on, he has played with it nonstop for two weeks. He doesn't even need the train to be turned on, and will push it around manually. It is incredibly durable to deal with his handling, and after the first couple times to figure it out, very easy to put together-he even knows how it works. Great toy! ... Read more

Reviews (69)

There are better products out there
We received this as a gift for my third child. The older two used a wonderful one that gave out after the second one and unfortunately, they're not made anymore. This one only has two advantages over the old one: (1) it has a wheel control (like those on roller skates) to tighten the wheel so it won't go too fast for the baby learning to walk and (2) it's much easier to make it go flat or sit it back up right - I broke a lot of fingernails trying to make the old one change positions.

The two doors, like the other reviewers said, come off way too easily. Once they're off -- there is little left on the toy except the boring sliders (in comparison to other baby toys). The three "letters" just float around the junk pile and are a waste.

At least, the walker has two handles - one on top for standing, and one on the back for walking on knees, which my baby likes to do. I'm glad it wasn't me who bought this.

does the job
As a parent who's child has used three different walkers, I will have to say this is our favorite. It has a good wide base which prevents tipping, as well as tripping over wheels which are too close together (important if your child is tall). My daughter's physical therapist agrees it is one of the better walkers she has seen in terms of supporting a near-walking child, not necessarily in terms of entertainment value.

Not Little Tikes quality!
I like the sliding bugs and popping butterfly, and my daughter likes to carry the plastic envelopes around with her. As a walking toy this is not very sturdy. Also, the blue and green doors on the front are supposed to flip open, but my little one can easily pull them off completely. I expect better quality from Little Tikes.

Not a good toy
This toy is not recommended for babies learning to walk. It is flimsy and when my son falls backwards it winds up falling on top of him and frightens him, sometimes even hitting his face. There should be more weight to the bottom of the thing to help keep it stable. I wish I knew this before I purchased this item. Instead of assisting my baby with walking, it hurts him.

Serves it purpose
I bought this for my son when he was starting to cruise the furniture. He instantly fell in love with it. The only issue I've had with it is the doors come off way too easy. It was always te first thing he did.... take the doors off. I just ended up leaving them off... problem solved I loved the fact the it has wheel control (the main reason I bought it) so you can make it slower for new walkers. I had a walker without wheel locks and my poor little guy kept falling because he couldn't keep up with the walker but as soon as I brought this one home he was all over the place. Now at 16 months and walking on his own, he still loves it. He put the letters in the slots and brings mommy and daddy mail as well as other toys he can fit in there. The way I look at it is it served it's purpose as a walker and now it's a toy for my walking toddler. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Unzip this 10-by-14-inch, bright turquoise, soft cloth book, and you'll find two animal-packedalphabet trains spanning both pages. Each train car is a pocket, and each pocket is embroidered with aletter of the alphabet. Inside the pockets you'll find friendly little pillow animals, each one marked with aletter of the alphabet: the pink elephant rides in the E car, and the green alligator rides in the A car.Your child will love taking the animals out of the pockets and stuffing them back in (a favorite toddleractivity). You'll have fun teaching your child the names of the animals and letters, such as N for newtand X for xenops. When playtime is over, your toddler can zip the whole gang safely inside, grab thesturdy handle, and tote the little animals to their next destination. --Elisabeth Fredrickson ... Read more

Reviews (8)

My favorite toy for my kids!
This was a gift to my newborn boy, but my 2 1/2 year old adores it!
Pros:
1. helps teach letters (each animal has the letter that starts its name on its back)
2. compact, portable
3. cute!
4. animals good for other play (my daughter likes to pretend to "save" them when they are stuck in a tree, or have them ride in her "airplane" (shoe)... and much much more
5. OK for babies (although the animals are smallish, ~ 3inches tall, they never presented a choking hazard for my son -- who likes to chew them)
6. The animals machine wash well (see chewing note above :) )
Cons:
1. Lots of pieces to lose -- we lost the lion for quite a while, but he showed up behind the entertainment center
2. Some of the animals are not so recognizable -- I think "N" is a newt, but it's hard to tell.

Despite the few cons, this is probably my favorite toy that my kids have. Thus, 5 stars all around!

