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Posts Tagged ‘Playful’

Step2 Naturally Playful Lookout Treehouse

July 14th, 2010 admin No comments

Product Features:

  • Sturdy tree house for young children
  • Large 19″ high platfolm
  • “Shingled” roof for shaded play
  • Periscope pivots 180 degrees
  • Adult assembly required

Climb, slide and spy in this elevated playhouse. The Lookout Treehouse features a spacious 19″H platform with a pivoting periscope that really works and large, easy-to-climb steps. The durable slide makes for speedy exits, and the “shingled” roof offers shade protection. Durable, maintenance-free construction. Adult assembly required. Measures 66.5″L x 25″W x 57.5″H. Holds up to 75 pounds.

Step2 Naturally Playful Lookout Treehouse” Reviews:

Review by Salmontree
Rate:
I found 40+ excellent reviews elsewhere on line and ordered this from another retailer who offered free shipping on it. We put it together in about 10 minutes and our 13 mo old was sliding on it immediately. It is for ages 18 mo+ and I think that is probably correct. We are using it in the house until it gets warmer and then will move it outside. We didn’t assemble the periscope but saved the pieces for later. It is very well made and is attractive. I like that there is a platform before you get to the slide and that it can be a fort as well. The slide part disassembles easily for transport. It does require close supervision. We found we could back the ladder to the wall and take off the slide and then it is just a safe fort for when we don’t have time to supervise. We’re very happy with it.

Review by Jennifer M. Goaring
Rate:
My newly turned 1 son is the most athletic little guy of my 4 boys so even though we have lots of boy toys around the house, I needed something special for his first birthday. He wants so badly to keep up with the big boys! Having an October birthday, I was trying to opt for something he could play with indoors during the rainy/cold weather but that was also very active. Fortunately we have enough room for a small climbing structure like this and it is just perfect!

PROS:

-very easy to assemble

-fits inside without being to awkward we have it in a dining room and it could easily work in a space 1/2 the size

-the perfect size for a 1 year old (and my 13 month old niece loves it too!)

-durable enough to withstand big kids — my 5 year old twins are all over it as well and while it has a 60 pound weight limit, it is managing to hold up well for time when they sneak on it together

CONS:

-I can’t really think of anything! I was worried about kids falling off but so far no problem even when one is coming up the slide and one up the ladder, they seem to work it out just and my niece is not as athletic and coordinated as my son but she does great with it as well. Only took a few days to get the hang of climbing up the ladder and how to slide down. Now they both climb the slide also!

I am looking forward to moving it outside in the summer also.

Review by MAO
Rate:
This is an excellent indoor slide if you are looking for something for your little ones to do in cold winter months. It is a small slide, takes up very little space, and the tree house is perfect for play. I bought it for my 18 month old son and he has had much fun using it. His friends of up to 7 years old have played on it and it has lasted many children’s parties. I plan to move it outdoors in the Spring.

Overall Rating: (out of 17 reviews)

Price: $ 112.99

Step2 Naturally Playful Sand & Water Center

July 2nd, 2010 admin No comments

Product Features:

  • Features two sides of play – one for water and one for sand
  • Wood crafted styling blends well with natural landscapes
  • Includes 8-piece accessory kit: umbrella, 2 bridges, 2 boats, 2 pots and 1 shovel
  • Umbrella designed to provide your children protection from the sun
  • Elastic tie-downs keep lid secure and legs are detachable for easy storage

2 years & up. This sand and water table is loaded with action, including two bridges, ramps, cups, and boats. The included umbrella keeps the play table safely shaded from the sun, and the cover fastens on securely at night for protection against the elements. The lid also doubles as an exciting track for cars! Assembly required. 21″H x 26″W x 46″D.

Step2 Naturally Playful Sand & Water Center” Reviews:

Review by Y. R. Wu
Rate:
One question you need to ask is do you want one side sand and one side water, or do you want two sides with mud? You should decide otherwise your kids will decide for you.

Seriously though, we have a 1, 3, and 5 year old and all three enjoy this. I’d say that ~8 years might be the upper limit at which point kids might start to get bored…

I’d recommend not filling the sand side up all the way as the kids enjoy it just as much with only an inch or less of sand. Also you end up buying sand less often this way – it seems universal that they do not want to keep the sand on the table.

Note that there is a water drain ONLY on the “wet” side so you may have to bail the “sand” side out when they start moving the water around.

It came with a few boats, bridges, etc. Naturally, Hot Wheels and other toys will end up here. Consider adding a few empty yogurt cups, plastic utensils, etc to the mix. It’s amazing how much fun and unstructured play they can have with these.

The umbrella is a nice touch as our deck is very sunny. If you don’t need it for this toy you can still use it elsewhere as it’s basically a beach umbrella with a shorter stick. The original umbrella is in a matching color, though if you need a replacement it seems Dollar stores sell one that is identical except for color.

My one complaint is that the top tends to collect water. It’s designed to drain, but the top will sag, particularly because kids like to sit and stand on top. I put an empty yogurt container over the umbrella hole before I put the lid on and it helps prop up the top enough for the water to run out.

Otherwise very sturdy just like all Step 2 products.

If you’ve found this review to be helpful or have questions/comments, please let me know!

