Aquadoodle Travel N' Doodle

I've purchased one of these for all my friends' kids. It keeps them busy in the car or anywhere else and no mess! My two year old has the Aquadoodle mat too, but it's large and hard to travel with.

Review By. busybee1207

Quercetti Filo Lacing Set

I like the idea of this but it is not for a child who is just learning to use lace and put it thru wholes. I think kids will need help and maybe little bit older kid can enjoy making design. My four years old son have little hard time putting the pen thru the hole (since it is stiff, hard to go thru). Following the pattern is more for a six age or up.

I'm glad I got it and for years to come my son will have fun with this.

Review By. Sami Jadran

Orb Factory Sticky Mosaics: Ballerina

Our four year old Grandaughter is all about princesses and ballerinas; this was the perfect craft for her. She loves to do crafts; this is basically like "paint by numbers" only it is mosaics which are sticky. She can spend hours of quiet time just playing with this..it's not for the younger set. The child needs to have good motor skills and know be able to read their numbers to do it, but what fun they will have! This was a new product to me..and I recommend it!

Review By. Karen Sharp

Faber Castell Pretty Pedicure Salon

Purchased this for my ten year old granddaughter (future America's next top model!) It had all of the necessary components to do a real pedicure in our kitchen (it can be a bit messy). I loved soaking my feet while she sat on a stool and concentrated on giving me her version of a spa pedicure. It was just fun time between Grammy and her girl. Loved it!

Review By. Robyn Kolb

Orb Factory Sticky Mosaic Twinkle Tiaras

My daughter was given this as a gift for her 5th birthday. She love tiaras and had a ball making these. There are 6 crowns, so she made these all by herself over several days. They are made of foam-plastic, so they are quite durable. The velcro allows you to 'fit' it to your little princesses head. It has numbers on it that correspond to the different colored squares and jewels, just like "color-by-numbers". If you play with the jewels too much they tend to come off, but it did not detract from the overall fun and entertainment of this product. I recommend it, especially if your little one knows her numbers. I give it a 2-thumbs up.

Review By. Robert M. Jr Walker "119th NYSV PVT"

Make Your Own Lip Balm

I bought this for my 9 year old Granddaughter recently. She absolutely loved to make this lip balm. It came with little tins to hold the balm in and stickers to decorate the tins. It comes with three flavors (that are also coloring)and easy to follow instructions. After following one recipe, she decided to make her own flavor and turned out some really nice flavors and colors of balm which she shared with her sister.

Review By. Chloe's Mom

Creativity For Kids Activity Kit: Designed By You Special Occasion Fashions

I bought this for my daughter's 8th birthday. She was thrilled, and likes to create new styles on the dress form (which she changes out every few days). This is a great product to encourage creativity. The dress form is fairly sturdy, and the set also comes with a book to draw your own sketches, and a nice pink bag to store all of the items so they won't be lost as easily. There is a pincushion for the straight pins, but because of the pins I would be careful about buying this product for younger kids or ones with little siblings around unless the parents are willing to oversee its use.

Review By. mom of 3

Ultimate ®Shrinky Dinks Jewelry Designer

I love this item!!

There are so many items in the box for jewelry-making with the shrinky dinks I could not believe it. Usually when it comes to a set I end up feeling like there just really is not enough to make multiple projects, but that is definitely not the case here.

I love the hole puncher, when the shrinky dinks shrink up the hole is the perfect size to fit the ring for the charm bracelet.

This is a gift I will be ordering again and again for the endless birthday parties we go to. The kids love to do it, anyone that has visited has loved playing with it, and who wouldn't love shrinky dinks?!?!

Review By. Sofia White

Orb Factory Sticky Mosaics: Dragons

Since my son is five, I worried if he had the attention span required for this project. But this proved unnecessary since once opened, it was hard to make him stop at just one. This kit comes with everything you need make 4 mosaic pictures that can be hung up to display.

The best way I can describe this craft is that it's like paint by numbers except you place small mosaic tiles on numbered spaces instead of paint. The mosaics are on a pad with paper that needs to be peeled off in order to stick on the dragon picture.

My only complaint, and not worth deducting a full star, is that the mosaic pads are not labeled with numbers. You get a dragon picture with numbers on it to place the corresponding mosaics but the mosaic key only provides a color guide. Placing numbers on the back of the mosaic pad would be perfect rather then guessing. Also, you might need to keep track of the mosaic pads with younger kids in order to preserve every mosaic tile needed to finish all four pictures.

I highly recommend this dragon kit for younger ones since the pictures do not contain as many numbered tiles as others . This is a great art project for boys and I plan on buying more since they have been a huge hit. A great way to spend a rainy day!

Review By. Margaux Paschke

Children's Keepsake Portfolio

This product was just as described. it is a good size, folds up nicely to store, and has a handle for portability. Only wish is that it would have some sort of tie, hook or rubber band to keep it shut once it gets pretty full, but that really isn't a big deal.

