Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway - Tidmouth Timber Yard Review

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(More customer reviews)This is probably my favorite Thomas and Friends destination. The mechanism for the logs "cutting" works very well. The magnets that hold the logs together are the right strength and allow the logs to be picked up by the crane (or Cranky) before and after they are cut.
The log car is cute, though it seems like they could have reused the cargo car rather than create a new vehicle - especially since the timber yard comes with two logs; now my child wants the logs to only go in the log car instead of placing them in the cargo car, even though they fit the cargo car just fine. I wish the crane was a ratcheting-style crane, but as none of the Thomas cranes use this mechanism, I was not surprised.
The package I purchased had the building attached to box with the wire-ties which unfortunately weave through the bottom of the build itself; requiring a pair of pliers and aggressive pulling to remove entirely.

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Your little worker will love to spend the day at the Tidmouth Timber Yard. A new twist on a classic theme, this innovative set features tons of play possibilities. "Split" logs in half while the Timber Yard makes a real "buzzing" sound. Then use the working crane to lift and load log cargo into a waiting car. Measures 8 inches tall.

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Scootin Sounds Thomas Review

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(More customer reviews)My son loves his Scootin' Thomas (as does his big sister. They quarrel over it more than any toy we have right now). He has played with it every day since he got it in December.
Initially, I was a little hesitant to buy it as he is three; but I'm so glad we did. He just **really** likes it, and hauls it around everywhere: inside and out, upstairs and down.
Notes:
--the other reviewer is correct. The black handle comes off easily.
--we have a motorized ride-on train that we inherited (alas not Thomas). It was fun, but has been relegated to a dark shed now that Thomas is here.
Five Stars. Kinda expensive, but not when compared to the motorized Thomas train (yikes!). Our children are really enjoying it.

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Sit n Scoot Thomas is a great first riding toy that encourages activity. Any motion your child makes activates real engine sounds to provide a fun reward and exciting ride. The 3-in-1 design allows toddlers to scoot along, push it around, or be pushed along by an adult. The Motion-activated sounds will encourage scooting around. Scoot n Sounds Thomas features normal / low / off volume setting for sounds--the #1 feature requested by moms! Secondary sound buttons layer music, whistle, or railroad crossing sounds over the top of the engine.

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Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway - Barrel Loader Review

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(More customer reviews)The Thomas train sets are great modern versions of the classic indestructible wooden train sets. Simple enough to avoid the toddler age frustrations of getting the cars to run on the track yet complex enough to engage a wide range of ages (up to and including Grandpas). All the stories help with the imagination part....the books & videos provide an endless source of adventures that can be acted out, although most kids are perfectly capable of inventing their own episodes.
Here is my advice, if you are trying to work your way through the maze of start-up options:
First of all, you can spend a fortune on a huge set....even if you can afford it, I would start with something small and give the child the joy of receiving a chain of small but intriguing presents over a long period of time. It fosters the joy of giving/receiving and helps teach them to come back again and again to the same toy...watching it grow, asking for specific items from the stories they hear, etc.
I suggest the Figure 8 set (the most popular one) or if you want to spend a little bit more, the Conductors Figure 8 set. Both are complex enough to be interesting, but simple enough to give lots of room for growth. Almost immediately I would add a new present of one of the inexpensive engines (you can ask the child which story they like best and get that engine for them....or buy the engine to go with the video or book in the same gift)....these would be Percy The Small Engine, Bill The Yellow Engine, Treavor, (or a bit more $ for:) The Lady Engine, James The Red Engine, Gordon The Express Engine (he's one of the best stories, I think), or Henry The Green Engine.
Now for the good stuff! Give it a month or so, and then reward the child with something really cool like the Barrel Loader or Rusty the Construction 3 Car Set.
I honestly can't see the point in the huge multi hundred dollar system sets. If you want to impress the neighbors or something, go for it, but I'm telling you.....most kids will enjoy a large number of small thoughtful gifts, not a "keep-up-with-the-Jones" effort on your part.
Good behavior can be rewarded with a pick-your-own trip to the store (...)
By the way, the Thomas stories are based on a real restored engine that runs in England in southeast Kent around Canterbury.

