These come in an assortment of shapes, sizes colors and prices – all of which can cause a severe headache when trying to decide which one to buy. So, I have put together reviews for three of the best selling Step2 play houses which hopefully will make the whole decision making process a bit easier!

The first Step2 playhouse I have chosen is the Step2 Neat And Tidy Cottage.

The Step2 Neat and Tidy Cottage has exactly what every toddler seems to love – a working doorbell, an electronic phone, shutters and door which open and close and a slot for mail to be posted through! Also inside there is a molded table, and a kitchen area with its own faucet and burner and two little seats – ideal for the kids having a mid-play snack!

The fact that this play house has a floor seems to please most parents because it can be placed on any outdoor surface without the kids getting in a real mess! One mom also pointed out to me that there are also drainage holes so if the floor gets messy after snacks etc. all you need do is hose it out! Another major positive coming from parents is the fact that this the Step2 Neat And Tidy Cottage is very open making supervision of the children much easier.

One thing I must point out is – the manufacturer suggests that this play house is suitable for children between the ages of 18 months and 8 years, however, many of the parents I have spoken to certainly would not agree. In most cases parents seem to doubt if their child will fit in after the age of 4 possibly 5 years.

The Step2 Neat and Tidy Cottage is not large by any manner of means and this caused some disappointment (amongst parents) there really is not enough space for more than a couple of kids to play at one time. The up side I suppose is that many parents were actually able to build the playhouse inside, so the kids could play whatever the weather. One note of caution, I spoke to one parent who had build this house in their kids playroom only to discover that it would not fit through a standard door frame when they wanted to take it outside!

The only niggle that many parents had was the construction. There are not many parents who actually enjoy having to build up these things but many of the parents who bought this playhouse had problems because the holes for the screws were not properly formed or the screws would not catch and hold properly. On the whole however most people seemed to complete the task in under one hour. Once completed the house is sturdy and durable.

Non of the proud owners of the Step2 Neat and Tidy Cottage had a bad word to say about it – they all loved it and played happily for hours at a time entertaining teddies, dollies and anyone else who enjoyed mud stew and rainwater tea!

Product Summary:

Dimensions: 35 x 51 x 46.5 inches

Weight: 53.5 pounds

Features: Open Design, molded table and seats, faucet, burner. It also comes with an electronic phone, working doorbell and a pass through mailbox.

Manufacturers Age Range: 18 months to 8 years

Next is the Step2 Naturally Playful Playhouse Climber & Swing Extension

This is a great combination of playhouse and swings, ideal if you have limited space or funds for buying separate sets!

The playhouse part of this combo play set is designed for kids to climb and explore from all four sides. Once they reach the top there is a deck area where they can have a rest, a little picnic or survey the land before sliding down the 5.5″ slide. The lower part of playhouse climber can be used as a secret hide out – it has a door and portals for the kids to crawl in and out – brilliant in a game of hide and seek! The swing extension part has two strap swings which can be easily adjusted to suit your child. For younger children it is possible to purchase a bucket swing separately.

This playhouse and swing set is recommended for children in the 36 months to 7 years age range, however many parents I spoke to have some serious doubts having purchased this set. One Mom purchased a little chair for her 3 year old to sit on because already she could not stand up in the little house. Another parent pointed out that even with the swings at the highest level his sons legs were too long and he was only 5 years old! So, I would recommend if you have toddlers you should get your monies worth from the Step2 Naturally Playful Playhouse Climber & Swing Extension – older kids perhaps not.

So far as the little “house” is concerned, I’m not sure it is intended to be anything more than a little “den” to be used as a hide away in the midst of an exciting adventure. That’s only my opinion.

The slide is longer than others on similar products which pleased many parents but some did state that they had to wax the surface to allow the kids to slide properly. Another little moan was that the slide was very narrow and the older kids couldn’t slide down.

Be warned, this playhouse comes in 2 HUGE boxes, if you are buying from a store you’ll most likely need a van of some sort to transport it home!

Putting together the Step2 Naturally Playful Playhouse Climber & Swing Extension for some seems to have been a major challenge, with instructions being branded as useless because they only contain pictures which in some cases are unclear. Others however, found construction fairly simple and completed the job in around one hour.

To sum up the Step2 Naturally Playful Playhouse Climber & Swing Extension. It is well made and sturdy, easy to keep clean (you can hose it down) and kids love to play for hours in it/on it. However, It would seem best suited to children right at the bottom end of the manufacturers age recommendations and possibly younger.

