Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Learning    3. Math   

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Learning   

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Learning    3. Math   

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Learning    3. Math   

Editorial Review

I have to admit that I am no fan of kids' electronic music makers--hearing the same bleeping and blatting tunes for hours on end is a sure-fire way to drive me crazy. But the Sing With Me Magic Cube has a number of charming features that set it above the fray. First of all, the 5-inch cube itself is a pleasing object, ruggedly constructed, with rounded rubber corners that invite the hands. Then there's the music: "Old McDonald," "Itsy Bitsy Spider," and other standard kids' songs played on five instruments (piano, guitar, drums, tuba, and flute). The innovation here is that as each tune plays, instruments can be added to or taken out of the mix with a push of the matching button. It's a clever trick that might help develop a child's ear for the different parts of music. One minor complaint is that the Orchestra button behaves differently from the instrument buttons: when you push it, the song that's playing stops and a new one starts. This is one of those toys that claims to be based on the latest brain research and promises to stimulate your child's mental development through music, but even if it's not much more than a glorified rattle, it will amuse your child without driving you too crazy. Requires three AA batteries (not included). --David Stoesz ... Read more

Features

• Features favorite songs and musical instrument sounds
• Winner of Dr. Toy and Parents' Choice awards
• Song book and instructions included

Reviews (23)

My child loves it! I love it!
This is a great toy. It is really durrable, easy to work and safe. It has been dropped a lot. It's even been dropped on cement and down wooden stairs. I got it from a garage sale and her 3 kids were really rough with it she said. And it isn't cracked, scuffed or broken in any way. I'd recommend this toy for every child!

A very nice musical toy
I've been very pleased with my purchase of the Sing with Me Magic Cube.I gave it to my niece on her 1st birthday.Her father is a musician and her mother is a singer, so I wanted a gift that would help promote musical interests.She loves the Baby Einstein videos (e.g. Baby Mozart) which feature classical music, so I decided to get her something that would teach her many of the songs that she is likely to sing when she starts school in several years.

She loves singing and dancing to all the songs on this cube.(BTW, the toy is purely instrumental only ... no vocals ... she has learned the words from others around her who sing the words to the music.)I don't think she understands exactly how to turn the individual instruments on and off yet, but she has lots of fun hitting all the buttons trying to get it to play her two favorite songs -- Old Macdonalds Farm and Itsy Bitsy Spider.

This toy is sure to last for a very long time, as it has thick rubber knobbie corners that cushion it when dropped.

Excellent even for adults
I bought this toy for my one year old nephew, but am having a hard time letting go. It is soooo cute and I find myself singing along with it and choosing the instruments I want to hear. I know I have to let it go... but it's going to be hard. This toy is as great as other reviews indicate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Musical    3. Preschool    4. Learning    5. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    6. Electronic    7. Baby and Infant    8. Music    9. Electronic Learning Aids   

Editorial Review

Round and round she goes. Hi Ho! Cherry-O is the counting game in which players race to be the first to have 10 cherries in their basket. A spin of the arrow determines your fate. It will instruct you to pick one, two, three, or four cherries from your tree and put 'em in your basket. That is, of course, if you don't land on the bird or the dog, requiring you to take two cherries from your basket and return them to the tree. And try not to land on the spilled bucket or--you guessed it--spill the contents of your basket or you start over. --Alison Golder ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Great game!
This is one of my four-year-old daughter's favorite games, just like it was one of mine when I was her age.She loves to count the cherries as she takes them off, and even loves when the bird or dog takes some.She'll play this for about half an hour or more, even if she loses.

Buy this game!!
My 2.5 year old LOVES to play games. She is very good about taking turns, and is crazy for games. However, it's hard to find a good, simple, straight forward game for this age group. Most of them have incredibly complicated rules. This game is great. Of course, my daughter loves to count, so counting the cherries is great fun for her. She also loves to spin the spinner and she loves to say "Oh no" when you have to put the cherries back. It's a game that will last for many years. Her brother who is 19 remembers this game and will actually play it with her (sometimes).

The best things: No batteries, no complicated rules, doesn't take up a lot of room like some games (with big boxes), older kids will play with younger kids, parents enjoy it, and I guess I should add that it is educational too. But most importantly it's just fun.

The worst thing: No extra cherries. We have lost a couple so we can only play with 3 people, but that's fine.

