June 2008
Hot summer toys
Razor PowerWing scooter a hit, but Phlat Ball a miss with kid testers
We asked five children, ages 4 through 12, to test four new outdoor toys that promise to keep kids busy this summer. The toys
ranged in price from $10 to $130. Here's what our kid testers thought of each (listed below, in order of popularity).
Razor PowerWing
by Razor, $130
For ages: 5 and up
What it is: This scooter uses a drifting, or side-to-side, motion. It requires some minor assembly of attaching the foot pads and handlebars (two allen wrenches are included for this purpose). Like other Razor scooters, the PowerWing folds up for easy transport.
What's cool about it: The unique side-to-side motion is very easy to learn. Our testers-four boys ages 7 through 12, plus several Consumer Reports staffers-didn't want to stop riding when it was time to move on to the other toys. The PowerWing can give quite a workout, as the rider is constantly shifting his or her weight from side to side. The mother of one tester admitted that her son is "not a sports kid," but he was very comfortable riding after only a few minutes. She added that this is the only toy she has seen her son not only willing, but also eager to substitute for video games. He also got in some fun exercise on the side.
What's not so cool: The PowerWing has a 143 pound weight limit, leaving several adults, who were curious and eager to give it a try, out of luck.
The verdict: Tons of fun and easy to use. Kids may actually want to get off the couch to try this. As always, riders should use protective gear: helmets, elbow pads, and wrist and knee pads. Should not be ridden downhill.
Marshmallow Shooter
by Marshmallow Fun Company, $25
For ages: 8 and up
What it is: This pump-action shooter holds up to 25 mini-marshmallows (or foam pellets) and claims to shoot more than 30 feet.
What's cool about it: Our testers enjoyed the Marshmallow Shooter. The mini-marshmallow ammunition is cheap, edible (at least before it hits the ground), easy to find (buy a bag at any supermarket), won't harm pets or other animals, and doesn't have any lasting impact on the environment (as the foam pellets will). Any marshmallows left on your lawn will simply dissolve.
What's not so cool: Our testers found that loading the magazine (a clear plastic tube that snaps onto the body of the shooter) was "a pain," whether they used mini-marshmallows or foam pellets. Mixing up the ammo caused the guns to jam more easily than using only one or the other. Once jammed, unclogging the shooter could be a challenge. The kids felt the shooters ran out of ammo rather quickly, and advised buying extra magazines ($4.95 each, available from www.marshmallowville.com or at stores) so you can preload them with marshmallows.
The verdict: Lots of fun, but might not hold kids' interest over the long term. Could be a fun addition to an outdoor party, but you'd need several shooters plus ammo for each. If you do buy, stick with the mini-marshmallows as your ammo. They're cheaper and more environmentally friendly than the foam pellets. And do use common sense: The Marshmallow Shooter should not be aimed at anyone's eyes or face.
Crayola 3-D Underwater Adventure Activity Set
by Crayola, $9.99
For ages: 4 and up
What it is: This set promises amazing effects with specially designed dual-ended "3-D" chalk. Contrasting colors are paired up, enhancing the three-dimensional effect, and making it easy for kids to create "popping" art. We tested the Underwater Adventure themed set; there are other themes available. 3-D glasses, eight dual-ended sidewalk chalk sticks, four sidewalk stencils, one bottle of sidewalk paint, paint brush, and a how-to book are included.
What's cool about it: Our testers enjoyed this set and thought it might be a fun way to pass an afternoon outside when it's too hot to run around. The chalk and paint are water-washable, so if a kid gets some on his or her clothes while creating a masterpiece, the stains should be easily removed in the washing machine. And a good rain will wash the chalk and paint away from your sidewalk or driveway.
What's not so cool: One tester commented that the 3-D effects were not as vivid as those on the package or in the TV ads. The sidewalk paint is quite messy when kids step in it-which they are quite likely to do-before it dries.
The verdict: Creative kids and those in search of a quiet activity will enjoy this activity set.
Phlat Ball Tornado
by SpinMaster, $15
For ages: 5 and up
What it is: Dubbed the "first-ever transforming football," this heavily advertised toy is difficult to describe. It's sort of a ball with fins or wings. You flatten the ball and set the time-delay knob, then throw it as a disc. During flight, it "pops" into a spiraling football.
What's cool about it: Our testers were excited to see the Phlat Ball on our cart of toys to be tested. They were eager to try this toy, having seen it advertised so often on Cartoon Network (among other channels). When they needed a break from the PowerWing or Marshmallow Shooter, they seized the opportunity to play with the Phlat Ball, throwing and passing it to each other.
What's not so cool: We had a few minor problems getting the ball to stay flattened, though those were easily worked out. But the testers got bored with the Phlat Ball rather quickly and didn't understand why it was supposed to be so much fun. When the ball is flattened, instinct dictates tossing or flicking it like a Frisbee. But the instructions state that the best way to toss the flattened ball is to throw it gently in an underhand motion, which took some of the fun away right there. The toy's package shows several variations of games that can be played with the Phlat Ball, but our kid testers weren't intrigued enough to bother trying them.
