Showing posts with label fine motor skills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fine motor skills. Show all posts

Friday, December 21, 2012

Melissa & Doug Latches Board Review

Melissa and Doug Latches Board
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We bought this for our 19 month old to take on a plane trip as the "new" toy to entertain her when needed. She *loved* playing with it through the entire trip. it's a bit big for a carryon, but we fit it in. It is now a car toy that gets swapped out upon occasion with others. The back of the puzzle says 4+, but I think it's a good challenge for younger children. There are 2 latches that she needs adult help with because they are too tough to move. I'm sure she'll grow into those with time, though.
updated 9/07:
My almost 3yo can now do all of the latches on this puzzle-has been able to for several months, now.

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This beautifully crafted board with polished brass locks, latches, hooks and clasps, has hide-and-seek pictures behind each door and helps develop fine motor and memory skills. A tremendous value!

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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Hasbro Scatterpillar Scramble Review

Hasbro Scatterpillar Scramble
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My daughter was really excited to get this game for her four year birthday. It was fun, however, the catepillar moves pretty fast. It was difficult for my 9 year old, myself, and especially my four year old, to get the marbles on. I wish there were different levels, like a slower one, for the younger kids. Overall, I guess ok product, but I'd increase the appropriate age level on the box, or implement the different levels idea.

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Watch Scatterpillar wiggle and dance to the music in this fun race of fast-paced marble placing. He's all hands, so be careful as you put your marbles on his row of hands in front of you. Race to place your colored balls from the bottom row up to the top row to win. The 1st player to set all 8 marbles in Scatterpillar's hands wins. It sounds easy, but this scatterbrainest of caterpillars in the Zoobeedoobeezoo loves music and is constantly dancing and grooving. So, make sure that along the way,

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Friday, November 30, 2012

Kidoozie Garden Fresh Fruits & Veggies Review

Kidoozie Garden Fresh Fruits and Veggies
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These are hard plastic, not soft as the heading states. Having said that, my two year old has hardly stopped playing with it in the last few weeks and even my seven year old boy will play along. You can play the obvious shopping and cooking games but you can also learn colors, practice counting, group according to categories and many other creative ideas. The items are all very well made and are holding up to daily use very well. I really like the fact that they are made of hard plastic and not the thin, "squashable" kind like a lot of play food. The items are really detailed, too. The pineapple even has a removable core! Bottom line; I plan on buying more of this type of play food!

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2 years & up. Children will enjoy these "peel-able" fruits and veggies. Slice them apart with the safe, plastic knife and then Velcrothem back together again and start all over! Canvas shopping tote is included for storage.

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Saturday, November 17, 2012

FISHER-PRICE Games MATCHIN' MIDDLES Review

FISHER-PRICE Games MATCHIN' MIDDLES
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This toy is fun, educational, theraputic, and inexpensive. My autistic daughter first played with this when her early interventionist brought it. All of the other reviews on this toy are right on! I bought this for her to keep at home, it was so great. There are many ways to play with this. You can use it as a puzzle to match the shapes and put the cookies together. You can play memory with them. My daughter is now too old for them to use in these ways, so she plays "tea party" with them! How's that for toy mileage! I was surprised to see them in "vanilla". (Ours were chocolate like Oreos) Neat! This toy is for everyone, whether the children have special needs or not. I hope this review helps.

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Learn Matching and Shapesages 3+ years2-4 players

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Alex Toys Learn to Dress Monkey Review

Alex Toys Learn to Dress Monkey
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This is a really cute, happy looking monkey that actually teaches without batteries, lights or noise! He has several dressing activities, similar to Dressy Bessy and Dapper Dan. He has a zipper, buttons, straps, etc. to help the little ones learn to dress. It has a lot of detail, check out the shoes! He even has a little banana that can be stored in his pocket, which for some reason fascinates my young grandson! This is a well made, sturdy toy that my grandson loves to play with and love.

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Learn to dress from head to toe with Alex the monkey| This 22? long plush doll has 11 dressing activities that help develop fine motor skills. Learn to snap on straps, button, hook and loop, zipper and more. Comes with real socks and lace up sneakers, and his shirt and overalls are removable, too. Suitable for age 18 months and up.