Product Summary:

Dimensions: 115 x 110 x 75 inches

Weight: 169 pounds

Features: Multi sided climb slide and hide activity centre, 2 swings, secret hideout.

Manufacturers Age Range:36 months – 8 years.

Now, I don’t want to appear sexist in my reviews, however this next playhouse – The Step2 Sweetheart Playhouse is most definitely a little girls dream house! Boys would no doubt enjoy playing in it too – however some older boys may object to the colors!

The Step2 Sweetheart Playhouse.

Every little princess will just fall in love with this extremely cute, lilac and pink playhouse. It comes with a working door bell, an electronic cordless phone and even a clock to let them know when its time for dinner. The door, shutters and skylight can all be opened and closed – just like a real house! In addition there is also a little cooking range which can be turned over and instantly becomes a fantastic little grill.

If you invest in a few extras like perhaps some cooking utensils, plates, cups, pots etc. maybe a little chair your little one will be happy for hours.

There seems to be some difference of opinion when it comes to the actual size of the The Step2 Sweetheart Playhouse. The majority of parents who I contacted were of the opinion that there was more than enough space inside for the child/children to have toys and some bits of furniture etc. and still have room to move around and play. Others (I have to say only a couple) were disappointed and thought it was way to small. The dimensions are available, it might be an idea to mark them out on the floor to get an idea of size before you buy!.

This playhouse is extremely durable and well made so whilst some parents built it inside the house in the colder weather it is great to have outside in the warm summer days. It is easily cleaned, again you can just hose it out!

Once again the actual construction caused some parents major heartaches, particularly when the holes for screws were reported as not being properly formed (or in a couple of instances non existent!) On the whole this seemed to be the simplest of the three products I have reviewed with most parents building the playhouse in under an hour.

Dimensions: 54 x 21 x 50 inches

Weight: 93 pounds pounds

Features: electronic phone and door bell, heart shaped flower pot, clock, cooker range/grill, working door, shutters and skylight.

Manufacturers Age Range: 24 months – 8 years

All of these playhouses have good points and bad points (according to parents!) As for the kids, they just have fun. Non of the kids I had the opportunity to talk to had a bad thing to say about any of these playhouses, even when it was obvious in some cases that they had already out grown them!

These days pools come in shapes and sizes so, to help you in your choice here are reviews for 3 of the best selling Intex pools.

My first choice, is relatively inexpensive but you will have to add on the cost of an electric pump if you don’t already have one!

Intex 117-by-76-by-53-Inch Rainbow Ring Pool Play Center

This pool is designed with younger kids in mind. It is divided into 2 sections. There is the “wading pool” and a slightly bigger pool with the water slide inside. It comes with a water sprayer – which has to be attached to a garden hose and a couple of games are thrown in also – a ring toss game and a ball roller or toss ball game (the hoops and balls are included.)

On the whole what you see on the box is what you get which seemed to please the parents who have purchased this pool, there were no disappointments regarding size etc.

The manufacturer states that the pool is suited best to children between the ages of 3-7 years however many parents felt that by the time their kids had reached the age of around 5 years whilst they still loved the pool, the featured games etc. had lost their appeal. The slide too is fairly short and not much good for older or taller children

Using an electric pump the pool can be inflated fairly quickly. Without a pump? You are in for a long job because there are a number of parts with individual valves for inflating. So investing in a high power pump is probably a sensible idea. Some parents made the mistake of assuming that a pump was included with the pool – not in this instance.

The one BIG complaint about this pool is the lack of a plug or two to allow the water to drain away. This pool can hold up to 77 gallons of water so tipping it up to empty is no easy task and bailing it out with a bucket a very long task! The other moan was cleaning – particularly under the slide it was very difficult to access to allow a thorough clean.

Negative points aside, the kids I spoke to all absolutely loved the pool and would spend hours playing happily. In fact a couple of parents even brought the pool indoors in the cooler weather and turned it into a massive ball pit – great idea for a party!

Next up is a metal framed pool, again from the maker Intex. This one is a bit more expensive than the last but, still highly recommended and depending where you live can be left in position all year round!

Intex 12-Foot-by-30-Inch Family Size Round Metal Frame Pool Set

As the name suggests this Intex pool is constructed from strong metal pipes which interlock and are then fed through an extremely strong vinyl casing which runs round the top of the main body of the heavy duty vinyl pool. Many of the people I spoke to who have purchased this pool did say that they had been very concerned that the pool structure was not “solid” enough. All of them had to admit however, that this was most certainly not the case on completion, particularly after it had been filled with water.

