Review • Toys Kirsten Flournoy Playstation Move Heroes Rated E (10+) $39.99; Playstation.com Features characters from three of Playstation’s most popular series: Jak & Daxter, Ratchet & Clank and Sly Cooper. Characters compete together in a series of intergalactic challenges and events. PlayStaion Move motion & navigation controller enhances the gaming experience. Alex, 13, liked the variety of quests in these short games, one of the best he’s played in the Move series of games. The flying discs were his favorite.

My Little Pony Twilight 2SUMMER 011 REVIEW Sparkle’s Twinkling Balloon Playset Boysterous Slope $19.99; 3+ It’s Toy Time! Shreddin’ Sean .com $17; 3+ Guide Twilight Sparkle pony through Here’s our kid-tested toy review of summer’s ManhattanToy.com the sky in a purple hot air balloon newest toys and games for indoor and outdoor Sean is ready to play his that illuminates and changes colors favorite sport! His legs and along the journey with the push fun. Head to SanDiegofamily.com and enter arms bend and his hand of a star-shaped button! Features a our Big Toy Giveaway to win selected toys with and feet are magnetized nighttime mode that plays soothing Win This so he can play all of sounds and acts as a night light. this icon Toy and read many more reviews! the Boysterous sports! Four-year-old Alessandra loved Looking for great game and craft ideas? Stay Includes magnetized playing with this pretty pony! tuned for reviews of the coolest family games, plus snowboard. things to make and do, in our July issue. Grace says 5-year-old Adrian loved this well- made toy, and enjoyed Sand Truck 4-in-1 Win using his imagination This $14.99; 3+ to send Sean on fast, Toy WildDill.com downhill rides. It’s a truck, shovel, rake and bucket all in one! This eco- Pharaoh’s Quest Flying Mummy Attack friendly vehicle is made from “Sprigwood,” a durable, $19.99; 7+ years kid-safe material made from reclaimed wood and recycled PharaohsQuest.Lego.com plastic. Help adventurer Jake Raines defeat Beckie says this quality toy will last for generations. Jack, the flying mummies and capture 2, says, “I love my new truck!” Pharaoh Amset-Ra’s Soul Diamond from the obelisk! Visit the website for Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure for Wii games, quizzes, videos and fun in the $39.99; Rated EC (Early Childhood) Hero’s Lounge. Kids head to the zoo with Elmo, Zoe and animal Kellan, 7, liked the evil mummies friends as they explore fun games including letter and cool airplane in this “build it identification, rhyming, Pool with Water Slide Win yourself” set. This letter sounds and color $39.99; 4-10 years Toy & shape identification. Playmobil.com Includes fun exploration Splash into summer fun! Six Playmobil of an aquarium, a jungle, figures can ride the water slide and swim Tarantula Planet the Arctic and more! in the pool. Includes functioning shower $14.99; 5+ years Two-year-old Ava and accessories. UncleMilton.com had lots of fun going Audrey, 4, had a blast pumping the Just clap to make this spider’s eyes light on exciting virtual shower and adding water. Mom Jennifer up and send it scurrying across any flat, adventures with Elmo. says it takes about 45 minutes to smooth surface. David, 7, says, “Super assemble all the pieces prior to play. fun to play with and scare my family!”

