Activity Toy Reviews

I gave this gift for a 11 year old birthday party with a disposable camera. The Birthday girl took pictures and then made a memory album with the pictures she took. It is something she will have as a great keepsake!

The other reviewer did a fine job of summarizing many of the features of this game cartridge. What they didn't mention was that the graphics are terrible. The pixelation is so bad that if you didn't already know the engines that you might not be able to recognize them. [For example, there is a station labeled Tidmouth *something*. Neither my husband nor myself can make out what the second word is.]

That said, knowing how Thomas fans are, nothing we've said will keep you from purchasing this cartridge because your child, like my 3.5 year-old son, will probably like it regardless of how lame it is. So let me tell you more...

There are four areas: Learning zone, Learning Adventure, Engine Depot and Options (music on or off).

In the *Learning Adventure* area you help Thomas and the rest of the Steamies do their jobs. Children are supposed to learn about Letters, Object Identification, Colors and Counting. [Four games and Four subjects.]

In general, all games require the joystick. Most games have some sort of obstacles, but on easy level hitting obstacles doesn't end play.

*Learning Adventure* zone:

Calling All Engines - drive Thomas and pickup letters to spell a name.
---- Bonus Game - drive through a cave and collect coins before you time out

Flying to the Rescue - fly Harold to the hospital and other locations using a map in the upper left hand corner to figure out where you are. (object identification)

Cargo Catch-up - fly Harold and drop cargo into freight cars of same color

Bertie Beats the clock - Bertie needs to get children to various stations. When at the station, you are supposed to count the children getting off.
----also in this section `Take a Break' - counting/matching/odd one out

*Learning* zone:

In the *Learning Zone* there are four games which focus on different skills. Children are supposed to be able to learn about Size Sorting, Classification, Counting and Puzzles.

Size Sorting - use Percy to sort minerals into correct sized freight cars (big boulders go into big trucks; small rocks go into small cars)

Recycle Challenge -Troublesome Trucks are nearly full of recycled items. You need to grab the same type of item with a hook and move it to the right car.

Count the Engines - count while engines pass by

Fix the Tracks - Thomas is coming and the tracks are `not right'. Using the joystick you rotate through a variety of track options. Some tracks are too big, others to small or just not correct. When the correct tract appears to push the big orange button to confirm.


*Engine Depot*

In the *Engine Depot* area (rather lame) you can read Thomas and Friends profiles. You can also blow their whistles or in Berties case, blow his horn.

For the gaming area you can choose from Easy and Difficult options. For example in the Learning Adventure area, in Game 1 (`Calling All Engines') on the easy setting children find 3 engines and collect letters on the tracks that spell the name of an engine (such as `Toby'). On the difficult level they still find 3 engines, but this time the letters for a long name (such as `Edward').

We just opened the game so that I can't tell you too much more about the action and game play, except that my son and daughter (and husband-LOL) seems very interested.

Four Stars. Old fashion (read poor graphics). The true Thomas fan will probably not care as they will get to `drive' Thomas and his friends (including Harold) around Sodor. As for age range, many of these games will be beyond the abilities -physically and intellectually-of a 3 year old [map reading comes later]; but that should allow them to `grow' into the game at a latter point.

My son is a HUGE Thomas fan and his Godmother got this game for him for his 5th birthday. He just won't stop plaing it. I have to drag him out the door.

truly wonderful! My 4 year old son hasn't quit playing this game since Christmas!

What a surprise--the Cranium Booster Box 1 is actually better than the cards from the orginal game! If you love Cranuim, this set is an ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE! Highly recommended--and it's a bargain, too, considering how it will extend the life and fun of your Cranium game. This is a superb effort from the Cranium folks!

This game is a real crowd pleaser, because of the variety of categories EVERYONE finds something that they are good at. Rarely have we had anyone get frustrated or angry throughout the game. With the addtion of the Booster Box, we'll be able to continue playing our favorite game.

The booster set is money extremely well spent. I find the questions a bit more contemporary, making the game easier for the younger set. For example, in this pack you impersonate Darth Vader, the original WC Fields...(tough for younger folks.) This isn't to say it isn't challenging - there is still plenty of competitive action.

Since pulling out Cranium and the Booster pack - it is tough to get anyone to do anything else at a party. I heartily recommend the booster pack.

My daughter loves it!

I got the doodle bears for my kids at Christmas and they were very excited about them. For the first week or two they were doodling all over them and having a blast. They have to be put in the washing machine to remove the doodling and they do come out like new. My only complaint is that I have to keep washing & drying the bears so they can doodle more. And you know how patient a 3 & 6 yr old are as they stand by the washing machine, markers in hand, and ask "is it done yet" for the 20th time. Otherwise, my kids have really enjoyed this toy.

My 5 year old has a lot of fun coloring her bear, and then washing the art off and starting again.

I was purchasing this product for display. I work in Mortgage Lending, and needed something to promote "Construction Loans". I can say that I was quite disappointed in the quality of the product. There was glue on the figurines, the plastic toys were dirty, and some items were missing (I ordered 2 sets).
I would definately not recommend this for a child. Some of the parts are so small, even I could choke on them.
However, I gave it 2 stars because it serves the purpose for my display...and was inexpensive.