A Game of Chance
Hi Ho Cherry-O is a game of chance that includes cute little red cherries.Gameplay is very simple.You just spin the spinner and whatever number the arrow lands on is how many cherries you receive.But if you land on a dog or bird, you lose all of your cherries.The player with the most cherries wins.Aimed toward the preschool and kindergarten level, this colorful game teaches counting, as well as good sportsmanship.And parents can be free of guilt, since the game is up to chance, so you're not really lying when your child asks if you let them win!I recommend this game to little ones who aren't quite ready for the big-kid games. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Learning    3. Math    4. Preschool    5. Board Games    6. Family Favorites   

Editorial Review

This magnetic calendar is undated, so it can be reusedmonth after month, year after year. Use the month magnets to identify themonth, and then stick the magnetic numbers on the appropriate days ofthe week. Hinged panels fold out for hanging--the top half is acalendar, the bottom half is a blank white magnetic surface for storingmonth and year magnets and the colorfully illustrated "reminder"pieces. There's one for every occasion you can think of, so you'llnever miss an important date or activity--Test Day, Mother's Day,Canada Day, Kwanzaa, Go To Dentist, and so on. Consisting of 139pieces, the calendar measures 15.5 by 23 inches unfolded. --AlisonGolder ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Love this company!
I purchased this calendar for both of my girls (7 and 4).Like others, they both love this calendar and we update them together each month.The comment that I wanted to add was that soon after purchasing calendar #2, our dog chewed up several of the numbers.I attempted to repair the mangled numbers without luck.I resigned myself to the fact that daughter #2 would just have to do without numbers 28 and 14.When hanging the calendar up the other day, I noticed a toll-free number on the back for the company.When I called I found out that you can receive an complete set of all the magnets (numbers, months and holidays) for $5 an they'd ship them for free.They also included the most updated years through 2010!What a great company.

Excellent Product (A+)
I purchased this calendar for my 3 year old and both he and his sister (2 yrs. old) totally love it.Both my kids truly enjoy learning the days, months, seasons and various events (every Sunday we get together and "plan" our following week).My son loves it sooo much that now I am buying it as a birthday present for all of my son's friends and cousins (cannot beat the price !!).<br /> My only two suggestions to the manufacturer will be to make the daily squares a bit bigger and to make additional magnetic buttons available as a separate kit.<br /> This product definately gets an A+ from me !!

What A Great Idea!
I love anything with magnets and I have found the little ones in my life do as well.To have a calendar that uses magnets is wonderful.This calendar is colorful and useful.Teaches months and days and allows children to understand the time process.It is durable and the magnets stay put.That is a plus.Great idea....good product. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alphabet    2. Numbers    3. Activity    4. Arts and Crafts    5. Easels    6. Learning    7. Magnets    8. Time    9. Wood    10. Preschool    11. Reading    12. Math   

Reviews (29)

FUN TOY
I bought this toy as a way to keep track of how much money I have. It has one flaw- when you put a coin in, you don't tell it how much you put in. It guesses coin amounts. I put a quarter in and it told me it was a penny. Other than that, It's fun and educational. To deposit money, you press the deposit button. Then, there is a slot over the safe that you put the money in and start to turn the knobs. A few seconds after you start to put the money in, you press the $1, $5, $10, or $20 button. The amount will automatically be added to your savings. To withdraw, you simply press the amount you would like to withdraw and open the safe to take the money out. The anount will automatically be deducted from your savings. To see how much money is in your savings, take the ATM card, swipe it in the slot, and press the Account Ballance button. This is easy to use and open.

Would be cute if it worked
I bought this bank yesterday in a local store. When we got it home and started putting coins into the slot, we found that the bank could not differentiate between a penny and a dime. If it could properly calculate the money, it would be a really cute way to save money. It's just not accurate. We returned it and are in search of something better.

Teaching saving
This is great for showing your child how money adds up if it stays in the bank. It grabbed my 9 year olds attention right away who is usually a spend it all type of kid. We only had one problem. Must be sure the batteries are in tightly and the door on or it won't work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Learning    3. Math    4. Counting    5. Activity    6. Pretend Play   

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    3. Electronic    4. Alphabet    5. Preschool    6. Music   

Reviews (4)

Great toy!
A simple, virtually indestructable, requires-no-batteries kind of toy that keeps my three year old nephew amused for hours- and improves hand-eye coordination. I have not noticed any problems with paint coming off, but I have noticed they tend to end up scattered all over the living room floor. Not a mess-free toy.

