Product Reviews

The Helpful Dad loves CARs merchandise, unfortunately NOT this toy? The Mater Bubble Push Toy is quite simply a piece of junk. Don’t waste your money on this toy. We promptly took ours back.

Want a durable EASEL for your child to draw on? Perhaps one with a chalkboard AND dry erase/magnetic boards? Then check out the Crayola Double-sided Easel. The Helpful Dad gives this 4 of 5 stars.

Here’s the official description:
“Magnetic/Dry Erase and Chalkboard provides a large work area. Each board includes a Clip to hold paper. Surfaces are easy to wipe clean. 4 detachable storage bins for holding art accessories. Folding easel for easy storage. Product includes: Eraser, 77 Magnetic Letters & Numbers. “

There are many good Handy Manny toys and this IS one of them. Originally I was skeptical as you will hear in the video but time has proved that I was wrong. The toys have held up well and my son plays with them all the time.

Is your Cars Fan going to daycare or preschool? Time for a backpack? Here’s a good little buy that The Helpful Dad recommends. Vroom! Vroom!

Is your Toddler a Cars Fan? Does he/she love Lightning McQueen? Are you looking for a Ride-On Toy? If you answered “yes” to each of those questions, then this is the toy for you!

The Helpful Dad gives this 5 Stars – it’s durable, fun, and will keep your toddler’s attention for month’s to come. We’ve had ours for over a year and Jax is still using it every day. Just be careful – once your toddler gets the hang of it, they can speed around the floor and run you over! 🙂

This is a MUST HAVE for Cars Fans.

Does your toddler love Chuck? Then consider this toy. The Helpful Dad says ‘be sure to compare the Playskool version to the Tonka version” to see which one you like best. We believe the Playskool version is the better buy – for 1/2 the price you get similar features.

Here’s an official description:
“Your toddler will have loads of dump-truck fun with Playskool’s Chuck My Talking Truck. Not only does Chuck have over 40 spoken phrases and sounds, he also drives to you when called and shakes his bumper and dump bed while chatting and “working.” Designed for children ages two and up, Chuck My Talking Truck offers your child interactive fun and role-playing opportunities.”

Has your toddler outgrown their high chair but you don’t want to get them one of those ugly plastic booster seats? Then consider the Cooshie – The Helpful Dad owns this seat and my son loves it. I give it 4 of 5 stars – the only negative is it’s a bit pricey. Try to pick it up around $30-40 and you’ll be in good shape.

Here’s an official description:
“The SMART Cooshee Booster Seat is the perfect solution for the toddler who is ready to sit at the “grown-up” table. With its non-tip base and soft molded foam, the SMART Cooshee Booster Seat from Baby – Smart offers comfort for all kids. Not only easy use, the Cooshee doesn’t have seams to trap crumbs and its tiny suctions at the bottom stick securely to any hard surface. – Smart SMART Booster Seat is 100% waterproof, bacteria resistant, non-allergenic and made for both indoor and outdoor use. On the go? Take it with you! Dimensions: 15″ x 14″ x “6.” For Ages: 2 ½ yrs+. Features & Benefits: Unique molded foam stays put with weight of child – Soft, ribbed seat pattern is skid-resistant – For indoor & outdoor use100% Waterproof, Bacteria resistant, Non-allergenic, No Latex — No Phthalates – Sleek, low back cozy design for comfort and stability – For Ages: 2½ years old and up”

Looking for a good HIGH CHAIR for your baby? Consider the Chico Polly High Chair – it’s good, BUT just know you’ll be trading your child’s comfort (a positive) for a bit of a pain in cleaning (a negative). Overall The Helpful Dad gives this 4 of 5 starts – we’ve personlly owned this chair and used it for over a year. I believe its a great buy for $115-130 and a good buy for $130-150. Check out this video to see more.

