My Very First Games - Shapes & Colors Review

My daughter got this for Christmas when she was not quite two and a half.It's very cute.

There are three game boards (each board has a side with flowers [color game] and a side with shapes [butterfly game]) and two dice to roll, one with colors and the other with shapes.

I wish we had gotten this game earlier; she was a bit old for it at almost two and a half.Obviously, it would need to be put up when adult supervision is not available, because it does have small parts (the dice are maybe 3 times the size of regular dice).Anyway, I think as far as learning colors and shapes my daughter pretty much already knew these by that age.(There are only three shapes--circle triangle and square--and three colors--red, blue and yellow.)

I thought the game was clever and adorable and for the first few times my daughter thought so, too.I think maybe she was just too old for this game.(This will vary a lot on a kid-by-kid basis.)

The only real negative is that I thought the boards could have been a little thicker.They are definitely pretty sturdy, but if stepped on, could get a bit bent up.

This game is GREAT if you are trying to avoid Chinese toys (like we are); this one was made in Germany, I believe.

Click Here to see more reviews about: My Very First Games - Shapes & Colors

Product Description:
My Very First Games⋅ First game collection for players ages 2+ ⋅ Handy and in beautiful material - also suited for free play ⋅ Foster different skills and introduce first games with rulesTwo die games for assigning flowers and butterflies to match one's game board. For 1-3 children

Buy cheap My Very First Games - Shapes & Colors now

Ear Tug Review

Another fabulous game from Haba! It is a take on any other bingo style game, with a few twists.

Ear Tug consists of 9 heavy cardboard squares, each decorated with an animal with cut outs where the ears should be. There is a blue fabric bag that contains 21 wooden and colored shapes, that represent the ears.

The object is to pick a card (or 2 or 3 or 4 depending on the number of players). Each player puts their hand into the bag, which you cannot see through. You must pick out a shape and if it matches one of your cards, you place it on that card and play on. There are 3 blue pieces that cannot be used, just to keep things interesting. The person who wins is the one that fills their cards first.

We bought this 3 years ago for my now 6 year old. She and her brother, age 3, love to play this game together. There is no need for parental help, reading or counting. It is simply a your turn/ my turn type game.

It has held up and is quite durable. I recommend this!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ear Tug

Product Description:
A great color and shape recognition game. Players pick an ear out of the bag and need to find the animal it belongs to. A game to train the sense of touch and classifying abilities. Contains 9 animal cards, 21 wooden ears and a cloth bag. Game lasts approx. 5-10 minutes.Recommended for 3 years and up. Made in Germany.

Buy cheap Ear Tug now

Educo Fill'n Build Block Cart Review

We were very excited when we saw this toy in the store. It is exactly what we were looking for - a walking toy for our little guy (11 months) that was quite simple looking. We were very disappointed when we put it together. It's extremely unstable. The front is far too light (even when piled with multiple heavy hard cover books!) and therefore is difficult for our little guy to use as leverage to pull himself up.

Once he is standing, the cart slips out of his grip for a few reasons. First, with the lighter front end, it tips toward him. Since he is new to walking, he cannot compensate for the tipping. The speed of the wheels makes it zoom away from him, which would have sent him down face first if we hadn't been holding onto him already. Even without the handle (which my husband removed, hoping that it would make the cart a bit safer) the cart will tip over and speed away from him. In the short time that he played with it, I cannot count how many times the cart sped away from him. When the handle is on, it would him in the head as he tumbled down. (Again, this is with two of us standing not a foot away.)

After using it with my son for two days, I figured that I must have made a mistake - I was sure that this cart must have been intended for an older toddler who has mastered walking and just needs a cart to push around. This is how I came across these reviews. I am shocked that it is intended for "early walkers". Even with direct supervision, this cart has proven extremely dangerous and poorly thought out. Overall, it is very badly engineered. I'm not sure who designed it, but I'd be surprised if anyone tested this with a child who was actually just learning to walk. As a "silver medal" we let our son travel around in the cart part while we pushed him - which he loved! Except that he stuck his fingers in the wheel and ended up very upset with what must have been quite a sting.