The big difference with this pool is that you will undoubtedly have to do a bit of work first. The area of ground where it is to sit has to be completely level and debris free, i.e. no stones, sharp twigs etc. Depending on the type of yard you have this could spell a lot of hard work – or you could pay a contractor to do it for you! Whatever you do it is essential that you are aware of this before you buy this pool because unless you are replacing an older pool in the same spot you cannot just take it from the box and get building!

Remember also, this is a semi permanent pool and will require regular maintenance and cleaning just like a regular swimming pool. Also keep in mind that depending on the climate where you live it may have to be dismantled and stored over the winter months. It will not withstand temperatures dropping below freezing.

The over all consensus from owners I have spoken to would seem to be that it is easy to construct and keep clean. One consistent moan was that the pump which is supplied with the pool is not strong enough. However, because the pool was such a reasonable price no-one seemed to mind paying to upgrade it too much.

Another concern for some was that this intex pool did not come with a ladder, making exiting the pool for shorter adults and kids a bit tricky – you can purchase a ladder separately. Whilst a couple of buyers received an incomplete kit. It was eventually sorted out but it was precious pool time wasted!

Everyone who owns one of these Intex pools seems to love it, from couples who just want to laze on floats on a hot day to families whose kids fill the pool with friends everyday during the summer vacation from school.

To sum up this Intex pool is sturdy, durable and a real hit with all family members and at a really great price.

OK the next pool is not inflatable or vinyl, and is even more durable and has a metal frame.

Intex Ultra Metal Frame Pool with New Child Safety Barrier Ladder – 18′ x 52″ complete set

Buy one of these pools and you are really in with the big boys! However there are a few things you really must consider before making such a purchase.

Firstly and probably most importantly the ground the pool will sit on must be level and free from any debris such as stones – remember this thing holds around 6,981 gallons of water and will compress the ground beneath it. Getting this first step right is essential and it may be worth bringing in a contractor to do this for you mechanically.

Construction of the pool may seem a daunting task but everyone I have asked about this has said the same, the instructions are very clear and concise and the pieces fit together extremely easily and snugly. In most cases it took around an hour and a half from start to finish. Before you fill the pool with water think carefully about the positioning of the pump etc. Once filled with water the structure is solid – the kids can hang onto the sides without any problems.

This is a semi permanent pool and does need regular maintenance. Once again Intex seem to have come up trumps with owners praising the cleaning kit and skimmer which is supplied with the pool. The pump also gets the thumbs up although upgrades are available at an additional cost. One owner suggests hosing the filter every few days therefore reducing the number of times it requires replacing.

The ladder has also been improved and now comes with a child safety barrier.

Everyone who has purchased one of these pools who spoke to me absolutely loved it, the size is great and will fit into even fairly small back yards. It can hold several kids and a few adults at any one time.

The manufacturer recommends this pool for children aged 6 years and up and it goes without saying that they should always be supervised by an adult. However, with an adult in the pool and suitable floats younger children can also have hours of fun.

All three of these Intex pools can be purchased from Amazon.Com at fantastic price. As always you can be sure of first class service and secure payment at all times.

That said, I always found that a bouncy castle was the answer! The kids (and adults!) would bounce and have fun for hours no matter what their age. It is great fun and a great workout – the down side is the hassle and the expense of having to hire one for each event.

Then, I discovered that you could actually purchase a bouncy castle, which would bring a great deal of entertainment for the kids on a more regular basis and which on balance cost a whole lot less. So that is what I did and so did a couple of my friends. We all purchased different bouncy castles so we have got together and written a review of each one.

Bouncy Castle Review 1:-

Castle Inflatable Bounce House With Slide

I purchased this for my two kids aged 3 and 6 years receptively and they think that this bouncy castle is the best thing ever and I have to say I agree with them!

The first thing to say about the inflatable bounce house is that it is not too large. So, if the weather is not in your favour you can fit it into a basement or a garage. It also means that you don’t need a huge yard to use it outside either!

I have found that three kids can bouncy happily without bumping into each other. My only concern is that the entrance opening is only held together with Velcro and if a child should fall against it they could fall out and hurt themselves – I remedied this by placing a blow up mattress outside!

It comes with its own “blower” and inflates very quickly, it is also very easy to take down again. The blower is not particularly noisy and certainly keeps good air pressure inside the bouncy castle while the kids play.

