VTech Flipsies™ | Jazz's Convertible & Stage

Disclosure:  This product was provided by VTech to facilitate this review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When it comes to creating toys that are educational, fun and teaches positives messages, VTech is our go-to brand here in the YUMMommy household.  We own several of their Go! Go! Smart Wheels sets and cars, Tote & Go laptops and more.  So when they reached out to see if we'd be interested in checking out one of their new Flipsies™ sets, we said yes.  Their offer couldn't have come at a better time as Moo had been asking to get one since she first saw the commercials.  We got Jazz's Convertible & Stage.

What We Liked

• 2-in-1:  Jazz comes with a convertible that transforms to a music stage and ten accessories- wigs (2), guitar, microphone, sunglasses, camera, purse, cell phone and removable tops (2).  Retailing for just $19.99, this is a steal.  Kids can choose to play with Jazz and the convertible together or independently as two separate toys.  Either way, they have two toys for the price of one.

• Fun Features:  Most kids like toys that light up, talk and are transformable.  Jazz talks and sings, her necklace and the car's headlights light up as well as the two lights on the stage.  With the interchangeable wigs, tops and accessories, kids can transform Jazz into a rock star.  Let's not forget that the car converts into a stage too!

• Overall Design:  Moo absolutely loves the colors of Jazz's convertible, especially the purple because it's her favorite color.  VTech did a great job of choosing colors that are bright and cheery without being overpowering.  Since Jazz is a rock star, the music notes on the car's hood, sides, tires and trunk are the perfect touch.  The stage really comes to life with the disco ball, flip out speakers and background concert image.  We also love that Jazz's tops and wigs are removeable.

via Facebook

• Positive Messaging: Imaginative play can be more than educational.  Why not make it inspirational and empowering as well?  That's exactly what VTech did with the Flipsies™.  With the slogan "Let your dreams shine!™" each Flipsies™ doll set encourages kids to dream big and empowers them to have the courage to be whatever they want to be when they grow up.  It was a complete coincidence that we got Jazz, but she was perfect for Moo, who wants to pursue singing professionally someday.

What We Didn't Like

Honestly, there wasn't anything we didn't like about Jazz.  Moo was a bit disappointed that the disco ball didn't light up or spin, but that didn't stop her from loving her Flipsies™.  And my only suggestion would be to increase the appropriate age level from 4 to 9 years old to 5 to 9 years old.  Having JJ, who is 4 years old, I think that most kids this age are still prone to put small things in their mouthes.  However, if you do get this toy for your 4 year old, supervise them with the small accessories like I do.

You can check out the entire Flipsies™ collection and find the perfect set for your little one here.  Don't forget to follow VTech on Facebook and Twitter so that you stay up to date on the latest product releases, sales and more.  Also, the Flipsies™ has their own official website where kids can play games, watch videos and more.  There's even a Parent Corner.

What positive messaging or educational features do you like to see in toys?

VTech: Durable, Educational and Fun

Disclosure: I received products to facilitate this review.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

This year I decided that all of the kids Christmas gifts had to be either durable and fun or durable and educational or all three.  Either way, durability was not a quality I was willing to sacrifice.  I don't know about you but when I pay for something, I expect it to last.  I don't buy them toys year round-usually just Christmas, birthdays and a little something for Easter.  Therefore, I try to really invest in things that will last and that they will get lots of use out of.

And when it comes to toys that are durable, educational and fun, nobody does it quite like VTech.  It seems that over the years they have mastered art of making toys that kids will love playing with but also helps them learn in the process and can withstand tumbles and bumps that toys are surely to suffer when played with. We got Moo a VTech laptop two years ago and between her and JJ it has definitely gotten a lot of use and taken a lot of tumbles, but still works like it's fresh out of the box.  So, when they told me that they wanted to send some toys for the kids, I was like "Sweet!"

The kids thought it was Christmas morning when they woke up and saw the three huge boxes the UPS had dropped off.  Moo and JJ couldn't wait to rip open the packages and see what they got.  They already knew that something special was coming, but they didn't know what.  Here's a closer look at what they got.