Review By. Hadleycropp

Crayola Glow Station Day & Night

I bought this as a Christmas gift for my nephew but couldn't resist "testing" the product myself. It is true what the reviews of the regular night only version of this say. The glow effect does not last long enough to make very complex pictures. That said, it doesn't diminish the play value of this toy. There are so many effects and ways to use this my husband and I could barely stand to put it back in the box. The pen can be used to create airbrush type effects. If you place it close to the board a bright small area is illuminated. Hold the pen further away and create a hazy dispersed glow. The drawings remain on the board long enough to make the product enjoyable.

There are endless possibilities for creative play. I would definitely recommend this for a child who needs fine motor improvement.

I should warn, I was not thrilled with the day featured. It seemed like you had to hold the pen up to the board much longer to create a blue line and the effect was not as stark as the glowing lines. If it were a question of price I would not have opted for the day version.

Review By. vamommy

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Grocery Store / Lemonade Stand

I have 3 children aged 1, 2 and almost 7 and they all LOVE this stand. I am not sure why it is listed as a choking hazard for children under 3. My children are very rough with their toys and this has stood up the test of time- 8 months so far- with no issues what so ever. We also have the Lifestyle deluxe kitchen and a lot of the meliisa & doug wooden food products and the kids play with these items all the time. They love to play restaurant and will put on little servers aprons, take food orders, buy the food at the stand (we have a grocery cart too) and then bring it to the kitchen to "make" everyone's order while wearing their chefs hats. Very cute!

Review By. Tonya Jayston

Sticky Mosaics® Posh Puppies

My kid is so delighted with these mosaics!

She is 6 y o and she is very anxious to do all these pictures for the all members of the family.

Review By. Katkhen

Orb Factory Magnetic Mosaics Kids

This is a great toy. It refines small motor skills while teaching both colors and numbers (up to 12). My 4 year old granddaughter is enjoying it very much. She will work on a single picture in short periods of time over several days. It's a masterpiece and she is very proud of it. I purchased a plastic case with 12 compartments for storage of the colored foam pieces. Makes it much easier to access them. Plastic ziploc bags were a hassle and the only other option is to have all the pieces jumbled together.

Review By. Debra Kimball

Crayola Tabletop Portfolio Style Easel

This went to my five year old daughter who likes to draw. The material is vinyl wrapped around cardboard, similar to what most school folders or "trapper keeper" style folders are made from. It does fold up nicely and set up and take down is something she can handle. If she takes care of it, it should last quite a while, but it isn't a bullet proof build by any means and I would say is just average for build quaility. It is a nice set up though and not much bigger then a standard binder type folder.

It includes a small dry board, several sheets of paper, dry board crayons, dry board erase mit, and fine tip (NON dry board markers). The easel has pockets to store the crayons, eraser, and markers. The idea is you use the crayons with the dry board (white side and black sided) and the markers with the paper. You cannot use the markers with the dry board. She is five, we talked about it several times, and she understands for now. That being said I am fully prepared for the day she forgets the talk we had and becomes distraught after ruining the dry erase board. Such is life with a kindergartner, but maybe making them dry erase markers might have been a better way to go. The only other thing is the erase mit works OK, but like most dry erase boards you can never seems to get it all off, and despite the fact that 99% of it came off very easily, that last 1% resists all efforts to scrub, scrape, and remove it.

She does like it, uses it, and it is a good fit for our needs and her age. She was very excited when she received it and I know it will be something she uses going forward.

Review By. D. MCKICHAN

Fisher-Price Fun-2-Learn Color Flash Laptop

I got the older version of this laptop for my son when he was about 9 months, to keep his attention away from my own laptop. It worked, and more than that, by 19 months he was recognizing and saying all the letters. The old one was extremely shock resistant and the handle was a nice feature, however, after spilling water over the keyboard half of the keys stopped working. Therefore I got this newer version that has also the typing feature and I also got one for our friends' son, who enjoys it as well.
One observation though... my son is now 21 months and although this was his favorite toy for almost a year, his interest seems to be decreased lately.. I would probably recommend this for 1-4 years olds.

Review By. AC

Creativity For Kids Fabulous Flowers Hair Accessories

I purchased this toy for Christmas. It is now January 5th. I have two daughters that I bought this for ages 11 and 9. They loved it! The idea of it was great. Only thing is that they wished the flowers on the clips weren't removable and only the headband to have a removable piece. Also for the flower on the headband to be a bit bigger with better material. Other than that it made for one great Christmas gift along with the other arts and crafts.

Review By. getittogether

Artterro Wire and Bead Art Kit

I've taken this bead-and-wire kit as a present for several young friends. Each time, they are enchanted. Me too! It awakens the curly sparkly whimsical creative dreams in everyone nearby. The last time I bought one, I took it as a present for a friend's kids when I visited with them for a few days in Portland. The 8-yr old, Mahala, joined me and we got thoroughly into creating a garden decoration together. We used pretty copper wire, shiny pennies we pulled out and twisted into the sculpture, and beads in the kit and others from her collection. The results? A weather-proof fairy-like garden sculpture that they put in their yard, among flowers and herbs, and a new friendship between Mahala and me! Very highly recommended as it brings people together to make fun, durable, and beautiful art of the highest quality materials. I've bought the other kits in their collection and enjoyed similar results with nieces, nephews, and many young friends ...

