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Naturally Playful Sand Table

Childrens Toy Shop > Toys > Sports and Outdoor Play
from: Step2

September 12, 2006
After countless hours of research, we finally broke down and purchased this sandbox. It has a pretty solid construction, it took a few tries to get the legs in during assembly, but that is all the assembly that is required. It is pretty sturdy and doesn't shake or wobble. This sand box is not going anywhere anytime soon. It comes with a cover which is secured by two elastic hoops. So far it has managed to keep bugs and animals out, but it is not water proof. After a good rain I opened it to find the sand inside had become damp. It managed to keep the majority of the rain out so it is not filled with water. To be honest, the damp sand is better to play with. We are pleased with the purchase and would recommend this product to anyone.

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Cranium Super Fort

Childrens Toy Shop > Toys > Sports and Outdoor Play
from: Cranium

September 05, 2006
This is a great toy. So many toys are played with once and then never used again. Not this one. Its now August and when kids come over they love to play with it- most have never seen it. There is non-stop creativity. But you do need to buy at least 2 of the kits. We bought one for my son and another for my daughter so it is a shared toy for them. There are not enough pieces in one kit to make much. There is a 'floor' that comes with it, that helps to add some stability, but it is difficult for an adult to put the 'floor' in- and forget it when kids go in and out of the fort- the floor is all over the place. With two kits you have enough pieces to add stability at the base and still build up. I wish we bought a third!- but that is ... Read More:

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Unbreakable Golf Tees - 2.7/8"

Childrens Toy Shop > Toys > Sports and Outdoor Play
from: Playing Pro Golf Company


I spent the entire summer playing with 1 tee!! I bought a package of these because with my BIG driver I broke every tee I used. I play 3 days/week and it got to be a joke with my foursome when they'd ask each round if I was still using the same tee! It got a little beat up but it still works and I still have the same tee. I bought the orange because the only thing that could go wrong would be if I lost it.... my buddies did have to help me look a couple of times and I gave them each one for their own. Great stocking stuffer!!

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Tachikara SO5 Fluorescent Orange Soccer Ball (Size 5)

Childrens Toy Shop > Toys > Sports and Outdoor Play
from: Tachikara


I bought this ball for "Saturday Night Soccer," which me and my friends play weekly. Now that winter is here, the nights of course get darker earlier, and we needed a brighter ball to help us play. This ball seemed quite bright, and it was cheap, so I bought it. We're kind of disappointed in it.

The group is split between whether they like this ball, or our old ball more in terms of feel. Some claim this ball is lighter and flies around more... I don't really notice a difference.

As for visibility though, which is why we bought it, yes, this ball is slightly more visible at night because it's orange, but it by no means glows or anything like that.

Overall, we're disappointed.

Ball = FAIL.

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Pro-Down Universal Kicking Tee (EA)

Childrens Toy Shop > Toys > Sports and Outdoor Play
from: SSG / BSN


I bought this ball for "Saturday Night Soccer," which me and my friends play weekly. Now that winter is here, the nights of course get darker earlier, and we needed a brighter ball to help us play. This ball seemed quite bright, and it was cheap, so I bought it. We're kind of disappointed in it.

The group is split between whether they like this ball, or our old ball more in terms of feel. Some claim this ball is lighter and flies around more... I don't really notice a difference.

As for visibility though, which is why we bought it, yes, this ball is slightly more visible at night because it's orange, but it by no means glows or anything like that.

Overall, we're disappointed.

Ball = FAIL.

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Thomas and Friends - Toys - Thomas Hopper Ball

Childrens Toy Shop > Toys > Sports and Outdoor Play
from: Wisconsin Toy/Big Lots Stores Inc.


This Thomas Hopper Ball would be awesome, if I could figure out how to inflate it:-) The instructions got separated from it at my 4 year old's birthday party. Could anyone help me out with this? There's a hole at the bottom that is larger than the needle of a ball pump. But there is no metal nipple to attach an air pump either. Confusing! In any case, if anyone could illuminate for me. Thank you!

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Little Tikes Auto Pitch Batting Trainer

Childrens Toy Shop > Toys > Sports and Outdoor Play
from: Little Tikes

June 12, 2006
My 2-1/2 year old son got this as a gift. He already was into bats and balls so this was a real hit. It has worked perfectly for us and he has spent many hours playing with it. I have found that when it doesn't toss the balls up as high, I just change the batteries and then it works great. It is very durable to being hit with the bat as that happens quite a bit when my son is using it as a t-ball stand. I would definitly recommend this toy.

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Jakks - Laser Challenge P.R.O. Deluxe Blaster 2-Player: 2 Blasters, 2 Scopes & 2 Barrel Extensions

Childrens Toy Shop > Toys > Sports and Outdoor Play
from: Jakks


After trying these types of guns, I will never buy another laser gun that doesn't have a vest with it. The target being on the gun itself is a good concept, but it creates a very bad glitch with it. You see, as long as the gun is firing or reloading, it won't register any hits, meaning anyone who is firing is invincible. There is a way to counter this, though, and that is to limit the amount of times a player can reload. However, this is a pain because you have an infinite amount of reloads and people can cheat. I suggest buying something like the Laser Challenge Neutralizer; it registers hits as you're firing and is less than half the price.

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Original Gertie Ball-Colors May Vary

Childrens Toy Shop > Toys > Sports and Outdoor Play
from: Small World


I love these balls- I had one when I was a kid, and put it on my two-year-old's wishlist last year. A relative bought it and I was thrilled. However, I couldn't stop my son from pulling the plug out with his teeth, as mentioned by another user. He also bit it several times- making a small tear one time (not all the way through the surface, and finally tearing through at a later time. I don't like the length of the plug- it protrudes far into the center of the ball, so if, for example, a kid sits on it with the plug on the bottom, the plug could jab into their leg or bottom. Also, as mentioned, the ball does not bounce as expected if it lands on the hard plug. Still a fun toy, but more suited for elementary kids than toddlers.

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Pacific Play Tents Find Me 6' Tunnel

Childrens Toy Shop > Toys > Sports and Outdoor Play
from: Pacific Play Tents

November 12, 2007
I bought this for my gymnastics business. This tunnel is used on a daily basis for children ages 1 through 10 so it has been used at least a thousand times over the years. It looks as good as the day I first got it. Children not only love crawling through the tunnel, but can play peek-a-boo, or roll a ball from one end to another person at the other end. I highly recommend it for any parent.