1 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • June 2011 June 2011 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • 2 Win Djubi This $29.99; 8+ years Toy Djubi.com The coolest new twist on the game of catch! Hook your ball loop on to the racquet, pull back, let go and fling it Sweetheart Rose “Dollie & Me” into the air! The other player tries to catch this super- Prices vary; 4-12 years fast ball. Perfect outdoor game for the beach, park or Dollieme.com your own backyard! Matching fashionable apparel for your Brent, 10, says, “Super fun! Balls fly daughter and jointed, 18-inch dolls (sold really far.” separately; “Rachel” shown here) make any occasion a special one. Girls will love dressing Dollie to match, styling her hair Laser Pegs 3-in-1 Win and playing with accessories. Includes dresses $45.95; 7+ years This for child and doll. Maribella, 6, says, “Aww! She’s Laserpegs.com Toy Lamaze Totem Stackers beautiful! We’re going to be twins.” This 72-piece lighted construction kit $17.99; 6 months+ Sydney, 8, says, “My doll looks just like me!” offers hours of creative fun. Build a dune LearningCurve.com buggy, monster bug, tractor or design a Perfect for helping new model. Includes batteries, storage tray, develop power unit and instruction guide. dexterity and Tyler, 7, likes to assemble his own hand-eye Aqua Tech Transmorpher inventive creations. Mom Linda says “it’s coordination, $19.99; 5+ years rewarding to put it together and see it light these Toyquest.com up. Fun to use at night.” fun, colorful PetCakes Build up to 11 different stackers will engage $14.99; 3+ water blasters! Customize a and encourage baby. years target shooter, quick draw Smart magnets make PetCakesToys.com blaster and many more. these soft stackers Each PetCakes animal features a “frosting” hat and comes nestled Evan, 11, likes this an easy and non- in its own cupcake wrapper, providing hours of open-ended “awesome” interchangeable frustrating imaginative play. This soft, huggable toy is perfect for pet lovers! blaster. Mom Francine says way to Nevaeh, 1, fell in love with her “sweet” puppy and carried it this versatile toy shoots far. help baby around everywhere. explore the concept of stacking and order. With bright colors, fun patterns and a rattle in each character, these toys are an adorable Fireball Light Up Toss way to stimulate baby’s vision as $14.99; 6+ years well as engage baby’s hearing. Mom Sportcraft.com Jennifer loves the built-in magnets and Outdoor fun for day or night! Includes two LED light-up launchers and glow-in-the-dark “fireball.” Be sure to Ridge, 9 months, likes the crinkling N-Strike Barricade RV-10 Blaster charge the ball under a light before playing at night. and rattling sounds the toy makes. $14.99; 6+ Night games are an extra challenge. Hasbro.com Kellan, 7, enjoys playing this easy catch game. “Let’s Motorized, semi-automatic blaster with play fireball!” revolving barrel rapid-fires foam, whistle darts. Makes a whirring “fan” sound as Washable Colored Bubble Launcher it runs. Requires three AA batteries (not $14.99; 4+ years Electronic Guitar/Drum Shirt included). Crayola.com $29.99; 6-16 years Nine-year-old Ryan liked everything about Create a storm of brightly colored bubbles! Washable pink, purple, blue, green ThinkGeek.com this toy. and orange bubbles may leave colorful marks behind, so outdoor use, in play Rock out anywhere you go with this wearable electronic instrument. clothes, is recommended. Includes one launcher and two bottles of bubble Press the buttons to play major chords or use the magnetic pick to solution. strum the guitar. Crank the “mini amp” speaker clip to share your tunes Mom Jessica says her son London, 4, had a great time launching colored with pals. Drum shirt has seven different sounds and an embedded bubbles into the air. speaker. Note: disassembly required prior to washing. David, 8, says, “It’s so cool!”

3 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • June 2011 June 2011 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • 4 Alphie Databots $17.99; 3+ Win Hasbro.com This Toy These portable DATABOTS friends are full of personality and provide lots of learning fun! The MAESTRO-BOT pal is a musical playmate Sand & Water Fun Farm with a keyboard in his tummy who teaches preschoolers about $59.99; 2+ years melodies, colors, shapes, patterns and sequencing. The DECI-BOT Step2.com buddy enjoys numbers and is full of engaging games to introduce Outdoor play table has divided sand and water play children to amounts and the principles of greater than and less than. areas, and comes with a tractor, shovel, pull carts and Mom Michele likes this very interactive, educational toy and Grant, barn accessories. Perfect for cooperative play, little kids 3, says, “I like Alphie. He’s my friend!” will love having a place to splash, dig and exercise their imaginations.

Game Party In Motion Xbox360 Kinect $39.99; Rated E Chalk the Block Xbox.com/Kinect $12.99; 6+ Play 16 classic arcade Klutz.com games like bowling, This handbook of inspired lunacy is packaged with Skeeball, horseshoes, a set of chalk. Every drawing is easy to execute, pool, darts and more. simple to draw, and guaranteed to bring a smile to Play head-to-head or passersby. Mom Julie likes the clever ideas in this compete in teams of book and says the neighborhood kids didn’t want Shrinky Dinks-Misty White up to 16 people. to stop drawing. $6.50; 5+ Eleven-year-old Alec enjoyed playing these ShrinkyDinks.com challenging, interactive games. Shrinky Dinks provide children with countless options for artistic expression and parents a Patty Cake Pre-School little dose of nostalgia as Zhu Zhu Pets they introduce their kids to $19.99 a beloved activity from their 3+ years childhood. Zhuniverse.com Mom Elizabeth likes the Charming Zhu Zhu baby Misty White. “When the hamsters can sing nursery Shrinky Dinks melt, it is really rhymes, listen to stories, and Zombie Zoo Stitch easy to see the drawings play with other hamsters on $20.99; All ages with the white backgrounds.” the playground. ZombieZoo.com Norah, 5, loved having Cute and creepy, ZombieZoo are a “baby” hamster to play designed by artist and illustrator Ladybug Pillow Pet with the “mommy” Zhu Zhu Neecy Twinem. These soft, fleece $24.99; 3+ pets. “They are so cute and critters are 12-15” high and wear PillowPets.com cuddly!” she says. personality tags. Cuddly plushies This super-soft chenille stuffed animal starts out as a toy; un-velcro come with a DVD story; learn more its belly, and it quickly becomes a pillow. So cuddly, kids will never about each character on the website. want to put it down! Joslyn, 7, loves to cuddle in bed with her Pillow “Super cute!” says Sydney, 8. Pet and mom Teresa wants one of her own.