Here’s the official description/notes:
“The Polly Highchair’s seven height positions, three reclining positions, and one-hand tray removal make the Polly the most convenient highchair to maneuver. Its highlighted and clearly visible buttons won’t leave you searching for how to adjust the highchair to make your child most comfortable.

The Polly also makes cleaning easy with its dishwasher-safe, tray insert and two cushioned, seat pads that are easy to clean. All vinyl seat pads are Phthalate free.

The Chicco Polly puts safety first by including a five-point safety harness and brakes on all wheels.

Seven height positions and three reclining positions for increased comfort
Most convenient maneuvering with one-hand seat recline and tray removal
Two cushioned seat pads that are easy to clean
Phthalate free vinyl seat pads
Adjustable footrest to accommodate growing children
Safety comes first with the five-point safety harness
Slimmest fold in its class
For children up to 37 lbs”

Protect your child’s playroom floors with these flexible foam mats from Imaginarium. As you know from our other vids, the Helpful Dad is a fan of Imaginarium toys and this is no exception. It’s a MUST HAVE for your playroom.

Is your toddler always playing on your computer? Why not get them their own starter computer? Check out this Leaptop from Leapfrog. The Helpful Dad gives it 3.5 of 5 stars – a solid buy for your 1 1/2 to 3 yr old.

You can also customize it with your child’s name too – quite a bonus!

Help your toddler learn their letters with this quality toy from Leapfrog. With multiple options to learn, the Helpful Dad gives this a solid 3 of 5 stars. You may also want to consider the Leaptop from Leapfrog for even more features.

Want to find out the fastest car you have? Then this toy is definitely for you. The Helpful Dad gives it 5 of 5 stars for hours of fun!

Product Description:
“Line up your Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars and race em down the 4-Lane Raceway! The fair start gate and winner’s flag shows the clear victor in every race! Connects to other Hot Wheels sets for crazy racing action. Case has a fold out handle for you to take your racing action to go.”

Product Details:
Product Dimensions: 3.2 x 10.1 x 18.9 inches ; 2.5 pounds
Shipping Weight: 2.6 pound

Charlie Coal the Talking Grill – should you buy him or will you just get burned?

The Helpful Dad says “I was suprised at how cool this little grill is. It’s a decent buy for about $25-35, but not at a higher price point. Be sure to shop around.”

Product Features:
Friendly, smart-talking buddy for grilling play
Electronic pretend grill says more than 50 phrases – and makes realistic grilling sounds too
Grill comes with 2 legs, mustard bottle, ketchup bottle, fork, spatula, 2 plastic burger buns
3 Modes Switch: Choose between Play, Off and Demo mode
Builds fine motor skills and allows for little helpers to grill just like mom and dad!
Grill automatically shuts off after a period of inactivity plastic burger, plastic hot dog bun, plastic hot dog and instructions

Fisher Price’s Giggle Medical Kit is a GREAT BUY according to The Helpful Dad. Here’s why…

The Sesame Street Medical Kit comes with 5 medical tools that all fit inside of the Elmo Medical case for easy storage. The Cookie Monster stethoscope is loaded with fun sound effects like heart beats, giggles and more. Push down on the Bert Thermometer and the temperature will change. Squeeze Ernie’s head and the rubber ducky dial will spin. Look through the Big Bird Otoscope. The Sesame bandages snap onto your wrist. The Sesame Street Medical Kit comes with 5 medical tools that all fit inside of the Elmo Medical case for easy storage The Cookie Monster stethoscope is loaded with fun sound effects like heart beats, giggles and more Push down on the Bert Thermometer and the temperature will change Squeeze Ernie’s head and the rubber ducky dial will spin Look through the Big Bird Otoscope.

Melissa and Doug’s classic wooden toy “My First Bead Maze” features brightly colored, multi-shaped beads that spin and slide along red and yellow wire pathways that are anchored by a strong suction cup base.

What’s the BOTTOM LINE? The Helpful Dad says this is a NICE TO HAVE item in the toy box.

This product encourages color recognition, hand-eye coordination and fine motor development through play!