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Monday, November 12, 2012

Educational Insights Design and Drill Activity Center Review

Educational Insights Design and Drill Activity Center
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This play set is wonderful! It is easy to use and entertaining for preschool to early school age children. While kids are having fun playing, they are improving their fine motor skills and patterning. They can be creative with their own designs or learn to follow one of the included pattern cards. The set includes 3 bits for use with the drill or screwdriver handle and 5 different colored large screws. The drill has forward, off, and reverse settings and makes drill sounds at a reasonable volume. Overall a great buy.

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Children love using the Design & Drill Activity Center to create their own designs, or following the set's activity cards to make pictures and patterns, from trains and boats to flowers and fish. Just snap any one of the drill bits into the power drill or the screwdriver handle, grab a handful of big bolts, and turn on the learning fun. Twenty activity cards (10 make-a-picture cards, 9 follow-the-pattern cards, and one make-your-own card) provide young learners with tasks from simple to challenging. Requires 3 "AA" batteries (not included).

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Thursday, November 8, 2012

Melissa & Doug Deluxe 10-Piece Magnetic Fishing Game Review

Melissa and Doug Deluxe 10-Piece Magnetic Fishing Game
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I have a 28 month old grandson. I wanted some new toys for him to play with at my house. I wanted something that would challenge him. He has several other things that I have seen him progress with skills while playing with them. I thought this one would be the same. First, he would learn to remove the pieces and eventually progress to putting the pieces back in. He came over and I got this puzzle out. It started out the way I thought it would. He figured out that he needed to put the magnet on the metal spots, which he did. As he took them out, we talked about the picture on the piece. He wasn't ready to replace the pieces, which was okay. That could come later. What I was not anticipating, but probably should have, was him draping the string around his neck. Talk about choking hazard. We stopped that activity and then he started waving the pole back and forth. We managed to take it away from him before he hit himself or someone else with the magnet on the end. The puzzle is now in the closet and we will wait until he is closer to or past 3 before getting it out again. I want to challenge him, but not at the risk of injuring him.

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Can you "catch" all these colorful sea creatures, then put them back where they belong' Redesigned artwork brings new life to these much-loved, creative magnetic games. Includes beautiful board with 10 magnetic pieces and magnetic wand. Measures 11.8" x 9.1" x .6".

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Saturday, November 3, 2012

Melissa and Doug Basic Skills Board Review

Melissa and Doug Basic Skills Board
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I purchased the basic skills board to help my 3-year-old learn to tie, snap, zip, clip, button and buckle. It's a bust. He doesn't use it because the functions aren't secured to the base. It's difficult to teach these skills when they're not stationary. And it's large, heavy and cumbersome for him. Being a puzzle just adds to the confusion of its function. I'm going to glue the pieces into place and mount the board to a wall. I think this will turn it into an investment rather than a waste of $[...].

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Newly redesigned board features a colorful bear with tons to explore! "Dress" the adorable bear puzzle, and learn to zip, buckle, lace, snap and more. Measures 15.5 x 11.5 x .5 inches.

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Doorbell House Review

Melissa and Doug Deluxe Wooden Doorbell House
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I purchased this toy based on my past experiences with the wonderful quality of Melissa & Doug products--also the fact that my 3 year-old son sat on the floor of the toystore and played with this (w/o batteries) for over a 1/2 hour! He is not the type of child to beg for a toy, but he didn't want to leave this one behind.
We bought it, got the batteries in, and he has been playing with it ever since. However, just hours after playing with it, the locks started falling out of the doors. They pop back on easily, but he can't do it himself. Also, now I have to worry about the pieces getting lost.
I'm really surprised at the shoddy quality of the locks and the doors (you have to pull them open with your thumb--making it easier for the locks to snap out of place). For the price of this toy (I spent $33 on it at a novelty toy shop) it should be sturdier. Since we purchased this on vacation at a resort town, I am unable to return it. I also know my son would be heartbroken if I took it back.
I plan on contacting Melissa & Doug regarding this. I hope they can help out b/c we have been huge fans of their products for years!

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Ding Dong!Fun is at the door of this "sound"ly-built wooden doorbell house.Four electronic doorbell sounds, four unique locks with matching keys, and four pose-able play people are included with this charming cottage!The keys are attached to the house, so they won't get lost, and the sturdy handle allows this exciting house party to go wherever children go!