5 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • June 2011 June 2011 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • 6 Bird Watcher Field Kit LittleBigPlanet 2 $24.99; 5+ $59.99; E for Everyone BackyardSafariOutfitters.com LittleBigPlanet.com This kit comes complete with everything kids This brand new story mode need for the ultimate birdwatching experience. provides a beautifully reshaped Peek through a pair of 5x30 power binoculars world for Sackboy to explore and with 2.5” lens shades, secure them to the play. Each story level is influenced tripod, and use one of three different bird by cultural high points in history callers for attracting just about every backyard and is visually stunning. Players bird. can even create their own levels. Dylan, 5, likes having his own binoculars and Adam, 10, likes to play with his enjoys attracting birds using his special whistle. PlayStationMove camera and put himself in the game with Sackboy.

Freeze Ball $14.99; 6+ ShopWildPlanet.com Thumb Wars: The Ultimate Guide Throw, run, dodge or catch—despite its name, Freeze Ball is not a game about standing still. Players wear numbered wristbands then $12.99; 8+ Piggyback Bandz toss the soft, colorful six-sided ball. If your number is rolled, grab the Klutz.com $4.95; 3+ ball and yell “freeze”, then throw it at the closest player. Mom Linda This book covers everything from the classic challenges PiggybackBandz.com says her kids loved this surprisingly simple game. Tyler, 7, likes to earn of thumb wars, strategies, and training exercises to fake Take your elastic bracelet to a whole bands by getting his brother out. outs, trash talk, and never-before-played games. Comes new level-perpendicular to your complete with the Sleeve of Doom, the ultimate instrument wrist! “The Bandz That Stand” has of thumb war combat. incorporated a mini shape band that Chris, 8, loves challenging his friends using the Sleeve “piggybacks” on top of a traditional Guess How I Feel? of Doom, pudding wrestling and marshmallow thumb wars. rubber band, allowing the top shape $26.99; 3+ to be easily seen when placed on FunandFunction.com the wrist. How do you feel when Dr. Doofenshmirtz you ride a rollercoaster… Voice-inator McKenna likes to trade these with her friends. get ice cream…see $9.99; 6+ fighting…say goodbye? Jakks.com Guess each player’s This cool gadget has more reaction—and have fun than five voice changing sharing yours! Choose effects so you can disguise from 50 situations, and alter your voice! It also each illustrated with gives you different bizarre vivid photographs so voices to choose from and no reading skills are even lets you warp the pitch needed. Players develop of your voice in real time. skills in self-expresssion David, 7, likes the echo and empathy, and have voice the best. fun getting to know each other. Expedition Three Base Camp Shelter Teacher Grace likes $39.99; 5+ this well made product BackyardSafariOutfitters.com geared towards children Teach My Preschooler This rugged shelter is easy to assemble, that can draw what they $49.99; 3-6 years stands over 40” tall and comes with feel. Adrian, 5, likes the TeachMy.com everything needed to set up camp. You’ll have guess bag with colored This all-in-one learning kit for preschoolers is divided into four section; Ready to Read, plenty of pockets and storage space to put all bands he earns when he Ready to Print, Ready for 1-100 and Ready for Math. Each section has coordinated books, of your essential field gear like the bonus mini lantern guesses right. flashcards, posters, a print guide and a magic drawing board. It is designed to give with carabiner. preschoolers a head start, develop fine motor skills, encourage parent/child interaction Bobby, 7, says it is easier to get into than a tent and he uses it as a fort. and increase school readiness skills. Mom Michele says it is very educational and super Mom Nancy likes how portable it is. fun to use while her preschooler learns.

