Home School Product Reviews

Toys That Grow With Them

This set (Toddler Timberdoodle Core Curriculum) is full of toys that are fun & challenging. At 23 months, some of them I’ve set aside for later on in the year (which was my plan) because my daughter isn’t really ready for cutting, or the LUK set I’m guessing. Everything that came out of the box of was of very high quality and I was glad to have everything in it! As she plays with some of these toys I’m seeing how long they will last. She’s using them in their most simple application right now, and I can’t envision her outgrowing them even by 3 in almost all cases!

Candace from CA

Logic fun for everyone

Anti-virus is fun as well as attractive and interesting.  It wraps up concepts from science in a logic challenge.  Our 4 year old is able to complete the starter challenges, and our older ones are challenged by the upper levels (our 3 year old just likes to play with the colorful pieces).  The way the pieces move diagonally as well as in groups adds to the challenge and makes it different from other logic puzzles.  The game provides an opportunity to discuss disease at the cellular level.  We added this to our “logic before lunch” sessions when we all take a logic game and complete as many levels as we can in a certain amount of time.  I wish we had 2 of every game because they especially enjoy competing against each other.

We got this ball for my 4-month-old son, and it is the first toy that he has shown a real interest in. We chose the Oball Jelly instead of the rattle because we wanted it to be a quiet toy for church. I do look forward to trying your idea of using it as a bubble wand this summer. One consumer warning, colors really do vary, and my daughter thinks that it’s hers because the one we got is pink, lol. My baby doesn’t care, so neither do we. I want to get the bigger one now for my older children, and it would be a GREAT toy for a family reunion or youth retreat.

Tandem Space Hopper

Hello, I’m 28 years old, and I’m a nerd.  I ALWAYS wanted one of these when I was a child, and gravitated towards the solo hoppers at my friends house when I was a kid.  When I saw these Tandem Space Hoppers on Timberdoodle, I begged my husband to let us get one for Christmas.  He thought they looked silly, but he gave in, and the first laughter heard that morning was my own.  Yep.  It brought out the kid in me.  My husband admits that it’s a cool toy now.  I love that I can give my young children a ride on it too, of course they love it.  I got one for my sister-in-law for Christmas too.  I’m going to drag my husband out on the lawn with it as soon as the snow melts.

So Smart Playtime Baby’s Classical Music is a fun classical CD. My kids love it, especially Fur Elise. They didn’t realize that is was supposed to be the “Playtime” CD since it was instrumental. My oldest daughter (almost 7) like to get everybody laying down for their nap and listen to the CD. She doesn’t nap anymore, but she wanted to with the CD! The music on this one is very enjoyable!

Misty from AZ

Wahoo - The happiest, jumpiest, bounciest puppy ever.

My little ones have been burning up a lot of extra energy with this puppy, which is a very good thing as we have been very snow-bound all winter!  Our youngest named it “Rover” (how original!) and it has been dragged and loved on all over the house. It is definitely lots of fun for little, energetic legs.

Signing Time Zoo Train is a wonderful and fun way for kids to learn how to sign. I have 3 and 2 year old who now know the signs to seal, penquin, zebra, lion… It is entertaining and they are learning while having fun. I am now looking into getting other Signing Time videos. My 10 and 8 year old like to watch them also.

Lights the page not the room

I saw this (LightWedge) in the car of one of my friends one night. It was dark, and she did not like to drive with the light on. We had to read some materials, and her son pulled this LightWedge out. It was marvelous! We could read without the distraction of the overhead light in the car. It is perfect for travelers and for those who need to read in the dark. It is portable and easy to carry. I bought one for my father who has everything-except this!

Wee Wedgits have been very popular with our baby! He was 9 months we he received them and he has played with them fairly regularly since. His older siblings enjoy them too. We will probably get a set of regular wedgits once the baby is old enough. My only disappointment with the toy is that they were described as being squishy soft and they are definitely harder than that. This has not deterred my son from chewing on them at all; that is his favorite thing to do with them!

Kathe Kruse Nicki Baby

There’s just something about the Nicki Baby.  Unlike my daughter’s other baby dolls, Nicki is just full of personality.  She’s friendly and soft and cuddly and I even find myself picking her up and cuddling her.

I bought one for my one-year-old for Christmas and when it first came I was a little surprised at the size.  It was smaller than I imagined it would be.  I was picturing Beanie Baby bear size and it was a little smaller than that.  But then I saw it in my tiny daughter’s arms and I realized it was just right for her.  She loves to hug it and cuddle it.  And I love tucking her in at night with it because I know it’s soft and won’t make her uncomfortable when they both shift positions in their sleep.

I’m a rather frugal person and normally I wouldn’t pay $17.50 for a small doll, but I don’t regret buying Nicki Baby at all.  She has totally charmed me.

Kathe Kruse Nicki Baby is available in 5 colors at timberdoodle.com