Go! Go! Smart Wheels Construction Playset

First off let me say that I love that the pieces are so colorful.  JJ has been showing an interest in colors.  So, I've been asking to point different colored track pieces.  For example, I'll ask him to point to the color orange and he'll either point to one of the corner track pieces or the crane tower.  Speaking of the crane tower, it has little shape cutouts on the sides.  

This set comes with a triangle, round and square boulder that kids use the crane clip to pick up and send the down the slide or they can put them through the cutout hole and watch them fall into the grey catcher on the side.  Moo loves the talking the dump truck and operating the crane.  I also loved that this was very easy to snap together and you can take it apart after they finish playing with it.  It doesn't have a million and one pieces either.

Go! Go! Smart Wheels 2-in-1 Race Track

This comes with two race tracks-a circular one pictured below and the jump ramp pictured on the box above.  Moo and JJ enjoy playing with the circular track the most.  It has lights, makes sounds and the flag serves as a lever to magically make the cars race around the track.  That's JJ's favorite part.  

I like the race track because it's a two player toy and helps to encourage sharing through imaginative play.  And that is something that we are definitely trying to work on with JJ.  The manual elevator lift and turning car platform help with motor skills while the different sounds and phrases helps with language development.  With JJ in speech therapy, the language development is very important. 

This was also easy to put together.  And the best part is that you can connect it with the construction set to make one bit playset!

Grow & Discover Tree House

This is hands down the best thing since sliced bread to JJ (and Moo).  Build for toddlers up to 36 months, the Grow & Discover Tree House features a ball slide, peek-a-boo door, talking clock, canopy, turning gears and more.  JJ is obsessed with the ball slide as you see in the pictures below.  Although Moo is a little too big for this as you can see, she enjoys playing with it too.  I'm seriously hoping they make a taller version for older kids soon.

There's so much kids can learn playing with this.  They can learn about time, numbers, colors, and nursery rhymes.  They've played with all of these everyday since we got them last week, but the tree house is what they play with the longest.

I definitely recommend that if you have a child between the ages of 1 and 5, that you look into getting them on of these or visit VTech to see what else they have.  Trust me they have a variety of toys for all ages.  Check out their official website: http://bit.ly/tHKlfD.  You can like them on Facebook (http://on.fb.me/iIPfUE) and follow them on Twitter (http://bit.ly/Q7J7vM) to stay up to date on the latest product releases, sales and deals! 

Doing Construction

Growing up I was a bit of a tom boy.  Okay, that's an understatement.  I was a huge tom boy.  Climbing trees, running outside barefoot and building things interested me more than putting on frilly dresses and playing tea party.  And three years ago, I gave birth to a little tom boy of my own.

Moo isn't as much of a tom boy as I was but she's certainly into the whole building things.  In fact, she's quite obsessed with blocks at the moment.  So, when we received the Blok Squad Construction Unit Mission from Mega Bloks, I was thrilled at the idea of having something that we could build together.  

Recommended for ages 5 and up!

Our set included two buildable vehicles-a 4x4 and front loader- and construction workers.  I'm not going to lie, at first sight those 218 pieces looked like they were going to be a challenge to put together.  However, it turned out to be really fun.  Not only did I get to spend some one on one time with Moo, but I got to teach her about some of the everyday heroes like construction workers, police officers and firefighters that we adults some times take for granted.  And do you know that while we visiting my mom, we saw a construction site and she told my mom about her toys we had put together. (Proud mommy moment!)

We are huge Mega Bloks fans and I highly recommend this brand.  They have a little something for every age group.  Their Blok Squad sets are great if you have older school age children who have graduated or outgrown the mini blocks and need more of a challenge to keep them entertained.  These detailed building sets are perfect for teaching kids the importance of following directions, patience and how to pay attention to details.

And for less than $10, you couldn't really ask for a better toy.  Seriously, this is a great bargain for your buck.  Your child will get tons of play out of this product.  If you haven't tried any of the products from the Mega Brands company, I would check them out.

You can find Blok Squad buildable sets at your local Toys "R" Us, Walmart and online at Amazon.com.  And don't forget to check out the Mega Bloks Family Club for exclusive offers, contests, promotions and more.  Go ahead and sign up here today to stay in the loop.

Disclaimer:  I received this product to review.  However, all opinions are solely and 100% my own.