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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Melissa & Doug Sort and Snap Color Match Review

Melissa and Doug Sort and Snap Color Match
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My 3 year old just received this for a birthday gift. His 7 year old sister has been playing with it as much as he has.
It was an instant hit with both.
This is a great fine motor skills activity, as well as color matching and even creative building.
It contains 64 "snaps" they are a great "chubby" size for little hands and seem VERY durable with no conrenrs for breaking, even if stepped on.
It has a wooden peg board to set the picture cards in and pop the "snaps" into.
I think the board is fairly sturdy for this price.
It has 10 reversable picture cards. One side is brighly colored to work on color matching the other side black and white to let the kids color as they want.
The cards seems to be a heavy paper material. Could be ripped easily if mishandled.
The box is worth mentioning because it is not a "complete" box.
It come with a cardbaord box bottom, but is covered with plastic wrap.
This means that after you open it, you have no cover to help contain all the pieces, or stack nicely with other games, toys.

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These entertaining yet challenging activities engage young children in constructive play while promoting fine and gross motor skills, social skills, visual perception, memory, early reading, math skills and more! Includes a wooden tray, ten double-sided picture panels, 64 colorful snap caps and activity idea sheet.

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Sunday, September 16, 2012

Shape 'N Color Coaster by Anatex Review

Shape 'N Color Coaster by Anatex
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This toy is great! I am an early childhood special educator that works with birth to three aged children and I have used it (supervised) with my kiddos of typical development, special needs, and children with autism that had the fine motor skills to put the shapes on the post. It has several shapes and colors that when matched on the appropriately colored posts aid in sorting and matching skills and are fun to watch as they go down the different shaped posts. It is a great way to work on pre-language skills and signs by holding a bunch and giving then a couple at a time encouraging the word or sign for 'more.' Great toy! The only downfall is that the holes are small and it is definitely geared toward the other 2's to 3's, but a great way to communicate, use circles of communication, interact, engage, play, and learn!

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This panel is based on the award winning Pathfinder. It?s great for homes, doctors? offices, and waiting rooms. The Pathfinder Panel is great for visual tracking, fine and gross motor dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and developing sensorimotor skills. Hardware included. Measures 24" x 24" x 2". Recommended for ages 3 years and up.

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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

K'Nex Education Kid Group Set - 131 Pieces Review

K'Nex Education Kid Group Set - 131 Pieces
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I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old and both love this toy. My 5 year says that it is "awesome". They have played with the Kid K'nex for at least an hour every day for the last month with no signs of stopping.
The pieces are large (unlike the tiny K'nex for older children) and easily manipulated with small hands. This makes them great for fine motor skills practice.
I love that my children are using their imagination to create a variety of objects, both real and invented. My husband even joins in the play and makes his own designs. The set does come with illustrations of suggested creations, but my kids didn't look at them and I think that this allowed them to be more creative.
Although this set is marketed for educational settings (I learned about them at my son's preschool), I highly recommend buying one for home. At first glance it may appear expensive but it is a great value because kids play with it alot. This is not the $10 toy that is already gathering dust a week later.
Enjoy this toy and the imagination that it brings out in your children!

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K'Nex kits inspire young minds and satisfy kids' curiosity on how to build simple creations. Each innovative kit keeps young builders busy and intrigued for hours on end.
This Kid K'Nex Kit builds eight different models and allows kids to work in teams of three to five. Big, soft, chunky pieces can be used by children with varying manipulative skills. Includes 1:1 correspondence cards. Everything comes in large storage tub with snap-on lid. Box measures approximately 7.13" x 11" x 16".

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Sunday, August 5, 2012

Mrs. Potato Head Silly Suitcase Review

Mrs. Potato Head Silly Suitcase
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Mr. Potato Head is great as usual, wide variety of pieces, but I bought the Silly Suitcase for the suitcase so that my daughter would have a place to keep all the pieces. The suitcase is hard plastic but the latch is so weak it won't stay closed so it doesn't make a good suitcase for all his parts :(

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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

KID K'NEX Flying Friends Building Set Review

KID K'NEX Flying Friends Building Set
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My daughter absolutely loves this toy. I think it's a little hard to figure out the setup of it and it doesn't come with instructions, but it's just off imagination. She isn't usually a toy player. She would rather rip apart books, but these toy really grabbed her attention. She loved the big googly eyes on the characters. She had a lot of fun building her sets and plays with this toy daily.
*I received this toy for FREE from K'Nex directly for my honest review and opinion.*

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85031 Features: -Build cute flying buddies. -Includes NEW KID K'Nex blocks plus colorful, chunky KID K'Nex rods and connectors and personality parts like eyes, propellers and wheels. -When playtime is over, store the parts in the handy storage box for a quick and easy clean-up. -Assembly required.