I was really surprised that for the price this bouncy castle is very well made and seems to be extremely robust. One purchase I have no regrets about!

Some Important Facts:

Dimensions: 12′ X 9′ and 7′ High

Maximum Players: 3

Maximum Weight: 250lbs

Inflation Time: 2 Minutes

Comes with: UL blower motor, ground stakes and carry bag.

Bouncy Castle Review 2:-

Blast Zone Magic Castle Inflatable Bouncer By Blast Zone

My friend bought this for her young son and his friends, here is what she had to say about this bouncy castle.

The Blast Zone Magic Castle Inflatable bouncer is great quality for a relatively low cost. The colours are vibrant – exactly as you see in the promotional photographs!

It has high, net outer walls which are fantastic for safety and the platform for bouncing on is nice and flat.

It can be erected in no time at all and deflates just as quickly. The blower is a little annoying – sounds a bit like a hair-dryer but after a while you tend not to notice it too much.

I have had up to 4 toddlers playing happily in this bouncy castle but for the older kids I put a limit of 2 kids at a time!

My only moan would be that on a hot summers day the kids have no protection from the sun – their hats fall off when they bounce! A detachable sun screen for the top would be an ideal addition. My second moan it the amount of electricity the blower uses, boy, does it whiz the meter round but, such is life!

Overall we are all delighted with our bouncy castle and hope to have many hours of enjoyment in the years to come.

Some Important Facts:

Dimensions: 8.5′ W x 11′ L x 8′ H

Maximum Players: 3

Maximum Weight: 300lbs

Inflation Time: Around 2 Minutes

Comes with: UL Blower and Stakes

Bouncy Castle Review 3:-

Ultimate Combo Inflatable Bounce House By Bounceland

My second friend purchased this Rolls Royce of bouncy castles for her 3 kids it looks impressive but what did she and her kids think?

WOW! That was my first word when I saw this bouncy castle fully inflated and sitting in the back yard. Then it was OMG that slide looks high!

The truth is that in all honesty this is the best few hundred bucks I have ever spent because the kids spend hours playing in their bouncy castle.

It inflates and deflates quickly and easily and seems to be manufactures to a high standard using good quality materials. The blower, I find a bit noisy but I suppose that comes with the territory.

The actual bounce area is quite small but there are so many other bits to this bouncy castle, the kids can spend ages playing and never bounce once! The additional activity areas include a ball bit, basketball hoops, the slide (which I have to say does have safety netting at the top) a tunnel as well as areas to climb.

I have had up to 6 small kids play in this bouncy castle without any problems but I would say this will vary depending on the size and age of the children.

This has been a fantastic investment, the kids love it and can amuse themselves for hours – we had our first birthday party the other week with the “new bouncy castle” and it went down a treat who needs to pay for an entertainer when you have an Ultimate Combo Inflatable Bounce House in the back yard!

Some Important Facts:

Dimensions: L 12 ftxW 10 ft xH 8.5 ft.

Maximum Players: 4

Maximum Weight: 400lbs

Inflation Time: Less Than 1 Minute

Comes with: Strong UL Blower

Whilst we all love our kids to have fun and they all love their bouncy castles safety has to be paramount. Please follow all the manufactures instructions carefully and ensure that there is always adult supervision.

I hope that these reviews have been useful and help you decide which bouncy castle to purchase for your little terrors. All of these are available from Amazon.com where the service is great and transactions secure!

Powered by a 12 volt battery your intrepid little adventurer can get up to an amazing 5 mph with this Jeep – for all those moms who are now panicking don’t – you can lock out this high speed option and keep to the lower setting which is a more sedate 2.5 mph and ideal when you first introduce your child to this toy. It can be a bit tricky for a 3 year old (which is the minimum age for use stated by the manufacturer) to get the hang of using a “gas” pedal and steering this monster so the high speed lock out is a great feature. There is also a reverse gear for them to master.

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is designed for going “off road” and will perform well in all types of terrain such as grass, gravel, small tree roots and rocks etc. However, opinion seems to vary on this point. Some of the parents I have spoken to say they have absolutely no problems whilst others find that the Jeep won’t perform as expected on certain types of surface and slight inclines.

I have discovered that this appears to be down to two problems. The first is that the Jeep Wrangle Rubicon like most of these ride on toys has hard plastic wheels which seem to have limited traction. There are ways to solve this problem, the first being rubber bands which fit over the wheels – these can be purchased on various sites online, secondly one parent I spoke to sprayed the wheels with a rubberised undercoat – this worked but need to be reapplied regularly, lastly another parent went for the simple option duck tape! Yes, it does work!