A worthy investment
I bought this for my daughter at 17 months and she loves it. Not only is it beautiful, it's the best quiet time toy ever!!

Just an FYI
We've owned this toy for over 3 years. The manufacturer (Pockets of Learning) replaces missing pieces at no charge, not even shipping!

Great Old MacDonald Cheat Sheet
We love our Animal Train. We sing Old MacDonald Had a Farm and use all of the animals in alphabetical order. Some are a little hard to come up with sounds for (like newt, for example!!!) and some of the animals are hard to recognize, but still, this is a wonderful idea and a nice implementation of it.

My 16 month old loves this learning toy!!
I bought this when my son was 14 months old and it immediately became his favorite toy. Within a month he knew at least 10 of the animals and could point to them when I asked where they were. He even knows exactly where to place his favorite 4 animals when all of the pockets are empty. This toy has helped his dexterity too as he has learned how to slide the animals inside of the pockets. These soft animals are just the right size for little hands and at any point during the day our son can be found carrying 2 or 3 animals all around the house. They have even helped with nap and bedtime!! Putting him down for sleep was a dreaded event as he would always cry. I began to place the entire "book" in his crib, telling him to talk to each of his animals. He becomes so focused on taking them in and out of the book that he forgets about going to sleep and ultimately falls asleep within 15 minutes. When I go in to check on him he is always sound asleep with one still in his hands! I HIGHLY recommend this toy as it teaches colors, letters, animals and helps increase dexterity. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Thomas the Tank is the signature bright-blue engine in the Thomas the Tank series. He does light yard work and pulls small passenger cars, such as Annie and Clarabel. Based on the award-winning television series Shining Time Station by the Reverend W. Awdry, the Thomas the Tank train system fulfills all of a child's choo-choo dreams. Each vehicle has a different name, character, and face. It is wooden and 2 inches high with black plastic wheels. The magnetic bumpers at the ends of each vehicle make linkup easy. Children will become friends with each one, developing not only imaginative play but social skills and new motor and cognitive skills as they mature. --Sandy Hirsch ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Very good toy
First, when I bought a Thomas tape, My 3 years old son watched it six times in a line. Then I bought Figure 8 set. He liked it very much. Later I had the Mountain Tunnel Set and a lot of tracks and most of the engines and freight cars and circus cars. Now my three little children play them every day. The two years old twins count the engines and they all learn to share the railway, who goes where; Who passes the crossroad first to avoid crash. They learn to wait patiently because the train is very long. I help them bulid the railway system(I change the layout freqently). Dad sometimes has a race with them. It could be a hobby later in their teen life. My experence, 8 inchs track is never enough when you want to play on the carpet. They are good toys.

The one and only Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas is great and it's so fun to pull him along the track woth Annie and Clarabel. When I make the big setes In set aside a branch line for Thomas, Percy, and sometimes Lady. Thomas is great but in order to get the experience you need Annie and Clarabel.

Once you start, you can't stop!
When I checked out a Thomas DVD from our local library, I had no idea what I'd get into. My 2 yr old son is now obsessed with Thomas. Plays with them day and night. 4 yr old daughter enjoys them too. They are great toys- building track is good for spatial relations, they teach color and numbers and the stories all have good values- plus he plays with them like action figures. We're keeping these for our grandkids. Also, try eBay for Thomas sets. We got two sets of ten trains for about forty apiece, big savings. But then some track sets are cheaper here than you can find on eBay, so be sure to check both.

SMALL PROBLEM
I ordered this to for my son, and when it arrived in the mail I was shocked! It is so small! I guess I sould have read the size description better. Cute train, but not worth the money for its size.

boy's toys
My soon to be 3yr old son loves these trains, he started with his 8yr old uncles trains, his uncle has had these toys since he was a toddler as well and still plays with them. After i saw how much my son enjoyed the trains i bought him the figure 8 set, i thought at the time that that was all i would get him, i now plan to get him all the trains, he knows all their names and points to pictures of them in the pamphlet you get with the set and asks for them. he calls the pamphlet his book, he reads it often. since buying that set i have bought all the videos i find, some books, some trains, some track. the only bad thing i can think of about them is that they are somewhat pricey, though i know they will last a long time, you cant tell his uncles set is old at all. the only reason i buy them is because he gets so excited about them, he also behaves very well when i threaten to ground him from them, its the only thing he gets upset about losing and its almost the only thing he plays with now besides his trucks and cars. ... Read more

