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 (30)

Don't buy Pixter...Go for a Leapster
My 3-year-old loves her Leapster and plays with it in the car on long trips as well as in the house when I have to do things that leave her on her own. That's why, when I saw what looked like really fun and educational games for the Pixter, I put it on her wish list for her birthday. It'll be twice as much fun when there are more games from which to choose, I thought. But it's turned out to be a major disappointment. The screen is grainy, the interface is not intuitive, and one really has to press hard to get the screen to recognize the stylus. It's not easy even for an adult! The drawings skip and you can't drag items once they're placed: You never know where they're going to be centered before you place them. The games are not as educational as those on the Leapster, either. We bought Global Passport, Creative Genius, Barbie Fashion Show, Pet Shop, and Symphony Painter (that one is the worst!). She's using the Pet Shop a little, but that's it. Don't waste your money. Go for the Leapster...It's elegant and fun with a clear picture and sound. Now I wish I'd taken to heart the previous reviewer who bought the Leapster instead because I'm stuck with all this expensive useless nonsense. I had also bought the math, Barbie writing and Clifford cartridges, but I'm going to return those because they were bought in a brick and mortar store and haven'tyet been opened.

Great fun!
How cool is this?! A color computer for little hands. It is a great set.The game cartridges that go along make it just as exciting as any gaming system.The basics to it are drawing and other artistic works such as stickers, shapes and fill-in colors.My son got one at the age of 4 and loved it.He broke the first one by falling on the screen, but we bought a new one because of the use of the first one. Now, nearly 2 years later, he is expanding his artistic talents by drawing with different styled lines, creating his own coloring themes and the like. Works great, day or night, as the screen is lit.We often take ours in the car because of the headphone option and volume control.

Get a Leapster instead
I was very disapointed in the Pixter. We returned ours and got a Leapster. The graphics and controls are so much better on the Leapster and the games are much more fun and educational. Also the Leapster is much more intuitive, a child can pick up a Leapster and figure everything out - there is even a "hint" button if the child gets stuck. A child that gets stuck with the Pixter can only look at the grainy screen and wonder where they went wrong. This toy is not worth the money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Wacky    2. Activity    3. Electronic    4. Games    5. Handheld    6. Learning   

Reviews (17)

so much tamagotchi
I read about tamagotchi and I see they all say
there sold out. when I got mine there was 53 tamagotchi at walmart.Why is people saying that they are all sold out?
I had to restart mine four times because I diddnt know a.m from pm =o. Inamed mine anbro.
au reiver (bye)

Amazing things of a Tamagotchi
I think that you should get a tamagotchi. Because they are very fun. I know they are fun because I own 5 of my own tamagotchis! Many unusual things may happen to your tamagotchi. Well, not anything bad that it will break or anything but some things that you wil think are bad. But they are not. I have had many weird things happen to my tamagotchis but they are fine. I could go on for hours saying how wonderful and educational they are.
I have at least 20 friends that have 1-6 tamagotchis of their own.

Be aware!!!
Please be aware when you buy a tamagotchi connection from stores other than Toysrus.
Because there are fake tamagotchi connection in the market.
Their discruption usually says it is orginally japanese version.
But infact some of them are fake, produced by a factory in Southern part of mainland China.
These fake tamagotchi looks almost exactly like the real Japanese tamagotchi. Including the box and the IR function. But they do not work the same way as the real one.
Last week I brought two tamagotchi connection on a online toy seller, located in NY. Those were really cheap $10.99 each. But they turn out to be strange. After I did some web search on some chinese website, I found out I brought the fake one. I am really angry.
So, please be aware.!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Wacky    2. Electronic    3. Interactive    4. Walking    5. Talking    6. Noise-Making   

Reviews (1)

Tooting in the Tub
My 6 and 9 year old boys both love this toy. They usually take showers now because they're big boys but the first day we had the flutes they both spent about 2 hours in the tub. The song book pages are laminated so they won't fall apart if they fall in the water. I even heard my husband trying them out, so they were a big hit in the house. I'm going to get the water drums for them for Christmas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Science    3. Music    4. Musical Instruments    5. Wacky    6. Activity    7. Preschool    8. Bath Toys   

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 (24)

worth it's money
My 9 yr daughter got this for her birthday.She loves it.I love it.The cartridges are easy to remove and install.The unit itself is easy to handle.And the variety of software available makes it a fun, and educational game.The best of both worlds.Now that my daughter has one, my 3 yr old son wants one.I'm afraid his birthday will be a repeat of her's, gift wise, anyway.

