Activity Toy Reviews

My 7 year old son purchased this as a replacement birthday gift. He likes neat and unusual things. I can't tell you how disappointed he was when the drive wheel attached to the motor shaft became seperated and could no longer turn the polishing barrel. The noise was bearable since we ran it in the garage, but he really thought he was going to get jewelry ready pieces of rock (and it did not look like that was going to happen either) to make his Mom and sister something nice. Definitely not a good buy for any price!

Our 6 1/2 yr. old son got this for Christmas and it has been a huge disappointment. We too suffered through the noise for about 20 days (it was in our garage), and could not finish the tumbling because the container that actually holds the rocks started leaking. All of the finishing/polishing grit and water oozed out of these tiny holes that developed. The rocks did come out smooth, but not shiny at all. Also, the rocks themselves were a very boring assortment. There were no colored rocks as pictured on the box, they were all brown or white. Our son was bored with the whole process and lost interest almost immediately as well. Thankfully, we know this item was purchased on clearance because the full retail price is way too much. Actually, any price is too much for this item!

My son, a budding scientist, was so excited to get this toy home. No where on the box does it tell you that you will have to live with the sounds of rocks bouncing around a tumbler for up to 30 days and that the end result will be very disappointing. Step one takes 48 hours, step two takes14 days and step 3 another 7. We put the tumbler in our cellar and could still hear it all over the house. The rocks came out (my son had really lost most interest by then) and they were not very polished. It was not very interactive, just dump the rocks and grit into the tumbler and wait and wait and suffer through the noise for a MONTH solid. Think before buying this "TOY" (AKA: Parent torture device)

This will work by itself, on a simple flat layout, but does not climb uphill and the engine cannot pull many cars. The Thomas ones are more powerful, but the most fun are the Brio Mighty Red, and Big Green engines which have lights, sounds, and reverse buttons, that are easy for an 18 mo old and up to operate. For slightly older children, the remote control train is awesome. Most of these have trouble climbing up the new Thomas Road/Rail track, though older clickety clack or Brio are fine. so if you are planning on beginning an extended collection of trains and accesories, pass on this engine, since its play value is not lasting.

I appreciate the previous reviews, however, we were very unsatisfied with this engine. It takes just one AAA battery, which unfortunately does not give it very much power. It was unable to pull even one car up our viaduct bridge. Also, we got it for our 2 year old. Because you cannot free wheel (meaning that you can only play with it when the battery makes it move- your child is not able to move the train himself), my son was always jamming the gears. We ended up going to the store and purchasing the Thomas engines- much more durable and they run on AA batteries for more power.

I would like to say, however, that Brio products are the best. All of our tracks and accessories are Brio, and the company will take any of their products back with no questions asked (which is what we did).

This is a great addition to the train sets!
It works well and is very simple and fun. If you are like me and look for toys that are fun, easy to play with and have more than one button to push, train toys are the ones to get. I want toys that inspire creativity and exploration. Train toys are it.

This little toy adds a new dimension to train fun! My son (2 1/2) is able to make the train go and stop and has a ball controlling where the train goes. Like the previous poster I have to say that I have noticed him showing an increased interest in how to work the levers and pulley's and things that go with the train in order to control the train. A great piece.

My daughter received this for her 10th birthday. Talk about a piece of plastic junk! It broke within minutes of opening it. It can be put together... but every time the child opens it??? What a headache!!! And it's not easy to put it back together. The first time my daughter opened the pink marker it exploded all over her hands. The only worth this set has is the crayons which you can purchase at any store for under $1. BIG waste of money!!!

It is pretty darn obvious that the review below that is supposedly from a child ("Kid's Review") is not written by a child. Give me a break. I give kids a lot of credit, but how can one be that articulate? Obviously it is from someone who had a hand in designing or selling this product and is trying to promote it. It's chintzy! Get over it!

Don't waste your money on this sad thing. It broke the first day so I couldn't even put it back together, I just threw it in the trash.

Hi my name is Chloe and I want to say that I am going on a spree for dolls and I am going to get this outfit!!!!! I absolutely love it and I can't wait to get it. I am going to have a great time on my spree and if anyone wants they can come with me! I recommend Baby Born to any lovers of any age, but I think the Baby Born line is best suited for those over 7. I really want this outfit and I can't wait to buy it!!!!!