Features

• Plastic frame, 6 wheels
• 2 trash bins
• Movable parts

Reviews (9)

BRUDER 24' MERCEDES BENZ GREEN GARBAGE TRUCK
I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK FOR MYSELF! EVER SINCE I WAS A CHILD, I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED A GARBAGE TRUCK THAT ACTUALLY WORKED LIKE A REAL LIFE GARBAGE TRUCK, THIS TRUCK DEFINELTY DOES!! IT IS VERY DETAILED AND EASY TO OPERATE. IT ACTUALLY COMPACTS AND EMPTIES! IT'S REALLY COOL! NOW THE BAD PART, IF YOU ARE PURCHASING THIS TRUCK FOR A YOUNG CHILD IT ISN'T AS DURABLE AS A TONKA TRUCK AND MIGHT NOT LAST AS LONG! OTHER THAN THAT, IT IS A GREAT TRUCK ESP. IF YOU GREW UP LIKING GARBAGE TRUCKS!

Looks great, but I wonder about quality
Wow! We just opened the box to our Bruder Garbage Truck. It looks great, like the kind of toy I wish I had as a child. Yes, the price is high, and yes, I am concerned that the plastic may not hold up to any rough play. However, with the continual decline of Nylint and Tonka, it is getting harder and harder to get quality trucks for little boys (and adults!). On that front, I am glad that Bruder offers these detailed vehicles. Also, I am glad to find a toy truck that doesn't have battery powered annoying lights and sounds. Like I said, it is getting more difficult each Christmas season to find a quality toy truck.........

Another teacher raves
My son loves garbage trucks and has several toy garbage trucks. The Bruder brand is wonderful.

My son loves this truck, but.......
My six-year old absolutely adores this truck - he has named it, he draws it, it has to be on the floor next to his bed at night. He enjoys playing with it and loves to demonstrate how a "real" garbage truck operates. HOWEVER, despite the fact that he really has not been rough with it, in only six months it's not only falling apart, but the plastic parts are breaking too.
Overall, I can't really justify the price to replace the thing.

Our 2 & 3 year old boys LOVE this BRUDER GARBAGE TRUCK !
We ordered 2 BRUDER GARBAGE TRUCKS for our sons , they are 2 & 3 --- They get excited when they see the garbage truck pick up our trash , they think the big garbage trucks are interesting --- When SANTA brought them 2 big GARBAGE trucks for Christmas , They loved them !!! --- They play together with them all the time , The detail on this big truck is great , They like the Moving parts . They love to imagine & play with the Bruder Garbage Truck , we also got them the Cement Mixer & Dump truck --- If your toddler boy likes trucks , they will enjoy the Bruder Trucks ! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

No visible scratches had it for 2 years
Most of my trains are pretty old except for the new ones but Percy really hasn't had any scratches and i've had him for nine years. His magnet is still there and it's in working order. Percy is one of everyone's favorite engines and this one is a great buy!

My son loves it!!!
My son is a big fan of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. His favorite is Percy. He takes his Percy trains with him wherever he goes (to bed, in the car, around the house, etc.). We even bought an extra for him just in case he loses one of them. If your children love Thomas (and what toddler doesn't?), I do have a piece of advice--get duplicates of the trains. You never know if one will get lost, or forgotten! I got doubles of most of the trains, Percy included, and it can be a real lifesaver when one gets lost or left behind!

Great
This toy is great. My whole family has fun every evening playing with this train. The just can't get enough of it!

Also, it's able to withstand lots of rough playing.

This is a must!

Percy's Great!
My son has several Thomas trains, and he really likes Percy. He has a warm smiling face, and the colors are very vivid. The construnction is very durable, which makes for hours of fun. The magnets are strong and enable Percy to pull several other cars. All of the toys of the Thomas collection are excellent choices for young children. They will surely enjoy this fun toys.