Get a Leapster instead
I was very disapointed in the Pixter. We returned ours and got a Leapster. The graphics are so much better on the Leapster and the games are much more fun and educational. Also the Leapster is much more intuitive, a child can pick up a Leapster and figure everything out - there is even a "hint" button if the child gets stuck. A child that gets stuck with the Pixter can only look at the grainy screen and wonder where they went wrong. This toy is not worth the money.

fun creative gift
Entertaining for many hours for our 5 year old.I am disappointed that so many of the stores and online sites are out of stock of the travel case and many of the games.Finally today, KBToys said the case was available, I ordered it, hope it shows up. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Wacky    2. Activity    3. Electronic    4. Games    5. Handheld    6. Learning   

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 (18)

Deal Shopper Dad
I feel this is a very good product whick keeps my kids occupied, even during those long car trips.The color screen is a definite plus and a winner. Although the basic games that come with it are the same as the original pixter,color certainly adds to it.And with the adjuster cartridge connector, the kids are able to use even the old pixter cartridges.

I first had the Original Pixter, then got the color pixter for my 7 yr old and now I'm thinking of getting another one for my 3 yr old. The price is a little high and it would be nice if it came down or atleast,if they could add one or 2 cartridges with the starter pack.

But when the kids are sitting quietly playing with the color pixter and when u get the 'much needed quiet time after a long day', I would say its well worth it.

The batteries last a while too.And,there is a undo feature...Where u click for home, under the 'save to,open file' images,there is an undo arrow. Hope this helps.

Get a Leapster instead
I was very disapointed in the Pixter. We returned ours and got a Leapster. The graphics are so much better on the Leapster and the games are much more fun and educational. Also the Leapster is much more intuitive, a child can pick up a Leapster and figure everything out - there is even a "hint" button if the child gets stuck. A child that gets stuck with the Pixter can only look at the grainy screen and wonder where they went wrong. This toy is not worth the money.

Keeps them busy
My son is almost 4 and this has been one of his favorite toys of all time.He plays with his Pixter during most of his play time.It also keeps him entertained during those times when he is bored at a restaurant.We have several games but Hot Wheels is his favorite. I don't know why, it looks boring to me but to a 4 year old it must be wonderful. He loves to draw and use the stamps on his Pixter. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Wacky    2. Activity    3. Electronic   

Editorial Review

Ever wish you could see into the future? If you answered"without a doubt" or "signs point to yes," you are in luck. It is easyto get a sneak preview into the future with Mattel's Magic 8 Ball. Takeall the guesswork out of finding the answers to life's more perplexingquestions. Yes, this is the same Magic 8 Ball you remember from thepast, and it is just as reliable as ever. If you don't get the resultsyou are after, you can always "ask again later!" --Alison Golder ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Boring, stupid questions
It's obvious that 8 balls suck, it's just some random answers that may not be true; or you could get a repetitive question and does no more but to waste your time over un-true questions.

If a robotic company invented a talking 8 ball with no random questions and can be your pal as a lie detector, than that one I like..

Wish I got this MUCH sooner
When my parents questioned me a few weeks ago about my finances, I knew I was in trouble.
I had missed 7 car payments and they had wondered how I let that happen. I told them about how I consult my psychic before I purchase anything. They looked upset, very upset. My psychic hasn't been making good decisions lately, so that's how I was in so much trouble.
When they asked how much my psychic charges, I let them know, she is $35 for a 10 minute session. And, I do have to advise her a lot because I make a lot of purchases.

To help my financial status, my parents gave me one of these to cut down on psychic fees.
Believe it or not, the 8 Ball is actually more accurate than my previous psychic, Helga The Unbeleivable!

I have done very well for myself since I got my 8 Ball and now I think I might be able to buy those buttock implants I've been looking to get for a few years now!

FUN,FUN, AND MORE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this toy is the best toy ive ever gotten!!! The magic 8 ball knows all!I love it!I just got it today and i know i could play with it for countless hours!!!all my friends love it and i ask silly questions too!If u want a great toy come to toys r us and start askin questins!Its also low prise!i love it and ull love it too!
... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Wacky    3. Balls    4. Grownup   

Subjects:  1. Electronic   

Reviews (1)

My nephews love these!
I bought these for my nephews and they totally love them!

