Archive for July, 2010

Step2 Naturally Playful Big Folding Slide

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Step2 Naturally Playful Big Folding Slide
 
Manufacturer: Step2
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $104.99
Sale Price: $89.00
Availibility: Usually ships in 1 to 2 days
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Product Description

Step2 Naturally Playful Big Folding SlideA durable, sturdy traditional slide that accommodates children age 18 mos and up.  High side rails and sure-grip handles provide a sense of security and assist child while climbing.  Its unobtrusive design blends with tradional landscapes in residential outdoor living areas.  the slide weighs 30 lbs and easily folds for transport and storage.

Product Details

  • Conveniently folds for easy storage
  • Features high side rails and sure grip handles to assist your little one to the top
  • Durable, double-wall resin construction
  • Maximum weight 50 lbs.
  • Minimal adult assembly required

Customer Reviews

Whoosh
 
Review Date: June 30, 2009
Reviewer: Jason C. Dean, South East USA
Here is the scene at our house since we opened the box for this slide. My daughter climbs it, slides down while saying "weeeee", lands perfectly on her feet, runs around to the steps, and starts all over again until she is too tired to continue... which can go on for hours.

We got this slide for her 2nd birthday. Up until we got this we got hints that she wanted a slide when she started making ghetto slides out of cardboard boxes. After doing a bit of research we settled on this slide for a few difference reasons.

1. Its big! She can grow and grow but this slide should last her for years.

2. Its solid - Out of all the reviews I could find, this slide was the most sturdy and solid of the bunch. It never feels like its going to tip over, we weighted down the base with sand as well, and the rail on the slide keeps my little princess safe.

3. Angle of the slide - Most people might not think about this but the angle at which the child slides down is important. The other similar slides we looked at had a slide that almost was a straight shoot down. This is rough on a little childs legs and gives them a huge force of impact. However this slide has a little cruve at the end which softens the impact and pushes them away from the slide. This was the tipping point for us in our decision!!!

Other nice features but not deciding factors was how you can pull the slide together to put it away and the steps have a nice grip on them for bare feet children.

The only con we have so far is that it was expensive but no more than the others in this class or similar toys. We are concerned about how much bending the plastic will do in prolonged direct sunlight but so far have had no issue there... just a watch and see deal.

In any event my daughter loves this slide and we do too. I highly recomend this to anyone for their kids!
Worth it
 
Review Date: October 22, 2009
Reviewer: Vivsvb, TX
I had been eyeing this for a while and finally found a great deal on amazon [...] It was between this slide and the Little Tikes Easystore Large Slide. After reading reviews regarding the difficulty assembling the Little Tikes Slide, ths seemed the easy choice. So far no complaints! We bought it for indoor use, so the kids can exert some energy during the months when its too cold or too hot to play outdoors.

Here are some of the perks:
1. Large enough to actually be fun.
2. Folds up for storage
3. NO ASSEMBLY REQUIRED!

Here are some of the cons:
1. Large
2. Folds up for storage
3. Our 3 1/2 yr old likes to hang on the plastic black bar you see in the picture. I'm concerned it might break.

You get the good with the bad on this purchase. Fortunately, the bad really isn't so bad. It IS large, and since I bought it for indoor use we really have to open up a space in the room when we bring it out. If your plan is to use it outside then this won't be an issue for you.

I'd say its about 5'5 when folded up. It fold ups easy and narrow. It really is meant to be hung when folded, because its doesn't stay together. There aren't any safety clips or anything. We have yet to hang it, so when its folded up against the wall we have to make sure its leaning or wedged in between something big so it won't tip over.

I've read some complaints about the drop at the end of the slide. Yea, there is one, but I think it depends on the child how they handle it. My 1 1/2 year old doesn't seem bothered by it. You can always slip a little pillow underneath to help.

Our only safety concern was the ladder, and this was when we first bought it 8 months ago. Our baby wasn't yet a year and so we'd have to watch her carefully when she climbed up. All in all, this has been one of our better large toy purchases. I'm pleasantly surprised at how much use our kids have gotten out of it!