The second factor which seems to affect how well the Jeep runs is the weight – a small, light child often has difficulty with the Jeep not moving properly, add a second child and the problem seems to go away. Perhaps if you don’t have a second child adding some additional weight in the rear storage area of the car may have the same effect?

A couple of parents expressed some disappointment that the Jeep doesn’t have proper doors which open and close, but the majority of the kids found the rugged grab bars “cool” just like the pretend seat belts which encourage good car habits for the future. To the rear there is also a storage area so the kids can pack up a picnic for the long trip ahead! Other parents and children would like to see more features like a working radio which some other “ride ons” are fitted with.

The battery does take a LONG time to charge, especially the first time – anything up to 18 hours. If this is a gift be sure to do this in advance otherwise you will have one disappoint child and a long wait on your hands. After the initial charge it is probably best to keep it topped up after each use. Feed back on the length of time the battery lasts has been positive with a large number of parents saying they were surprised how long the Jeep would run.

One further point to consider before purchasing this product – IT IS BIG! With this in mind it is important to decide if you have enough storage space to accommodate it.

On the whole there are very few complaints regarding the Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, adults find it relatively easy to put together using the comprehensive instructions and the kids just love to play in this durable, well designed monster of a truck.

You can purchase your Power Wheels Jeep Wrangle Rubicon at Amazon.com where you are guaranteed to get a great deal and with FREE Super Saver Shipping and secure payment what more could you ask for?

There are a great many adults cutting down on the number of short car journeys they make either whilst on vacation or everyday going to work – they are riding an eZip 500 electric scooter instead! It is better for the environment and saves a whole wad of cash because it actually does not cost a huge amount to keep your battery charged.

This cool looking electric scooter is powered by a 24 volt rechargeable battery and has a 500-watt DC earth magnet motor giving it a maximum speed of 15 MPH. It is possible to travel around 8 miles in total provided the battery is fully charged when you start out. This also depends however, on load it is carrying i.e. the weight of the person riding and the type of terrain you are riding on. The maximum rider weight is 240lbs.

If you have limited storage space owning an eZip 500 electric scooter won’t cause you any problems, because it has folding handle bars and the seat can be removed easily, so, for students living in small flats or to put in the trunk of the car to take on vacation the eZip 500 electric scooter is ideal.

Other features include 12.5 inch alloy 5- spoke MAG wheels which have Street Slick tyres, a variable speed power system with an auto shut-off and a battery pack which is very easy to access.

Some eZip 500 Electric Scooter Information at a glance:-

* Dimensions – 44 x 18 x 11.5 inches
* Weight = 56 pounds pounds
* 500 watt DC earth magnet motor
* Battery – 24-volt/10 Ah pack, two 12-volt/10 Ah valve regulated. The battery is rechargeable
* Speed – max. 15 MPH
* Range – Up to 8 miles
* Suitable for age 13 years and over
* Max. Rider Weight – 240 lbs

The eZip 500 electric scooter is very durable and the speed it can achieve is fantastic, however I should point out the fast start may catch first time users by surprise! You will also find it very easy to keep steady and control.

The one main problem which does annoy appears to be that as with pretty much all electric scooters it really is not much good on hills, this of course can be very disappointing for any teen who receives a eZip 500 electric scooter and lives in a less than flat neighbourhood so, it is a point which should be considered before making a purchase. Another little niggle that has come to my attention is a high pitched whining noise made by the scooter, however I am assured that this is greatly reduced by oiling the chain regularly.

One huge advantage is that this scooter has a detachable seat, so for scooting to the corner store you can just stand on the deck and for a longer journey just put the seat in place and enjoy a more comfortable ride!

You will have to assemble your eZip 500 but this procedure I am assured takes little time and is not in the least difficult.

The eZip 500 electric scooter is available at Amazon.Com were price, service and secure payment are always guaranteed. This item also qualifies for the fantastic FREE super saver shipping!

REMEMBER – safety is essential so why not purchase a suitable helmet and other protection gear as the same time?

The Barbie Ford Mustang couldn’t be more realistic both outside and in. Outside, it has a classy looking rear spoiler and a stylish pony grill and fog lamps on the front. You can see it has chrome wheels and additional chrome accents throughout. Inside, is just as impressive, with it’s tan coloured bucket style seats, bright pink seat belts, cup holders and a radio with equalizer lights which plays pre-recorded music for the journey! On the dashboard it even sports coloured LEDs which flash and light up when the key is pressed showing a realistic speedometer and tachometer just like Mom’s car. At the push of a button your little one can also get engine sounds for a real driving experience.

