Dad Blogs - Useful Parenting Tips for Dads » Toys that dad will play with too

Review: Dinosaur Train All Aboard Game

Eric Cooper — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:08:54 +0000

We're a board game family. There, I admit it. In an age of family Wii games and the internet, there is something soothing about turning off the electrical hum that surrounds most of the day and playing a game (one with physical pieces, no less!). With more and more games coming out geared toward younger people, you have to separate the “just for fun” games from the “fun and educational” games. I prefer the latter with a smattering of the former for good measure. Sure, a game should be fun, but when it comes to youngsters, you might as well incorporate some learning time while you're at it. If more adults played games like Trivial Pursuit and less Act Like an Idiot (I'm so creating this game; it'll be a hit!), the average person may actually know who the current Speaker of the House is (this stems from a video I saw shot on the UMN campus where people couldn't name a myriad of people that run the country. I mean, really!).

Review: Playmobil Dragon’s Land: Great Dragon Castle

Eric Cooper — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:47:27 +0000

I'm back – which means I've got a lot of reviews in me and, boy, has the snark really built up. Just kidding...kind of. I'm starting out with a few good products, hoping they will ease the sleeping snark-dragon back into hibernation. Speaking of dragons...

I got a few products from Playmobil. On the box, their products look like the standard Lego-esque type of toys. Having been disappointed by cheap-looking toys lately, I opened the box with only minor enthusiasm. Well, it turns out, Playmobil products are way better than they look on the box.

The
Great Dragon Castle was like the toys of yesteryear – built solid, great detail, and with a lot of “extras” built right in. My kids really enjoy the Playmobil line and the older one went crazy over the castle.

Review: Submergency by Swim Ways

Eric Cooper — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:40:28 +0000

When I was growing up, the idea of a pool toy was a quarter you threw around and retrieved (and I’m only in my late 20’s!). ...And it’s easy to play, which is a big bonus with little kids and adult friends – you can dive right into the game without lengthy explanations. ... Pros: Innovative Fun Great exercise Gives a sense of urgency and excitement, especially to children Ability to set sinking level – from floating to mid-level to sunk Bright LED countdown clock Made of solid material that is meant to last Cons: None that have come up so far Please note: the Submergency can sink to the bottom of deep pools.

ZipBin mini bin/play surface

Paul Banas — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:47:58 +0000

My son (not pictured here) loves his ZipBin Mini Speedway from Neat Oh . ... These very affordable toys are a good find for little kids who collect lots of little items like dolls, cars, or farm animals. ... And, the Zip Bin comes with 2 cars (or other item) so the child feels like he's getting a toy, and not just a storage bin.

Thomas’ Great Race Game for kids 3+

Paul Banas — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:10:08 +0000

Because the questions have to be read, this is a game that requires close involvement with an adult or with an older child. ... Since just two or three correct answers send the trains down the hill, the game ends quickly As with a lot of games like this, adults have to quickly make peace with the fact this is not a game developed for them. Our kids, too, were only willing to play the game a few times "by the rules," and then went on to moving the pieces around under the direction of my four year old boy.

Buy this today – Lego Advent calendar

Paul Banas — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:38:53 +0000

LEGO City Advent Calendar 2008 - If you wait very much longer this cool advent calendar will be sold out for Christmas. This calendar has absolutely nothing to do with the holiday, but kids love to open up the little parts every day at breakfast, counting down the days 'till they have more stuff to open. Make sure to get a little plastic box as well to hold all the little tiny parts.

Combi chopsticks trainer

Paul Banas — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:49:51 +0000

Though there are tons of things that dad might think are cool, moms seems to have a very practical sense when it comes to the big category known as gadgets. That is not to say they can't be wildly impractical when it comes to over-priced linens and diaper bags, but that is another story. In our house, however, the Combi Chop Stick Trainer was a hit, perhaps because my wife is Korean-American, but also because it does not attempt to do something for a child, but is actually a teaching aid to teach the child to eventually use the chopsticks in the correct way.

Plasma car

Paul Banas — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:18:21 +0000

Self propelled car - rides like magic.

I Spy Mystery and I Spy Fantasy

Paul Banas — Tue, 27 May 2008 02:55:43 +0000

Our computer DVD has been having problems and little by little we lost the ability to run any kids games that need a DVD to run. Now that it's fixed, the kids are re-discovering their old friends, I Spy Mystery and I Spy Fantasy from Scholastic.... all the time, and it's easy, and fun, for adults to peak in and join them in their quest for objects and words hidden in fantasy landscapes and setttings.

Another Nerf football, but made for little hands to throw farther

Paul Banas — Fri, 02 May 2008 23:50:39 +0000

The spin is that it's a football, so the arrow tip is blunted and the Nerf, or course, is soft; not soft enough to save mom's crystal vase, but safe enough not to snag a passing cat.... We demo'd the Vortex Ultra Light so I can't vouch for how the whistle works on the Howler version, and if it makes too much noise to use in the house.