THOMAS & FRIENDS ARE GREAT!
Can't say enough good things about the Thomas & friends line of toys. They are durable and fun. NO BATTERIES! It allows your child to us their imagination. Thomas is pure FUN! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Fantastic!
Okay, in my opinion, this is just about the neatest addition to a train set out there. We first saw this at a (...) store and my son just couldn't take his eyes (or his hands!) off of it, so the Easter Bunny brought him a set. Boy, what a great idea that was! These guys go along the track all the time, never stop, and we just can't believe how neat they are. We don't have any trouble with the leaking (although there were some in the store that were dried out...) or with the windows being too dark. I really personally just love this set and its uniqueness. What a great idea!

Mom of destructive son
My son owns almost every Thomas the Train character there is. These are the most durable toys. I picked this one because it is different from all the Thomas toys.

I read review that this toy leaked. My son's hasnt and believe me he has stepped on them, threw them at me, and I have even stepped on this toy.

As for the windows being too dark, this accusation is also false. I love looking at this toy and so does my son.

The only thing that is the problem with this toy is it is very costly.But with how destructive my son is, he hasn't made a dent in any of the 100 Thomas the Trains he owns.

I would recommend this toy to anyone with a child from one years old on. Even if the child is as "curious" (taking everything apart) as mine.

Fun Train
Another great train set! Aquarium cars are cool! Kids love looking at them and bringing them round and round the track. They seem Very Durable also as ours were dropped numerous times, tossed, and even stepped on! The water has never leaked, and is filled to the top just like new! And the creatures float and "bob" up and down as the train goes inside the tank. Great fun.

Windows are too dark!
This is adorable, however, our set came with very dark windows so that you can hardly see the sea life inside. They are much darker than they look in the picture.

great toy
I bought the aquarium cars because *I* really liked them. My son likes them too but its difficult to tell which way they are supposed to face. My son is 18 mos old and gets frustrated when the magnets are not aligned properly and they repel one another rather than attract. He gets mad and throws them when this happens so I can attest to their durability! They have a few nicks but thats it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

A tinier version of the traditional Radio Flyer steel trike, this 10-inch classic couldn't get any cuter without an anxious toddler onboard. Wide handlebars with grips, matching red pedals, a step in back for piggybacking, and a wide two-color seat give it a distinctly retro look. But its old-fashioned style doesn't take away from its functionality--the ride is smooth.--Diane Beall ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Great purchase!
My husband and I purchased these tricycles for our 2 year old twins. They live on these tricycles during summer and love them so much. The push bar was great for when they were learning to navigate them, now they are pros! They especially love to ring the bell. We bought them baskets to put on them to gather things when we go on walks and they couldn't be happier. We have never had any problems with them tipping over or with any of the parts. When putting them together we were careful in following the directions and have no problems with them at all. I highly recommend them, they are a great price for all the fun they will have!

BEWARE!!!! This falls apart!
We got this cute trike for our toddler and it was falling apart 2 weeks after christmas. The handles totally come out of the base and it just crumbled to the crowd. We tightened it and everything a # of times and yet it still falls apart!!! BEWARE!!! this could be a safety recall issue.

I should have read the reviews first
Like the other reviewers, I am sorry I purchased this trike. I too had a moment of nostalgia and always thought Radio Flyer created good products, therefore, I bought it for my grandsons. It is very easily tipped over which leads to lots of tears and frustration. The handlebars are constantly crooked and it's driven me nuts trying to "right" them. For preschoolers, I'd recommend Step 2's Tractor--very durable, easy to pedal, and kids love it (especially with the cart/wagon accessory attached), and it's never tipped over. I've learned my lesson: Always check out the reviews on Amazon before purchasing toys.

Do not buy this trike
My daughter received this tricycle for her 3rd birthday. She enjoys riding it, when it is not broken. Metal forks split the front wheel, but the petals are attached to the metal forks by reinforced plactic joints which slide into the forks and hold the wheel onto the forks. The plastic joint has broken twice in six months, from normal use. While Radio Flyer has been helpful in sending replacement parts, and has now offered to reimburse for the cost of the tricycle, neither helps my daughter, who has a tricycle she cannot use. Shame on Radio Flyer for such a poor design!!
Other reviews are also accurate in that the tricycle does tip over easily while turning and pedaling.