The only disappointment for some is that the doors and trunk of the Barbie Ford Mustang do not open, so there is really no room to take provisions on that long trip around the back yard and some smaller children may have difficulty climbing in. The manufacturer does recommend this car for age 3 years+ but I do know of younger children who own one.

Once again, as seems to be the case with most of these battery powered ride on toys traction is an issue, especially on damp or wet grass. However, one parent did point out to me that the problem did seem to lessen with two children in the car, the additional weight obviously making the difference. The other solution to this problem is to purchase rubber bands which fit around the plastic wheels, or put duck tape around the wheels – this I am told works just as well at a fraction of the cost.

The car runs on a 12 volt battery which will take around 8 hours to charge fully the first time so best try to charge it before giving the Barbie Ford Mustang as a gift. Otherwise, it will be a long and miserable wait for your child and you. For future charging there is an indicator light on the cars dashboard which will show when the car requires “gas.”

For beginners the car has a lock out which means that the higher speed of 5mph cannot be reached unless the parents do some work under the hood. For many younger children and those just learning how to steer and control the car the lower speed of 2.5mph is plenty fast enough! Once the higher speed has been enabled the child can choose their speed using the realistic shift lever. The Barbie Ford Mustang also has a reverse gear – this can take a bit more getting used to, fortunately it can only operate at the slower speed.

Some Barbie Ford Mustang Details at a Glance:

Dimensions: 30.9 x 51.8 x 18.4 inches

Weight: 72.6 lbs

Age Recommendation: 3 to 6 years

Features:

Adjustable seats, Cup holders, Seat belts, Two forward speeds plus reverse, Pretend radio, engine sounds, Flashing equalizer lights when music plays.

For parents there is a down side, this car needs to be assembled. However, the instructions are clear and whilst it may take a bit of time I am assured by parents who have done this before it really is not that difficult.

Despite the couple of niggles pointed out kids seem to have a fantastic time riding round in this bright pink Barbie Ford Mustang. It gives hours of imaginative play and excitement and in the majority of opinions is well worth the money.

You can buy the Barbie Ford Mustang on Amazon.com where you are always guaranteed excellent customer service and secure payment. This item also qualifies for Amazon’s fantastic FREE Super Saver Shipping.

Suitable for the 3 to 7 year old age group (although I know a couple of 2 year olds who ride these!) it can reach a top speed of 4.5 mph. No need to panic though, this speed is only achieved when your John Deer Turf Tractor is on the higher of the two available speed settings and can easily be locked out until your child is ready to move on. There is also a reverse gear, which may take a bit more practice for most kids to master. Starting them off without the trailer is a good idea too until they can steer and control the tractor a little better.

As you would expect from any tractor, the John Deere Turf Tractor can cope with many different types of terrain everything in fact from small tree roots to wet leaves and mud, this is made possible by the dual rear driving wheels which have separate motors giving added traction. However, whilst some appear to be able to climb wet, grassy inclines other parents report that like so many other toys of this type the wheels just spin. Fitting rubber bands is a great solution to this if it is a recurring problem or, I am reliably informed that putting duck tape around the wheels does the same job at much less cost!

The seat on this John Deere Tractor can be adjusted allowing your child to have many years of fun as they grow and it even has a real accelerator pedal letting your little chap get a real feel for driving.

John Deer Turf Tractor Features at a Glance:

* Rear driving wheels with independent motors

* 2 speeds – 2.5mph and 4.5mph, additionally there is reverse

* Higher speed setting can be locked out

* 12 volt rechargeable battery

* Detachable trailer

* Batteries for lights and sounds NOT included

The one problem which in the vast majority of cases is the only cause for complaint is the detachable trailer which comes with the John Deere Turf Tractor. It seems that the general consensus is that it is not particularly well made and has been described to me on numerous occasions as being “flimsy.” When the child tries to back the tractor up using the really cool reverse gear quite often the trailer jack knifes and the plastic pin which holds tractor and trailer together breaks. It is possible to get a replacement from the manufacturer but this is not particularly cheap, I’ve been told it is around $20 plus post and packing. I also know of parents who have done their own repair using various types of flat headed nails etc.

None of this however appears to dampen the enthusiasm for this tractor either from the parents/grandparents who have made the purchase or from the kids who ride on it. The tractor itself is well made, durable and easy to put together (yes, you have to build it up).