Review By. Janet Parker

Crorey Creations My Friendship Bracelet Maker Kit

I am a mother of 1 eight year old girl, however, I bought this primarly for meself. I design and make beaded jewelry and thought this would be a great addition to the jewelry I currently do. Of course I have incorportated my own beads (not include with the kit). And have been glued since. I have come to know the Crorey pruducts and love this everytime I use it and see my daughter enjoy it. It took some time, but My daughter has now joined in the fun and has made a few. For younger kids, have them start off with regular red heart yarn to practice there knots...trust me they will pick it up soon enough, so don't give up on them they just need a little incurragement and some practice and they will be off creating in no time. If they put it down for awhile, let them, just means there not quite ready yet, but they will be but at there own pace. Plus each child is different, my daughter who was 7 at the time would try and then put down, now she's 8 and has made several. I have checked out the other simular things for making bracelets, and well, this one is far more easier than trying to figure out a wheel version. I have also posted a few of my own pictures (3)to show the different patterns that can be made. You can get the patterns on there website which is also printable. I've heard several cons to that there should be a book with the pattens, well thats what internet is for, most people if not all this day and age has it. Besides, they are constantly adding new patterns as this would be hard to keep up in a book, which is why they have made it easy to obtain them through there website. And I will say this, there instructions are far mor easier then those on other sites...trust me I've been there and tried to know!!. A 2 thumbs up for me, would go more but only came with the two. Hope this has helped

Review By. Carrie Mcmahon "Carries-CMDesigns"

Orbeez - Magic Maker

Product Description

Orbeez are wet and wacky, soft and squishy, fun and funky, bouncy and beautiful. They start off hard and tiny. Add water and watch them grow to more than 100 times their volume. Grow up to 300 Orbeez at once in this amazing gizmo. While they grow have fun shooting your Orbeez through the hoops. Once grown, cascade them down the spiral ramp into the collection tray. Then play with your Orbeez using ideas from the Activity Booklet. With a Play and Display Tray and more than 2,500 Orbeez the fun never ends. Includes: 2,500 Orbeez in 9 Colors, 1 Magic Orbeez Maker, 1 Play and Display Tray, 1 Activity Booklet.

Nail Art Salon Set

My six year old daughter says it's "very good" because of "the little pointy thing that comes with paint that you can shake and make little designs" on your nails, and "your children may like it" because "your parents or your grandparents can give it to you". Also "there's a little baggie that comes with it to put the nail things in it".

Review By. Len

Monster High Artist Tote Compact Portfolio Set

Very cute! Came in perfect condition. My 6yo sister loooooves it. Plenty of reusable stencils. The character outlines are a great starter and the stickers are magically making it onto the pictures instead of the carpet!

Review By. brockstef

Orbeez Jewelry Maker

There have been many jewelry makers over the years, but this is the most unique I have ever seen! My kids are completely consumed by this toy. They have loved Orbeez for months now, and as soon as they saw the Jewelry Maker commercial they begged me for it. Last days of summer I was of course looking for something to keep them busy and this was the ticket.

Review By. manhattanbeacher

Play-Doh Magic Swirl Ice Cream Shoppe

Play Doh's Magic Swirl Ice Cream Shoppe is such a delight and my 3.5 year old daughter has had many happy hours of fun with it. The set comes with 4 cans of play-doh in brown, pink, green,and white sprinkle doh. There are over 40 molds to create tiny confections of delight. It also comes with two plastic cones for making 'ice cream', two sundae plastic containers, a plastic "cake" that can be decorated, three spoons, etc.

The attachments to create swirls of 'ice cream', 'toppings' squeezer, and 'sprinkles' cranker are all easy to fit. My little one was able to manipulate the attachments with some effort but she could do so independently.

This is definitely one of my daughter's favorites of the Play Doh sets that we have and it has been keeping her occupied in creating various confections and 'iced' delights:) Final verdict: a fun and value Play Doh set that will encourage little ones to create and play make-believe!

Review By. Z Hayes

Play-Doh Fun Factory Set

This is a great set to get little ones started in play doh. Although I normally make our own dough, finding play sets with enough pieces for three lil ones is tough. This is just right! The press is practically the same as the one I played with 25 years ago and all three of my girls enjoy it. The playmat is useless since is just a shiny piece of paper with cute pics. That wouldn't hold up to play doh abuse. We just lay a huge play mat on the floor and let them play and make a mess. There are plenty of goodies to play with including a pizza cutter, knife, scissors that are all totally tot safe! I didn't have any trouble cleaning the press out afterwards although a tooth pick would come in handy for the tiny holes in the accesssory plate for the press. My girls love making snakes and pasta.

This will come in hand during our homeschooling since they can press out some long pasta and make the alphabet and numbers. Making letters with dough is great a great hand/eye/mind excercise and makes school just a little bit more fun!

I did pick this set up at a famous big box store with the roll back prices on clearance for an unbeatable price. As in the cost of a footlong sub from Subway! yea cheap! I buy 99% of the time from amazon but in this case you can find it cheaper.

I have to admit I still enjoy playing with play doh, too! Mommy to three kiddos under five!

Review By. momma3under3