Thank Heaven For Kids Toys, some good, others bad!

by Kristina Scheffer
(Maritzburg)

As a parent of a toddler boy, I am constantly amazed at how quickly toys accumulate. Once they are freed from the million ties and tape, they either become an instant new best friend, or they sink to the bottom of the toy chest.

In the first few years of parenthood, I have become an expert at predicting which toy will satisfy my Tots’ curiosity and which will be a dud. I have composed a list of the good, the bad, and the just plain annoying toddler toys.

The Good: Battat Take Apart Airplane is recommended for 3 years and up because it does has small parts. The Airplane comes with vehicle parts and a power screwdriver with three different bits.

At around eighteen dollars, the time spent playing with this the toy and the educational value of this toy is priceless.

The Bad: Playskool Clipo Mini Bucket is a complete disappointment, it looks like a toddler friendly introduction to Lego's and it is nothing but a box of frustration. Thirty building pieces, none of which fit or stay together. As a bonus there is a little persons' decapitated head with no body (creepy). To add insult to injury, the storage box does not stay closed, spilling pieces and building plans and shown on the box are not even made with the same pieces in the purchased kit.

Just Plain Annoying: Disney Cars Walkie Talkie Set of 2 is a complete failure.

The microphone does not work so it just emits static and high pitched feedback, the off switch did not work. Even worse is the warning about the batteries and the possibility of leaking mercury!

This toy went straight into the garbage—outside. As a general rule of thumb I try to research parent reviews before considering a toy purchase over five dollars—and I avoid the toy section when my toddler's in tow.