A good toy is hard to find, particularly one that keeps the kids entertained for longer than five minutes. And even though some of these toys require batteries, if they love them, we love them too.
V-tech V-Motion - “For younger children, the V.Motion Active Learning System is a good video game console system. Not only will they learn from the games, they will move their bodies while playing. For a lot of kids, this feature will make learning much more exciting and fun.” My Readable Feast
Leapfrog Tag - “Totally recommended for geek parents with pre-readers and early readers with money to spare on fun titles (or gifty grandparents).” The Rookie Moms
Hot Wheels - “My daughter, who preached for three days it was DADDY’S TOY and she DID NOT LIKE IT and WOULD NOT PLAY WITH IT literally squealed with delight the first time she got the stunt to work on her own. We have a convert here, folks.” Surrender Dorothy
Trick Tracks Triple Starter Set features “three stunts that kids can use their imaginations to create any combination of stunts that they can dream up. They can speed around the loop, face the ‘Craniac’, or fly out of the launcher - and any combination of those stunts.” The Power Loop Stunt Zone “also features three stunts with the centerpiece being the power loop stunt, a pair of loops that criss-cross in the sky and a power booster that allows kids to get a couple of cars going and then watch them crash.”
Our second set of bloggers found assembly fairly simple. “Setting up these tracks was a little intimidating at first, but when I took the time to look at the directions I found it quite easy and the boys helped me get all the track and loops setup.” One reviewer’s son “could not wait to start putting together the Triple Stunt Starter Set and with a little direction from the instructions he was easily able to help assemble this cool interactive toy.”
Teamwork was the lesson of the day at one house. “The kids are spending time constructing the race courses and then have different roles flipping levers and making sure the cars get through okay. I’m amazed by their creativity, their communication, and their partnership - and all with Hot Wheels Cars!” When a few kids brought their already owned Hot Wheels cars into the mix, the challenges that arose provided a great problem solving opportunity. “With 4 different stunts setup things wouldn’t always work right, but that was part of the fun. The boys would look over the stunt that failed and try adjusting the track or swapping out cars.” Another mom mentioned this issue. “(My son) wasn’t able to use some of the older cars that we have with the tracks - they were too heavy and fell off the tracks when going upside down. That was another form of fun in itself, though - watching the cars flop off was exciting and we took turns figuring out why they didn’t go. A lesson in physics at its finest.”
These days a lot of people are trying to stretch their dollars. Several parents hit on this issue and mentioned the price of both sets. “If you’ve seen the advertisements, or been in a store recently you have surely noticed that the cost of toys is dramatically higher this year… These tracks are like the ultimate Hot Wheels toy. AND! They are both in the $20.00 range which seems very reasonable.”
Just be sure you have the space to set it up especially if you will be adding more Trick Tracks sets. “Your kids may not mind taking it apart and putting it back together but you probably will. Having an area where you can set it up and leave it up would be ideal.” Another writer also shared this sentiment: “The track takes up a lot of space, and works best on a flat surface. We set ours up in the hallway where there’s a wood laminate floor.”
Also, a few things you should know about the track sets. “Make sure you buy some more Hot Wheels if you don’t have a zillion at home. The sets come with one car each, which is totally not enough to do the stunts. But really, who doesn’t need more Hot Wheels?” And? The Power Loop toy “takes 2 ‘D’ batteries.”
As many a reviewer expressed, one could never be too old to play with Hot Wheels. “I’m happy to report, that this toy seems to cross all age barriers; all five boys - 42, 12, 10, 6 and 5 - were engaged.”
Some of the initial reactions? “When it arrived in the mail I thought Dawson was going into cardiac arrest. He was so excited, complete with jumping and screeching, I swear I couldn’t open the box fast enough.” But he wasn’t the only one. When another blogger pulled one of the sets from the box, her boys “were very excited. My 4 year old son said ‘this is the best day ever!’”
According to one blogger, “The Triple Stunt Starter Set includes three stunts that kids can arrange however they please: a flame launch, a 360-degree loop, and a massive crane claw. (The boys were AWED by the size of the crane claw.)” But the Power Loop is what really got the kids (and parents alike) excited. “The highlight of the Power Loop set is the power loop itself: two vertical loops crossed to create a globe effect, and a motorized (battery-operated) speed booster. The set also includes a drop — a portion of track that can be attached to a table or chair.”
Both Hot Wheels stunt toys are designed to work with the tracks you may already have. Your child can easily build his or her own little kingdom! “I like that the sets are designed to work with multiple sets and that it encourages the kids to be creative with the track designs. I also like that they are easy for my kids to operate by themselves.” But why stop at just changing up the tracks? “They’ve added in their own little touches, like paper canopies that go over the track, or elephants onto which the cars can leap when released from the Power Loop. These toys certainly have the potential for creative combinations and additions.”
While Hot Wheels toys are usually designed to thrive on kid power alone, the power loop does need batteries. But, as one reviewer says, “Even with the battery powered toy on, it isn’t as noisy as I expected it to be. Some of the other battery operated toys in our house drive me batty, but this toy is tolerable.”
Another review commented on the noise factor too. But she also captured why Hot Wheels toys are still so popular today. “What I like best about them is that they’re still pretty old school - no flashing lights, no loud noises and nothing digital. Just good, clean fun that the whole family can enjoy!”
Several reviewers remarked that while their child received the toy, they got an unexpected (but happy) gift too: “this toy really ‘gets’ the kindergartenish-age of the kids for whom it is designed. This toy has provided HOURS of entertainment for my kids, and thus peace for me. I think it’s genius.”
We’ve still got more reviewers slated to write about the Hot Wheels toys. See what they have to say!
It all started in 1969 when the co-founder of Mattel, Elliot Handler, decided to produce a line of die-cast toy cars for boys. The idea became a bit hit, not just with the boys but with girls too.
Flash forward 40 years and Hot Wheels are still wildly popular with little car fanatics and even the grown-up ones. And what’s even better? Hot Wheels continually comes out new cars and great additions to delight and entertain enthusiasts of all ages – like Mattel’s Hot Wheels Power Loop Stunt Zone and the Trick Tracks Triple Stunt Starter Set (shown at right).
Twenty of our parent bloggers, and many an eager junior reviewer, have been mailed the Trick Tracks Triple Stunt Starter Set and the Power Loop Stunt Zone. (Both toys are recommended for kids ages four and older.) Christmas is sneaking up on us. Are these toys a product parents will recommend for the car-loving youngsters in your life? Find out.
Our bloggers are directed to write frank and honest reviews assessing their personal experience with a product or service. Their reviews may include both positive and negative feedback.
For more information, please refer to our Disclaimer.
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Thrills, chills, and automobiles! According to our reviewers, 
Love at first sight DOES exist. Ask a few of our junior reviewers — especially after opening recent packages of Hot Wheels’ newest toys: 