Good purchase
 
Review Date: June 30, 2009
Reviewer: Wendy, Atlanta, GA
We really like the natural color of the slide which we have on our back deck. My husband had an easy time assembling the slide. My son is 20 months old and we do still have to be right behind him when he climbs up the steps to get on the slide. I think the older he gets the more use we will get out of it. The slide is pretty high and the top a little narrow for the my son to get his feet facing forward, but otherwise we are really pleased with this product. We are expecting our second child and I feel we will get plenty of use out of this purchase. I decided to buy this particular slide because it was less expensive than the 129.99 version which had really good ratings.
Wonderful Slide!
 
Review Date: September 12, 2009
Reviewer: Trish, Montana
We purchased this slide for our 3 year old daughters birthday. The weather here can be really unpredictable and the winters are cold and snow filled so we wanted to give our daughter a place to play when the weather was to nasty to be outside and the slide is her favorite part of the playground. The slide was extremely easy to set up and only required a few screws to hold the stabilizing feet in place. In less then 5 minutes it was set up and my daughter was happily sliding. The slide is very sturdy and doesn't wobble at all. We've had the slide for a couple of months and she's still playing on it every day. This slide is big enough that my daughter still has several more good years of play before she out grows it. We've had several Step2 products over the years (I have an 8 year old too) and I've yet to be disappointed in their products. If your kiddo loves to slide then buying this slide will be money well spent.
Step2 Naturally Playful Folding Slide vs Little Tikes version
 
Review Date: June 9, 2010
Reviewer: Mom of 2: Wyatt, my son in Heaven & Danika, my daughter on earth., St. Louis, MO
My brother has had this Little Tikes EasyStore Large Slide for quite a few years now, with his 3 daughters using it all summer long. It has held up very well and all his girls still love it. (Ages are 7, 4, and 2.) In the summer months, they will put the end of the slide in a little pool for some water fun. The slide is very stable and large enough for even their very tall 7 year old.

While I really liked this slide, I had been comparing it to the Step2 Naturally Playful Folding Slide and trying to see which was better based on reviews. Very difficult as they are very much the same.

I ended up ordering the Step2 version and I'm very happy with it. There are a few differences that I have noticed.

Little Tikes stability wings at the bottom of the stairs is somewhat flat, but enough for little ones to trip when not paying attention racing to the stairs. The Step2 version has angled wings that have to be put together with the staircase with a couple of screws - it says to screw them in with a screwdriver, but I was unable to do this. The wings slide on and stay there unless you lift up the slide to move it, but I'll leave putting the screws in to my mechanically inclined husband so I don't wreck it.

Little Tikes steps seemed to give a little more than my Step2 slide. This may be due to the fact that my brother's Little Tikes version is a few years old and my Step2 is brand new, I'm not sure.

Little Tikes top of the stairs handle is a little shorter than the Step2 version, but not a big deal.

Little Tikes slide has a slight curve/bump in the slide halfway down, while the Step2 version has the curve/bump right at the beginning.

Little Tikes end of the slide has a slight lift, but my nieces and daughter would still fall forward on a fast slide down. The Step2 version has a lot more lift and my 2.5 year old daughter really appreciates it and doesn't fall forward nearly as much.

The Little Tikes dark brown and burgundy is nice as is the Step2's medium brown and grass green. I think I like the brown and green better, but that's just my opinion.

The Little Tikes version seems to be a little lighter in weight than the Step2 Naturally Playful one. I had a harder time lugging the Step2 around than I did the Little Tikes.

They both fold easily and can store on the wall in the garage when not in use which is awesome. Being able to store it somewhere out of the way will definitely keep the slide in great condition for years!

Overall, both great slides and lots of fun. The slide length for both is about 58 inches long. They both stand about 40 inches high (top of handrail to the ground).

