Editorial Review

This game is sort of like Twister meets Simon Says. Lay the Hullabaloo pads around on the floor about two 'kid's feet' away from each other. The pads are different shapes and colors and have pictures and words on them. Turn on the game console and the cheerful music begins, a happy voice welcomes you to the game and then gives the simple directions you'll need to play. "Jump on a square shape," "Slide over to a red shape," "Hop to a shape with an animal on it" and so on. Then it might tell you to freeze, or to put a body part on one pad, and then a different body part on another. Then, it'll tell you that if you are on a particular pad at the end of that round, you are the winner. We found it to be fun, and easy to understand--though we did wonder how long it might hold a child's interest. --Megan Sullivan ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Non-Stop Fun
I bought this for my two year old's birthday. We played it with her 5,6,11,12,& 13 year old Uncles and cousins. The older kids played it all that night and all day the next day. My two year old thought it was fun to run around on the pads, but she was able to point at her nose when they said "nose" and point at her knee when they said "knee". Even some of the adults got in on the fun. Very fun game for all ages.

IGNORE any bad review! This is AWESOME!
My 3 year old daughter got this game as a gift and she LOVES to play! My 7 year old also LOVES this game! It is really cute and anytime they play - someone is giggling. (...). It is a good oppotrunity to teach children about being a good winner/loser no matter who wins. That said- this game is just plain fun! I've even played this one with my kids and we all have a good time. You can't go wrong with this!

"Winners"also means there are "losers"!
I bought this for my two 4 1/2 year-old grandchildren. They really liked it at first until one child "won" several times in a row and the other hadn't "won" at all. The idea is basically very good, but I don't like the "winners-losers" aspect at all. It's totally inappropriate for this age, and even for older children, there is nothing they can do to "win"- it's all random. In addition, I would have liked it to be a little slower paced for pre-schoolers (more time to "skip to the square" or do a dance between games, etc.). I wouldn't buy another one or advise others to do so.

We love this game!
My children, ages 6 and 3, got this for Christmas and are still playing it regularly. As a mom, I really love it, too, because it's one of very few games they can set up, play and put away all by themselves (great for them, and even better if I need to get something done!).

The battery-operated box was very easy for them to learn, and they get a kick out of the silly things it instructs them to do. Many, many thumbs up from our family! :-)

Very Fun Toy
My kids loved this toy. Even my 2 year old could play. It is a really great family game and changes everytime you play. Lots of fun! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Amazing toy!
This is a great gift, a great toy. I am amazed by it, and so is everyone whom I have showed it to. It's great!

Lots of fun & full of surprises!
We got this toy as a gift & have just placed an order to send it as a gift as well.
It is as small as a yo-yo but has the artificial intelligence of a sofisticated robot.
This toy is surprisingly wise and witty; it seems to function as a mind reader.
It is great for rainy day recesses at school, parties and long car rides.
Highly recommended. The only negative is that it runs on batteries. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Outfitted in orange and purple, this electronic learning system for preschoolers plugs directly into a television, and at first take looks a lot like a video-game console. Insert any of Vtech's "Smartridges" into the unit for lessons on language, math, phonics, problem-solving, music, and more. Children can choose between two difficulty levels. Included are a large joystick, adjustable to right- and left-handed kids, and an Alphabet Park Adventure cartridge; other cartridges are sold separately. There's also a storage compartment on top that holds up to six cartridges. The system can run on either three C batteries or an AC adaptor; strangely, neither are included. --Andy Boynton ... Read more

Reviews (11)

your gonna need batteries
the ac adapter is extra, and the unit runs on 3 c batteries! otherwise it is perfect for the school age child...the controller and joy stick is large enough for small hands.. the games may requier parental help at first, but they are quickly learned...my kids love it.

little kid friendly!
my 2 boys (ages 3 & $) received this as a gift and they are fascinated by it. I did find the additional control at Target and bought it along with the SpiderMan cartridge. It is fairly easy to use and very kid friendly for tough little boys who like to use their feet and hands! The cartridges are by age and the levels are very easy. Once they master one level they can move up to more difficult levels. What I really like about this toy is that it is educational and not violent like most of the other video games out in the market today. I like it so much, I'm giving it to several on my gift list for the Holidays. Another retailer (online) is $10 cheaper but you have to pay shipping.