7 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • June 2011 June 2011 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • 8 Mini Light Saber Dark Side Detector $14.99; 6+ UncleMilton.com Smart Snacks Rainbow Color Cones Game Are you Jedi or Sith? The dark $16.99; 3+ Side Detector changes color LearningResources.com to let you know. Discover This board game reinforces color matching and the science of electricity as following directions as children reach out to make you build your very own mini their own towering treat. Self-checking puzzle version of the lightsaber used cards offer two levels of play. Sofie, 4, likes the Tibbar’s Tangrams by Darth Vader. This six-piece colorful scoops of ice cream. $28; 3+ toy is perfect for all aspiring SimplyFun.com Jedi Knights. Seven giant geometric pieces fit together to form Mom Jennifer says it is whatever shape you desire. Complete with a 32-page surprisingly entertaining and puzzle booklet and 80 suggested puzzles to complete, Logan, 7, says, “How does it this game teaches spacial relationships, early geometry do that?” and dimensions and proportions. Timmy Time Talking Yabba Sofia, 4, says, “I like the shapes and colors!” $14.99; 2+ Jakks.com Characters from the new preschool series, Timmy Time, airing on Playhouse Disney, are now available as cute and cuddly plush. Twirling Flower Timmy’s friend Yabba utters six different Fashions Doll silly sounds when you press her tummy. $19.99; 4+ Chloe, 2, likes to cuddle with her furry Hasbro.com duck. To create the season’s berry best Friendship Pixies styles, girls place their strawberry $16.99; 8+ shortcake doll onto the playset’s Klutz.com Rainbow Whirls Pegging Game rotating base. With the simple Bend some wire to form a $35; 2-6 years pull of a lever, the doll will body, wrap it with colorful raffia HabaUSA.com spin. Girls then squeeze clothing and add sparkly yarn Ideal for free play, the colored pegs and rings the plastic rose on the hair. You’ve just made a friendship offer many different plug-in variations. The rings base and a light sprinkle pixie! Finished pixies are cute, can also be piled up on the pegs. Includes 32 of water sprays onto flexible and great listeners. parts and beech pegging board. her chic skirt, revealing They’re also just a little bit magic Mom Riffi says this is a sturdy and colorful different playful patterns. Abby, 5, likes because each pixie gets a sparkly toy that is great for self-teaching. Kyan, 5, likes the flower spritzer the best. stacking the colorful pegs. charm that shows the exact wish she delivers. Mom Jennifer says this is great for creative, artistic girls who want to give something The Marvelous Book of Magical Horses unique to their friends. Hope, $19.99; 6+ 12, says, “These pixies are a Klutz.com great way to strengthen the bond This book comes with six gorgeous paper ponies and two paper doll between friends.” fairies plus everything you need to dress them up and play to your heart’s content: a dozen fabulous wings and more than 250 punch out saddles, manes, tails, bows, crowns, and other horse and fairy Nerf Dart Tag Swarmfire Blaster fashions. Four fabulous illustrated backgrounds inspire all sorts of $29.99; 8+ imaginative play. Hasbro.com Dad Jeff says, “Fun activity that my daughters can play with again With this fully automatic Dart Tag blaster, players can launch a powerful stream of up to 20 darts. Mom Tracy and again.” cautions that is requires 6 C batteries, so it becomes heavy to carry around. Luke, 9, loves how fast it shoots and that the darts have Velcro on them.

