Learning a lesson the tough way, or Moonsand sucks mom!

[fan_of_small_world]

Another food one...the indoor smores maker.

We never had one, but friends of ours did. We tried to use it, but the marshmallows wouldn't heat up. We ended up using the microwave, which the kids loved because when you let them go too long they blow up like balloons, lol.

 

[splashmtnfan]

ETA: Don't get me started on the Barbie van that DD got last year from my parents. I agreed that it would be a great present for her, but the inside peices always fall down and are a pain to put back together.

You mean that crazy sofa-bed thing??? Yea, drives me crazy why Santa would bring my DD something that would not stay together! Everytime she screams "Mommy!" I know she's playing with that lovely "Party Bus".

 

[nomolos]

I can't remember the exact name of the barbie doll (ballerinia)....The one where you put the braclets on your wrist and feet and she is "suppose" to copy your movements. TOTAL rip off!! We tried forever to get that dang thing to work...She was very insistant on doing it her way instead of DD's!

 

[splashmtnfan]

Has anyone mentioned any of those?, you crank away for twenty or more minutes and end up with an ounce of crushed ice and as soon as you put the syrup on it IT melts!!!

 

[Amyshubby]

Interesting. We hated the moonsand but loved the Floam. Our opinion tends to be based on how messy things are. The Floam was an easy clean up. I still see the moonsand every time I walk on my pavers in my backyard.

What's wrong with the Aquadots? We already bought them for the holidays for our 6 year old as one of his gifts (obviously not opened yet). Are they messy?

 

[mommy2aprincess4]

What's wrong with the Aquadots? We already bought them for the holidays for our 6 year old as one of his gifts (obviously not opened yet). Are they messy?

They don't work!! The only thing that happens when you spray them with water is that they get sticky. They are a big PITA.

 

[melag]

Thanks everyone -have a few things to take off the list!

 

[jenrein]

I'm glad to see I am not the only one who feels ripped off when the kids toys dont work like they look like they do on tv@

 

[CarlisleMom]

I agree! My DD was thrilled that Santa brought this last year. One year later: It never gets touched. It never works right and she gets mad. Its getting put away - if she does not ask for it by Spring its gone!

Thanks to all for the warning about MoonSand and AquaDots. Both are on her list this year. I think Santa will skip this fad.

 

[java]

My boys are playing with moon sand right now They love it and I hate it. It gets everywhere and seems to multiply. But really it is a cool textural kind of play if you don't mind sweeping. (DON'T Vacuum! it clogs)

And I am tempted to try the new plastic case- the inflatable case is a joke- more sand outside than inside.
Password journal can be JAMMED open as my dd found out when her older brother broke it open. So while she liked it if you have anyone that would potentially be snooping- don't bother.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Interesting. We hated the moonsand but loved the Floam. Our opinion tends to be based on how messy things are. The Floam was an easy clean up.

I agree that the Floam was eaay to clean up, but the problem for us was that it wouldn't stick to anything like it was "supposed" to. Not even other chunks of floam. So we didn't like it for that reason.

I don't mind messy stuff. When we bought our house, the previous owners had already finished off the basement. One whole side is open (that's the playroom), there is one room that's closed off w/ a door (now our office), and one room that is separate but no door. That's the arts-and-crafts room, where I don't care if there is paint on the walls or play-doh on the floor.

 

[okeydokey]

Both my kid still love the moonsand, but we use it out on the back screen porch. All crafty items are a back porch thing. Sad to hear about the aqquadots, my DD has been wanting them forever!!

 

[mom2aredhead]

I'm not a fan either. My son got it for his b-day, and it really is nothing more than messy wet sand that doesn't dry out. Cool for about 5 minutes, then he lost interest and I found myself picking up the little clumps for way too long.
Another loser - from last year - the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He gets really frustrated because the door and slide don't stay on. He still plays with it occasionally, but I would like to spend a little less time fixing it for him when he does take it out.
Also, for any parents of boys that were thinking about getting the CARS Mega Mack Playtown (or if Santa may be bringing it), it is much harder to fold/unfold than it should be because of the way the pieces have to fit inside a certain way...so prepare yourselves, because you'll be spending a lot of time answering calls for help with this one too. To be fair, it does say ages 5+ and my son is only 4, but I think its too tricky regardless.

 

[Aristomommy]

They don't work!! The only thing that happens when you spray them with water is that they get sticky. They are a big PITA.