My sister says they won't go in the bath without them. They tap on the drums and then tap on the tub, wall, and spout to get all kinds of cool sounds and rhythms going. They also use them to dump water on their head to rinse shampoo and as a view scope to see the bottom of the tub through the bubble bath.

Good clean fun. Highly recommended.
... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Science    3. Music    4. Musical Instruments    5. Wacky    6. Activity    7. Preschool    8. Bath Toys   

Features

• It's Bingo with a zing
• Pictures instead of numbers
• Teaches image/word recognition, matching, verbalization, concentration, memory and motor skills
• Includes Zingo tile dispenser, 72 picture tiles, and 8 double-sided cards
• Imported

Reviews (7)

Great Game!!
My daughter got this game for her 3rd birthday.She and her 4-year-old sister love to play this game daily!!Now I am buying more to give as birthday gifts to friends/family.

A Great Gift that Kids Love
I bought this game for my children several years ago on the advice of the owner of my favorite toy store.I love board games, and my children were 3 and 5 then, and just starting to enjoy them as well.Well, we couldn't get the kids to stop playing Zingo.They played quietly for more than 2 hours.Since you can play with up to 8 players, we have had lots of neighborhood kids playing the game out on the front steps.Since then, I have bought at least 10 Zingo games -- I have given them to all my children's friends and I always keep a few around to give out for birthday gifts.Everyone loves this game.

great design, great fun
This preschooler variation of the old favorite Bingo is a real winner.

Zingo cards have a 3 by 3 grid that shows pictures and words.Cards have a yellow side (easier, for younger kids) and a red side for the odler ones.The plastic game piece dispenser is well-designed and fun to use.Players shout out to claim a piece, which is then placed over the appropriate square on the player's card.There are several play variations.

Excellent game for the younger set, and fun for older children and adults as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Games    3. Learning    4. Reading    5. Board Games    6. Brain Games    7. Wacky    8. Strategy Games    9. Activity    10. Family Favorites   

Reviews (7)

Our favorite toy
My 2 year old son was first introduced to this toy at our Montessori class...he was hooked immediately!!!It was easy for him to figure out how to put the pieces together and attach the gears (he loved being able to do all of this himself as opposed to other gear toys where most of the building is already done for you) He sat and happily played with this fantastic toy for almost an hour before we had to leave.The learning possibilities of this toy are immmense as is the "fun value".With no "bells and whistles" this toy ranks very high on our list of toys due to the fact that our son has complete creative control...it's all up to him.All in all, it's a fantastic toy that we highly recomend.

Almost perfect...
My son received this toy for Christmas, and we gave one to our niece. The verdict is that it is almost, but not quite, perfect.

The toy is a set of interlocking squares of various colors that are perforated to hold a four-pronged hub that can support one of four sizes of gears. Everything is made of a durable plastic that has some flex to it. You can create systems of gears that spin around and even construct things like gearboxes. (The cover of the box--shown above--will give you a simple idea of what can be done.) There is a manual aimed at parents that helps them teach their child how gears work, too--a nice touch.

The quality of the toy is high: the colorful stickers for the gears are plastic coated, the injection-molded pieces are free from excess plastic, and the pieces fit together solidly. It's everything you would want from a European-made toy. (Quercetti, the manufacturer, is based in Italy and the toy is actually made there.)

It's a mesmerizing little toy and its variability is virtually endless. There are other kits in the Gear line that include such things as universal joints and 3-D parts, so it is highly expandable, even as your child ages.

My quibble? Our three year old niece adores the toy, but our three year old son only plays with it in fits. Truth be told, I play with it more than my son does. So as with anything, your mileage may vary.

It's nice that toys like this one are still being made. There's a lot of learning that can occur with it, too. Factor in the expandability and how can you go wrong?

Now if only I could get my son to join me more while I'm playing with it!

