Chuggington MEGA Bloks Sets {Review & Giveaway}

by Kate on April 5th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways, Reviews, Toys


As you know I’m excited to be a Chuggington Conductor. My kids are excited that the third season of the show recently started airing on Disney Junior. But, everyone should be excited about this awesome Chuggington MEGA Bloks Set giveaway valued at nearly $100.

Chuggington MEGA Bloks Sets

There are three awesome MEGA Bloks Sets as well as individually sold train cars. The combination between the Chuggington characters and the MEGA Bloks brand is a great one. It’s a fun collaboration which allows kids to build with MEGA Bloks while playing with familiar characters. Our kids (and my husband and I) have had a lot of fun playing with the sets.

Jet Pack Adventure. My son and I tackled the building of the super cool, multi-level Jet Pack Adventure Set which includes a train rail and jet rail. The set includes 80 pieces and an instruction booklet so you can build the set as pictured. Of course, you can use your imagination and build the set other ways, too. I appreciate that the MEGA Blok pieces are all large enough that my five year old can handle them (unlike some other building sets where the pieces are much too small for him to manage).

The train rail winds through a Clock Tower and the Chuggington depo. Trains hang from the super cool jet rail which winds around the buildings. The trains hook on the jet rail and fly through the sky. The set comes with Wilson and Action Chugger so you have everything you need to start riding the rails.

chuggington roundhouse racing

Roundhouse Racing. Build the trains’ roundhouse home with this set that includes more than 45 pieces, including Calley and Brewster. We actually had a bit more trouble figuring out the best way to play with the Roundhouse, but once you get it working you can launch trains out of the Roundhouse. The turntable is lots of fun and allows you to choose a rail for your train. Like the other sets, you can build the Roundhouse Racing set in a variety of ways so kids can use their creativity or set up different scenarios.

Repair Shed. After lots of action riding the rails and flying through Chuggington, trains may need a repair. This cute little set comes with pieces to build the Repair Shed, including a rotating piece so you can get a better look at the train for repairs, and tools. Old Puffer Pete comes with this set, too, so you can buy it individually or use it in combination with other sets. Of course, because all of the sets are from MEGA Bloks they fit together so you can connect the Repair Shed to any of the other Chuggington sets to create your own traintastic town.

Chuggington MEGA Bloks Set Video

My son wanted to share his thoughts on the Chuggington train sets in a video. And, I have to tell you, if you watch nothing else, you have to see the first 10 seconds. He’s so darn cute! Watch the entire thing and you’ll get a 5-year old’s demonstration of the toys in action.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… We’ve had a great time playing with the Chuggington MEGA Bloks Sets. The building process is great for helping my preschoolers’ fine motor skills and, of course, once the sets are up and running the fun really begins. The Jet Pack is particularly impressive with the jet rail but all of them provide opportunity for imaginative and solo or group play. You don’t have to be a Chuggington fanatic to enjoy these train sets.

Or Not to Buy… The sets are recommended for children three and up, but even older kids will need help putting together the buildings. My five year old just doesn’t have quite the motor skills or instruction interpreting skills required to build them by himself. (And I don’t mind as it’s a fun activity for us to do together.)

Shop! Chuggington MEGA Bloks Sets are available from our affiliate Amazon and range in price from $15 for the Repair Shed to $50 for the Jet Pack Adventure.

Win! All Three Chuggington MEGA Bloks Sets:
Jet Pack Adventure, Roundhouse Racing & Repair Shed!

How to Enter: Leave a comment with your child’s favorite Chuggington train.

Earn Extra Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends April 18. Open to US residents only.

I am a Chuggington Conductor. I was not compensated for this post, but I did receive samples. 

30 Days of Toys: Tegu Mobility

by Kate on November 29th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  30 Days of Toys, Shopping

Toy: Tegu Mobility

Get It For: Anyone! We’re obsessed with Tegu blocks and have been known to give sets to adults and we can’t imagine the brand new cars will be any different.

