2011 October : James Spence

Archive for October, 2011

Baby Born’s Clapping Hands Doll

October 31st 2011 Posted at Toys
0 Comments

Toys R Us sent me a Clapping Hands doll from Baby Born to review. As first I wasn’t sure what to make of her as dolls are not really something I’ve ever had a lot of expertise in, so I pretty much immediately handed her over to Tiffany for her considered opinion…

Although the clapping feature is the main thing that distinguishes it from other dolls, it would be unfair to dismiss this doll as a one trick pony. Her cute singing voice, snazzy clothes and hair are good features too. It would actually be a pretty good doll even without the clapping hands.

The doll is a reasonable size and would feel like a fairly substantial toy to the 3+ age range it is aimed at. I’m sure this toy will make many wee girls happy this Christmas.

Clapping Hands by Baby Born is available from Toys R Us

K’NEX Mariokart Luigi

October 31st 2011 Posted at Toys
1 Comment

As part of the Toys R Us Toyologist programme, I was asked to review a Mariokart toy by K’Nex (a Lego-like construction system). The set in queston was Luigi and his Standard Kart, based on the Mariokart Wii console game.

The toy includes a buildable figure (in two pieces – legs and body), pieces to build a vehicle with a working pull-back motor and the ‘star trophy’ from the game. The packaging can also be used as a ramp!

I normally review toys based on how the kids in my life enjoy them. On this occassion, I must confess, it was more about about my own enjoyment…

I have loved Mariokart ever since it was first released on the Super Nintendo games system and I have followed it through many generations up to the Wii version currently popular. So it was great to be able to build a physical version of one of the karts.

At the moment there are only three figures (Mario, Luigi and Yoshi) but hopefully they’ll release more soon. Everyone has a favourite character (so how about Koopa Troupa next, K’nex!)

K’Nex Mariokart Luigi is available from Toys R Us

Competition – Old MacDonald Lotto by Orchard Toys

October 18th 2011 Posted at Blog
15 Comments

Thanks to Toys R Us and the Toyology Programme, I have one Old MacDonald Lotto to give away as a competition prize.

I reviewed this toy recently and thought it was an excellent game for a wee one. I hope the winner enjoys it too.

So, if you’d like the chance to win one, read on:

To enter, all you need to do is visit and ‘like’ the Toys R Us Facebook page then leave a comment on this post telling me you have done so. The Toys R Us UK page regularly posts competitions, news and reviews of toys and, in my honest opinion, is a great page to subscribe to.

The competition closes at 6pm (GMT) on Monday 24 October 2011. The winner will be drawn at random and asked to provide their address and phone number (for the purpose of sending out the prize only).

The winner will be drawn at random from all valid entries.

Facebook has no affiliation or responsibility for this competition.

The toy will be sent directly from Toys R Us at the beginning of October.

No alternative is available. No cash equivalent.

UK entries only.

Good luck!

Pirate Snakes and Ladders and Ludo

October 14th 2011 Posted at Toys
2 Comments

One of the first toys that Toys R Us sent me was Old MacDonald Lotto by Orchard Toys, and as I recall, I thought it was a very nicely made and wholesome feeling. So when another Orchard Toys came through from Toys R Us, I was looking forward to reviewing it.

Pirates Snakes and Ladders and Ludo is really two toys in one. A double-sided board lets you choose which game you want to play.

The colours are very nice and the images are fun and jolly-looking (rather than the gruff mean-looking pirates you sometimes see).

Orchard Toys whole approach to toy-making seems very friendly and genuine. Their printed toys are consistently well made, being made of thick durable card.

Let’s face it, sooner or later if you have kids you’ll end up with snakes and ladders and ludo. You may as well get a nice-looking set from a good British company!

Pirate Snakes and Ladders is available from Toys R Us

Silver Cross Ranger (Marshmallow)

October 14th 2011 Posted at Toys
1 Comment

In the fast-paced, ever-changing world of toyology, you never know what you’re going to be asked to review. So when a Silver Cross doll pram arrived at my house, I wasn’t really sure where to begin! However, after thinking about it I realised that I am the perfect person to test out a toy pram given that I’m always pushing around a real pram these days!

The pram is a very nicely made toy and feels like a miniature real pram rather than a toy pram. It feels quite sturdy when you push it around. The tires are nice and thick (loads better than one my sister had when we were kids).

The matching bag is a really nice feature. It transforms the play from just being about pushing around a doll to being a way of treating the doll like a real baby.