We have aquadots and they have worked very well. The trick is to water them well, plan a design that doesn't have too many single "dots" connecting to other single "dots" and allow plenty of time to dry. DD has the smaller sets and now she got the large one for her birthday.

 

[LisaZoe]

We haven't tried the Moonsand or Aquadots... or most of the other items mentioned here... but I did buy a Floam type product at a local small toy store. My DD and her friends all love it. I don't remember the name (other than that it isn't Floam) but it was well worth the $10 or so I paid for it. I have found some small pieces that got left behind over time but mostly it's all still together. It sticks well, is easy to shape and kids from 5-11 have had fun using it.

I have to agree about the Hot Wheel non-car items being a waste of money as well as most Barbie accessories.

Oh, one toy I thought was definitely worth the price - even if it is a bit high - is Marbleworks. I bought a cheapy version and we had such problems getting it to hold together. I had helped my nephews play with their Marbleworks years ago so decided to try the "real thing" and was so glad I did. DD doesn't spend a lot of time playing with it by herself yet but it's something we like to do together and it's fun to get out when she has friends over.

 

[Tigger&Aidan]

Also, for any parents of boys that were thinking about getting the CARS Mega Mack Playtown (or if Santa may be bringing it), it is much harder to fold/unfold than it should be because of the way the pieces have to fit inside a certain way...so prepare yourselves, because you'll be spending a lot of time answering calls for help with this one too. To be fair, it does say ages 5+ and my son is only 4, but I think its too tricky regardless.

The smaller Mack set stinks too. I think it's about $14 and you can open it up and there's a place for McQueen to sleep, etc. The back part of the truck never stayed hooked to Mack, which drove DS crazy! I hate that thing and so wish I could pitch it, but DS still likes it....

 

[Lovin' Disney]

I also hated floam. Don't mind moon sand. We were thinking about Aqua Dots for Christmas until I saw this article on Yahoo this morning:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071106/australia_toys_banned.html?.v=1

Here's a short summary of the article:

Three children have been hospitalized over the past 10 days after swallowing beads from Bindeez, a craft toy sold by Australia-based Moose Enterprises.

The beads in the toy -- named Australia's toy of the year at an industry function earlier this year -- are arranged into designs and then fuse together when sprayed with water.

Scientists say the beads contain a chemical that the human body metabolizes into the so-called "date rape" drug gamma hydroxy butyrate, also known as Fantasy. When eaten, the compound -- made from common and easily available ingredients -- can induce seizures, drowsiness, coma and death.

Now I don't know if they are the same makers of Aqua Dots, but I don't want to take the chance!!!!

 

[Gillian]

We liked floam here, as long as it stays away from carpet (grrr babysitting neice who should have known better). I buy cheap wood things from the craft store and we cover them with floam. it's fun!

 

[Mkrop]

I'm not a fan either. My son got it for his b-day, and it really is nothing more than messy wet sand that doesn't dry out. Cool for about 5 minutes, then he lost interest and I found myself picking up the little clumps for way too long.
Another loser - from last year - the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He gets really frustrated because the door and slide don't stay on. He still plays with it occasionally, but I would like to spend a little less time fixing it for him when he does take it out.Also, for any parents of boys that were thinking about getting the CARS Mega Mack Playtown (or if Santa may be bringing it), it is much harder to fold/unfold than it should be because of the way the pieces have to fit inside a certain way...so prepare yourselves, because you'll be spending a lot of time answering calls for help with this one too. To be fair, it does say ages 5+ and my son is only 4, but I think its too tricky regardless.

I totally agree the slide I am ready to make disappear and the door too. DH keeps explaining to our 4 year old tht it is a engineering flaw, he just looks at him like he has 3 heads and asks Daddy to put them back on "one more time"

Moon sand is okl, but yes messy but great for tactile play which DS4 needs.

I was in TRU today and someone asked customer service for Aquadots and the lady told them it had been recalled, I hadnt heard about this, but they are getting crossed off the list.

 

[HeatherSue]

This is a great thread! My 4 year old daughter wants everything she sees advertised on tv, including spacebags!

I wanted to add a picture of the worst toy we've ever had!

This thing is awful! My son got his little fingers smashed by it when he was about 10 months old. The dump truck part comes slamming down to the floor and it's hard, heavy plastic. The spinny part pinched my daughter's fingers, too. I called Fisher-Price and they returned $13.00 after I returned it (it cost $15). It's still on the market, so stay away!