The verdict: Our testers quickly tired of this toy. They admitted that they didn't quite get it. The TV commercials made the Phlat Ball look much more fun that it proved to be.
See our reports on the best toys for babies and toys for preschoolers for more information on playthings for smaller kids.
by Razor, $130
For ages: 5 and up
What it is: This scooter uses a drifting, or side-to-side, motion. It requires some minor assembly of attaching the foot pads and handlebars (two allen wrenches are included for this purpose). Like other Razor scooters, the PowerWing folds up for easy transport.
What's cool about it: The unique side-to-side motion is very easy to learn. Our testers-four boys ages 7 through 12, plus several Consumer Reports staffers-didn't want to stop riding when it was time to move on to the other toys. The PowerWing can give quite a workout, as the rider is constantly shifting his or her weight from side to side. The mother of one tester admitted that her son is "not a sports kid," but he was very comfortable riding after only a few minutes. She added that this is the only toy she has seen her son not only willing, but also eager to substitute for video games. He also got in some fun exercise on the side.
What's not so cool: The PowerWing has a 143 pound weight limit, leaving several adults, who were curious and eager to give it a try, out of luck.
The verdict: Tons of fun and easy to use. Kids may actually want to get off the couch to try this. As always, riders should use protective gear: helmets, elbow pads, and wrist and knee pads. Should not be ridden downhill.
by Marshmallow Fun Company, $25
For ages: 8 and up
What it is: This pump-action shooter holds up to 25 mini-marshmallows (or foam pellets) and claims to shoot more than 30 feet.
What's cool about it: Our testers enjoyed the Marshmallow Shooter. The mini-marshmallow ammunition is cheap, edible (at least before it hits the ground), easy to find (buy a bag at any supermarket), won't harm pets or other animals, and doesn't have any lasting impact on the environment (as the foam pellets will). Any marshmallows left on your lawn will simply dissolve.
What's not so cool: Our testers found that loading the magazine (a clear plastic tube that snaps onto the body of the shooter) was "a pain," whether they used mini-marshmallows or foam pellets. Mixing up the ammo caused the guns to jam more easily than using only one or the other. Once jammed, unclogging the shooter could be a challenge. The kids felt the shooters ran out of ammo rather quickly, and advised buying extra magazines ($4.95 each, available from www.marshmallowville.com or at stores) so you can preload them with marshmallows.
The verdict: Lots of fun, but might not hold kids' interest over the long term. Could be a fun addition to an outdoor party, but you'd need several shooters plus ammo for each. If you do buy, stick with the mini-marshmallows as your ammo. They're cheaper and more environmentally friendly than the foam pellets. And do use common sense: The Marshmallow Shooter should not be aimed at anyone's eyes or face.
by Crayola, $9.99
For ages: 4 and up
What it is: This set promises amazing effects with specially designed dual-ended "3-D" chalk. Contrasting colors are paired up, enhancing the three-dimensional effect, and making it easy for kids to create "popping" art. We tested the Underwater Adventure themed set; there are other themes available. 3-D glasses, eight dual-ended sidewalk chalk sticks, four sidewalk stencils, one bottle of sidewalk paint, paint brush, and a how-to book are included.
What's cool about it: Our testers enjoyed this set and thought it might be a fun way to pass an afternoon outside when it's too hot to run around. The chalk and paint are water-washable, so if a kid gets some on his or her clothes while creating a masterpiece, the stains should be easily removed in the washing machine. And a good rain will wash the chalk and paint away from your sidewalk or driveway.
What's not so cool: One tester commented that the 3-D effects were not as vivid as those on the package or in the TV ads. The sidewalk paint is quite messy when kids step in it-which they are quite likely to do-before it dries.
The verdict: Creative kids and those in search of a quiet activity will enjoy this activity set.
by SpinMaster, $15
For ages: 5 and up
What it is: Dubbed the "first-ever transforming football," this heavily advertised toy is difficult to describe. It's sort of a ball with fins or wings. You flatten the ball and set the time-delay knob, then throw it as a disc. During flight, it "pops" into a spiraling football.
What's cool about it: Our testers were excited to see the Phlat Ball on our cart of toys to be tested. They were eager to try this toy, having seen it advertised so often on Cartoon Network (among other channels). When they needed a break from the PowerWing or Marshmallow Shooter, they seized the opportunity to play with the Phlat Ball, throwing and passing it to each other.
What's not so cool: We had a few minor problems getting the ball to stay flattened, though those were easily worked out. But the testers got bored with the Phlat Ball rather quickly and didn't understand why it was supposed to be so much fun. When the ball is flattened, instinct dictates tossing or flicking it like a Frisbee. But the instructions state that the best way to toss the flattened ball is to throw it gently in an underhand motion, which took some of the fun away right there. The toy's package shows several variations of games that can be played with the Phlat Ball, but our kid testers weren't intrigued enough to bother trying them.
The verdict: Our testers quickly tired of this toy. They admitted that they didn't quite get it. The TV commercials made the Phlat Ball look much more fun that it proved to be.
See our reports on the best toys for babies and toys for preschoolers for more information on playthings for smaller kids.