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Saturday, May 12, 2012

Crayola Washable Crayons, Large, 8 Colors/Box (52-3280) Review

Crayola Washable Crayons, Large, 8 Colors/Box (52-3280)
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I didn't think there was anything I could contribute about crayons, but these are incredible. Here's what happened~ my 20 month old grandson was coloring with them, and one fell on the floor. The dog promptly started eating it, creating an instant mess. I went to the kitchen to throw out the remains, and I noticed my grandson went into the back room, but I was distracted, wiping the remains of the crayon off the rug (came up like magic). When I looked up, I saw my angel coloring the white bedroom door with the black crayon. Oh, he was so proud! After counting to 10, I returned to the kitchen and got a paper towel and put a drop of dishsoap on it. I wiped the door, and believe it or not, the crayon came right off, and left not a trace. There was no scrubbing involved at all. What else can I say? Oh they color as nice as the originals too, and are large for little hands. Try them, the price is also great!


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Assorted color crayons clean up completely, so let your children play without worry. They wash from most clothing and wipe off most nonporous surfaces with warm water and a sponge.

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Thursday, May 3, 2012

Plan Toy Geometric Peg Board Review

Plan Toy Geometric Peg Board
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I bought this pegboard as a safer, less-toxic puzzle-like activity to replace our recently weeded-out Melissa & Doug puzzles.
My daughter, just turned two, is less enthusiastic than I had hoped she would be about it. It's not a great challenge to her since she's well versed in colors and shapes (not the puzzle's fault). The challenge enters when somewhat clumsy little hands knock some of the already standing pieces over when she tries to place new pieces, which clearly frustrates her. Because the puzzle-board is rather thin, and thus the holes shallow, the pieces are very easy to overturn when you add successive pieces. And, of course, you can't carry the completed puzzle anywhere, because they will all overturn. The easy solution to this would be a thicker board and deeper holes for the pegs, but I imagine the amount of wood required to make this minor amendment would jack the cost up to far more than would be worth paying considering the practical uses of this toy.
My eldest daughter, 4 years, who has far more dexterity, is able to put the puzzle back together carefully without upsetting the pieces, but as far as the challenge of the puzzle, it is far beneath her skill level, so she's not driven to play with it a great deal either.
The pieces are often integrated into general block building. The girls both like adding a little color to their natural wood block buildings. And the base has been flipped and used as a surface for little projects. So it's not completely without use. If I sit with my youngest daughter and help her right the overturned pieces, she will put the thing together and talk about he shapes and colors whilst doing it.
However, this hasn't been the most impressive of the Plan Toys line, and I would absolutely recommend the Geometric Sorting Board, which we also own, over this one.

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These 16 geometrical pegs (4 different sizes, shapes and colors) can be sorted, counted, and stacked on a sturdy wooden base.
Playtime Ideas:


The Geometric Peg Board can teach multiple concepts (shapes, height and color) through fun activities like stacking, sorting and counting.
Children will have fun stacking the wooden pieces in the appropriate place on the sturdy wooden base.
The wooden shapes can also be used as building and stacking blocks.
Apart from teaching shapes, colors, height, and counting, the toy also develops hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.



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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

B. Critter Clinic Review

B. Critter Clinic
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My son just received this for his 2nd birthday and seems to like it a lot! I LOVE that it is powered by creativity and he loves all the tools. The keys that unlock the front doors are a little cumbersome for him, but that is good because the challenge will continue to keep him interested. This toy is great for girls and boys. The age range is 2-6 and I agree with the large age span. Have fun with this. What a great gift!!

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When "Meow" turns to "me-ouch" be ready with the Critter Clinic ! This adorable animal clinic comes with 2 cute plush patients-a dog & a cat, a hospital with 6 "private" rooms, color-matching keys, and 5 vets tools that store right inside. Includes a stethoscope, mirror, syringe, tweezers, and thermometer. Toddlers and youngsters alike will love to play veterinarian with this high quality set by Battat. The carrying case closes up and everything stores inside. The handle on the top makes it easy to tote to grandma's house or for travel.

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