FYI -- block counts
Since the item descriptions on Amazon are so brief, here's what the set contains:

32 little rectangles (1x1x2)(The basic unit I'm using is the thickness of all the blocks, about half an inch, so all the dimensions start with 1 the way I'm describing them).
16 long little rectangles (1x1x4)
44 squares (1x2x2)
16 big rectangles (1x2x4)
2 extra-big rectangles (1x2x8)
10 triangles (half of a big rectangle)
21 short cylinders (1 diameter x 2 length)
15 long cylinders (1 diameter x 4 length)
2 arches (big rectangle with a semicircle cut out)
2 semicircles

Paint 'Blues'...do NOT buy this set!
I bought this set for my 4 year old son who loves to build. These blocks proved to be a good sturdy set with lots of possibilities. However, one day I notice his fingers all covered in paint residue from these blocks! I was shocked. I am in the midst of trying to find the right address to alert Imaginarium to this problem. The woman at ToysRus where I purchased this set said "well, I can't imagine the paint is toxic...it's no big deal." No big deal?? Toxic or not, I don't want ANYone, let alone my son, to be ingesting paint. I would NOT recommend getting this set for anyone until Imaginarium can come up with a better way to paint their sets. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Construction    3. Blocks    4. Wood    5. Activity   

Reviews (8)

Not as good as the original
I bought these for my daughter when she was 3.Now 5, she and her 2 year old brother play with them.They are no where near as good as my bristle blocks from childhood (still at Grandma's).These just don't stay together well at all.The people that swivel and the wheels looked like they'd add great dimension and improve a classic toy, but with the reduction in block quality (ie, they don't stick together!), I have to say these are a so-so toy, at best.

Another interesting way to build things
My kids really like their bristle blocks.I like the bright colors and the different sizes.My 3 year old just likes to put the pieces together--it doesn't matter if it is anything or not.It is just interesting to him that they stick to each other at this point.I built a car for him--from that point on, he has been able to visualize different things--cars, buildings, yards, etc. and put them together.I think that these, blocks, gears, legos, lincoln logs, etc. are all very important to a child's development.These are lots of fun for a reasonable price.

Bristle Blocks are Great!
My grown sons played with Bristle Blocks when they were children. Now my 3yr old grandson loves them as well. We gave him a small set for Christmas when he was two and he has been playing wiht them ever since. This year he gets the biggest set Imaginarium makes. I feel his imagination is fed with every space ship or airplane he creates.
And his Dad & Uncle get a big charge out of them as well, for them its a blast from the past. We love them! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Construction    3. Blocks    4. Activity    5. Pretend Play    6. Play Sets   

Reviews (9)

A toy I remember from my childhood
Two year old really enjoys building with this.The older children also played with this when it first arrived.
Reasonably priced and not available in stores.I like the case, although the clasps seemed like they would break - but they have survived, so far.

Great if it stays together
I bought this for my son when he was 3.He loved building things but the blocks just didn't stay together. He would work on his creation and as soon as he picked it up it would fall apart.They just don't seem to hold together like I remember Bristle Blocks doing when I was a child.The suitcase they came in was great. He has all of his cars in it now.

fun for younger ones, too.
We had these on a long vacation with two toddlers ages 1 and 1.5.A big hit! easier to manage than lego-style blocks since they can fit together without being aligned exactly.The bristled texture is very interesting to younger ones and they like to just carry them around, one in each fist, putting then together and taking them apart.An excellent car seat or airplane toy, even the tub.For the youngest we just pulled out the smallest pieces. Every child that visits likes them too.I've bought 4 sets now as gifts.