Keep Looking, Don't Buy
I bought this particular trike for my 22 month old and wanted to stick with the "classic americana". What a mistake! If I still had the receipt, I would return it. This trike tips very, very easily. It is difficult for a younger child to learn to steer, therefore, the adult push bar SHOULD come in handy. However, on this particular model, the adult push bar is completely useless. You cannot assist with steering, if you do, you will tip your child. The adult push bar is only useful for a straight line ride. I wish I had bought a more durable, sturdy trike! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

He loves it
Our little boy picked this out at TRU. He had to have it, and we gave in since it was the first thing he had ever really picked out on his own. He enjoyed it in the beginning, but, now that he is 22 months old, he loves it. He is constantly scooting it around the house and driveway. As of yet, we have not had any problems with the horn as others have mentioned. We also did not have any problems with him being able to straddle it. He has played on it since before he was a year and still does at 22 months. I would recommend.

Very disappointed.
This toy car is just too heavy for a toddler to maneuver. We've had it for over a year and our son hardly ever touches it. It's adorable, but not at all practical.

2boyz mommy
I bought the Red Roadster for my first son for Christmas when he was 15 months. He is now 3 1/2 and has never really used it other than as a seat to sit on while waiting his turn on one of our many other ride-on toys when friends and cousins are over to play. Our younger son just turned one and also has no interest in it other to stand next to it and honk the horn. Both boys love to ride on various Little Tike, Step 2, and Fischer Price Trikes and Ride-on toys that they and their friends own. This toy was my first choice because of its nostalgic look and was more "mature" looking ( no primary colored plastic parts) but I have really changed my opinion on what is the best value for the dollar. The metal body is heavy and hard to manuever. It is hard to steer and the rear wheels ride up on my son's heels when he tries to push with his feet. And the hard wheels and weight of the body makes even a grown man yelp in pain when it runs over a toe. It also causes more damage to walls, parked cars, peoples shins etc. when toddlers try to manuever too closley. Lightweight plastic toys are much more user friendly for this age group ( even if they are not as trendy)

Collecting Dust
The horn falling off was the least of it. This toy is too wide for most toddlers. Their little legs can't reach the ground to push the toy. The steering is very difficult as well. Lots of frustrated tots. When we first recieved this car, I spent the play time bent over, pushing the toy for my children and their playmates. Eventually, we put the car away until oldest turned three years and his legs were long enough to straddle and push. But now my daughter (20 mo.s) is frustrated because she can't manuever it. We love the quality and looks of Radio Flyer products. Unfortunately, this one flopped.

Cute little car
My kids love this car. We only had one small problem with it. The horn came off and would not stay on the steering wheel. So we just left it off. This summer I went to Radio Flyer's wesite to try to get it replaced for my Daughter. And found that the steering wheel was recalled on this toy. So they shipped the replacement part free of charge. Overall I am happy with it and the kids are too. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

My three year old loves it
My two year old boy has never shown much interest in toys, but lately he has been dragging stuff around, so I thought a pull toy will be suitable. He just turned three and I got him the pull dog for his birthday. In anticipation to the short cord, I bought a pair of shoe laces and used one to extend the cord. It works fine. He absolutely loves it and plays with it all day long. The dog is smaller than I expected, but well designed to suit its purpose. It lands on its "feet" almost all the time no matter how many obstacles it has to pass; it rolls on any surface, including carpet. Its head shakes and its tails wags as promised, but its bark is less than desirable. It is so loud! It is a cracking sound that doesn't resemble barking and can definitely drive any adult crazy. All said, it is the first toy my boy has ever shown interest, and I certainly don't regret buying it. I am going to put tape on its belly to muffle the sound, though.

It's really a push toy.
The string is way too short to pull this toy, but my twins both enjoyed pushing it around on the ground (rather like a car or truck), at least until they started walking.