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Barrel LoaderRoll out the barrel...and roll it right onto a waiting car at the Arlesdale Barrel Company! Comes with Barrel Car and three barrels. Measures 5.75" long.

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Ben 10 Ultimate Omnitrix Review

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(More customer reviews)The Ultimate Omnitrix is a great idea, but several things could be done better. First, they should sell a "Super Alien Pack" with all 10 clear figures and a spare set of batteries for the watch, as the watch has those annoying button cell batteries. Second, the Omnitrix I picked up had a little quirk in that the face was reluctant to stay completely down. Also, the clear figures are designed so that they will only slot in facing the power switch, aka backwards. You can wear the watch with the power switch facing you, which is a great way to save battery, but its a bit annoying. One very positive aspect of the watch is the improved strap. It's hard to get on, but once you get the hang of it, the pegs are made much better compared to the fastening pegs for the Ben 10 Omnitrix F/X (first Omnitrix toy), which tear off after a month or so of use. Overall, great toy but a little "glitchy".

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Kids can pretend to be Ben 10 and help defend the planet with this incredible Omnitrix. Collect the 4-inch alien figures (sold separately) to unlock additional special light and sound effects.Bandai. Ages: 4+

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Thomas And Friends Wooden Railway - Quarry Mine Tunnel Review

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(More customer reviews)My son has almost every bridge and tunnel made by Thomas, and this one rates among his favorite. He calls it the "spooky tunnel" and belly laughs each time the trains come shooting out the trap door. It is also a goof financial value since it does not cost any more than the basic ones. The only time we have had a problem with trains getting stuck is when we tried to use it with non-Thomas tracks (we have a few from the set out table came with). But with the Thomas tracks, it works fine. Just be warned that you can't back trains in through the door because it only opens one way.

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New adventures are waiting just around the bend with Thomas and Friends. Watch engines "disappear" into a coal mine tunnel and magically "reappear" through a secret door on this Quarry Mine Tunnel. The door swings open when an engine appears after descending into the tunnel. This innovative structure is designed with detailed, Thomas-themed graphics. Includes one piece of ascending track. Measures 16.5 inches long. Thomas engine and additional track sold separately.

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Animal Planet's Big Tub of Dinosaurs Review

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(More customer reviews)My 4 year old son saw this same set at a neighbor's house and he didn't want to put them down! LITERALLY! (We had to carry him home screaming apologizing profusely for his behavior to everyone) Even days after, he wanted to go over and play with them. But the screaming episode afterward kept bugging me and didn't want to go through that again.
So I asked my neighbor where she got them and logged on to Amazon.com to find them. The local Toys R Us were sold out.
For less then $25- it's a great collection.
With so many dinosaurs in various sizes, trees, rocks, volcanos and a playmat in a great carrying case- I couldn't resist to get them.
We took them to the beach just last week and there were 3 other kids ranging in ages of 2 to 5 and we were amazed how quiet they were playing with them. Only problem was getting them back from them when it was time to come home. It was their turn to scream =)
The names of the dinosaurs are underneath them, so if Mom and Dad can't remember which is which, flip them over and with confidence call out the name. Therefore impressing the kids to the end of the earth. "Mom you are so smart" my son once told me. Hey, it felt good!
And soon you and the kids will be able to recognize their names without peeking.
Great gift for all ages and he continues to play with them months later. ahhh peace and quiet.

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It's a simple fact: kids love dinosaurs. And this dino-packedset from the folks at Animal Planet delivers the goods. Variousprehistoric critters roam this simulated landscape, which is replete withpalm trees, ponds, and spooky-looking rocks. The set is even portable,so when you're ready to reenact extinction, simply fold it and go.

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