One thing worth pointing out, the battery requires 18 hours to charge fully the first time round, so, if you are planning to give your child this for Christmas or a birthday best try to charge it in advance and save yourself and your child hours of misery! Once charged you should get around 2.5 hours of amazing fun.

You can buy the John Deere Turf Tractor and Trailer through Amazon.com. where you are guaranteed great service and secure online payment.

The manufacturer – Razor recommends this scooter for children of 8 years old and up – the maximum weight capacity is 120lbs – however, I have known 5 year olds to zip about on these and I also know of many adults who like to “borrow” their kids E125 scooter!

You will discover that the Razor E125 electric scooter can boast a high-torque motor which is chain driven, this I am told is far more durable and gives a much better performance than the E100 which was (perhaps still is?) belt driven. It also has a twist grip throttle which most kids get to grips with fairly quickly although my sources tell me that some younger kids take a while to get the hang of it.

One fact that I should point out is that the E125 unlike its bigger counterparts does not start from a standing position. The rider has to manually reach a speed of 3 mph and then on the press of a trigger the motor will kick in. Once the motor is running it is possible to reach a pretty impressive 10 mph which for “tweens” is an ideal speed, enough for some incredible fun but not too fast that it would cause a nuisance when ridden on the side walk. Stopping is just as important as the speed and you will find that the E125 is fitted with a front, hand operated brake.

The Razor E125 electric scooter is powered by a rechargeable battery which is best charged overnight. Once fully charged it will give around 40 minutes of power. There are those which complain that this really is not long enough but on the whole it seems to be of no consequence because everyone just loves these scooters.

The things which most parents love about the Razor E125 is that it takes only a few minutes to put together and it can be folded down and put in the trunk of the car so the kids can take it on vacation or family days out and makes storage non problematic.

The Razor E125 Electric Scooter Key Facts At A Glance:

* Ideally suited for age 8 years and upwards

* Max. weight limit 120 lbs

* Capable of speeds up to 10 mph

* Battery life around 40 min. continuous use

* Sports a high torque, chain driven motor

* Has a Twist grip throttle

* Rechargeable battery

* Hand operated front brake.

* 8 in pneumatic front tyre

* 125mm polyurethane rear wheel

One final small tip – don’t ride the scooter through puddles, I spoke to one young lad who did just that and it was the end of his beloved Razor E125 electric scooter.

As with any motor powered toy safety must be paramount so, a helmet and perhaps knee and elbow pads should be considered whilst riding this scooter.

What do you get for your money?

* The Razor E125 electric scooter

* 2 x 12 volt batteries

* A battery charger

* Tools for assembly

Kids young (and not so young) love zooming around on the Razor E125. They are durable, well made and can bring many hours of pleasure.

WARNING - DON’T fall fowl of the law. Make sure you check out the legality and the limitations placed on the use of these scooters in your local area and state.

You can purchase your Razor E125 electric scooter at Amazon.Com where you will not only get a great deal on the scooter but you will benefit from their fantastic FREE Super Saver Shipping. On top of all this you are as always guaranteed great service and secure online payment.

It is ideal for children from the age of 3 years to around 6 years ( maximum weight is 65lbs per passenger.)

This truck is packed with really cool features for example it has a REAL FM radio, a working tailgate and lots of room on the truck bed for carrying supplies, it even has cup holders for refreshments on those hot summer days and they can take a friend along for the ride! You will also find that the interior has great little touches like chrome accents, seatbelts and yet more storage in the dashboard.

The Power Wheels Ford F150 can reach a top speed of 5 mph when it is on the highest speed setting and a more modest 2.5 mph on the lower setting and when in reverse. The lower setting is ideal when the kids are getting used to steering and controlling the truck using the steering wheel and “gas” pedal. However, on this setting the “Power Wheels Ultimate Terrain Traction” will not function.

So, what is this “Power Wheels Ultimate Terrain Traction?” Quite simply it is a system where by both the rear wheels are powered by the 12 volt battery instead of the usual one allowing the F150 to go “off road.” It will perform on all types of surface from wet grass to mud and gravel even small tree roots and mounds pose no problem when in this mode ( it must be on the higher speed setting.)

The Power Wheels Ford F150 At A Glance:

* Dimensions: 29.5 x 35.5 x 51.8 inches

* Weight: 93.6 pounds

* Has “Power Wheels Ultimate Terrain Traction”

* Sports a real FM radio, makes realistic motor sounds, a tailgate which can be lowered and a truck bed big enough for any adventure.