Not impressed
I have two boys, 3 and 4 years old. We also have many video game systems, XBox and Playstations 1 and 2, I was originally going to get the boys a used Super Nintendo, but I saw V.Smile and thought it was more created for their ages and less likely to end up broken as quickly as any other console.<br /> I was upset that the 9 Volt adapter didn't come with the system, I actually think it is because V.Tech is a "rookie" when it comes to game systems like this.We expect to have to buy another remote,like all other game systems make you do, but most game consoles come with the accesories needed to make it run properly. It is designed to be a learning video game system for Preschool age to age 8, but I couldn't imagine a normal 8 year old or 7 year old enjoying it as much as other game systems. <br /> I also was upset and returned the first V.smile I got, because the learning system would shut off and I would play with the batteries replace the batteries and blow in the game and game slot, I noticed sometimes the game would come on even though I pulled it out and it would make my TV screen all disarray. I exchanged it for another and the new one does the same thing. VTech should be more on top of things. I even called the company at 1-800-521-2010 to ask if they have had many complaints. I do not know why VTech would sell the V.Smile without the adapter if it doesn't work properly alone on 3 C batteries. A parent should not have to go in there every 5 minutes or everytime the child changes games. If it is designed to run mostly on an adapter it should say so and include this feature with their product. I do not think it is worth the price, and hassle, but its okay as far as the activitie sthe games play. <br /> All I know is if you think you are going to get your kids to leave you alone for a minute while they play, then you are mistaken, lots of "mommy come help me" because the game has shut off. Even my husband who can fix anything gets annoyed when he plays with it for a while. One of these days, probably after their 90 day warranty expires, the system will probably shut off and never turn back on. Other then that, it is OK, my kids love it, and the games are nice because they are made similar to the Nintendo games, that won't break or scratch like a CD.

Good but.......
The system is great, but......<br /> The extra controller is no where to be found! IT IS NOT AVAILABLE through V-Tech even though the customer service rep said they had 1000's in the warehouse. They can't sell me one because they have no way to take payment. <br /> Try explaining that to twin 4 year olds who argue over the controller and whose turn it is. The adapter was also very hard to find. <br /> Why would a company even consider merchandising something as awesome as this before making all the necessary items readily available? If you have as much trouble as I did locating the adapter, buy yourself a ton of batteries!

extra controller
I haven't actually used this product yet (with the exception of the display in the toy store....loved it!), but I did stumble upon an extra controller in Target. I grabbed it up because I haven't seen it sold anywhere else (and it was the only one on the shelf) and I knew if I waited, chances are I wouldn't get my hands on one until January. ... Read more

Editorial Review

A train you can ride on? That moves by itself? It's hard to imagine any child not being excited by this prospect. The Santa Fe Train offers an amusement park experience in your own house. Assembly is a snap, literally. The track pieces click together with no problem, and it's so obvious how to assemble the train, you almost don't need the manual. If you feel prepared to take it on, this train set can make for a spectacular birthday or holiday present. In the interests of instant gratification, however, be sure to charge up the battery the night before. Some other considerations for parents: This toy takes up a lot of space: at a bare minimum, 12 square feet. It may have limited replay value, since you can go around and around a track only so many times, even if you are 4 years old. And it requires a bit of maintenance in that you must keep the battery charged up. --David Stoesz ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Easily off balance
I read all the wonderful reviews and decided to get this train for my 2 year old for his birthday. Product is well crated, assembly simple. I am not sure whether the charger is operating as instructions suggest (green light is always on rather than signalling when battery is charged). Maybe that battery has never gone low when I charge.

My primary problem with the train though is that my child has fallen off of it 3 times. Now to ride it I have to stand in the middle of the track and spin around and around with him to spot him (i.e catch him or prevent him from falling). If he leans SLIGHTLY to the outside, (like turning to see his mom) the train de-rails or falls off the track side ways on to him.

I don't know how all the others had such positive experiences. My hope is my son will gain skill in keping the train on the track and will find it interesting, but any kid that comes to visit, we will have to 'spot'. I guess the educational value of this train for my son is learning to balance on a badly designed moving toy that has a narrow base and has a constantly shifting center of gravity (due to turning on track).