Why We Like It: Tegu Mobility cars build upon the basic idea of Tegu magnetic blocks and adds wheels and car styling into the mix. Dart, the red car above, includes ten blocks, magnetic top, four magnetic wheels and can be reconfigured to build any car you can create.  The pieces will work and fit together with all Tegu blocks for even more options.

Here’s a great video from Tegu to get you ready to roll.

Shop! Tegu Mobility Compact Line, including Dart, are available at Tegu for $38. A simple sleek silhouette car with wheels is $22 and a set of four wheels to add to your existing Tegu blocks set is $15. Tegu Blocks Sets are available on Amazon.

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To see the best toys for the holidays, check out our Toy Shopping Guide. You can also read about all our 30 Days of Toys picks.

30 Days of Toys: Design & Drill Activity Center

by Kate on November 28th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  30 Days of Toys, Shopping

Toy: Educational Insights Drill & Design Activity Center

Get It For: Because of the smaller pieces, this set is best for kids 3 and older. It’s great for working on fine motor skills to help preschool handwriting and we think girls will dig it just as much as boys.

Why We Like It: The set comes with different drill bits that work with the 120 bolts. Little ones can complete the included Activity Cards to match pictures and patterns or create their own design on the board.

Shop! The Drill & Design Activity Center is currently $25 with free shipping on Amazon. Find this and many of our top toys for the holidays in The Shopping Mama’s 30 Days of Toys store.

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To see the best toys for the holidays, check out our Toy Shopping Guide. You can also read about all our 30 Days of Toys picks.

30 Days of Toys: Trikke Jogo

by Malia on November 27th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  30 Days of Toys, Shopping

 

Toy: Trikke T5 Jogo

Get It For: Four to seven year olds who love being active, or those who need a little encouragement to get out and move. There are also versions for older children and adults.

Why We Like It: Physical activity is so important and with all the fun video games, movies and computers, children in America aren’t getting enough. The Trikke Jogo lets kids enjoy a fun, physical activity while building their coordination, balance and agility.  The three wheeled design gives even coordination impaired (like yours truly) riders confidence that they won’t fall as they ride the Trikke like a classic scooter or in the unique Trikke carving motion.

Shop! The Trikke T5 Jogo is available in blue or pink from $99. Find this and many of our top toys for the holidays in The Shopping Mama’s 30 Days of Toys store.

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To see the best toys for the holidays, check out our Toy Shopping Guide. You can also read about all our 30 Days of Toys picks.

30 Days of Toys: Tinkertoy Set

by Kate on November 25th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  30 Days of Toys, Shopping

Toy: Tinkertoy Classic Jumbo Set

Get It For: Construction and building minded preschool aged kids.

Why We Like It: It’s a classic! Nothing beats the Tinkertoy Building set which includes 48 rods, 20 spools, 8 connector clips, 2 flags, 10 end caps, 6 couplings, 2 tubes made of all wood. The set even includes string. String! I mean, really, sometimes simple is best and we think the no bells and whistles building set will please.

Shop! Various size Tinkertoy Building sets are available with prices starting at $19 for this Jumbo Set. Find this and many of our top toys for the holidays in The Shopping Mama’s 30 Days of Toys store.

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To see the best toys for the holidays, check out our Toy Shopping Guide. You can also read about all our 30 Days of Toys picks.

30 Days of Toys: Princess and the Pea Set

by Monica on November 24th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  30 Days of Toys, Blog

Toy: Princess and the Pea Set

Get It For: The princess who loves to read classic tales and play with fun play sets.

Why We Like It: What is not to love? Ok, maybe the price, but this is such an adorable set, and one that you would surely keep and treasure forever.  The Hans Christian Andersen classic tale comes with this adorable set.  It has a hand-crocheted princess and pea, and gorgeous wooden bed, seven mattresses, a pillow, a blanket, a  of course the storybook. The possibilities for imaginative play are endless with this adorable set.