Bit tough for little hands to put together, but beautiful...
The base pieces of this toy are a bit stiff for my kids' little hands to put together. Also, the pegs that hold the gears onto the base are a bit tricky, but will build good fine motor skills if not discarded in frustration. I was just as entranced by this toy as they were as we played with it together for the first time. The brightly colored decals are trippy and fun. And learning that gears transfer energy they supply to move other gears of various sizes "on down the line" is... priceless. *grin* ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction    2. Gears    3. Building Sets    4. Wacky    5. Activity    6. Pretend Play    7. Play Sets    8. Blocks   

Editorial Review

This spy pen set will please young secret agent wannabes with its sleeksilver design and multiple functions that transform a working pen into alight-activated motion alarm, a flashlight, or a magnifying glass with bothlong-distance and close-up magnification lenses. The set includes a sturdy, silverplastic case to hold all the different components, including the large pen thatslides into the side of the case. The end of the pen unlocks the storage case,providing another secret function that kids will like. The pen's motion alarm isits best feature, with a nonthreatening beeping sound that won't be too loud forthe parents or younger siblings. A clearly written instruction sheet explainsall the secret spy functions, augmented with diagrams that will help even thenonmechanical parent outfitting a junior spy. Two AAA batteries are required(not included). --Marcie Bovetz, mother and former children's librarian ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Not bad not great just fine
I got this toy last year for christmas and it was a lot of fun.that is until I lost the scope first then the flashlight then the pen now all I have left is the motion detector(wich does not wok without the pen):[.so it is a good toy as long as you dont louse evey thing:)

Dont let this toy be in the hands ofyour younger sibbling!
This toy has lots of small parts so if you have any young brothers,sisters, or friends,keep the spy pen away from them. (The parts are bound to get lost if you do.)The motion sensor is super sensitive and also super loud.(If you dont want to alert the enemy that the sensor has been triped dont use it.)Also the batterries are very hard to get in.(It took me about 20 minutes to instal them!) Other than that the toy has a great flashlight,telescope, and has a spare ink cartridge.I'd say it would entertain you for about 2 years.

Good not Great
This toy is nice and has lots of things... the flashlight is great it works perfectly and i scare my 3 yr old sister with the motion sensor but the telescope isnt as good... the magnifier works properly oh i forgot about this green, wiggly thing that you put on the flashlight to write in the dark... i gave it four stars because the case opens without unlocking it ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Pretend Play    3. Gadgets    4. Spy   

Editorial Review

This microcosm of Neopets is a portable world for your pocket. Meridell, the land of heroes and legends that was long hidden within Neopia has now been uncovered and is delightfully rendered here in miniature. The pocket Neopet world folds up into a small gold colored pod that you can take anywhere. Open up the case and you can play with your three Neopets: Lupe, Draik, and Lxi. Name them, choose their personalities and preferences, and then proceed to play with, feed, and generally care for them. The sensors in the electronic ports they sit in know which pet you're playing with. There are six games you can play on the small LCD screen with four toggle buttons--they aren't the most engaging games, but winning them scores you points you'll need to buy food and toys for your pet. If you don't give your pet everything it needs, it will run away. Of course, you can always reprogram it to come back to you. There are three little slots to tuck the pets neatly into when you close up the case and hit the road. --Megan Sullivan ... Read more

Reviews (37)

Mystery Island neopets
This review is supposed to be for Meridell:pocket neopet, but I have a Mystery Island pocket neopet. I like it a lot becuase I love kougras and Mystery island. I think you should buy this toy because it teaches kids responsibility. And it has four of the best neopets games. one of the four is a slots game. Anyway, I think that all of them would be a great toy.

sincerly,
Quigley
P.S. Visit the account catboy126 for more about me.

I love this toy! It's sooooo cool!
I have a Aisha and the kacheek, my Aisha is already 4 days old! and while playing in the Lost Desert, it found 2,000 NP on the ground! I now have at least 20,000 NP of hard work, I feed mine two times a day, and gave it a petpet, but somehow the petpet was gone the last time I checked :(, but at least my pet hasn't died! I love this toy, if you have a pet and love it and like to spoil it, but can't take it everywhere with you, get a pocket neopet! I'm in Middle school, I'm an 8th grader and I take my pet to school everyday, I'm 14 years old and have been playing neopets for about 2 years (almost) if other people say when you leave it on when you sleep and it runs away, that's so not true, I leave mine on all night and it turns off by itself but the clock keeps going, I my pet, it's one of the best pocket pet I could ever ask for! I love this pet, neopets rocks! [...] I stongly recommend this toy, it'll be fun! I'm working on keeping my pet alive for 365 days (1 year)! If you love neopets and you'd like to take care of them 24/7, then you can! Buy a pocket neopet today!

WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
It's a great toy! I got it for my 13th B-day... i know the graphics are not soo good but what could you expect for 20$? It has 6 great games including Turmac Roll, Kiss the mortog, Ultimate Bullsye, Turtle Racing and a new game Negg drop! As you rule each level you get more NP's and a trophy! It's perfect for loooong trips!!! Comes with 3 neopets, a bank account, 3 shops (including petpet shop) also i hear people are saying that its hard to get np but if try hard you will manage to get enought np's to buy things and make your neopets happy so they dont run away (happened to me only 2 times). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Electronic    3. Handheld    4. Wacky    5. Action and Adventure    6. Interactive    7. Walking    8. Talking    9. Noise-Making   

Editorial Review

If you've seen "The Exorcist" lately, the folks at Parker Brotherswould like to extend a heartfelt "Captain Howdy-Ya-Do?" courtesy of theirnewly luminescent classic Ouija Board equipment. It's the same traditionalsetup as it was decades ago: the alphabet-and-numbers board with "Yes," "No,"and "Good Bye" spelled out in turn-of-the-century mysterious script; theheart-shaped "Message Indicator Oracle" with the readout window; the numerouscoy references to Ouija being "only a game--isn't it?" So if this editionseems to comprise a bit more plastic than we remember, the promise of theboard and indicator glowing in the dark for half-an-hour (after exposure tolamplight for 10 minutes) more than makes up for it. Of course, in the darkyou'll never know for sure whether the person across the board is the onepushing the indicator, now will you? --Tony Mason ... Read more

Reviews (193)

This is not a Toy!!!-written by a 16 year old
This board is ment as a means of communication and
is not a toy there are real rituals that go along
with it you may see these a www.spellsandmagic.com
This is only one of the true and working rituals:
First you want to go to your quite place, turn off the lights and light the candles and incense. If you have 2 people it always seems to workbetter for some reason. Do your protection ritual. If you do not know one then you can simply imagine your body surrounded by a sphere of bright white light. The color white is always used for protection and purity. Then when you are relaxed enough, each person place their fingertips on the edge of the disc. Be sure not to push down very hard at all or the disc will not slide around like it is supposed to. You may then ask if there is anyone present with you here in the room. Or are there any spirits here that wish to communicate at this time? You may want to askthis several times. It may take a little while before it will start to move. When it starts to move slowly towards the yes then you know you have made contact withsome form of entity. It usually takes a few minutes or so to start getting any results ifyou do. Don't expect to get results every time, for you are not commanding these spirits, you are simply asking them if they want to talk.Once you have made contact, then ask the spirit what its name is. Then you may proceed to ask the spirit any questions you want. Things will usually start to speed up a little from that point on. Sometimes when a spirit is ready to leave, the disc will just go off the board. Write down your experiences every time you use the Ouija Board and keep them all in a little journal for future reference. Now the the most important part... Make sure you do some form of banishing ritual in order to make sure that the spirit has departed and is not still hanging around. The choice is yours and you don't have to do this banishing, but it is always better if you can. If the spirit stays and hangs around you it may very well try to influence you to its way of thinking and it may not be a good spirit. So just take precautions and your experiences should be quite enjoyable!

Cool except for the fact that you are really taking to you!
Ok at first i have to admit, I belived in the spirits and stuff, !AT FIRST! now i know exactally how this ITEM (notice how i didnt use the word tool) works it simple its you controling it for real! so you know how you have to have 2 people right well either one of you is putting the little message thing to the place your mind wants it to go. i have a few test for you to try. 1. first you ask it something, like will i be rich when i grow up? then you get the answer of yes or no. get another 2 people dont tell them what the answer was. have them try and almost always its aa no because you want it to be a yes and the other people that did it the second time dont give a care what they put it on at all. 2. blindfold the people that are going to play, then you have them ask it a question and it will come out scrambled!!!! im serious. see so its you that is talking to you. sorry to make anyone mad but thats the real truth. and by the way do you really think that parker brothers a manufacturer would make a TOY with thing that could hurt people, and if they did wouldnt they be sued?

this game is inappropriate
i think this game is very inappropriate to sell. you may think the kids who buy ouija use it for fun, but some of them use it to try and conact the "dead". i hope you know that when you are selling these ouija boards, you are giving them a tool of witchcraft, which can sometimes be used to conjour evil spirits. i hope you reconsider selling the ouija boards ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Classic Games    3. Board Games    4. Family Favorites    5. Wacky    6. Glow-in-the-Dark   