Supersoaker Wars Rattler Water Blaster – Red

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Supersoaker Wars Rattler Water Blaster - Red
 
Manufacturer:
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $14.99
Sale Price: $7.92
Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description

Supersoaker Wars Rattler Water Blaster

Product Details

  • Awesome pump-handle water blaster features a large capacity tank
  • So you can soak more and refill less
  • Get ready to really drench the competition
  • Slide this air-powered water blaster's pump handle forward to load and then slide it backward to blast a stream of water that goes up to 25'
  • The rapid-fire action just keeps going and going
  • Since this lean, mean, water weapon features a large capacity tank for fewer refills and way more soaking

Customer Reviews

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Magnet Balls - Rare Earth Magnetic Ball Puzzle Plus Free Special Collector's Tin (216 Pcs) - Same Fun As Bucky balls, Neocube, and Cybercube (Keep Away from Children - Age 14+)
 
Manufacturer: Magnet Balls
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $29.95
Sale Price: $14.95
Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description

One Puzzle, Billions of Solutions -- Continuously create new patterns and shapes with these cool cubes, composed of multiple individual high-energy rare-earth magnets. With no set right answer, this puzzle has nearly infinite options in construction. You can completely disassemble and reassemble the cube or simply manipulate it with your hands - you completely control the outcome of the multi-dimensional form. Each magnetic sphere is essentially a point, several spheres can be arranged into a line, lines can be formed into two-dimensional shapes, and these shapes can then be combined into three-dimensional objects. -- Using your Cube to create shapes could actually exercise both hemispheres of your brain, because it encourages you to be creative and constructive. Playing with your Cube also helps eliminate stress through the unique sensation of the magnets, the audible sound of each magnet connecting, and the creativity used to produce new shapes.

WARNING: Keep Away From All Children! Do not put in nose or mouth. Swallowed magnets can stick to intestines causing serious injury or death. Seek immediate medical attention if magnets are swallowed or inhaled.

Product Details

  • Composed of 216 individual high-energy rare-earth magnet
  • Same size ball as Bucky balls, and Neo Cube
  • Save money and get the tin for free!
  • The most addicting toy under the sun
  • Create and recreate an outrageous number of shapes and patterns

Customer Reviews

Ucreate Music

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Ucreate Music
 
Manufacturer: Mattel
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $34.99
Sale Price: $16.95
Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours
Free Shipping Available
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Product Description

UCreate Music is an easy-to-use digital music-making system that allows kids to become a professional music producer! Kids and tweens can express themselves though creating their own songs, performances and re-mixes with the fun and innovative interface. They can record samples, mix and match loops, share creations with friends and update and explore new content on the music website at myucreate.com. Build from a collection of tracks, special effects and filters from the huge online library. Includes 4 AA batteries. For ages 8 and up.

Product Details

  • Easy-to-use digital music-making system
  • Allow kids to mix music just like a music producer
  • Kids and teens can express themselves through creating their own songs
  • Share creations with friends and update and explore new content on the music website at myucreate.com
  • Build from a collection of tracks, special effects and filters from the huge online library

Customer Reviews

It slices, it dices
 
Review Date: July 9, 2009
Reviewer: oakland_dad, Oakland, CA
I'm a guitar player, and I got this after seeing the media coverage on this from CES. There is so much to this product, from mixing loops that are in the device, to sampling from the iPod, downloading new loops from the web, modifying the loops in realtime with the joystick using different built-in effects, to recording the entire performance of a song for playback like a sequencer (reminds me of playing back automation on a recording console).

The funny thing is just how easy it is to use, given all that power under the hood. My 5 and 8 year olds "got it" right away, and have had a blast with it. What I didn't realize initially is that you can listen to your iPod with it, and use the joystick effects to modify the songs in realtime. That by itself has had my kids enthralled for the past two evenings. [...]
for the young, and old.
 