Shop! The Princess and the Pea Set is available at a Garnet Hill for $99 with free shipping until December 6, 2011 and Amazon with free Prime / Mom shipping. Find this and many of our top toys for the holidays in The Shopping Mama’s 30 Days of Toys store.

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To see the best toys for the holidays, check out our Toy Shopping Guide. You can also read about all our 30 Days of Toys picks.

30 Days of Toys: HugglePod

by Monica on November 23rd, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  30 Days of Toys, Shopping

snugglepod

Toy: HugglePod

Get It For: This is perfect for the little person who loves to curl up with a good book, or just enjoy a little personal time for playing and creative thinking, and needs a cozy fun place to do it!

Why We Like It: I remember taking a book into my closet with a bunch of pillows and reading for hours as a child. Oh, how I would have loved this fun hanging little nest for them.  I can imagine this would entice even the seldom napper to take a siesta or two, or at the very least engage in some quiet time for an hour or so. The possibilities are endless!  The removeable washable cushion is a great addition to keeping it comfy.

Shop! The HugglePod is available at Magic Cabin for $99.  It is available in Cardinal Red, Pink Blush, Royal Blue, or Grass Green. You can also find this and many of our favorites in The Shopping Mama’s 30 Days of Toys store.

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To see the best toys for the holidays, check out our Toy Shopping Guide. You can also read about all our 30 Days of Toys picks.

2011 Hess Toy Truck and Race Car {Holiday Toy Review}

by Malia on November 22nd, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Holiday Toys, Reviews, Toys

Hess Corporation has just launched what I’m going to call THE MUST BUY TOY for little boys or mechanically minded girls for the 2011 Holiday season. The Hess 2011 Toy Truck and Race Car are the new favorite toy(s) in our house and would be the perfect toy to find under the tree this year.

Quality and Fun

This our first year experiencing a Hess product, but they have a long tradition of producing well crafted and innovative toys and the quality of their product is apparent. The truck was subjected to daddy’s poking and prodding and was quickly deemed of “solid construction” with an approving nod (he may have played with the sounds for a while too).

The truck has four-wheel spring suspension and a pull-out ramp that automatically activates a hydraulic sound on raising and lowering. A series of buttons on the truck’s cab activate 3 additional sounds and flashing lights. In the bed of the flat bed trailer rides a race car with its own set of sounds and flashing lights that are activated by pushing the gas cap. The full list of features is below:

Truck:

  • Pull-out ramp with automatic hydraulic sound
  • 3 additional sound effects activated by cab buttons (ignition, horn and back-up alert sounds)
  • 34 lights with all-on and flashing modes
  • Flashing light mode activated by cab button, chassis switch and ramp
  • Four-wheel spring suspension
  • Chrome-look detailing
  • 2 Energizer® ‘C’ batteries

Race Car:

  • Engine sound effect activated by gas cap button
  • 10 lights (all-on and flashing modes)
  • Flashing light mode activated by gas cap button
  • Pull-back racing motor
  • Chrome-look detailing
  • 2 Energizer® ‘AA’ batteries

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy…This truck is an undisputed winner in our house. My 20 month old can easily activate all the features and has a blast pushing the buttons and raising and lowering the ramp. He even figured out that the car is supposed to go up the ramp and ride in the bed of the truck. He has played with the truck and or car nearly non-stop for the last 48 hours and asks where it is when he’s not actively playing with it. I can’t help thinking about how nice the blinking lights would look under the Christmas tree, but I may be a little sentimental about Christmas this year, what with being 9 months pregnant and little man being old enough to get what is going on for the first time.

Not to Buy…The blinking lights and noises freaked out our dog and she has to stay outside when my son is playing with the truck. Wait, did I say that was a downside? This toy is just win win for mama.

Shop! The Hess Toy Truck and Race Car is available for $26.99 plus tax (batteries included!) at exclusive Hess authorized locations. You can also find it at our affiliate Amazon for significantly more ($47.99 right now), but sometimes the convenience is worth the cost.

Thanks to Hess for the sample Toy Truck and Race Car set for the purpose of review.
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