It’s a very good toy and the colours of the marshmallow version are very pleasant (in my humble opinion the best looking of the whole Silver Cross Ranger range). I’m sure this would be a big hit for any wee girl who likes playing with dolls.

Silver Cross Ranger (in Marshmallow) is available from Toys R Us

Little Tikes Town Playhouse

October 9th 2011 Posted at Toys
2 Comments

Toys R Us had warned me that a large item was going to be delivered for review. However, it wasn’t until I saw the box that I realised just how large the item was. The Little Tikes Town Playhouse is available from Toys R Us but is sent direct from the vendor because, believe me, unless you drive a van or lorry you wouldn’t be able to take it home!

The Town Playhouse is, on the surface, a wendy house. However, it is so much more. Rather than just one house, this toy represents an entire town!

The house has a lot of great features which provide many ways for a child to interact with the toy. It’s not a cheap toy, but then it is a very substantial item which I am confident will be well-used as time goes on.

Little Tikes Town Playhouse is available from Toys R Us

Leap Frog Learn & Groove Musical Table

October 9th 2011 Posted at Toys
0 Comments

Toys R Us sent me the Leap Frog Learn and Groove Musical Table to review. The toy is a colourful, flashy, all-singing station designed to encourage a toddler to start standing and experimenting.

With different types of buttons, keys, sliders and doors, there are plenty of different things to capture a child’s attention.

The French mode is an interesting feature. It’s quite cool to operate the toy in another language. It’s a shame there aren’t even more languages to choose from. Perhaps an Esperanto version!

Leapfrog Learn and Groove Musical Table is available from Toys R Us

Playmobil Top Agents Detection Jet

October 4th 2011 Posted at Toys
0 Comments

Playmobil is a very recognisable line of toys. As soon as you see it, you know what it is. I vaguely remember having some Playmobil toys when I was younger, so I when Toys R Us asked me to review one of the latest releases I was curious to see what it would be like.

The toy was a lot of fun to build (but then I’m a real fan of construction toys). It comes with a small screwdriver to assemble some elements of the jet. The instructions are straightforward and it shouldn’t pose too much of a problem to anyone wanting to make the toy.

The two figures are very nice too, especially the villain whose sinister expression and devious-looking equipment are full of character.

The metal detector emits a small beep when it comes into contact with a metal object. The beauty of it is that you have to put the detector’s screen over the metal object, but it isn’t so sensitive that it gives the game away before you get a chance to check for metal. In other words, it works as you would want it to.

I thought it was a very well thought-out pack. The only thing I would query was the recommended age group on the box of 7-12 years. I wondered if it should have been pitched at a slightly younger age group, maybe 5 to 9? Anyway, it’s a very minor point in a toy that I actually felt was very good.

Playmobil Top Agents Detection Jet is available from Toys R Us

Fisher Price Twirlin’ Tumblin’ Fun Park

October 3rd 2011 Posted at Toys
0 Comments

I’m so happy that Toys R Us sent me the Fisher Price Twirlin’ Tumblin’ Fun Park for review in their Toyologist programme because it has been a huge hit in my house.

I didn’t really know what to expect from this toy when I set it up, but from the moment it was first switched on, Elwood was blown away by it. And who could blame him? It’s colourful, flashy, noisy, action-packed and delightfully silly! It’s a great concept for a toy.

In fact, prior to playing with this toy, Elwood could not sit up by himself without falling over. He now can, and he first did so in order to watch everything that is happening with the Fun Park.

I really can’t recommend this more highly. Yes, it’s noisy, but it has really captured Elwood’s imagination and that’s worth putting up with a bit of noise!

Twirlin’ Tumblin’ Fun Park is available from Toys R Us

Playskool Poppin Park Elefun Busy Ball Popper

October 2nd 2011 Posted at Toys
0 Comments

For Christmas, a couple of years ago, Tiffany and I bought our niece, Charlotte, Elefun. The original Elefun is a moulded blue plastic elephant with a giant fan built into it. It gets filled with paper butterflies which float out of the trunk for players to catch. We had a lot of fun playing with it with Charlotte.

So when Toys R Us sent me a variation of Elefun for younger children I was looking forward to it.

The only criticism I have of this version of Elefun is that it doesn’t have enough balls! If it had even a couple more I think it would make up for the fact that they don’t always land back inside the elephant.

Elwood isn’t quite at the crawling stage yet, but I’m hopeful that once he is he’ll want to play with this and enjoy retrieving the ball when they roll away.

Playskool Poppin Park Elefun Busy Ball Popper is available from Toys R Us

James Spence

Author – Cartoonist – Toyologist – Dreamer