9 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • June 2011 June 2011 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • 10 Monster Tale Recycled Cardboard Mega Bloks: Diego’s Build & Rescue $29.99; E for Everyone Zoo $19.99; E for Everyone MajescoEntertainment.com $29.99; 4+ 2KGames.com/2KPlay A ragtag pack of CreativityForKids Gamers must collect virtual Mega Bloks to construct bridges, build air, kids have snuck .com land and sea rescue vehicles, explore into a secret This cleverly designed exciting habitats from the Arctic to world inhabited eco-friendly kit the Rainforest, and rescue stranded by monsters and includes everything animals. Field journal pages provide are making them you need to play and gamers with interesting facts about do destructive pretend zoo. The the animals they help and a special things that will easy-to-assemble zoo picture of it in its home. ultimately result has an entrance arch, Mom Nancy says, “This is a great Mod Baby Woodle in the downfall animal enclosures, game for those new to a DS. There $15; 3 months+ of the Monster punch out animals is a pop up in the corner that tells ManhattanToy.com World. Ellie discovers the Monster World and and people, plus other zoo-themed accessories. Once constructed, players what to do, like climb, touch screen, or blow on screen.” Blake, The wrap-around befriends a mysterious young monster named decorate it with markers and fun accessories. Dad Jeff says, “The 5, likes to build things using the Mega Bloks. swirl attaches to most Chomp and they set out on a fantastic adventure. girls got to be creative with this toy and were able to color all types strollers so your baby Brandon, 9, likes how his monster pet grows, of things like animals, cages, plants and more.” can enjoy the Woodle evolves and gains new abilities as the game everywhere. Includes progresses. rattle and squeaker Fit Wii for added enjoyment. $39.99; E for Everyone Leah, 4 months, likes 2KGames.com/2KPlay how soft this toy is One of the first fitness video games designed and how it stretches specifically for the preschool crowd, this game out when she pulls offers different exercises to choose from on it. including hurdles with Kai-lan, jump rope with Aquapets The Backyardigans, trampolining with Dora, $10.99; 6+ skateboarding with Diego and more! There’s also a ShopWildPlanet.com parental tracking feature to let parents get involved These collectable characters live in brightly colored Silverlicious in their child’s fitness routine by creating custom raindrop shaped aqua pods and sing, dance and chirp Sweet Tooth work-outs and monitoring their child’s progress. in response to interaction with their owners and other Board Game Mom Jennifer likes the variety and thinks it will be great for rainy days Aquapets. The more you play with them, the more $14.99; 4+ when her kids can’t go outside and play. Norah, 5, says, “I like to hula songs they perform and the livelier they become. ThinkPinkalicious.com hoop to earn points.” Hope, 12, says, “Bertie is such a cool ‘pet’ to have!” Help Pinkalicious get her sweet tooth back! All players work together to help Pinkalicious, Peter, and her teddy bear reach the end of the game path by performing special tasks and completing fun challenges. Kids must collect special Sweet Tooth Coins before they reach their final destination. Mom Jennifer likes that it is not a competition, but that all the players work together, and Norah, 5, likes playing with the bear character the best. Playmobil Treasure Temple with Guards $69.99; 3+ Math Quiz Interactive Game Show PlaymobilUSA.com $19.95; Grades 1-3 With this action-packed set, children can LakeshoreLearning.com navigate the treasure hunters through the All the sights and sounds of a real life game show on your home guarded, trap-filled, treasure temple. The snake computer or interactive classroom whiteboard. Perfect for math barrier, drop pit, and falling rocks make it review or extra practice, each game show has more than 200 difficult to pass through the temple to find the level-appropriate questions. Divide students into teams, select hidden treasure. Tyler, 7, likes the trap doors your categories and let the learning begin! Mom Brenda likes the best. the variety of math questions, and her daughters like competing “It makes it interactive so that after you build against each other to answer the questions first and win! it, it is really fun to play with,” says mom Linda.