I gave this high marks for fun, because when my son was pushing it around he absolutely loved it. But neither he nor we, his parents, love the many bumps and stings that he has received in the short time he's had with this cart. Sadly, it has been put away and will not come out again until he has mastered walking and can use it as just a cart. I'm terribly disappointed in this product.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Educo Fill'n Build Block Cart

Product Description:
The Fill'n Build Block Cart is an educational and fun walker. Blocks can be sorted and placed inside the cart, and easily dumped out to stack and sort the blocks again. Included 24 colorful and natural shapes that will provide enormous of fun, as well as help during the early stages of walking. The Educo brand has meant quality and innovation in toys for over 30 years. Ages 12 mos. and up.

Buy cheap Educo Fill'n Build Block Cart now Get 33% OFF

Educo Pull Along Mini Block Cart Review

I bought Two of these both children loved them fun to pull rope and play with blocks andof course chew on the blocks.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Educo Pull Along Mini Block Cart

Product Description:
The fun mini block cart includes eight simple shapes, 2 each of a square, circle, trapezoid and rectangle. The natural wood wheels feature a spiral graphic that is fun to watch when pushed or pulled.
Since 1983, Educo® toys have earned international distinction for durability, quality craftsmanship, educational value and innovative design. While Educo bead and wire mazes are a common toy for homes, virtually every maze has been used in resource centers, classrooms, clinics and private settings as therapeutic and rehabilitation aids for children and adults who are physically, mentally, or emotionally-challenged. Every maze comes with an activity guide of suggested play activities for caregivers wanting to enhance play value and skill development.

Buy cheap Educo Pull Along Mini Block Cart now Get 23% OFF

Educo Switchback Racetrack Review

I did a lot of research and found that this one was the best one I could find on the market. When I got it I found it to be a very good toy.

It is a much larger size then other ones so your child can really get in to it.
It comes already assembled so you can have fun getting it out of the packaging with your child and create some excitement. Plus much less work for you.
It has two tracks instead of one so you can really encourageand engage your child to play by having races.
It is absolutely great quality, well built and will last.
The tracks are lined up and on the right angle so you don't have to worry about to much flipping off track and traffic jams.
It comes with 4 cars instead of just two. The cars are made specifically for the track and to flip over on it. They are also a decent size not to small or to big.

However it is expensive, and is a toy your child will really want to play with someone, not alone. So these things could be a draw back for some.

Also I looked on line elsewhere, as well as, in some catalogs that I get, and found Amazon to have the best price. Plus if you use standard shipping most retailers will ship it for free on Amazon.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Educo Switchback Racetrack

Product Description:
18 months & up. Discover what happens when you let one car go. How about two at time? The bold graphics, fun colors and the vehicle's action will captivate even the youngest child. Includes four 2 1/2" cars. Racetrack measures 21 1/4"H x 7 1/2"W x 18 1/2"L at the base.

Buy cheap Educo Switchback Racetrack now Get 22% OFF

Educo Stack and Swivel Clown Review

This has been a hit. It's small size has been a plus as we could take it on the plane for our 11 month old who enjoys playing with the rings and especially the "head". She also loves watching when we spin it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Educo Stack and Swivel Clown

Product Description:
Friendly clown with hat and stacking rings on a natural wood swivel base.3.5" x 3.5" x 6.4". Ages 1 year and up.

Buy cheap Educo Stack and Swivel Clown now Get 46% OFF

Educo Alphabet Abacus Review

We bought this for 2 different grandchildren and they both love it.It appears to be very durable and easy for 'little' fingers to manipulate.Of course, both sets of parents love the distraction and education it provides.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Educo Alphabet Abacus

Product Description:
Whimsical ric-rac pattern outlines wood pieces with illustrations of typical items in a child's world.10.3" x 4.7" x 12.6". Ages 18 mos. and up.

Buy cheap Educo Alphabet Abacus now