Max has lasting appeal...
Max has been a favorite toy at our house since we brought him home over six years ago. Our kids had a half a dozen or so pull toys but only Max kept their interest. Yes, the string is ridiculously short. However, I easily found a replacement and my kids were off and running with Max at their heels. Even now when our youngest two are almost four, Max is still popular. I think it's just that he's a dog that they can walk all by themselves. We highly recommend this toy!

swedish Brio
my son received this for his first b-day...from our friends directly in sweden...i'm not sure if it differs a lot from those found in the usa, but he loves it. he has the yellow version, but the tail looks different...the string is plenty long enough and it stays upright and doesn't drag

This is a fun dog
I have this dog in the white color for my kids, they do like it but the things I don't like are that the string is to short for a three year old to really pull w/o having to bend down. And usually when they walk with it, it just ends up getting dragged. But it is cute and they like to have a dog, it has held up well to being thrown around and I recommend it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Radio Flyer's answer to the SUV, this standard red wagon (32 by13.5 inches internally) comes with a set of wooden extender rails thatattach to the metal body with 10 bolts, more than doubling theeffective capacity. (With the rail, it has a depth of over 9 inches.)Note, however, that the rails are .25-inch stock--too weak to withstandheavy loads like rocks or firewood. The wagon has the usual black metalhandle and white-hub solid rubber wheels. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Little red wagon
This wagon is the best "tool" I've ever had. It's a great workhorse - lugs all sorts of things for me. And it always gets a smile from people, too!

Good But........
We have had this wagon for a year now. It is still wheeling along, but the paint is peeling off and there are a few spots of rust and the wooden stakes on the sides are almost off too. The review says not to use it for rocks and firewood because the rails are small. I would have to add to that list a 28 pound 2 year old that just can't sit still because that has made the wood railings come off also. I guess for one of their lower end wagons it was a good deal while it lasted but I am looking into a larger more comfortable one now. THe wheels on this one are quite small and hard to manuever unless you are on the street. (it is nearly impossible to get up and down off the sidewalk if there is no built in ramp) And don't even bother pulling it through grass. Spend the extra money and get one of the all terrain wheeled wagons.... it will be worth it!!

A good buy
This wagon is definitely worth the money in the medium price range. It has been very durable thus far.

Important to me was that it was easy to assemble and did not require a lot of tools. This is a definite plus and is what prospective buyers should know. Otherwise a wagon is basically a wagon.

I feel like a kiddo again!
We bought this for our daughter who just turned one.....along with the padding which I think is a necessity....and she just loves to go for walks in her wagon! My husband and I love to watch her lean back and relax in her big comfy wagon. This is a great, sturdy toy that lives up to the Radio Flyer name!

NH Mom of Two
When we recieved this wagon as a gift, we were anxious to begin taking our 3 year old and one year old for rides in the neighborhood, but we soon found that even with blankets, the wagon is uncomfortable for the kids, and we find it hard to maneuver.The sides are pretty low, and there is no padding or storage space. I was really disappointed that the paint began to peel after just one year, even though the wagon was kept in the garage. Now we have a Step Two Wagon for two, and we are much happier. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Dangerous probing ear
My 20 month old daughter received this for Christmas. At first we thought it was the best gift ever but when she got on and started rocking we realized she could send the wooden ear through her chin, eye or mouth. We sent it back soon after. It's nice that Radio Flyer still makes the classic toys but I think it's a huge safety hazard.

One flaw in a perfect toy
I bought this rocking horse for my niece, and she adores it! I love the beauty and durability of its classic wooden structure. It has one major flaw, however. It's in the 'saddle', which is attached by two long wood screws that go up through a block into the bottom of the saddle. Unlike the rest of the horse, the base of the saddle is plastic. It didn't take very long at all for an industrious toddler to tear the saddle free. Fortunately, adults were watching and we retrieved the 2" sharp screws before she could play with them.