11 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • June 2011 June 2011 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • 12 Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure $29.99; E for Everyone ThinkSMART DS 2Kgames.com/2Kplay $19.99; E for Everyone Embark on a journey to help Dora ThinkSmartGames.com and Boots get home from Wizzle This fun and fast-paced World in order to make it to Dora’s collection of stimulating big birthday celebration in time. and brain twisting puzzlers Along the way, players magically ride challenge players to on a unicorn, explore tree tops as improve their brain power. Boots and even have a dance fiesta, Play a variety of brain all while avoiding the mean witch. teasers, beaters, puzzlers Ava, 2, says this game is a lot of and mental challenges for fun. Kingdom Hearts Re:coded all ages. $34.99; 10+ Dad Lance says, “I like to Square-enix-shop.com/usa play these brain challenges as much as my kids do!” Trevor, 10, likes CAT Tough Tracks All eight episodes of the the mouse in the maze challenge the best. $10; 2+ ToyState.com previous game are on this Play-Doh Flip ‘N Serve Breakfast Playset Young machine enthusiasts will have a blast as they dig and play in single cartridge. This is an $14.99; 3+ the sand with these free-wheeling construction trucks. Available in engrossing mix of gameplay HasbroToyShop.com Cat Dump Truck, Cat Bulldozer & Cat Wheel Loader. types, including turn-based PAC-MAN Party Order up! This playset includes everything kids Grandma Phyllis like the quality of this product and Ryan, 2, likes RPG, RTS, action and side- $39.99; 10+ need to make their favorite breakfast foods. how his truck moves and dumps. scrolling platforming. Other Namcobandaigames.com Mold pretend waffles, pancakes, and features and functionality Set in the theme of a birthday party, PAC-MAN eggs on the center griddle and watch include: diverse and stars in this new venture with dozens of mini- as the food automatically GeoPalz entertaining boss battles, games, challenges and surprises. With something flips over as it cooks. $19.99; Child over 800 unlockables, auto- for the entire family, this game is chock-full of non- Swirl out smoothies, make GeoPalz.com aim functionality and more. stop action as players use their Wii Remote and whipped cream topping, This easy-to-use Safiya, 16, likes this “very reflexes to compete against one another across and create pretend pedometer sits cool” game that has nice unique virtual game boards. extras like bacon and on the belt or graphics during the movie Macy, 13, likes that there are 52 mini games to strawberries! waistband and scenes. choose from. Caeden, 5, says, “Here comes in several mom, I made you a waffle kid-friendly with bacon and whipped designs in cream out of Play-Doh!” various character groups. Parents Patrick Hruby Memory Game are kept involved $15.95; 3+ in their child’s AmmoBooks.com activity through All ages will enjoy this timeless game featuring a selection weekly updates of Patrick Hruby’s bold and imaginative illustrations. Players Princess to show progress take turns flipping any two cards up looking for matches. Celestia and alerting them When all cards $19.99; 3+ of awards their are matched, the HasbroToyShop.com kids have won. player with the This majestic unicorn stands proud Naomi, 9, most pairs wins. Roary the Racing Car at eight inches tall and wears a says, “It’s fun to Mom Grace “Build ‘Em Up Roary” gorgeous gold crown. Push her sun-shaped compete with my says, “Beautiful 14.99; 3+ cutie mark and watch as her wings illuminate friends and log artwork, well RoarytheRacingCar.com and flutter. Girls will love to comb her multi- my steps at the made and it Young mechanics can test their skills and colored, lustrous locks and decorate her end of the day!” enables kids build Roary the Racing Car, fix his tires, bumper and mane with beautiful gem and flower to use their more. Press down his hat to hear familiar sounds barretts fit for a princess. She imaginations and phrases from the program. Includes removable also plays enchanting sounds in interpreting pieces and working wrench. and speaks a number of magical pictures.” Sebastian, 4, really enjoyed assembling and fixing phrases. Jessica likes when her wings the car on his own. light up and she talks.

13 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • June 2011 June 2011 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • 14 Dinosaur Train: Dino Track Discovery Pack Disney Tangled: The Video Game $12.99; 4+ $39.99; E for Everyone UncleMilton.com DisneyInteractiveStudios.com Simply lay out one of three sets of dinosaur footprints Kidnapped and imprisoned by the evil witch Gothel, the and follow the tracks to discover which character’s lost princess Rapunzel awaits in her lone, locked tower footprints you tracked. Each footprint includes fun to, one day, see her family again. Use Rapunzel and dinosaur facts about one of 30 different dinosaurs. Flynn’s unique abilities to solve mysteries and challenges Once you’ve reached the end of the trail and discover as you meet interesting characters, befriend animals, who you followed, find the activity egg card for fun and work as a team with up to four players to things to do with the whole family! guide the unlikely duo through the 3D, story- “This is a great product for children who love dinosaurs,” says mom Christina. based world. Naomi, 9, likes to collect sun drops for Rapunzel and coins for Flynn. SpongeBob Alarm Clock $24.99; 4+ World of Wheel Pals Spring Stroll ToysRus.com $9.99; 18 months+ This spongy alarm clock features pop up snooze button, four alarm HasbroToyShop.com clock sounds, LED backlight, AM/FM Radio built in, iPod connectivity Enjoy a stroll through the countryside or jungle with this interactive and projects images on the ceiling. animal assortment. Lift the bridge to send the hippo through the McKenna likes that it is spongy and looks really cool in her room. Splash ‘N Bath and help the horse refuel on the Filler Up Farmstand set. Mom Rachel says, “It is so much fun to watch my kids play with this toy!” Gregory, 3, likes how fast the hippo rolls down the hill.

