Oh So Crazy

Product Reviews, Giveaways, and Personal Anecdotes

You are here: Home / Entertainment / Toys / Playskool’s Explore and Grow toys

Playskool’s Explore and Grow toys

by

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!https://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.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. I would give this to my daughter if I won. She would LOVE this.
    .-= Dawana´s last blog ..December Photo Challenge: Day 5 =-.

  5. I follow you on Twitter. @JustTrynaWin
    .-= Dawana´s last blog ..December Photo Challenge: Day 5 =-.

  7. I am signed up to your email feed.
    .-= Dawana´s last blog ..December Photo Challenge: Day 5 =-.

  9. A good friend from college is expecting her first baby. I would love to add this toy to her shower gift!

  16. This would be given to my youngest daughter. She is just shy of 6 months old but it won’t be long and she’ll be motoring all over!

  37. My daughter would enjoy these!
    .-= Emily E.´s last blog ..kebhouse: @LEprAmanda usually we travel, this year we are staying home and my husband will be doing most of hte cooking. I’m the sous chef. #landsend =-.

  38. I subscribe to your feed.
    .-= Emily E.´s last blog ..kebhouse: @LEprAmanda usually we travel, this year we are staying home and my husband will be doing most of hte cooking. I’m the sous chef. #landsend =-.

  43. This would be for my daughter, Joley. She turns one in less than a week and I think she would like this.

  47. I would give this to my son but My daughter would play with it more than he would.
    .-= Chaotic Kristy´s last blog ..YoBaby 3 in 1 meals Review =-.

  68. This would be the PERFECT gift for my sweetheart’s 10-month old son. He’s so curious and smart, I know he’d love to play all day with it! 😀

  71. If I win this Playskool’s Explore & Grow Busy Ball Popper I would give this to my Grandchild.

  72. I’d give it to my granddaughter, she’s really starting to interact with her toys so I know she’ll love this

  88. I have a friend who just had a baby. This would definitely be for her if I won this!

    Happy Holidays!

  108. 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…

  121. I would give this to my 1 year old nephew. My daughter had one when she was that age and loved it!

  123. 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

  130. This would be for my little boy. He is just the right age for this toy!
    digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net

  132. 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

  133. I’m a email and rss feed subscriber

    Thank you so very very much
    camper223[at]live[dot]com

  135. This would go to my niece or nephew who will be joining our family in March! Thanks for the givaway!

  136. This would go to my adorable goddaughter! She would have the most fun with it! Thanks for the chance!

    sherri419 at gmail dot com

  153. I would give this to my son. He is my Angel and he is very deserving of it. Thanks for the great contest and Happy Holidays 🙂

  154. My daughter would love this
    .-= Miranda Allen´s last blog ..***GiveAway*** HField Wi-Fire Wifi Booster =-.