Playskool’s Explore and Grow toys
If you’re looking for that perfect toy for baby’s first Christmas, you can’t go wrong with something from Playskool’s Explore & Grow line. We’ve played with both the Tumble ‘N Twirl Top and the Busy Ball Popper for weeks, yet my girls squeal as much now as they did when I first took the toys out of their boxes!
The Tumble ‘N Twirl Top, for 6 months and up, is probably my toddler’s favorite of the two, only because she can easily carry it from room to room. If you prefer a toy that’s not battery-operated, then this is it! Your baby will love the bright colors and excitement that this ball-spinning top provides! Put the balls in, pump the plunger to watch them spin, or open the sliding door to watch them shoot out, and then have fun chasing after them. You’ll never know where the balls may land! It comes with the spinner and 4 light-weight, colorful balls that are compatible with other Explore and Grow products.
The Busy Ball Popper, for 9 months and up, is tons of fun, especially with lots of kids around. My toddler played with this for 45 minutes straight the first time she set eyes on it! There’s something about the colorful, air-powered ball-popping and upbeat music that is both exhilarating and unexpected. All it takes to start the fun is to pump the plunger and drop the balls onto the spiral track. When the balls reach the bottom, look out, because the balls pop out of the top! You’ll be running around the room chasing after them. With 8 different songs, and 5 colorful balls that are also compatible with other Explore and Grow toys, the Busy Ball Popper will keep your kids entertained for a long time! It requires 4 “D” batteries (not included).
I’m always looking at the benefits of play, and Playskool’s Explore & Grow toys are chock-full. Kids will:
- Be motivated to start crawling. When the balls pop out, they’ll want to go after them.
- Learn about cause and effect. What happens when you push the plunger? Open or close the door?
- Improve hand-eye coordination. Catching the balls as they pop out is a challenge! Figuring out how to make eyes and hands work together is hard work.
- Develop gross motor skills. Pushing the plunger over and over requires upper body strength. Going after the balls takes muscle movement as well.
- Practice fine motor skills. Picking up balls and dropping them back in the toy takes small movements like the “pincer grip,” the same skill that allows kids to hold a spoon and feed themselves.
Great for independent play, these toys are also a fun way to sit down and teach your child about colors and counting. How many balls are there? What color ball just popped out? See the toys in action!
The Busy Ball Popper retails for $22.99, but is on sale on Amazon at this very moment! The Tumble ‘N Twirl Top sells for $14.99. Both are available at most major toy retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.
WIN IT!
One lucky reader will win Playskool’s Explore & Grow Busy Ball Popper. To enter, please leave a comment on this post telling me who you’d give this to if you win!
For extra entries:
- Subscribe to my feed by feed reader or email (or let me know if you already do).
- Follow me on Twitter (@OhMariana) and tweet about this giveaway: I just entered to win a Playskool Explore & Grow Busy Ball Popper from @ohMariana! http://bit.ly/5WUY37
- Grab my button (at the bottom of the page) and link to me in your sidebar or blog roll.
Contest ends December 15th, 2009 11:59 pm EST. US entries only.
Leave a separate comment for each entry & a valid email address/blog URL.
One person per household may enter. Winner, chosen at random, has 3 days to claim their prize.
Hasbro provided the product for review.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a list of all my latest giveaways!
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Following on twitter @cloud10277
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It would be wonderful to win the toys for my new grandson who just turned 1 month old.
My son just turned 1 and this would be perfect for him. Thanks.
I would give this to my 1 old daughter
Tristan would enjoy this toy.
my daughter is getting a little old for this (although i’m sure she’d still find it fun!) so i would save it for my baby boys who are arriving in the spring… they deserve some new toys of they’re own! or i’ll give it to my godson…
This would be for our little girl and her baby brother on the way.
I would stow this away until our child was old enough to enjoy it!
This would be for my son.
my son would be thrilled
I would give it to my son
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follow on twitter-gigglez5
tweeted-http://twitter.com/gigglez5/status/6669144893
I’d give this to my youngest. He’d have so much fun with it. Thanks for this giveaway.
This would be for my twins.
If I won this, I would give it to my sweet nephew, Rushton! Thanks!
.-= Amanda Jones´s last blog ..Every little bit helps… =-.
I’m an email subscriber!
.-= Amanda Jones´s last blog ..Every little bit helps… =-.
I would give this to my 1 year old nephew. My daughter had one when she was that age and loved it!
I had one of these for my kids and they absolutely love it! I have a friend who’s having a baby in march and I’d give it to her!
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
.-= Bebemiqui´s last blog ..All Satisfying Joy =-.
i would give it to my nephew… He is now getting to the point where he is trying to crawl and grab things. This would be a great toy for him
This is so cute. I have a little nephew this would be perfect for. thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
My son would love this
I’d give this to my two year old daughter.
This would be for my daughter. Thank you for the giveaway.
I’d give this to my baby girl on the way!
I would give this to a friend who has a little one. My son has this and loves it!
This would be for my little boy. He is just the right age for this toy!
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
I posted your button on my blog
http://carolsbloggys.blogspot.com/
digicat{at}sbcglobal{dot}net
If I was lucky enough to win it would go to my grandson who is 15 months old. He loves things that are action and noise involved for his entertainment this would be great and since i live 1200 miles away it would give him a special toy from me.
Thank you so much for giving me a chance to be a winner
camper223[at]live[dot]com
I’m a email and rss feed subscriber
Thank you so very very much
camper223[at]live[dot]com
I’m a twitter follower
camper223
I witted this giveaway
http://twitter.com/camper223/status/6689243918
Thank you so very very much
camper223[at]live[dot]com
This would go to my niece or nephew who will be joining our family in March! Thanks for the givaway!
This would go to my adorable goddaughter! She would have the most fun with it! Thanks for the chance!
sherri419 at gmail dot com
This would be for my one year old son! Thanks for the chance!
I follow you on twitter, and I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/mom2anutball/status/6696186770
I subscribe via email!
hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com
I have your button! http://mom2anutball2.blogspot.com/
I would give this to my niece, Marissa. Thanks!
I would so give this to my best friends little boy for his birthday if I won.
i would give this to my twin grandsons!!!
I’d give this to my daughter!
I would give it to the baby who will be on the way any day now ( I hope).
I would love to win this for my daughter who is due in Feb!
Thanks!
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
I’m already an email subscriber. Thanks!
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
I’m following you on Twitter user lisalmg and Tweeted this giveaway. http://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/6708298580
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
I would like to give this to my nephew!
i’d give it to my baby cousin.