Wikki Stix Activity Set Balance Bender $16.95; 3+ $14.99; 6+ wikkistix.com ShopWildPlanet.com Made of wax-infused Balance Bender is a gravity-fighting game of core strength, flexibility yarn, Wikki Stix are and coordination. The game comes with 10 colored and numbered pods. These an easy-to-use elevated surfaces serve as safe bases, the only places where players are allowed creative activity toy. to stand. Play a variety of games with the same underlying objective-don’t fall off They are slightly the pods! tacky to the touch Mom Shannon says this game gets the kids up and active and it’s healthy for and adhere to almost the core and leg muscles. any smooth surface with just fingertip pressure. They are ideal for learning to form letters and numbers, creating WaterRipper flat designs or outlines, and $9.95; 5+ can be pressed together for RipperBall.com 3-dimensional creations. Skips like a rock. Catches like a Sydney, 9, says, “I really like bag. This new generation of high Chuggington Wooden Railway making the puppets...it’s wikki Over & Under Starter Set performance waterball is kid-tested and fun!” adult approved! Can be played in or out Expedition Two Hiking Stick $49.99; 3+ of the water. Fun for families, vacations $14.99; 5+ LearningCurve.com and pool parties all year long. BackyardSafariOutfitters.com This 25-piece set features a 2-in-1 Dad Tony says, “Lot’s of fun” and When the trail gets rough a Clock Tower, modular buildings Jacob, 13, says, “This will be great to hiking stick is a must! This 48” and tunnels. It encourages kids use at the beach and on our vacation!” stick helps you keep a steady to design and reshape their foot on the trail. Mom Shannon Chuggington world with simple, says it has a comfortable grip reconfigurable designs. John, 4, Nerf Thunderstorm Water Blaster and is made of sturdy plastic likes that it is $14.99; 6+ and Oliver, 5, likes the wolf on easy to HasbroToyShop.com the handle. assemble Blast your enemies from up to 35 feet away with the massive power of this water and fun to blaster. Simply pump to pressurize then pull the trigger to let loose a massive burst of play with. water. Dominic, 7, likes that it makes sounds and sprays water a long way.

15 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • June 2011 June 2011 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • 16 PJ Tots Frannie Froggie & Play-Doh Sesame Street Cookie Monster’s Letter Lunch Playset Froggie’s Snuggly $16.99; 3+ $10-$14; 18 months+ HasbroToyShop.com ManhattanToy.com Kids can help Cookie Monster make a delightful Play-Doh alphabet soup complete Frannie Frog is a little tot with with pretend noodles, veggies and letters, then feed him a spoonful and press adorable pajamas. The silly green down his mouth to see him gobble it all up! After the meal, the letter molds store print gives you a glimpse of easily inside the bowl until next time. Mom Christy likes that it is easy to assemble her goofy personality. Froggie’s and clean and added that her kids played with this for three hours! Snuggly is the perfect place for her to sleep. Her cozy little bag features big bug eyes and an easy to carry handle. Jessica, 4, Playskool on the Bus Playset especially likes to play with this $14.99; 12 months+ toy since she loves frogs. Hasbro.com The Weebles are heading to school! This Trucky 3 brightly colored school bus has room for six $24.99; 3-8 years Weebles students and features a stop sign SmartTangoes.com that flips in and out. As kids push the school A single-player game for young children, Trucky 3 let’s children rev up their loading skills, while working on spacial bus along, the Weebles figures wobble in their skills. There are 48 exciting challenges to manipulate the pieces to fit within the truck bed. Mom Stacy says this is seats. Press down on the rooftop spinner to a really fun toy that entices her children to think! She also loves the included container that holds all the parts when see the figures twirl around in their seats. her kids are not playing with it. Mom Riffi says her 2-year-old daughter Malia laughs every time the Weebles roll. Shrink Film Jewelry $24.95; Teen Fabercastell.com Use the five Art GRIP Color Pencils to draw on Puppy Spa the shrink film-blend and layer to create an array $19.99; 4+ of colors. Add details, such as letter, words and CreativityForKids.com outlining, with the black Multimark Pen. Shrink the Pamper your puppy with a treat film in an oven, then using the various accessories at the spa! This set includes a 6” Baby GoGo turn your charms into unique necklaces, bracelets, plush puppy, grooming bed, brush, Moses Bed and earrings. Includes a 36-page illustrated comb, towel and spa mask. You can $24.99; 3+ instruction book with coloring techniques and decorate the cardboard spa setting BabyGoGoDoll.com jewelry ideas. Mom Jenny says, “This is great for with color-in stickers and markers Children will have the budding fashionistas who love designing!” then accessorize your pup in a perfect place to put Baby GoGo down for a nap with this cozy Moses crown, tutu, and pearl and rhinestone bed. Made of 100 percent cotton material, with straps just the right collar. Ella says this spa set is length for children to easily carry, this Moses bed will travel from the super fun and she loves her bedroom to the playroom and everywhere in between! Yessica, 3, new puppy. loves that she can now carry her dolls everywhere with her. Dinosaur Train: Dino Poop $9.99; 4+ UncleMilton.com Discover what the Dinosaur Train character had for lunch by examining their dino poop, just like Groovy Girls Bianca Ballerina Happy Nappers paleontologists do today! Once you find the $20; 3+ $19.99; 3+ pieces of what they ate, put them together to ManhattanToy.com HappyNapper.com figure it out. Each pile of dino poop comes with Dancing her way in her tutu and sparkly Kids ring the sleepy sound doorbell to see if their Happy pieces of plant, fish, bones or a combination. pink top, Bianca has purple and blue hair Napper is in their Home Sweet Home, then magically unzip Then, press the bones or leaves into the clay pulled into a neatly placed bun with a cute and reverse them into a 21” soft plush that’s ready to play. “poop” to created fossil imprints. little butterfly hair tie to keep it in place. Available in Bug Bungalow to Lady Bug, Doghouse to Dog, Caeden, 5, likes to make fossils the best and Madeline likes her purple-haired Igloo to Penguin and Castle to Dragon. Gregory, 3, loves everything mom Christina likes the interesting facts. about this toy, especially when his cow moos. ballerina.