Editorial Review

Even if you've been living on Mars since the 1970s, you've probably heard of Rubik's Cube, the bestselling puzzle in history. Just in case, though, here's a recap: it's a 3-by-3-by-3-inch cube with rotating faces made up of nine squares that can be scrambled into (so it's said) 43 quintillion combinations. Getting the cube back to its original position (so that all nine squares of the same color make up each face) is incredibly challenging for most, though it can be mastered and solved. For those not gifted with superhuman spatial intuition, this mindbender comes with a solution hints booklet, which examines the cube's properties and offers clues for solving the puzzle. Whether it's a difficult toy or retro '80s kitsch you're seeking, Rubik's Cube is for you. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Totally Awesome!
The rubik's cube is so much fun!at first, i couldn't solve it at all, though i could get the first side.i used the hints and strategies until i memorized them, and now i can solve the cube in little over 5 minutes!it drives my friends insane because none of them can do it ^o^.
I really suggest that you buy this puzzle, as it can keep you entertained no matter how many times you solve it.also, DO NOT peel off the stickers to fix it!!!!!this kid in my class did it to my first cube, and then it was impossible to solve.and it looked really bad, so i tossed it.it's ok to switch the stickers if you do it for the ENTIRE cube, so it's fixed, but it takes a long time, and it's obvious that you cheated.

P.S.buy a cube with instructions if you need them!

A Blast from the Past!
I purchased this toy for my daughter for Christmas.She however did not like it.But I did!It took me back to when I was in school and the Rubik's Cube was most played puzzle game.

It's definitely a game that teaches patience, logical and critical thinking skills to try to solve the puzzle of putting the game back together.

Frustration, Cubed
Ah---at long last, we have the Rubik's Cube in our hot little hands: a scaled representation of the original Lament Configuration, engineered by the mad 18th century French toymaker Phillipe Le Merchant for a jaded aristocrat bored by power and opulence and fever-drunk on the writings of the Marquis de Sade. What to do? You merely arrange the sides of the Cube in such a fashion as to unlock the Configuration, consequently tearing open a planar gateway to Hell, at which point the Cenobites, inter-dimensional space-faring demons with an insatiable appetite for the most sordid types of carnage and torture...

Wait. Ummm....sorry, wrong Cube.

At LONG LAST we have the Rubik's Cube in our hot little hands. Developed by more than 100 of America's most prestigious R&D powerhouses, administered by super-secret counterintelligence officers helmed by top Pentagon officials, built in strictest confidence and only under the most scrupulously Top Secret clearance, the very budgetary procedures for its creation concealed from the most senior personnel at Foggy Bottom and even the White House, The Cube is designed for instruction, interrogation, torture, and execution. Introduce the specimen into a series of interlocking Cubical rooms within the construct, each 20 feet on a side with a total displacement of 400 square feet, each face of every sub-cube featuring a hatchway permitting egress into another identical cube. A pre-selected random number of the sub-cubes feature cunning death traps, ranging from acid-blowguns to area-effect mesh-wire guillotines, providing hours of amusement and poltical re-education for those unlucky enough to...

Oh. Ummm---sorry, still the wrong cube.

What we have here, folks, to our eternal despair, is the RUBIK's CUBE, clearly a device introduce in the eighties from the Soviet-dominated Warsaw Pact with the express intent of destroying America and her Allies in the decades-long fight against Communism. How many hours did this fiendish Engine of Death wrest from my young life in the eighties, taunting me, teasing me, shaming me for my inability to restore the colors---Yellow, Green, Red, Blue, White, and Orange---to their original sides, all in unity, unanimity, Soviet conformity. Three rows and three columns per side: 54 cubes of filth, of ignominy, of humilation. 54 cubic means by which to reduce us to Soviet satrapy!

The Rubik's Cube is 1984, writ small: it is totalitarian Communism.

All those smirking kids you knew in high school who could solve this infernal engine of destruction in a minute? Soviet KGB plants! Each had been mailed a detailed instruction booklet (in Russian, English, and Esperanto) on how to solve the vile thing weeks, if not months before it was unveiled to a slumbering West.

Be warned: the Rubik's Cube is highly addictive and ultimately serves as a soggy, uber-spiked Cat-O-Nine-Tails on your ego and self-esteem. It was made with the express intention of destroying the West and bringing down global capitalism by humiliating the West's greatest minds. My final point: this infernal engine of destruction was developed in Hungary by a mathematics/spacialist genius who never realized one dollar of profit from his insanely popular creation.