* Can reach maximum speed of 5 mph and a lower speed of 2.5 mph.

* Can be ridden in areas where other ride on toys would fail miserably.

* Boasts cup holders, Velcro seat belts and an indicator to show when the battery is low

* Drives just like a real truck with a steering wheel and gas pedal.

Your Power Wheels Ford F150 does require assembly, however this is not difficult and the instructions are very clear and concise.

This truck is powered by a special 12 volt battery designed especially for this toy. Charging should ideally be done overnight to make sure that your little one can have endless fun – I have it on good authority that the battery can withstand 3 hours of continuous riding if fully charged. In the cab of the F150 there is a working gauge which shows how much “gas” the truck has left so there is no need to run out and your child will love watching to make sure this doesn’t happen!

One added bonus is that the seat in the Power Wheels Ford F150 can be adjusted to suit your child and there is room enough for 2 kids so friends or sibling can join in the fun.

The only grumble which I have come across regarding this ride on is that the plastic wheels are very noisy on hard surfaces and can give a bit of a bumpy ride. I have to say that these complaints came from adults – the kids just don’t care!

One person described the Power Wheels Ford F150 truck as “awesome” and I think that pretty much sums it up. It is realistic, sturdy, and the additional traction works brilliantly.

For Your Money You Will Receive:

* Power Wheels Ford F150 ride-on toy

* 12 volt Rechargeable Battery

* Battery Charger

** Batteries for the radio are NOT included

If you want real value for money then this is the ride on for you. The kids will have hours of fun and adventure allowing you to sit back and enjoy watching the adventures unfold.

Purchase your Power Wheels Ford F150 truck at Amazon.Com where you are always assured first class service and secure payment and this item qualifies for free super saver shipping.

Well, Fisher Price have once again come up trumps for all Cars fans with their Power Wheels Lightning McQueen electric car, for kids between the ages of 3 and 8 years of age. (This age range is dependant on the individual child’s height and weight.)

This slick, speedy, bright red electric car is powered by a 6 volt battery which, I have on good authority will last for around 3 hours of continuous riding when fully charged. To be sure that you do have a fully charged battery it is best done overnight. Having a back up battery which is always charged is a good idea because all you need to do then is swap them over and the fun can continue! Removing and replacing the battery is very easy to do.

You will find that the Power Wheels Lightning McQueen really is a race car – it has a maximum speed of 5 mph – for a 3 year old that is pretty fast! I should point out at this stage that the 5 mph is actually the faster speed setting. The slower setting will allow your little racer to get up to 2.5 mph which is way fast enough for any novice. Parents – you can actually lock out the higher speed setting until you are sure that your child is ready. Of course there is a reverse gear as well and the car is fitted with power lock brakes.

One of the favourite features amongst the kids I have spoken too is the race car sound effects and the well known phrases from the movie said in a real Lightning McQueen voice.

Power Wheels Lightning McQueen Features at a Glance:

*2 speed settings.

*6 volt battery.

*Sound effects and real phrases from the “Cars” movie.

*High speed lock out.

*Power lock brakes.

As with many other ride on toys the Power Wheels Lightning McQueen car has shiny plastic wheels which appear to cause some problems with traction, particularly on smooth surfaces and grass – especially if it is wet. However the instances of this seem to vary, some people claim to have no problems whilst others say that the wheels just spin. Happily, there is a solution, it is possible to purchase and fit rubber bands to the wheels which instantly resolves any problem.

Another couple of niggles pointed out by parent/grandparents – the Lightning McQueen racing car does not have doors which open and close, nor does it have seat belts or a storage area so kids can take their other favourite toys for a ride. As for the kids – non of this seems to matter.

What Do You Get For Your Money?

* Power Wheels Lightning McQueen Race Car

* 6 volt Battery

* Battery Charger

** Batteries for Sound Effects NOT included

The car does require some assembly but I am assured that this is simple and straight forward even for those parents who find such tasks a challenge!

On the whole kids and parents alike just love this Power Wheels Lightning McQueen race car. It is safe, durable and well worth the money because it will give its proud owner hours of fun and adventure.

One thing which is probably worth mentioning a racing helmet would make a great addition to the whole theme and ensure that your little one has some protection should any mishaps take place.

You can order your Power Wheels Lightning McQueen Race Car at Amazon.Com and take full advantage of their fantastic FREE super saver delivery, great service and secure payment.