17 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • June 2011 June 2011 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • 18 Battle Boards $49.98; 4+ FINAL FANTASY Series Plush CACTUAR HearthSong.com $20.99; 5+ Have some fabulous fun afloat for Square-Enix-Shop.com two kids with this head-to-head, kick This plush toy is one of the traditional mascots from the Final Fantasy powered, dual squirter set with splash series. It has embedded wires that allow for a variety of poses. Tyler, 7, screens. Heavy duty construction. Two likes to pose his “cactus friend” into funny positions. squirters per board. Josh & Tyler love battling each other in the pool, while mom Linda is glad there are two squirt guns per board in case one stops working or gets lost.

My First Zoo $24.99; 2+ Lego.com Little builders construct the zoo to provide a home for the baby elephant, tiger, polar bear and giraffe. Includes one figure and vehicle and 60 pieces. Three-year-old DJ likes the zoo theme and mom Stella likes that it allows DJ to be SCRUBLE Cube creative and use his imagination. $24.95; 8+ ScrubleCube.com Scruble Cube takes some of the best known play Sesame Street: patterns of some of the most popular word games and Cookie’s puzzles in history and combines them in a brand new, Counting unique format to create the World’s Greatest 3-D Word Chuck & Friends Big Air Carnival Game! Includes a cube with 96 individually rotating letters, Dare DVD and Vehicle Set $39.99; EC for a sand timer, scorepad and instructions. $9.99; 12 months+ Early Childhood; Mom Tianna says, “Challenging for children and adults, it HasbroToyShop.com WarnerBros.com really makes you think!” Get ready for action when Join Cookie Chuck the Dump Truck and Monster and Big Pretend & Play Ice Cream Shop Flip the Race Truck go wheel- Bird at a fun- $26.99; 3+ to-wheel in an exciting stunt filled carnival, LearningResources.com contest. Watch friendship through gameplay steeped in math Plenty of colorful pieces encourage creative thinking, spark as the stunts escalate! skills that include number identification, sharing, teamwork, building connections and other This fun-filled full length counting, shapes and pattern recognition. important social skills. Includes DVD comes packed with Kids journey through the game in the four scoops of ice cream, bonus content including many areas of the carnival such as The two cones, two ice cream sing-alongs, character extras, and interactive books. Grandstand, Midway, Petting Zoo, Food dishes, two spoons, a This set comes complete with an exclusive muddy Court and the Arcade. banana that splits, a Chuck vehicle. Mom Andrea says it is easy for her scooper, apron, write Mom Jennifer likes that it comes with a mini truck and 2-year-old to understand, and she likes & wipe menu card and says this is a great product for truck-loving little boys. that it teaches simple math, patterns and chocolate syrup bottle that matching. squirts mess-free pretend chocolate. Grandma Charley Harper Nesting Blocks Phyllis feels this is a $24.95; 2+; AmmoBooks.com really good toy that is Charley Harper’s whimsical and well-loved illustrations are featured here on this classic fun for her kids to set of nesting blocks. The alphabet and numbers 1 through 10 are expressed with play. colorful animal illustration that wrap around the surface of each of the 10 nesting blocks. When completely stacked, the blocks stand almost 3 feet tall, and when they nest, they become a compact 6 x 6 x 6 inches square. Mom Rachel likes these sturdy blocks and says her son was able to work on his stacking and letters at the same time.

19 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • June 2011 June 2011 • www.SanDiegofamily.com • 20