I remember these from my childhood and they were even more popular with the kids than I expected.It's true, I've never seen then in a retail store, only a couple of places online. Too bad, a lot more fun to many kids than duplos. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Construction    3. Blocks    4. Activity    5. Pretend Play    6. Play Sets   

Editorial Review

BRIO's all-wood stacking clown is one stacking toy that's sure to light up your child's eyes.Brightly painted wooden rings in differing shapes and sizes combine on a 9.75-inch-high post with flatcircular base to create a colorful clown complete with smiling face, round collar, and tall hat. The rings canbe placed on the post in any order--which means frustration is minimal for even the youngest child. Olderchildren learn about sorting and sequencing as they re-create the friendly clown. --Tami Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Lots of Fun
My daughter was given this as a secondhand toy and it looks like it is brand new.She enjoyed looking at it and knocking it over as an infant and now at 2 she has mastered stacking the rings and knowing the hat has to go on last.The only problem is the smaller rings and hat can fit very easily in a child's mouth we have had to put the hat and the smaller rings away until she stopped putting them in her mouth.

Simple is Often the Best
My 10 month old son loves this toy. At first, I figured he was too young for it, but he enjoys trying to get the pieces on and taking them off. He also likes to hold on to the circles by the center holes and clap them together. The pieces even hold up to his teething --the paint stays on, he cannot bite through the wood, etc.

Old Time European Quality
My son, who is now 4, wasn't into this kind of toys and I thought it was just a waste of money, but his 18 months old brother was absolutly delighted when he found it in the closet. It's one of his favorite toys now. This wooden stacker is made in Sweden in the same way it used to be made a hundred years ago and if nothing else it will teach your child to appreciate real, quality things in life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Preschool    3. Stacking    4. Clowns    5. Wood    6. Learning    7. Baby and Infant    8. Toddler    9. Shape Sorting   

Editorial Review

Circles, squares, triangles, hearts, and stars! Little ones will delight in their ability to sort and stack these colorful, spongy shapes on glossy wooden pegs. The Shape and Color Sorter helps preschoolers and kindergartners learn the essential skills of hand-eye coordination, shape and color recognition, and sorting. Brightly colored and fun to touch, the 25 crepe rubber pieces are nearly indestructible. In fact, this set exceeds standards set by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission. Still, the product is not meant for children who may put objects in their mouths. Comes with a 3.75-by-11.5-inch base panel and five removable "punkin-head pegs."--Joan DeClaire ... Read more

Reviews (16)

My son loves this!
I bought this shape shorter for my 21-month-old son, and he won't put it down! The only drawback(which is pretty unavoidable) is that the pieces are small and sometimes we have trouble finding them.

Terrific Travel Toy
My mom bought this toy for my daughter, then 18 months, in Hawaii.The fact that it is easily assembled and lightweight make it great for traveling.My daughter, who loves shapes, played with it every day.Now, at 20 months, she keeps asking for it, every morning.Because it is easily assembled, she has learned to do this on her own, which I think is another benefit of this toy.I am always thrilled when I come into the room and all the circles are stacked up on one peg, or all the blue shapes are stacked up on the blue peg, this is a great learning toy.Also, I remember reading the box insert that said you can contact the manufacturer to get replacement pieces if you lose one.

A MUST HAVE!
This is the best kind of toy - your child is learning numerous different skills while playing. (fine motor, shape sorting, color sorting...)I purchased it for my 12 month old and wished I had discovered the "Lauri" brand with my older child sooner.They even include an idea sheet to inspire other ways to use the product.It is the perfect item to put on the high chair to buy a little time while making dinner.I'd make this purchase again in a heartbeat!Don't be swayed too much by the suggetsed age - this is a toy that grows with your child. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Baby and Infant    3. Learning    4. Shape-Sorting    5. Color Recognition    6. Preschool    7. Toddler    8. Shape Sorting   

Reviews (4)

One of those toys that they forget...
My daughter got this for Christmas (she's 5 years old) and she figured it out but it was boring for her.She got tired of drawing the same thing over and over again and by the end of the week she had already placed it in the UNDER THE BED zone.We lost the pen and we use a dry erase marker now and for some reason the battery doesn't last too long.Someone mentioned something about the buttons being on the right-- and it's better for lefties.That's true, my Daughter is a lefty and it was easy for her--just bored her.
Not a bad toy for kids that can sit still for long periods.For those seeking creative adventures, look elsewhere.