Bottom line - my kid prefers the $6 mega-blocks truck he got to this (...)train.

Great for little boys!!
Received this for xmas 2003, and my just 2 year old and 4 year old sons love this! They spend hours riding around. I've only used it so far on the track, so not sure about use without it. I'm buying a second battery because they ride it for hours and have a fit when I have to recharge it. They received tons of gifts from Santa, and this is by far the most used and loved. I would recommed this to anyone with small children. My 2 year old walked around holding the button down until he felt comfortable riding on it. LOVE THIS TRAIN, and only wish I could ride on it!!!

EVERY LITTLE BOYS' DREAM
THIS TRAIN I NEVER THOUGHT COULD BE SO USEFUL. NOT ONLY FOR MY SON, BUT FOR ME IT WAS A RELIEF. HE WOULD SPEND A LOT OF TIME RIDING IT WHILE I WAS BUSY DOING STUFF AROUND THE HOUSE. THE BATTERY IS VERY DURABLE. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THE SPACE ISSUE BECAUSE I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT AND THE FIRST THING YOU SEE WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR IS THE TRAIN BECAUSE IT'S BETWEEN THE LIVING ROOM AND DINING AREA. OTHER THAN THAT IT'S A LOT OF FUN.

have owned it for 2 years, and it *IS* a fun ride on.
Bought it for his first birthday, My son is not very timid, so he was fine with it -- but we held him while going round and round on the track -- he just loves it!. He would use it like a walker himself too, pushing the the black button for little spurts of movement and walking along side.
The track does take up a lot of room, so since we have hardwood floors, I've put the track in storage in the garage for now, and it works great, except of course that at 18 months, while my son can now ride securely by himself and climb off with no problems, he still cant turn it once he gets stuck in the furniture etc. I think the track will get fished out shortly since he loves to play for 30 to 45 minutes at a time riding on it and as an SAHM I'd prefer not to stay right by him to rescue him every other minute when he is otherwise so happy playing. He has now figured out which button does what just fine! Its wonderful that you have to hold it down to move. There is no question of it not stopping when baby wants it to stop and him not knowing how to throw a switch or something. He likes to give blocks and stuff a ride in the back too.
Its very easy to assemble, and having the battery secure is very important to me since my son has excellent fine motor skills and gets into EVERYTHING! So while that means five minutes everytime we want to charge the batteries, its no big deal for the safety plus. It seems durable and has stood up to lots of 2-4 year old visitors well too!

Update after 2 yrs and my now 3 yr old -- he still loves it! It has moved on out to the patio and yard, with a tarp for bad weather. He's finally figured out how to manouver it minus tracks too.
Pros: Great fun when other kids are around. Teaches taking turns and sharing. Very safe battery compartment. It gets played with only 10-15 min at a time, so I have to recharge maybe once a month, and have replaced the sound effects battery only once after a year.
Cons: Derails an awful lot especially the trailer, takes up a ton of room with the track. trailer lid snapped off with some rough handling. No Steering possible without the track(maybe need a large strong build to manouver) I would invest in this for a 12 - 18 mo old child, but unless its a small build child, they will have outgrown both interest and size(45 lb limit) by 3 or 4 yrs old. It has been a hit ride-on toy, and much cuter than other battery ride-ons. All the kids make a bee line for it when they head out, and are very disappointed if I've failed to charge it. A charge still lasts for about 2 hrs straight of play.

Sally's Train Ride
I had this train shipped to my neice up in Juneau, Alaska. Apparently it was the highlight of her 2.5 year-old day. Every kid should have this train...whistle, engine and bell sounds are real sounding and WOW...what a cool toy. ... Read more

Editorial Review

It's still hard to get a triple word score, the tiles are still made of wood, there's only one "X" in the whole box, and family feuds are increasing exponentially. But after 50 years, Scrabble has had a face-lift: a swivel base allows the board to turn so players don't have to work upside down, a plastic grid helps keep tiles in line, and a handy bag stores the letters when they're not in use. The premise hasn't changed at all--two to four players battle it out to make high-scoring words from seven little letters--so choose a dictionary before play begins to avoid ugly confrontations. --Lynne Sampson ... Read more

Reviews (68)

Play Scrabble? Buy This.
Remarkable. Scrabble is cool. Hep. Rad. Outta sight. But Scrabble in this deluxe form is sublime, intoxicating. The pieces stay put, thanks to little walls around each space. You can spin the board so as to not need to examine it upside down. The pieces never slide around. The plastic coating lets you wipe it off, unlike the cardboard version which stains. Nothing is compromised from the original, flat cardboard version, but everything is improved.