Review Date: November 23, 2009
Reviewer: lamar, new orleans
im a music gadget fan from many decades ago. this thing is 100% cool. it now sits right by many high dollar toys(korg kp3, kaossalator, roland 404 sampler, suzuki q chord)
another wesley willis idea from beyond.
very easy to operate,consisting of four banks, with three loops in each bank, each loop activated by pressing the corresponding button, you can use one loop per bank at a time, for a max of 4 loops and a sample to be used at one time. if i had to guess id say they have they have at least 50 loops or more that you can upload to they unit via the included usb. the loops range from rock, hip hop, country, and pop. from simple guitar licks, to 808 drum machine, to funky bass, to percussion,to organ and even sum banjo! lots of the loops are recording of real guitar and bass riffs. and it does they timing for you, maybe the best part is they effect knob, each way you press it, changes the sound, very cool idea for a guitar in in my mind. and makes the sound change, depending on the effect you have selected, from a couple of different delays, an echo, to flanger, to distortion, it also has pitch control or as some know it bpm. and then there is the sample function, which is 4 or 5 seconds, and it stores two at a time, you can loop the sample, or activate it by pressing the button.
the the portal of sounds couldnt be easier to use,simple drag and place. it also allows you to record your performance, up to 2 minutes and 30 seconds., and the songs can be pasted into media player and burned. when using good headphones, the sound quality from the machine is excellent(you really hear bass!). i have burned a couple songs from the ucreate, and played it on a couple different cd players, and was very surprised at the quality; im hoping they will give us more loops in the future, as the sampler is not as good of quality as the loops. truth is, put this thing in a better housing, allow custom loops to transfer, and a few more inputs and outputs(rca, 1/4, midi) and this thing could do some serious music.
but for what it is, and the age group intended for, you couldnt ask for anything more. i have said it many times, but never meant it this much, IF ONLY THEY HAD THAT WHEN I WAS A KID!!
if you want to go all out, get some good headphones (Sennheiser PX 100 Collapsible Headphones 38$ but worth it, the better the headphones the more they will use it, and these sound good and will fit young people) get a Multi Voice Changer by Toysmith(to have more sample options) 14$(9volt battery) great toy, dozens of sounds from microphone distort to alien. rechargeable AA batteries,(enloop work well) all sold by amazon with prime shipping
with these items, they will be able to sample, loop, and manupilate their music for months.
Just AMAZING!!
 
Review Date: July 8, 2009
Reviewer: JKB1969, Richardson, TX United States
This is one of those products that just gets more fun with every use. From the second I got it for my son, I wanted to play with it just as much. He is creating songs now and playing them for all of his friends and family. The best part of this, besides being able to sample parts of your songs on your MP3 player, is that you can download additional music packs online for free!! How often does a big company like Mattel do something for free? Awesome! It does have a lot of depth to it, and some is a little tricky, but once you get the hang of it, it is really simple and fun. Gotta go....a concert new is about to start :)
Super Cool Toy!
 
Review Date: July 28, 2009
Reviewer: AL Girl,
Everyone knows that music is all the rage with kids (and adults too!). Well, this is one product that is super cool, very fun and a great price! This toy is a mixer that lets you be a DJ (or your kids, right?!?). It is fun for everyone! Very easy to use and has a lot of play value since everytime that you play with it, you get a completely different mix. Plus, you can plug in your MP3 player to add into your mix. How cool is that?!? There is an online element too. I haven't even gotten to that part yet - more fun to come! If you have a child or know of one that loves music, this would make a great gift!
This is the absolute best!
 
Review Date: November 14, 2009
Reviewer: R. Lewis, Crown Point, IN
This is a must have. My older sons rap and they like going to the studio. While doing research I came across this on Amazon. It sounded fantastic. I was going to suprise my sons with it for christmas, figuring they wouldn't know what it was. Apparently they knew exactly what it was from a commercial. Needless to say they opened it that day and are continually letting us hear the beats they come up with. They love it. Fabulous creation.

International Playthings Castle Bucket Set

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International Playthings Castle Bucket Set
 
Manufacturer: International Playthings
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $18.99
Sale Price: $14.99
Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours
Free Shipping Available
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Product Description

3 years & up. The castle creator is perfect for all ages to enjoy playing in the sand box. 6-piece set includes castle-mold bucket, sand/water mill, watering can, shovel, scoop & rake.

Product Details

  • 6 piece set
  • Bucket is also a castle mold
  • Colorful spinning sand and water mill
  • Also includes watering can, shovel, rake and scoop
  • Perfect for beach or sandbox play

Customer Reviews

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