Review by Value Mommy
Rate:
Below I’m going to cut and paste my first review of this toy, one I posted almost 3 years ago. My five stars still hold true although I have had some leg weakness since then (but we’ve owned the toy 6 years now and I’ve got three bigger kids–7, 5, 3–leaning on it in every direction as well as an 80 lb. labrador retriever who has taken to standing in it to look over the fence, ahem…anyway). I am about to rescrew new holes in each leg and the table and fill the legs with stand to make it stable again but it is completely worth it given the joy it has brought my children. The water cover is still 100% effective and the toy still looks practically brand new. I have bought one more new umbrella since my last review. So, that’s two new umbrellas and some leg maintenance in 6 years. Not bad. I’m determined to keep it because it is a great place for us to do lots of messy science experiments and activities, as listed below, that are best kept outdoors.

Old Review from May 2007:

First of all, we have had this toy for 3 years and it still looks like the first day it came out of the box (in the BLAZING Texas sun). Also, it has been moved around too many times to count and is still as strong as ever. It’s durable. Plus, it really does keep water out and the cover stays put tightly even through the most violent and windy thunderstorms. The umbrella is awesome, although I did have to replace it once due to weathering. I soooooooo don’t care. Read on…

I’m on my third child now and if there is one thing I’m sick of, it’s the toy that’s a one-trick pony. I’m really looking for more versatility in a toy. That said, let me tell you why we will keep this toy until the kids outgrow it even though we also have an 8×10 ft. sandbox in the back yard. Sure, it’s a sand and water table but we’ve done it all: (1) sand alone (2) water alone (3) potting soil/trowels/silk plants/plastic pots (4) landscaping stones and small tonka construction vehicles (aka “the quarry)–sometimes the small trucks even deliver to the Tonka Mighty and it goes on for hours (5) bubble solution to use with the large wands and even the small and different wands (so that the kids aren’t fighting over the tiny opening of a tiny bottle of bubbles that inevitably gets spilled all over the patio) (6) a Mommy-made iceburg (colored blue) on the hottest summer day with dollar store penguins and polar bears–you can even shave the iceburg to make snow (I used a putty knife) and put crushed ice (if your refrigerator makes it) in the water to make it a happier habitat (7) dishwater and play dishes with sponges and scrubbers to play clean-up without making a mess at the sink like they do inside (8) aquarium gravel/toys/plants with pretend fish (9) sand over buried “fossils” (pretend dinosaur bones found at the local dollar store) (10) sand sifters and dirt with various sizes of rocks that I spray painted gold — super fun day! (11) measuring spoons/cups/jugs that teach lessons about volume — pair with bath color tablets to learn about color mixing! (12) Did you know that Little People LOVE to go to the beach? (Off subject, they’re also not opposed to a tumble in the dishwasher!) (13) any number of arts and crafts activities that I would rather do outside than inside (making slime, papier mache, etc.) (14) tin pans/muffin cups paired with dirt/sticks/water mud for mud pies (15) sand castles, of course! (16) dinosaurs and various animals add a tremendous amount of play value to your basic sand environment.

Well, that’s all that I can remember doing in three years time as I sit here writing this review, although I’m sure there’s more. As if all that isn’t enough, this table is a great size. No elbowing for more space here. There’s room for 6 kids. Yep, one on each end and two on each side. True story.

Do you miss sipping iced tea and reading a magazine or chatting with friends? It can happen again while your toddler plays happily and safely. I LOVE this toy. Can you tell?

Review by Kirsty Hanvey
Rate:
I purchased this even after the reviews about leaks in the legs. The design really is a bit silly as there is no reason to have holes for the legs as you screw them in via the side. We put it together and it leaked, I took it apart purchased some sealant at my local hardware store and reassembled. No more leaks and my little girl (16 months) loves this table. We only put water in both sides as that’s entertainment enough for her. We live in Texas and I’m afraid of snakes and bugs getting in, so once she’s ready for sand the fact that it’s not on the ground and has a cover will help. I can see how it would be a little heavy with sand if you need to constantly move it but overall it’s a great product. If we didn’t have to use sealant to get it to stop leaking I would have given it 4 stars.

Overall Rating: (out of 39 reviews)

Price: $ 52.00

Yummy And Playful Acro Yoga

October 13th, 2009 admin No comments
Yummy And Playful Acro Yoga

http://www.acroyoga.org/

Let’s admit the truth; many of us don’t know what Acro Yoga is. Meet Richard Baimbridge who has mastered the art of Acro Yoga, which is an amalgamation of yoga, massage and acrobatics. Richard Baimbridge has been almost all over the world and collected years of experience from India’s eastern philosophies, New York’s Jiva Mukti, and the monasteries of China. He got trained at the Shanghai School of Acrobatics, which was a big honor because he was the first foreigner to join.

He opened a school for yoga and martial arts in China. It still runs today, but is headed by Zhang Lou Mei. Richard Baimbridge, who has made a name for himself all over the world, is back in his hometown Mexico. He is teaching at Davannayoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:15 pm and Saturday mornings at 10 am. He is also leading AcroYoga classes at Arbol de Yoga on Mondays and Wednesdays at 8 pm. He speaks English, Spanish and Mandarin, thus language cannot be a barrier in this learning experience. Take a chance, and try out new yoga therapy which Richard claims to be “yummy in its playfulness” and assures that you and your partner will love the experience of partner yoga and massage.

Are you aware of the consequences when government restricts people from bearing children? The answer is black market. In china you will find Read more…