OK. Not everything. It still can't help you dump the Q, Z and J at the end of the game without a U. And it is unlikely to assist you in stopping your grandmother's amazing ability to squeeze you out of that triple word score you hoped to grab with a seven-letter word. Take that up with Gram. Just remember who made you the cookies.

Seriously, I recommend this to any family or commited Scrabble player. Families need it for that 'full-body contact' style of play that sometimes happens with children or cats involved. Commited Scrabble players need it for pretty much the same reason!

I fully recommend this game.

Anthony Trendl

A terrific game for the digital age!
Scrabble - deluxe, electronic, regular and travel editions, has been a tradition in our family for three generations. Even as technology becomes ubiquitous in our personal and professional lives, a game of good old fashioned Scrabble anytime two or more family members or friends are gathered is still among the most entertaining activities! It's an occasion for camaraderie, competition and conversation that is likely to remain popular in the 21st century and I highly recommend it for people of all ages.

Don't understand why they made this
I don't understand why this was released as a "deluxe" edition. This board is horrible. It is made of cheap plastic, nothing like you would think for $30. I was very, very, very disappointed in this. If you are looking for a good scrabble board, look somewhere else, because this is not the one. I have an old one that is great, but it is dirty and old, so i wanted somthing new. I am sorry I bought this. I guess it could be good as an occasional toy, but not for serious scrabble lovers.

A great game diminished by cheap construction
Our family enjoys playing scrabble so much so that we decided to buy the 'Deluxe' version to solve some of the common problems we have playing the game on a regular board.
Needless to say I was thoroughly disappointed at the cheap, flimsy, plastic board I received in the box. I have seen other 'Deluxe' brands which my friends and relatives had bought years ago and was shocked at what is now being sold, at over double the price of the regular version. The old one I had looks as if it will outlast the 'Deluxe'.
I reduced the fun rating by 2 stars simply because I hate looking at this board. Save your money and don't buy this one.

About the "Deluxe Edition"
I already reviewed normal scrabble, so this review is just about the Deluxe Edition. I got this as a gift and I appreciated how much easier it was to play because the board spins and the letters are secure.
A must when you are playing on the kitchen table in a crowed house. Worth the extra money in my opinion. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Bets Game Out There!
This is the best game ever. We bought this on a recent family trip and we were hooked. Every age range in our family played from grandkids to grandparents and everyone in between. It is fun, strategic and totally addicting. We played every night and could not put it down!

What a great game!
Our family loves to play games together so I am always looking for a new game. This game is our favorite currently. It goes pretty fast and everyone is on the same level. I have a 22, 13, and 11 year old so something that is equal to all of them is a must. They all love this one and usually head out the door with it to a friends house.

Awesome fun for all ages
Being a teen, I wasn't to psyched when my friends opened this game up to play. But, My mind was soon changed. This is a highly addictive strategy game. The cool thing is, theres no one strategy that will win it for you everytime. You constantly have to adjust your strategy to what your opponets are doing. Very fun, definite "Must Buy".

Blokus: fun for all ages
This game came out originally in Europe, so our friends discovered it a couple of years ago. It's the only strategy game I know where a 5-year-old can play against his father and (sometimes) win. Definitely fun, and different every time you play.

Blokus
The game of Blokus is highly addictive! We have had more fun with this game. Everyone we have played with just loves it.We are all so determined to win the next round that we play all night long!

For fun we have even tried to make a solid square or rectangle with the pieces, just laying them on the table.It can be done,with 1 space left over.Try it,you'll drive yourself crazy!

