November 2007
Games & playsets
Toys are listed in order of popularity with our group of 40 kids ages 6 to 12.
Hot Wheels Racing Timer
by Mattel, $20
What it is: A racing timer that lets two kids race each other on foot or on bikes. The winner is indicated by a checkered flag.
What’s cool about it: It encourages kids to race, get up and move around, and set up different competitions. Works best with lots of kids.
What’s not so cool: Only two kids can race at a time, and you need a third kid to operate the timer. The orange strips kept detaching from the timer.
What the kid testers said: “I like how you step on the orange things and it tells you who won, instead of having people fight over who won.”
Nerf N-Strike Disk Shot
by Hasbro, $50
What it is: A Nerf disk launcher and blaster combined with a wireless remote create a moving-target challenge. (Product is meant for indoor use only.) The blaster has a tip-over safety feature--it won’t shoot disks if the unit is not upright. Comes with blaster, wireless remote, six special micro darts, six foam disks, power adaptor, and instructions. Requires two AAA batteries (not included).
What’s cool about it: Kids had a great time with this game, similar to skeet-shooting but with soft disks and darts. You can launch disks at multiple angles from two height settings, with three different games to play.
What’s not so cool: It could use some illustrations on how to set it up, according to our testers.
What the kid testers said: “It’s fun, but not easy,” said some, adding that it was hard to shoot at a moving target.
by TechnoSource, $16
For ages: 5 and up
What it is: A new spin on the Rubik's Cube that features multiple challenge levels, single and multiplayer games, and voice, light, and sound effects. Includes six games that test your speed and smarts, for up to six players. Requires three AAA batteries (included).
What’s cool about it: It’s an interesting toy.
What’s not so cool: Some kids found it not so easy to play with, and the directions a little hard to follow.
Plasmaverse Figures
by Mega, $5
What it is: We bought several of these fully poseable figures, each consisting of nine easy-to-assemble pieces, and parts that are interchangeable among figures. Comes with directions on how to interchange parts to create exciting new creatures. The “egg” the figure comes in doubles as storage for easy portability, and also comes in handy for other creature-building possibilities.
What’s cool about it: If you buy more than one, you can mix and match body parts.
What’s not so cool: None of the kids had anything negative to say.
HyperDash
by Wild Planet, $20
What it is: According to the package, this is a “target-tagging race-course game” that consists of five colorful targets and a “HyperDash” unit. Players set the targets out and use the HyperDash unit to tag each target as it’s called out by the “HyperVoice.” The faster you can do it, the better. Requires three AAA batteries (not included).
What’s cool about it: Anywhere from one to eight people can play any of the toy’s four different games. Kids must strike different targets according to instructions from the HyperVoice.
What’s not so cool: Not many kids checked this game out; it was perhaps overshadowed by glitzier toys in our test.
Agent Action Briefcase
by Wild Planet, $22
What it is: A spy briefcase containing four high-tech devices. Includes removable alarm that stops thieves and intruders, case that shoots darts at spies, removable flashlight, spy scope, and secret compartment for spy tools and gear. Requires two AAA batteries (not included).
What’s cool about it: Kids who like gadgets will enjoy this.
What’s not so cool: This toy didn’t get much play vs. the glitzier toys in our tests.
by Gamewright, $8
For ages: 8 and up
What it is: A “whodunit” card game in which players try to figure out which three suspects are pictured on the Eyewitness card.
What’s cool about it: Games like this are great for quiet play on rainy days.
What’s not so cool: This toy was overshadowed by glitzier toys in our tests.