Great LITTLE horse!
We bought this horse for my daughter's first birthday. While it was a bit too big for her then, now, at 18 months, she enjoys it a lot more. The horse is great looking and very classic. It is smaller than we expected, but the small size makes it great for keeping it out of the way. It was easy to assemble and is very sturdy. Our only complaint is that the plastic "saddle" is a bit hard and doesn't look too comfortable. (Thank goodness diapers provide a little padding!) We are sure our daughter will get many years of use out of the horse, or "rocky" as he has been named. ... Read more

Reviews (64)

LOVE IT!!!!
The best trike we tried for my precious toddler! the copilot handle was a great tool for us moms who wants to keep our darlings safe and on track while taking walks. (No more wandering away and bending to steer to the right direction) This particular feature is useful for kids who just learning how to pedal. The back pack is also a cool one to carry my toddler's stuff and my keys/wallet. Very sturdy. Im so glad I purchased the best! My toddler loved it!

80% good trike, 20% junk
Like many others, I purchased the Steer & Stroll Trike for my little girl because of the Radio Flyer brand. I think a bit less of Radio Flyer as a result. This is a product that was either under-developed or has too many poor quality parts. Some reviewers complain about how difficult it was to assemble, a point with which I disagree. Assembly was pretty straight-forward, with an extra wiggle or push here or there necessary. But then again Daddy just rebuilt the forks and brakes on his motorcycle this week, so perhaps I'm not exactly a typical assembler.

The trike is loved by my little girl at 1 1/2, and I think she likes it because it is red like my motorcycle. She enjoys getting pushed around the 'hood, ringing her bell as we go along. The design/quality of the push bar needs some work, however. When we hit a root or bump that requires the front wheel to be lifted, I have to pick it up by hand. I started to use the push bar to lift the front wheel once, and could see the plastic flexing and turning white around the attachment bolts. Come on, my little one only weights about 25lbs! I should mention that this is the 2nd push bar; the first assembly was constructed incorrectly so that steering was reversed - I had to turn left to go right. Radio Flyer's excellent customer service sent a replacement part with just a phone call, and it was at my door in a couple of days, but that is really disappointing quality control.

The rear wheels work just fine, but don't roll 100% true. They visably wobble, but it doesn't make the trike wobble so that's just mildly annoying to me as I can't stop looking at the wobble when I push. The foot rest tube that folds down is pretty much useless, and kills ground clearance when in the down position. It sets too far back, so that the seat would have to be moved so far rearward for use that the handlebars would then be out of reach. My daughter ends up holding her feet out in front most of the time, but the ratcheting pedals work ok as foot rests, they are still just a little too far away for confort.

On the positive side, the trike looks good, the seat seems comfortable and sturdy, the big plastic tires work well in short grass and the push bar is a great idea, even if it is flimsy in execution. Oh, and the bell is great. Ding....ding.....ding...

In short, if a few items of marginal quality were redesigned or manufactured to a higher standars, this would be a much better toy. As it is, you get something that may take a call or two to customer service to get functioning properly, but is quite decent once sorted out. I would suggest looking at other trikes as well, but don't rule this one out.

Good bike for Toddler
I got this bike for my son for his 2nd birthday. Despite the other reviews, we like the bike. We had it installed at the store for $10. and that was worth it. The parent steering works fine, even though it is a little loose. My son doesn't know how to pedal yet, but he likes to put his feet on the petals, which doesn't stop the wheel like a traditional tricycle would. My son also likes to push the bike himself with the handle. It is worth the money.

Radio Flyer Who???
I like so many others, was fooled by the name Radio Flyer. Everything seemed so practical. My cousin put the bike together in about 40 minutes. But the part that attaches the wheel was slightly short, the handlebar clamp was cheap, the seat did not attach well to the bar (how can you tighten straight bolts on a curved bar?), the steering bar was a joke and my 2 1/2 year old son fell off from the the bike tilting, one too many times. Radio Flyer you should be ashamed putting something like this on the market. I am taking this bike back to Toys R Us and purchasing a Kettler Tricycle.

Fooled by "Flyer"
The first box we bought was missing a wheel!!! The missing parts should have been a sign. The trike was a piece a crap. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

very short battery life-span!
My daughter loved this toy. The quack-quack-quack was so cute; but the batteries died soon after we got it and can't be replaced. It also tips over pretty easy. It would be better if it had replaceable batteries and the wheel base was a little wider. I think my daughter would play with it more often if it still had sound effects.

turn grumpy mood into giggles
Though this toy is not intended for my daughter's age group, she loves it! She is only nine months old so I have to watch her carefully with it as the string is a hazard for such a little one. We got this toy as a hand-me-down. The funny quacking makes her giggle every time we pull the string. I hope that she enjoys it as much when she's old enough to walk with it.