Blokus, get one today! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Scene It? The DVD Movie Game is for the film buff what a double-fudge brownie sundae is for the chocoholic. Players take turns moving around the game board and answering challenges, which usually take the form of trivia questions--about movies, of course. Questions are culled from either a box of cards, much like Trivial Pursuit, or from onscreen prompts that follow movie clips. The included DVD is loaded with snippets from recent movies, although the occasional classic sneaks in too. Multiple questions are asked about each clip--identify the title of the movie, name actors in the scene, recall some minor detail--so that even when the clips begin to repeat, it will take some time before questions do too. (Subsequent DVDs are also said to be in the works.) The game board, which looks like a cross between an accordion and a film reel, can be folded out to accommodate longer games or closed up for shorter ones. Scene It? was definitely built to be a party game, and another advantage of the DVD is that there’s no need to explain the rules. Instead, just press play and hope that everyone simmers down enough to pay attention. Plus, the hokey music and neon "You Are a Winner" screen that ends the game is certain to send those individuals who like winning a bit too much--and you know who you are--into an absolute frenzy. --David Morel ... Read more

Reviews (26)

A lot of fun even if you don't play with the board
I got this for my husband as a gift and we enjoyed just answering the questions from the DVD, by watching video clips and picture clips, etc. It's like Jeopardy meets Wheel of Fortune with pop culture questions and numerous other variety of trivia and visuals to aid the questions (there are some nifty animated clues). We were quite impressed and our friends sat and played this with us for 2 hours and wanted to keep going. Having a portion of the game on DVD brings a different dimension to the regular board game where you're just reading off cards (there's that in the game, also, so the game is part video and part questions from cards).

PERFECT PARTY GAME!!!
I bought this one night when me and a bunch of friends were bored..next thing i know all of us are screaming because the clips are such of old movies and new ones. me and the girls were laughing at the guys because they were the ones who thought it would be a waste of money and they were loving it!!!! so pick up the game!!!!

Scenetastic
I played this game with four buddies last night and thought it was sweet!!!!!
The variety, quality, and ease of use was awesome!!!
Buy it!
Now!

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR GO GO GO!!!!

Fun movie game for amateurs and connossieurs alike!
Some friends and I played this game one night, and we all had a blast. The game took awhile, about 2 hours with 4 of us, but it was a lot of fun. The same friends played the game about 2 weeks later, and we thought we'd know the questions and do better, but that wasn't the case - they use the same clips sometimes, but the questions are different.. they're either really really hard or really really easy.. I liked the variety of the movies, too. Pick this up - you won't be sorry!

Lots of fun!
I played this at a friend's house last night. I thought the question variety was pretty good. If you have a group of people with varying amounts of movie knowledge, this is a great game because there is a good balance of easy, medium & hard questions.

Personally though, I thought most of questions were really easy - but there were a few that really stumped me and I'm a UCLA film student!!! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Cadoo is the funky fusion of tic-tac-toe, general knowledge, sculptingskill, and scavenger hunt designed for kids by the brainiacs who brought us theleft side/right side frenzy of Cranium. Operating solo or in combo with others,players attempt to line up four of their jack-like tokens on the groovilycolored grid board by fulfilling a myriad of tasks in an array of categoriesfamiliar to Craniacs. Whether attempting to sculpt a taco out of the includedclay or guessing which of Milky Way, Butterfinger, or Twix is longer, cadetsfind that correct answers and successful missions--can you bring back bothsomething smaller than your big toe, and something bigger than your foot, inless than a minute?--put them one-quarter of the way closer to their Cadoo. Withits elements of strategy, its elegantly funny graphics, and some downrightserious silliness, there isn't a lot of Cadon't in Cadoo. --Tony Mason ... Read more

Reviews (56)

the perfect gift for kids
After exploring a variety of educational and fun games for my 11 year old sister's birthday, my mother decided on Cranium Cadoo. Not only did both my sistr and I love it, but my parents did, too. We enjoyed running about the house in order to satisfy the requests of the card and sculpting objects from clay. The game combines traditional "Charades" and "Pictionary" like activities with clay and trivia. One question asked, "Who is the youngest: A)Brandy, B)Christina Aguilara, or C)Britney Spears" (Don't be discouraged by this question. Most are not about teenaged singers). Although Cadoo is wonderful for kids and great for the whole family, teenagers and adults find the questions a little too easy. Highly suggested, more fun than the typical boring board game.