Not age appropriate
There should be different levels of the game.My 4 1/2 year old cannot draw straight lines, so it is fun for her just to put a dot on the "Star Orange", for example, and this would be a nice level, but to draw the picture, it is too complicated.Sometimes, to draw the picture, you have to go back to the same dot as before, and because you are using a red dry erase marker, thedots are no longer the same color, so you can't find the "green" dot because the red marker turned it brown. I also don't like that you have to push the Go or Repeat buttons on the right hand side-most children are holding the pen with their right hand and it is cumbersome.This would be great for lefties. I would place the age at 5-8

My son loves it and I love it too!
My son received this toy from his aunt for his birthday a couple months ago and he just loves it. He had a hard time getting it away from me because I found it to be entertaining also. I suggest everyone buy this for your child. My only complaint is that when the voice says to draw to a certain spot, you have to push repeat until you can understand what is says. Overall, my son really enjoyed it and it is the only toy he has ever played with this long. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Construction    3. Blocks    4. Wood    5. Learning    6. Activity   

Reviews (7)

Product not as advertised
Contrary to what I have seen in the other reviews for this product, I do not find it to be satisfactory in any way other than appearance.It says on the box that it "Works just like a real vending machine".Well, unless you get free products from the vending machines you use, it doesn't work just like real ones.You DO NOT have to put money in to get items to come out.You don't even have to put batteries in it unless you want to hear the noises the machine makes.I had hoped to use it for a reward system like another reviewer but my son is savvy enough to realize you don't have to put money in it and he is only two years old.The description on the box is grossly inaccurate.The only positive I can think of is that it is cute in appearance....I could buy a [cheap] plastic bank and give my son a treat for putting money in it and it would serve the same purpose.I contacted a representative of Summit Financial Products, the company who manufactures the toy, and was told to return it for a refund which I will be doing.I will be VERY hesitant to purchase other products made by this company in the future since I don't like driving across town to return their products.

Fun toy for all ages
I got this toy for my birthday 1 year ago and I love it! I am 10 years old and I play with it whenever I am bored. I was just playing with it, with one of my friends. What I love most about it is that you dont have to keep the plastic cans that it come with it inside. You can put candy, liitle toys and more, inside it. Its a really fun toy! I am getting one for my friend soon.

we use this as a reward
we fill up the vending bank and use it as a reward for doing "chores".a fun way to save and get rewards.my daughter can drop in a coin and press a button to get a 'treat'.sometimes I fill it with candy, sometimes a little toy, sometimes it's a fun activity (picnic in the park, swimming, etc.)she loves it and so do I. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Learning   

Reviews (1)

Great item!
Oh, you just have to get this abacus!It's so very colorful but it also makes it so much more fun for little ones to use because it's something besides just colored beads to see.It has butterflies, ladybugs, frogs, you name it and all in different colors including purple, green, red.It's just so much more that your traditional abacus and my little one just loves it so much.It provides tons of teaching time but also fun time.Grab this one for sure! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Learning   

Subjects:  1. Preschool   

Editorial Review

Tinker Toys have entertained kids for decades--ever since their 1913 invention by Charles Pajeau, who was inspired by children playing with pencils and empty spools of thread. This set features 102 versatile wooden spools, connectors, and brightly colored dowels packed in an easy-to-store keepsake canister. Simply add a child's imagination for hours of creative fun. --Jane Snyder ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Toy was a hit
I had bought this toy for my son's 8th birthday and it was a hit.I have three children and they all loved it.It's been three weeks now and they still play with it daily, it was a definate hit.My only disappoints were:They are plastic now, instead of wood.I recall as a kid, breaking the wood ones now and then.But the plastic is just as breakable, yet without the typical peircing points a broken wood one would have.I bought the large 200 piece tin of them, when I opened it up 2/3rds of the tin was nothing but air (they did take the time to add in cardboard so you wouldn't know.)I was disappointed such a large tin was so empty - but nontheless, the toy was a super hit.I wish I had bought them earlier.

Mom of 4
My son got these this weekend, for his 4th birthday.All of my kids and nieces and nephews LOVE them.They range in age from 2 - 12.This toy has provided endless hours of entertainment just in the last 48 hours.This toy even got them away from the GameCube.There are no little pieces for the little ones to choke on, PERFECT for every age!

broken pieces
I purchased a tinkertoy set for my grandaughter for Christmas. After only a half hour of play we had 3 broken pieces. By the next day we had six. This was not rough or unsupervised play. I contacted Hasbro and they will replace the 6 pieces. What a disappointment. They must not be using the same wood to make the most recent sets. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Wood    2. Preschool    3. Construction    4. Building Sets