Batteries CANNOT be replaced!
As an experienced mom of four I actually find this toy adorable and I didn't notice a problem of them tipping over. Most pull toys they make these days tip easier than the ones my oldest played with.
HOWEVER-beware- YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE BATTERIES. And they just aren't as cute without the quack quack, quack quack, quack quack, quaaack. :O)
Also-how many times was that string pulled while the toy sat on a toy store shelf before *you* bought it???
Cute toy but limited life span.

Too wobbly
My mother-in-law bought this as a toy to keep at her house (thank goodness...the quacking is cute but all day every day would be too much!) The main problem I have with the toy, however is that it is not very steady on its wheels. My fairly coordinated 16 month old can't keep the ducks upright and usually ends up dragging them around instead of pulling them.

Quacks Me Up!
My mother-in-law who bought this for my 9 month old twins said "It'll drive you nuts the way it quacks". I think that's why she bought it was to drive me nuts. BUT - I love it, and the quacking isn't at all annoying! The babies love making the ducks quack, and when I imitate the quacking song, the girls faces just light up. Excellent toy, excellent price! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Kids who love Thomas the Tank Engine may recall the fun when Henry and the Elephant came to the Island of Sodor via the Circus Train. Made of sturdy wood and plastic, this set of three cars comes with five wooden animals: an elephant, a lion, a tiger, a zebra, and a giraffe. Like all cars and engines in the system, these link together via a sturdy and reliable system of magnets. Use them as components in a whole miniature world of train-car characters, wooden tracks, and scenery based on the popular Thomas the Tank Engine book, television, and video series. This product has a lifetime warranty. --Joan DeClaire ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Lots of fun... but size is a problem!
My son recently received the Circus Train for his 2nd birthday. He was really excited to see the animals, and loves to put them in the cage cars and drive them around the track. He has been very frustrated, however, because his train can't fit through any tunnels or bridges when the animals are on board - the animals are just too tall. I think the Circus Train would be a great addition to your Thomas Wooden Railway IF you don't have the bridges or tunnels to worry about. If you do have these items in your layout, I'd suggest the Ivo Hugh zoo set instead, as it is made to fit through those low clearance areas.

Circus Train Won't Go Under Bridges
Why would they meke a train that won't go under their own bridges?

Great advice from reviewer below
I took the advice of the reviewer below and got the Alphazoo Express line instead of this, and I am so pleased. My nieces just love the little plastic animals. They are much better then these cut outs. THANKS!!

There is a better alternative
After looking this over in a store and reading the reviews of this set I changed my mind and did not purchase it for my son. Instead, I purchased the Alphazoo Express line from Safari Ltd. and it is terrific! These are a five-star addition to your Thomas line. I would highly recommend them instead of this circus set. For starters, the animals are more realistic as they are made out of plastic instead of wood. They are very lifelike compared to these! The cars match the rest of THomas items nicely and are not cheap-looking, either, though they are very similar looking to the ones in this set. Secondly, the cars have doors that really open as well as being labeled with the names of each animal and the letter that each starts with. A very cool toy! And, they are about half the cost of Thomas cars. I got mine for $4 pop and you can choose your own animals. Only down side is that the animals are a wee bit on the small side if your child is less than three and might be a choking hazard. Check it out before you buy! You could get 4 or 5 cars for the price of this set, AND the animals will fit through your single stone tunnel or sodor bay bridge.

Great toy except at the tunnels
My dd loves her trains and these cars are a lot of fun for her. She really doesn't use them with the wooden animals too much though since they are too tall to make it through the tunnel or covered bridge on her set. Obviously this is a problem, but I still recommend them because they are the only cars that she can load up with stuff. She puts little plastic animals in the back (you know the kind that come in a bag for about a dollar.) Also Sir Topham hat can sit in the car too until you get to a tunnel that is. i do wish I had realized the animals were too tall before I bought them. ... Read more