preteens try Conga!
i am in 5th grade and i am 11.i can't use the clay because it is messy. The questions are easy for me and my parents but i have found a game for 10-12 year olds. It's called Conga. My friends and i love that game. i would say Conga is for pre-teens that can't realy play real cranium yet. i tried to play but the questions are too hard. I am an only child but my friend has a little brother that we play Cadoo with. He enjoys the game.<br />

Turn off the tube! Take 30 minutes with your kids....
CC is not the most clever game ever invented, nor is it highly challenging or mentally taxing. I believe my 7 year old son would prefer tackling his dad in chess, but for a quick before-bed family half-hour that followed dessert, this fit the bill. The Brandy-Christina-Brittney question did come up! And Mom and Dad failed miserably -- much to the amusement of the kids. So, we had some fun, a few laughs. Hard to put a price on that.

What DOES impress me is the box. Dad, who still hasn't mastered round pegs/square holes, was tasked with pickup. Everything packs neatly away! And best of all, a fold over flap magnetically seals the handled box. (OK, perhaps it doesn't take much to impress me.)

Bottom line: A good game for the 6-10 year old set when you only have half an hour.

Cadoo + Cranium = fun!
I love this game!! I am 7 years old and just got Cadoo for Christmas. One problem is that it is too easy for my parents. To make it more fair, my parents use the dice and cards from the Cranium game while I use the ones from the Cadoo game. My parents use everything else from the Cadoo game. We have tons of fun this way!

A great therapy tool
I am a Marriage Family Therapist and am always looking for a good came to use with my clients. I have used this game with the children individually and with their families. It is one of the games I am consistantly asked to play. After a year I had to purchase the booster pack the children had played the game so much. This year many of my parents asked where to purchase this game because they wanted to start a game night at home. This is a game that gets people to relax and have fun. ... Read more

Editorial Review

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

Reviews (89)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Editorial Review

Sally, Stevie, Stanley, Sophie, Stewie, and Sid are six colorful, lightweight bowling pins--each with their own personality--that talk to kids while they bowl. Taunts such as "C'mon!Roll the ball already!" get kids started, and phrases such as "Whew!That was close," keep them aiming for the pins. Bells, whistles, and cheers are heard if a spare or strike is bowled. The tan plastic base has six colored circles to hold the pins in place, but it is not required that colors match up for a game to begin. Silly 6 Pins only keeps score one frame (two balls) at a time, so keep a pad of paper nearby if you're playing as a family. Three AA batteries are required, but not included. --Pam Lauer ... Read more

Reviews (67)

Best Kids' Bowling Toy
As a mother of four, I found this toy great for my 2 1/2, 4- and 5-year-olds. It's extremely durable. The kids can set this one up by themselves. My 4-year-old hates playing by himself, but sets this one up for himself to play everyday. We've tried other bowling sets but the pins fall down before they let go of the ball. It can be set up on carpet. It helps my toddler with her colors. It can be played with alone or with others. All the kids laugh hysterically at the pins' talking and teasing. It's a winner!

Great game!
My son recieved this as a present for his 3rd birthday. He absolutely loves it! I also think it is really cute how the pins move and talk. My son has been playing with it non-stop since he got it.

2 year old proof
I bought this toy for my son this past christmas. It is the only remaining toy he has from his presents. He loves it. The only bad thing I could say about it is it needs more phrases. He loves it though, he lines them all up by the colors and then shakes his hiney with it as the pins shake. It really truly is a great toy.

Great toy
I bought this toy for my 2 1/2 year old daughter and she absolutely loves it. She takes turns bowling with her little friends. It's a big hit at playgroup. She says "gutterball" whenever she misses the pins. She already knew her colors and numbers before getting this game but I think it reinforces her knowledge. It has also helps with her coordination. She used to roll the ball from a couple of feet away but now stands at the other end of the room. Overall, I think it's a great toy.