I rest my case. You were warned.

JSG ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Brain Games    3. Brain Teasers   

Reviews (1)

Great Package, Great Price!
Nine year old daughter wanted a magic kit, so I purchased this one. The kit has a lot of amusing tricks and a great amount of items for the money. The items are well made and hold up to a lot of abuse, after seeing it I would think this kit would cost a lot more.Some of the tricks are silly, but some are actually very good.All the tricks are easy to understand and perform.My daughter has even done several tricks for her class at school. She has been thrilled with it and I have been very pleased. I would recommend this kit to anyone. Hope this review helps. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Pretend Play    3. Magic    4. Learning   

Reviews (14)

Extremley Fun, But A Little Messy
I'm thirteen and my little sister plays with her catch a bubble thing, all the time.It's great because it lasts longer and doesn't spill like regular bubbles.However, if your child catches a bubble and squishes it in his/her hands it is very messy, kind of like glue.If it does spill, it's hard to wash out of rugs, but easy to wipe of hard surfaces.Overall I say buy this product, but be prepared for a little mess. :)

the best bubbles there ever were...THEY DON'T EVEN SPILL!!!
we are bubble experts in our house and these are the best we've seen yet. there are other bubbles on the market that don't pop easily (for catching, stacking, etc) but this comes with an immeasurable advantage: a plastic seal that you can push the blower through but keeps the liquid from spilling... like the top to a fast food beverage...that kind, but more sturdy. My 4,3 and 1 year old can play with bubbles for hours, but most bubbles don't last that long because they inevitably spill or get dropped and the bubble solution comes flooding out and its all gone. these dont spill!!
sooooo....
1) they don't spill
2)the container is huge and more than enough for multiple plays and/or lots of kids to share
3) the bubbles themselves are THE BEST and don't pop easily


its true they get a little stickier than your run-of-the-mill bubbles...but my kids use them in the garage or outside (maybe the kitchen if its bad weather) and its fine. the ones we did get on stuff (the computer, table, rugs, books, etc) cleaned up easily...so it wasn't a big deal when they did land on objects inside.
my daughter got a 5-pack for her birthday and i'm online today to buy more all our friends' birthdays!!

pretty cool
I bought this toy a long time ago and have really enjoyed it.The bubbles have to float in the air for a little bit before you can catch them without popping(I guess the liquid has to dry), but other than that, it's pretty cool!I was blowing the bubbles in the garage once, and the next day, the bubbles were still on the ground un-popped! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Wacky    2. Learning    3. Pretend Play   

Editorial Review

This handy blue briefcase (cunningly labeled "Spy Kit") contains every tool a budding agent needs to root out any secret. The most vital piece of equipment is a listening device that amplifies distant sounds, perfect for eavesdropping on the enemy! Simply plug in the earphones, unfold the microphone, and point it at your target. Press the button, and you can hear every whisper. The kit also includes a penlight (requires two AAA batteries), and a combination telescope/microscope that can be attached to the listening device for more advanced espionage activities. Agents can keep track of everything they see and hear in the included notebook. The listening device requires one 9-volt battery and you'll need a screwdriver to open the battery compartment, but once everything is set up you'll be ready for action. Winner of an award from Child magazine. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

don't know why other reviewers are upset with this...
I was a bit confused by what the other reviewers had to say... the light pen does come with a lightbulb I believe when the instructions say "get a lightbulb" they are referring to what you have to do to replace the lightbulb when the original one burns out... as far as things being a syrupy blur when you look through the telescope or microscope... if you pull gently on both ends you'll see that it slides apart a bit and can be adjusted, if you slide the parts back and forth and make the proper adjustments you should be able to see through both ends just fine... audio hearing device appears to be working properly as well... I was a bit leery of buying this item after reading the negative reviews but overall it seems to be working just fine for us and our munchkins...

