August - 2020

The Independent Guide to Children's Media

MegaConstrux Pokemon Bulbasaur Figure

MegaConstrux Pokemon Bulbasaur Figure

(Fisher-Price $15.00) It took our experienced builder to put this 30-piece set together. She liked the flexible Bulbasaur play figure and the Poke Ball. There are five other similar sets with other Pokemon characters; so it's a collectible toy as well as a construction set that will not take months to complete. Good for developing fine motor skills, following directions, and imagination and language through dramatic play once it's built. Ages: Tweens Oppenheim Toy Portfoli

Kinetic Sand Kalm Zen Box

Kinetic Sand Kalm Zen Box

(Kinetic Sand $29.99) Our adult tester found this very satisfying. The kit is made to look like a zen garden, and comes with a scoop for making sand balls, a slicer for smoothing and cutting the sand, and a textured ball that can make swirly patterns in the sand. It comes with a deep tray that keeps the sand well contained. Our tester found it difficult to put the rake ball together in a way that the seam didn't show, but was otherwise pleased with the relaxing experience. In

Spin Master Etch A Sketch Diamond Anniversary

Spin Master Etch A Sketch Diamond Anniversary

(Spin Master $29.99) We're all long times fans of the original Etch A Sketch. There's always been something quietly satisfying about the action of turning the knobs and disto draw designs inside the bright red frame with two white nobs and then, equally pleasing— shaking it to make the lines disappear and starting over again. We like the classic red frame, but wait till you see the 2020 Diamond Anniversary design! It’s like a black-tie fancied up event—with black jewel textu

Blue Orange Save the Dragon

Blue Orange Save the Dragon

(Blue Orange $21.49) An unusual 3-D game board is made of thick cardboard, easy to put together, fits nicely back into the box, but we're not sure how long it will hold up. The aim of the game is to be the first to climb the stairs and reach an open door at the top. There are two types of dice: one tells players how many spaces they can move, the other is an action die, which is used if a player rolls a 1 or 2 on the first die. If the action die is thrown players either choos

eeBoo Positivity Round Puzzle 500 Pieces

eeBoo Positivity Round Puzzle 500 Pieces

(eeBoo $21.99) Putting a round puzzle together is different, and in some ways a lot more challenging. Our tester loved the cheerful folk art look of the image designed by artist Carolyn Gavin. Positivity seems to sing out with all the sunny faces smiling above the face of the woman with a head covered with flowers, fruit, animals, tropical trees, birds and butterflies. It’s so bright and charming, you won’t want to undo it. With 500 pieces, this makes a do-able family project

eeBoo Giant Shiny Dinosaur Dominoes

eeBoo Giant Shiny Dinosaur Dominoes

(eeBoo $18.99) Dino-haulics are going to love playing a picture matching game with these giant Dinosaur Dominoes. eeBoo adds a nice touch, they've labeled the dinos with their correct name and trimmed each domino with glittery green rick-rack style divides. The playing pieces are big enough for small hands, with images distinct enough for beginners to recognize for matching. 28 pieces a good choice for older preschoolers and early school grades. Ages: Older Preschoolers, Earl

eeBoo Dragons Slips and Ladders

eeBoo Dragons Slips and Ladders

(eeBoo $21.99) Lots of ups and downs with this updated version of chutes and ladders. Illustrator Kevin Hawkes has given this ancient Indian game a new look with colorful dragons ( with sweet teeth) as playing pieces. They make their way hoping to land under a ladder that they can go zipping up and avoiding landing on top of a ladder and slipping down! We love the multicultural cast of knights, court jesters, ladies in waiting, all offering cakes, balloons, and other goodies.

Blue Orange Fish Club

Blue Orange Fish Club

(Blue Orange $19.99) Our five year old tester liked this better than his parents and he had not figured it out, yet, either. It's a lot like the old game of connect four, only here you are playing with fish cut outs that you drop into the the very narrow "aquarium", trying to get five fish to connect. But watch out...your opponent can drop a fish that will separate yours! The space is tight and it takes time for beginners to get that they have to drop their fish to one side o

Blue Orange Pig Puzzle

Blue Orange Pig Puzzle

(Blue Orange 10.99) An unusual solo game for younger players.The three pigs have to get home before the storm. Pick a challenge card, pick up all the pieces you need, now arrange them in a path but watch out! The big bad wolf is out there and there’s a lake your pig doesn’t want to fall into! This is a self-correcting game with the solution on the back of each challenge card. For non-electronic quiet time, this takes a little thinking, logic, and doing. Once they get the hang

eeBoo Trucks and a Bus Matching Game

eeBoo Trucks and a Bus Matching Game

(eeBoo $10.99 ) Our tester had good fun finding the 12 matched pairs of cute little cut out trucks and a bus. Monika Forsberg’s collection of trucks look like they’ve rolled right out of a story book. There’s an ice cream truck, fire truck, one that delivers fish, robot parts, logs, air mail (with a bird), cakes, a carpenter, musicians, fruits, spring water, and, yes, a school bus. It’s a classic concentration game that’s played by turning over two cards at a time to find a m

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