Great toy!
My three year old daughter loves this toy! She sets it up by herself (color coordinated) and has a blast trying to knock the silly pins over with the plastic bowling ball. The pins tease you by wiggling around and talking. They even snore when you take to long to knock them down! Great for counting, turn taking and color recognition as well as eye hand cooridination. Lots of fun for the tots and grown ups too ;-D ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The most fun you'll ever have being horribly annoyed
Full of fabulous facts about the saga, this game is the hardcore Star Warrior's dream....AND worst nightmare. You'll have fun playing it at home but get fits from your friends who bring it out with a big smirk, saying, "Okay, now, let's see how much you REALLY know about 'Star Wars'...."May The Force Be With You, you'll need it! Hee hee

The Best Game I Own, but for Hardcore Fans Only
You better know your stuff before you plan on purchasing this game and make sure you know 2-4 people who know more than they should as well about the Star Wars universe. Some of these questions are extremely tough and there are very few easy ones. I used to play the Decipher Star Wars card game, so my memory of those cards actually helped me a lot with remembering certain characters that were barely mentioned in the films. This is a truly great game that we knowledgeable Star Wars fans finally deserve.

If you're a Star Wars fan, this is fun
There's nothing like getting together with fellow Star Wars fans and play this special version of Trivial Pursuit. It's great! It's just like the old Trivial Pursuit with, of course, questions only about Star Wars. When you try for a wedge, however, you have to resort to one of two DVDs that come with the game for the question. If you don't answer the question in the time limit given, your oponents can shout out the right answer - as long as they don't have the wedge - and possibly steal it from you. If you like the classic Trivial Pursuit and you happen to be a Star Wars fan and you have a couple like-minded friends or family members, this is a lot of fun and definitely worth the money. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Executing a clear and comprehensive crossover strategy between a board game and a set of familiar characters can be a tricky enterprise. But this synthesis of familiar Disney and the increasingly popular board game Scene It works exceptionally well, relying on DVD technology and the familiar faces of Disney's beloved characters to form a consistently entertaining family play experience. Included in the set are a game DVD, a game board, four category reference cards, 30 "buzz" cards, and 160 trivia cards with special sets for kids and adults. The game's designers thoughtfully included some Disney classics for Mom and Dad but there is more of an emphasis on Disney properties of the last fifteen years or so, The Lion King, George of the Jungle, the live action 101 Dalmatians, in order to appeal to the youngsters. Game play between the physical board and the action on the DVD is well executed and we found it easy to understand the rules and have fun. --Charlie Williams ... Read more

Editorial Review

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

Reviews (13)

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews (6)

Awesome Game
The new Star Wars plug-in video game is awesome. There are five different games that are included: The Gunship Battle, Grievous Onslaught, Coruscant Attack, Droid Invasion, and Utapau Chase. You are wielding lightsabers deflecting blasts from droids in one game while you are piloting a Jedi starfighter launching an attack on Separatist battleships on another.

My favorite game is the Utapau Chase. I am Obi-Wan Kenobi tracking down General Grievous while being chased by enemy Bogas and avoiding turret gun fire. I can upgrade my blasters, armor my Boga, or acquire extra lives. This game combines the classic arcade game graphics with the versatility of a great video game. It is fast paced and fun. I would recommend this game to both Star Wars and video game fans alike.

This Game Rules!
The new Star Wars plug-in video game is awesome. There are five different games that are included: The Gunship Battle, Grievous Onslaught, Coruscant Attack, Droid Invasion, and Utapau Chase. You are wielding lightsabers deflecting blasts from droids in one game while you are piloting a Jedi starfighter launching an attack on Separatist battleships on another.

My favorite game is the Utapau Chase. I am Obi-Wan Kenobi tracking down General Grievous while being chased by enemy Bogas and avoiding turret gun fire. I can upgrade my blasters, armor my Boga, or acquire extra lives. This game combines the classic arcade game graphics with the versatility of a great video game. It is fast paced and fun. I would recommend this game to both Star Wars and video game fans alike.

Utapau Chase Rules!!!
I just got this game and it rules! It's cool because it brings back the old school gaming with a new school attitude to it.All you do is actually plug it in and play it.The game is all self explanatory and comes with instructions on how to play any of the five games in it.The five games are great, but I have to say the one I like the most is the Utapau Chase.Also another cool feature is that it saves your scores. The graphics and the gameplay are both smooth and i didnt find any bugs playing this game, like you normally would find.