It's good and bad
The Listening device works good. The device that you look through to look far away isn't very good all I could see was a blur. I sort of reccomend it and sort of don't. If you buy it than the listening thing is what you should use.

listener, notso great
it's a pretty cool toy, but not to much the listener, it blips out every 2 seconds, not great for listening to conversations. the other stuff is cool, but if you're going to buy this because of the listener, keep looking, but if you don't care about the listener, then go ahead! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity    2. Pretend Play    3. Occupations    4. Wacky    5. Gadgets    6. Spy   

Editorial Review

Why chase bugs when you can cook up your own? Budding (orshould that be bugging?) entomologists will enjoy creating their ownleggy marvels in the special bug oven--actually a heater tray that'spowered by a light bulb. Two tubes of "Plasti-goop" and one of "GoopFX" (for detailing) are included. You need to buy one 60-watt smallbase candelabra bulb. The two included metal molding trays enable youto make eight different bugs, each 1 to 2 inches long. Adultinstallation and supervision required. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (64)

Great toy Hard to find refills
I bought one of these for my sons bithday from a local Toys R Us store and we love it. we found that the bugs will stick to windows and mirrors well if left just a little tacky.

The problem of finding GoopFX is driving me crazy. I can't find the GoopFX anywere so I called the manufacture who says they have plenty of it but the stores aren't stocking it along with new molds and they don't have an online store to sell it.The manufacture is supposed to do some research for a supplier but I have yet to hear back from them.

Good looking bugs can still be made with the regular goop but detailing them takes some practice. All in all a realy cool toy as long as they keep the goop coming.

Not a good toy for impatient children
My 5 year old daughter received this toy from a friend for Christmas last year.She thought it was the coolest toy.When we brought the toy home and opened it...there was no bulb, and nowhere open on Christmas to buy one.When we were finally able to get a bulb for the toy the next day, much to her disappointment, it takes approximately 10-12 minutes to "cook" the bugs and another 12-15 minutes for the machine to cool down so the door can be opened (safety feature).She was not very happy with having to wait almost a half an hour for one spider to be made.Needless to say, she dosen't play with that toy much now.

The making of bugs
My 8 year old loves having creepy bugs to play with and once we lessened the cooking time (after talking with the products customer service department, which was very helpful) we got the bugs to look very colorful. However, it is very difficult for him to squeeze the bottles by himself - smaller holes help with making better details, which he also has trouble doing - so I tend to do all the work, with his input.We are also dispointed that the FX Goop that is thicker and supposed to be used for filling in the legs and all the detailing like lines, spots, eyes, etc. does not come in many colors (we got pink, yes - PINK! Not a favorite of boys!). It also can not be purchased seperately like the Plastic Goop, the only way to get more FX Goop is to purchase the bug machine or the mold packs - each which only include one small tube. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bugs    2. Science    3. Wacky    4. Gross   

Reviews (4)

A great classic!
Does it really get much better or simpler than an Etch-a-Sketch?Originally made here in Ohio, now in China!Yikes!Can't we keep ANYTHING here?Editorialization aside, this has always been such a great toy and it is no different in our house.This provides tons of entertainment in a grocery cart (the travel size one), as well as in the car.It took my little one seconds to learn how to make stairsteps the first time.If you're looking for a toy to increase manual dexterity, then this is your guy! Highly recommend!

I GOT A COMPUTAR
HI,
my mommy got this toy with her own money and I play with it. We gots a new computar! I am to and this is my favrite toy!!! By it.

fun with a bit of sketch!
this toy is very fun.you can always practice your sketching on it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Wacky   

Editorial Review

Few toys are more majestic than this charcoal-gray plush elephant. Bonus: this gentle giant is also a puppet. He boasts an extendable trunk, protruding horns, wrinkled eyes, and soft, floppy ears. With his velvety body and big belly, he's the perfect pachyderm for puppet shows, naptime, or cozying up with to read a book. This unforgettable elephant stands 17 inches tall from head to hoof. --Melissa Wilson ... Read more

Reviews (2)

super soft, an excellent puppet!
I knew Folkmanis would never disappoint but was still thrilled at the high quality of this puppet. Folkmanis puppets are consistently great quality, of beautiful design, and fun to use. This puppet, however, is exceptionally soft, almost velvety in texture. A great toy for little ones to hug and hold as well as a fun puppet. Using your hand, one can move the mouth and swing the trunk a bit.

My children love this puppet! This large puppet is a must-have for puppet lovers and elephant lovers!

jumbo fun!
I love this elephant! I use it for storytimes and you can not only move it's mouth but also put your hand/arm down the trunk and move that too. It's big and soft and a beautiful grey. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Stuffed Animals    2. Pretend Play    3. Puppets    4. Wild Animals    5. Elephants    6. Animals    7. Stuffed Toys