Worth every penny....
The games are fun for the most part and the controller is very comfortable. The space battle game reminds me of the 80's arcade game Bosconian (with much better graphics). All the games control perfectly with the analog stick (yes, it's a REAL analog) and the sound effects are sampled right from the films. My 3.2 year old son actually enjoys these games, but a couple are VERY hard (rescue Palpatine comes to mind). Overall, this is something I will never tire of, and for 20 bucks....it's a steal.

80's-style gaming with a modern edge!
As a 33-year old who has not yet commited to a game platform, this plug & play was a real treat. As it says in the title, it is 80's-style gaming with a modern edge.AND you can save the high scores!I found myself playing and enjoying it for hours.All 5 of the games included in this plug & play emulate a classic 80's arcade game, but incorporate characters and locations from the new trilogy of prequels. This is not a complaint, I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of the toy, as did my 36-year old brother. (And 2-year old son.) You may find that you quickly master a few of these games, but the time spent getting there is well worth it.It is cool looking, has a great controller, and the games are challenging and well-designed, indeed. Enjoy! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Nice picture making for an easier puzzle
My 2 year old daughter has this puzzle and thinks its wonderful.

Unlike many puzzles, with just one character on it, the picture is brilliant having lots of different trains, etc on it. It is easy to fit togehter, with parts of a different character or scene on every piece. She can easily put Thomas, the sheds, Harold, etc together thus eventually making the whole puzzle.

This is by far her favourite puzzle. For one, it's Thomas! And for 2, it's well-made and 'easy' to work out how to put together.

Most Beloved Toy
My son who just turned 4 years old in December received this for Christmas. I'm amazed at the beauty and durability of the pieces. He put it together about three times (with help) the first time we opened it! I never seen him so excited about a toy and to my greater surprise--a puzzle! Each time he placed a new piece in (sometimes with my assistance and sometimes not), he'd ask me to turn around and then ask me to look. When I looked I praised him for his accomplishment and he squealed with excitement. He literally jumped up and down almost after each piece was placed! He told me this was his favorite gift for Christmas and believe me he had quite a few more that were more expensive. I'll be buying more Thomas puzzles from this company in the near future as I'm very impressed.

Easy enough for young kids to solve by themselves
My son and I have been doing puzzles together since he was two, but most of the puzzles that claim to be for kids are too complicated or have pieces that are a little too small for him to work with; so he usually "helps" me by talking with me as I do the puzzle and occasionally placing a piece. He likes this big Thomas puzzle because, at age 4, he can do it all by himself. The pieces are big, which not only makes it easier to grasp and manipulate, but easier to comprehend the shape and the picture pattern as well. Of course, he likes that it is Thomas, and he even likes the "cool" box it comes in.

So this puzzle has a lot of replay value, because whenever we start a puzzle session, he will eventually move to this one to show mommy and me that he can do it all by himself, and that makes him feel good.

Big, bright puzzle
My son has enjoyed this puzzle since he was 3! It features a bright picture of his favorite engines. The pieces are large and easy to handle- perfect for a younger child who loves puzzles. It has been great for spacial learning. My son would put this together, again and again. He is almost 5 now and still plays with this. The pieces have lasted for almost 2 years and still look new! (They are a heavy cardboard.) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

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

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

Editorial Review

Parents looking to encourage a love of athletics in their children without breaking the bank buying up an infinite variety of sports gear, may wish to consider this versatile set branded by the folks at ESPN, who know a thing or two about sports. Its a collapsible freestanding kit that offers six sports in all. Basketball is rendered in the model of the classic pop-a-shot game, keeping score as you shoot baskets. In football, youre the quarterback throwing a ball through a small hoop, the same hoop used to test your pitching accuracy in the baseball mode. The action moves to the floor for the other sports as you kick at a small target with a soccer ball, slap a puck at a small target in hockey, and putt into a cup for golf. All necessary gear is included for each sport and an electronic scoring system and the canned voice of ESPN announcer Stuart Scott add to the fun. Some sports in this set work better than others, basketball being a little more fun than hockey, but the sheer versatility of this set make it a good option and means it will be hard for anyone to run out of challenges. --Charlie Williams ... Read more